Apparatus and method for an adaptive periodic bandwidth allocation approach in a shared bandwidth communications system

An apparatus comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive data transmissions from a plurality of remote terminals via an uplink inroute channel group of a wireless data communications system;
• and
• a processor configured to determine an average utilization of periodic bandwidth, at a given point in time, of the plurality of remote terminals, wherein the average utilization of the periodic bandwidth is determined based on a first averaging period, and the periodic bandwidth is a portion of overall bandwidth of the channel allocated for periodic bandwidth allocations to each terminal of the plurality of remote terminals for data transmissions of the respective terminal over the channel;
• and
• wherein the processor is further configured to determine a maximum level for the periodic bandwidth allocations to each terminal of the plurality of remote terminals at the given point in time based on the determined average utilization of periodic bandwidth of the plurality of remote terminals and a target level for the periodic bandwidth,
• wherein the processor is further configured to determine a utilization metric that reflects a utilization level of the periodic bandwidth, at the given point in time, by a one terminal of the plurality of remote terminals based on a second averaging period, where the second averaging period may be equal to the first averaging period,
• wherein the processor is further configured to determine an updated utilization level for the periodic bandwidth allocations to the one terminal of the plurality of remote terminals based on the determined utilization metric for the one terminal and a target level for utilization of the periodic bandwidth by the one terminal, wherein the updated utilization level for the periodic bandwidth allocations to the one terminal is determined so as not to exceed the determined maximum level for the periodic bandwidth allocations to each terminal of the plurality of remote terminals, and
• wherein the apparatus is configured to apply the updated utilization level for the periodic bandwidth allocations to the one terminal for one or more subsequent data transmissions of the one terminal over the channel.