Medium allocation method

A method for use in wireless transmission in a system that has available to it a plurality of data modulation schemes, each said scheme mapping a different number of bits per symbol, the method, comprising the steps of:

• assigning one or more time slots within a frame for use by a user;
• and
• selecting a modulation scheme from said plurality of modulation schemes for use in mapping user data bits to symbols to be transmitted in each of said assigned time slots;
• wherein said assigning and selecting steps are coordinated to achieve a prescribed user data rate given a current channel quality;
• wherein said selecting step is performed so that said modulation scheme is independently selected for each of said assigned time slots within said frame, and wherein said assigning step assigns at least a first and second time slot for use by said user within said frame, said first time slot having a modulation scheme selected for it in said selecting step that is different from the modulation scheme selected in said selecting step for said second time slot.

A method for use in wireless transmission in a system that has available to it a plurality of data constellation mapping schemes, each said scheme mapping a different number of bits per symbol, the method, comprising the steps of:

• determining a user data rate requirement;
• assigning time slots within a frame to match said user data rate requirement;
• wherein, said assigning step further comprises the steps of:
• analyzing a current user data rate by determining a data rate for each time slot within said frame that is currently assigned to said user given a current constellation mapping scheme therefor;
• and
• changing the number of time slots within said frame assigned to said user so that after performing said changing the combined data rate of the time slots thereafter assigned to said user within said frame more closely matches said user data rate requirement than said current user data rate did;
• wherein said assigning step assigns at least a first and second time slot within said frame for use by said user, said first time slot having a current constellation mapping scheme that is different from the constellation mapping scheme for said second time slot.

Apparatus for use in wireless transmission in a system that has available to it a plurality of data modulation schemes, each said scheme mapping a different number of bits per symbol, said apparatus comprising:

• means for determining a new user data rate requirement;
• and
• means for assigning time slots within a frame to match said user data rate requirement;
• wherein, said means for assigning further comprises
• means for analyzing a current user data rate by determining a data rate capable of being carried by each time slot currently assigned within said frame to said user given a current modulation scheme therefor;
• and
• means for altering the number of time slots assigned to said user within said frame when necessary to insure that the combined data rate of the time slots assigned to said user within said frame matches said new user data rate requirement;
• said apparatus being CHARACTERIZED in that said current modulation scheme is determined independently for each time slot assigned to said user within said frame, and being further CHARACTERIZED in that said means for assigning is adapted to assign at least a first and second time slot within said frame to said user each of which is assigned a respective different modulation scheme.

Apparatus for use in wireless transmission in a system that has available to it a plurality of data modulation schemes, each said scheme mapping a different number of bits per symbol, said apparatus comprising:

• a user data rate requirement determiner;
• and
• a time slot assigner that assigns time slots to users within a frame as a function of the modulation scheme that can be achieved for each said time slot so that a total data rate assigned to each user substantially matches that users data rate requirement;
• wherein said time slot assigner is adapted to assign at least a first and second time slot within said frame to said user which each employ a respective different modulation scheme.

Software for use in wireless transmission in a system that has available to it a plurality of data modulation schemes, each said scheme mapping a different number of bits per symbol, said software being in computer readable form, said software being for causing a processor to perform functions comprising:

• determining a new user data rate requirement;
• and
• altering a current assignment of time slots within a frame so as to better match an accumulated data rate of all channels assigned to said user to said user data rate requirement than said current assignment of time slots matches said user data rate requirement, said assigning being a function of a maximum data rate achievable for each time slot assignable to said user within said frame by employing a one of said modulation schemes employable for said time slot;
• said software being CHARACTERIZED in that said current modulation scheme is determined independently for each time slot assigned to said user within said frame, and being further CHARACTERIZED in that said altering step alters said current assignment within said frame so that at least a first and second time slot of said user are each assigned a respective different one of said modulation schemes.