US 6,650,655 B2 · Allocation of data transmission resources between different networks

Abstract

The idea of the invention is the allocation of transmission resources in several separate steps. In the first step, the available transmission resources are dynamically divided between the different networks. In the second step, the networks divide the resources that have been allocated for their use among their users by their own channel allocation methods. In one embodiment, a given minimum capacity wherewith the network achieves a predetermined minimum quality of service is permanently allocated to some or all of the networks. As the capacity requirement increases, the necessary amount of additional capacity is allocated to the operator in excess of this minimum capacity. The additional capacity is then allocated either from resources separately reserved for this purpose that are common to the networks, or by borrowing it from capacity that is allocated to another network but falls outside the minimum capacity of said network. In accordance with one embodiment, an upper limit is set for the transmission capacity allocated to a network, in excess of which no capacity can be allocated to the network. The dynamic distribution of capacity between networks can be realized either in a centralized or in a distributed manner. If the division is performed in a distributed manner for example in such a way that each network independently allocates a band to itself, the algorithms used in the different networks must be compatible.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A method for dividing data transmission resources between users in a system comprising several networks in which the networks and their users can establish bi-directional connections between them and a given number of transmission resources are allocated for the use of the system, comprising:

employing at least one parameter for dynamically allocating transmission resources which are usable by a plurality of channel allocation schemes, for the use of the different networks which each cover a plurality of cells, wherein said transmission resource allocation being performed dynamically in such a manner that a minimum resource that the network will always have at its disposal is set for at least some of the networks, and
allocating in each network from the resources allocated for the use of that network channels for the connections of the users of the network,
wherein the dynamic allocation of transmission resources between the networks is performed in a distributed manner in such a way that each network independently allocates transmission resources to itself, and
wherein the transmission resources are divided into carrier frequencies, and as the transmission capacity of the network is increased dynamically:
a new carrier frequency is taken into the use of the network,
a beacon signal is transmitted at the new carrier frequency at a transmit power substantially lower than that used at the other carrier frequencies,
connections that achieve a sufficiently good connection quality at the new carrier frequency are transferred to use a channel operating at the new carrier frequency.

4 more elements

employing at least one parameter for dynamically allocating transmission resources which are usable by a plurality of channel allocation schemes, for the use of the different networks which each cover a plurality of cells, wherein said transmission resource allocation being performed dynamically in such a manner that a minimum resource that the network will always have at its disposal is set for at least some of the networks, and
allocating in each network from the resources allocated for the use of that network channels for the connections of the users of the network,
wherein the dynamic allocation of transmission resources between the networks is performed in a distributed manner in such a way that each network independently allocates transmission resources to itself, and
wherein the transmission resources are divided into carrier frequencies, and as the transmission capacity of the network is increased dynamically:
a new carrier frequency is taken into the use of the network,
a beacon signal is transmitted at the new carrier frequency at a transmit power substantially lower than that used at the other carrier frequencies,
connections that achieve a sufficiently good connection quality at the new carrier frequency are transferred to use a channel operating at the new carrier frequency,
wherein a threshold is set for the amount of traffic to be transferred to use the channels of the new carrier frequency,
the amount of traffic that has transferred to use the channels of the new carrier frequency is examined, and
the transmit power of the beacon signal transmitted at the carrier frequency is increased if the amount of traffic that has transferred to use the new carrier frequency is below the threshold.

7 more elements

employing at least one parameter for dynamically allocating transmission resources which are usable by a plurality of channel allocation schemes, for the use of the different networks which each cover a plurality of cells, wherein said transmission resource allocation being performed dynamically in such a manner that a minimum resource that the network will always have at its disposal is set for at least some of the networks, and
allocating in each network from the resources allocated for the use of that network channels for the connections of the users of the network,
wherein the dynamic allocation of transmission resources between the networks is performed in a distributed manner in such a way that each network independently allocates transmission resources to itself, and
wherein the transmission resources are divided into carrier frequencies, and as the transmission capacity of the network is increased dynamically:
a new carrier frequency is taken into the use of the network,
a beacon signal is transmitted at the new carrier frequency at a transmit power substantially lower than that used at the other carrier frequencies,
connections that achieve a sufficiently good connection quality at the new carrier frequency are transferred to use a channel operating at the new carrier frequency,
wherein a threshold is set for the amount of traffic to be transferred to use the channels of the new carrier frequency,
the amount of traffic that has transferred to use the channels of the new carrier frequency is examined, and
the transmit power of the beacon signal transmitted at the carrier frequency is increased if the amount of traffic that has transferred to use the new carrier frequency is below the threshold,
wherein the amount of transferred traffic is determined as the number of connections that have transferred to use the channels of the new carrier frequency.

8 more elements

employing at least one parameter for dynamically allocating transmission resources which are usable by a plurality of channel allocation schemes, for the use of the different networks which each cover a plurality of cells, wherein said transmission resource allocation being performed dynamically in such a manner that a minimum resource that the network will always have at its disposal is set for at least some of the networks, and
allocating in each network from the resources allocated for the use of that network channels for the connections of the users of the network,
wherein the dynamic allocation of transmission resources between the networks is performed in a distributed manner in such a way that each network independently allocates transmission resources to itself, and
wherein the transmission resources are divided into carrier frequencies, and as the transmission capacity of the network is increased dynamically:
a new carrier frequency is taken into the use of the network,
a beacon signal is transmitted at the new carrier frequency at a transmit power substantially lower than that used at the other carrier frequencies,
connections that achieve a sufficiently good connection quality at the new carrier frequency are transferred to use a channel operating at the new carrier frequency,
wherein a threshold is set for the amount of traffic to be transferred to use the channels of the new carrier frequency,
the amount of traffic that has transferred to use the channels of the new carrier frequency is examined, and
the transmit power of the beacon signal transmitted at the carrier frequency is increased if the amount of traffic that has transferred to use the new carrier frequency is below the threshold,
wherein the amount of transferred traffic is determined as the combined traffic load of connections that have transferred to use the channels of the new carrier frequency.

8 more elements

employing at least one parameter for dynamically allocating transmission resources which are usable by a plurality of channel allocation schemes, for the use of the different networks which each cover a plurality of cells, wherein said transmission resource allocation being preformed dynamically in such a manner that a minimum resource that the network will always have at its disposal is set for at least some of the networks, and
allocating in each network from the resources allocated for the use of that network channels for the connections of the users of the network,
wherein the dynamic allocation of transmission resources between the networks is performed in a distributed manner in such a way that each network independently allocates transmission resources to itself, and
wherein the transmission resources are divided into carrier frequencies, and as the transmission capacity of the network is increased dynamically:
a new carrier frequency is taken into the use of the network,
a beacon signal is transmitted at the new carrier frequency at a transmit power substantially lower than that used at the other carrier frequencies,
connections that achieve a sufficiently good connection quality at the new carrier frequency are transferred to use a channel operating at the new carrier frequency,
wherein a threshold is set for the number of connections transferring away from the channels of the new carrier frequency per time unit,
the number of connections transferring away from the channels of the new carrier frequency per time is examined, and
the transmit power of the beacon signal transmitted at the carrier frequency is increased if the number of connections transferring away from the channels of the new carrier frequency per time exceeds the threshold.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Allocation of data transmission resources between different networks

Life of this patent

Allocation of data transmission resources between different networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5