Method and apparatus for a reverse link supplemental channel scheduling

#The present invention relates generally to the field of communications, and more particularly, to data communications in a communication system.

#In a communication system, a base station may use time division access on a forward link transmission to a number of mobile stations in a code division multiple access communication system. Each mobile station is scheduled to receive a transmission during a time slot based on the forward link channel condition. The forward and reverse links channel conditions may change from time to time due to many different factors including mobility of the mobile stations. As a result, the channel condition between the base station and the mobile stations is also changing, creating a more favorable channel condition for a mobile station than another. The base station schedules the mobile stations reverse link transmissions. On the forward link, the base station needs to inform a mobile station when the mobile station is expected to transmit on a reverse link channel, such as a reverse link supplemental channel. The reverse link scheduling is based on many factors including the number of mobile stations that may transmit on the reverse link at the same time. The time between deciding the scheduling of a reverse link transmission for a mobile station and informing the mobile station on the forward link is desired to be as short as possible. The reverse link channel condition may change, for example, for a mobile station that is scheduled for transmission but not informed very quickly. When the scheduling information is received by the mobile station, the channel condition for the reverse link transmission for the mobile station may have deteriorated, thus leading to inefficient use of communication resources. The reverse link scheduling information, however, is transmitted on the forward link. The transmission on the forward link to a mobile station is based on the forward link channel condition with the mobile station. The mobile station may not have a good forward link channel condition; as a result, the mobile station may not receive a transmission on the forward link for some time. Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for scheduling communications of data in a communication system.

#An apparatus and method for communications of scheduling information of reverse link transmissions in a timely manner are disclosed. A base station controller determines scheduling of a reverse link supplemental channel transmission for a mobile station in a communication system. The base station controller groups the mobile station in a group of mobile stations in the communication system. The base station controller assigns a forward link channel assignment channel to the group of mobile stations. A transmitter incorporates information relating to the determined scheduling in the assigned forward link common assignment channel. The transmitter transmits the assigned forward link common assignment channel to the mobile station for scheduling the reverse link supplemental channel transmission. A receiver in the mobile station receives the assigned forward link common assignment channel. A controller in the mobile station schedules transmission of the reverse link supplemental channel transmission from the mobile station in accordance with the determined scheduling. A transmitter in the mobile station transmits the reverse link supplemental channel in accordance with the determined scheduling.

#The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system capable of operating in accordance with various embodiments of the invention;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a communication system receiver for receiving and decoding received packets of data in accordance with embodiments aspects of the invention;

#Generally stated, a novel and improved method and apparatus provide for communications of reverse link supplemental channels scheduling information in a communication system. One or more exemplary embodiments described herein are set forth in the context of a digital wireless data communication system. While use within this context is advantageous, different embodiments of the invention may be incorporated in different environments or configurations. In general, the various systems described herein may be formed using software-controlled processors, integrated circuits, or discrete logic. The data, instructions, commands, information, signals, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the application are advantageously represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or a combination thereof. In addition, the blocks shown in each block diagram may represent hardware or method steps.

#More specifically, various embodiments of the invention may be incorporated in a wireless communication system operating in accordance with the code division multiple access (CDMA) technique which has been disclosed and described in various standards published by the Telecommunication Industry Association (TIA) and other standards organizations. Such standards include the TIA/EIA-95 standard, TIA/EIA-IS-2000 standard, IMT-2000 standard, UMTS and WCDMA standard, all incorporated by reference herein. A system for communication of data is also detailed in the “TIA/EIA/IS-856 cdma2000 High Rate Packet Data Air Interface Specification,” incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the standards may be obtained by writing to TIA, Standards and Technology Department, 2500 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Va. 22201, United States of America. The standard generally identified as UMTS standard, incorporated by reference herein, may be obtained by contacting 3GPP Support Office, 650 Route des Lucioles-Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne-France.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a general block diagram of a communication system 100 capable of operating in accordance with any of the code division multiple access (CDMA) communication system standards while incorporating various embodiments of the invention. Communication system 100 may be for communications of voice, data or both. Generally, communication system 100 includes a base station 101 that provides communication links between a number of mobile stations, such as mobile stations 102-104, and between the mobile stations 102-104, and a public switch telephone and data network 105. The mobile stations in FIG. 1 may be referred to as data access terminals (AT) and the base station as data access network (AN) without departing from the main scope and various advantages of the invention. Base station 101 may include a number of components, such as a base station controller and a base transceiver system. For simplicity, such components are not shown. Base station 101 may be in communication with other base stations, for example base station 160. A mobile switching center (not shown) may control various operating aspects of the communication system 100 and in relation to a back-haul 199 between network 105 and base stations 101 and 160.