US 8,509,089 B2 · Path selection for a wireless system with relays

Abstract

A method selects a path for forwarding a data packet in a wireless communication system. A system capacity versus delay impact curve is calculated for a direct path to mobile station. The direct path has a capacity cost based on communication quality of a direct link between a base station and the mobile station. This curve is shifted by a predetermined time corresponding to an additional delay over a relay path to produce a projected capacity curve for the relay path having a second capacity cost determined according to a combined measure of signal quality of multiple links in the relay path. The second capacity cost is multiplied by a capacity cost ratio to produce a relay capacity curve. The direct path or the relay path is selected based on a comparison of the system capacity versus delay impact curve and the relay capacity curve according to a QoS requirement.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of selecting a path for forwarding a data packet between a user station and a base station in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system having at least two possible paths for forwarding the data packet between the user station and the base station, at least one of the possible paths being via at least one relay station, the method comprising:

determining a preferred path for forwarding the data packet based at least in part on a combination of anticipated delay at each station on each possible path and data rate for transmission between each pair of stations on each possible path;
and
forwarding the data packet between the user station and the base station on the determined preferred path;
wherein determining the preferred path comprises determining the preferred path for the user station and maintaining that preferred path for that user station.

1 more element

A method of selecting a path for forwarding a data packet between a user station and a base station in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication station having at least two possible paths for forwarding the data packet between the user station and the base station, at least one of the possible paths being via at least one relay station, the method

comprising:
when the data packet is associated with a delay-sensitive service:
determining a preferred path for forwarding the data packet based at least in part on a combination of anticipated delay at each station on each possible path and data rates for transmission between each pair of stations on each possible path;
and
forwarding the data packet between the user station and the base station on the preferred path;
and
when the data packet is associated with a delay-insensitive service:
determining a preferred path for forwarding the data packet based at least in part on data rates for transmission between each pair of stations on each possible path without accounting for anticipated delay at each station on each possible path;
wherein determining the preferred path comprises determining the preferred path for the user station and maintaining that preferred path for that user station.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Path selection for a wireless system with relays

Life of this patent

Path selection for a wireless system with relays

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19