Scheduling methods and apparatus based on adjusted channel capacity

An apparatus for scheduling data blocks for transmission from a plurality of transmission elements in timeslots in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:

• a scheduler coupled to the transmission elements;
• wherein the scheduler is configured to determine for the transmission elements respective channel capacities, to adjust one or more of the channel capacities based on amounts of data available to transmit in the corresponding transmission elements, and to select one or more of the transmission elements for scheduling in a given one of the timeslots based on the one or more adjusted channel capacities;
• and
• wherein a given one of the one or more adjusted channel capacities is a function of computed at least in part by comparing a corresponding determined channel capacity and an amount of data available to transmit in the corresponding transmission element.

An integrated circuit comprising:

• a processing device having a scheduler configured to schedule data blocks for transmission from a plurality of transmission elements in timeslots in a communication system;
• the scheduler being coupled to the transmission elements;
• wherein the scheduler is configured to determine for the transmission elements respective channel capacities, to adjust one or more of the channel capacities based on amounts of data available to transmit in the corresponding transmission elements, and to select one or more of the transmission elements for scheduling in a given one of the timeslots based on the one or more adjusted channel capacities;
• and
• wherein a given one of the one or more adjusted channel capacities is computed at least in part by comparing a corresponding determined channel capacity and an amount of data available to transmit in the corresponding transmission element.

A communication system comprising:

• a base station comprising a plurality of transmission elements and a scheduler coupled to the transmission elements;
• and
• a plurality of mobile user devices configured for communication with the base station;
• wherein the scheduler of the base station is configured to schedule data blocks for transmission from the transmission elements to the mobile user devices in timeslots;
• and
• wherein the scheduler of the base station is configured to determine for the transmission elements respective channel capacities, to adjust one or more of the channel capacities based on amounts of data available to transmit in the corresponding transmission elements, and to select one or more of the transmission elements for scheduling in a given one of the timeslots based on the one or more adjusted channel capacities;
• and
• wherein a given one of the one or more adjusted channel capacities is computed at least in part by comparing a corresponding determined channel capacity and an amount of data available to transmit in the corresponding transmission element.