U.S. patent application number 09/840538 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-15 for method of dynamic transmit scheduling using channel quality feedback.
This patent application is currently assigned to MOTOROLA, INC.. Invention is credited to Classon, Brian, Cudak, Mark C., Love, Robert T., Rotstein, Ron.
Application Number | 20010040877 09/840538 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26897886 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010040877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Love, Robert T. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2001 |
Method of dynamic transmit scheduling using channel quality
feedback
Abstract
A method and system for dynamic rate switching via medium access
channel layer signaling is disclosed, wherein data rates for high
data rate channels are automatically shifted up or down based on a
predetermined metric. In a preferred embodiment, data rates are
automatically shifted up or down based on transmit channel gain
required to maintain a required signal to noise ratio.
Inventors: |
Love, Robert T.;
(Barrington, IL) ; Rotstein, Ron; (Arlington
Heights, IL) ; Cudak, Mark C.; (Mc Henry, IL)
; Classon, Brian; (Palatine, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOTOROLA, INC.
1303 EAST ALGONQUIN ROAD
IL01/3RD
SCHAUMBURG
IL
60196
|
Assignee: |
MOTOROLA, INC.
|
Family ID: |
26897886 |
Appl. No.: |
09/840538 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60202632 |
May 9, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/329 ;
370/230 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 72/1284 20130101;
H04W 28/22 20130101; H04W 52/221 20130101; H04W 72/1231 20130101;
H04B 17/24 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/329 ;
370/230 |
International
Class: |
H04L 012/26 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for scheduling a plurality of mobile units for data
transmission, the method comprising the steps of: determining a
plurality of mobile units that require data transmission; determine
power control feedback information for each mobile unit within the
plurality of mobile units that require data transmission; and
schedule the plurality of mobile units for data transmission based
on their power control feedback information.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprises the step of determining
C/I information for each mobile unit within the plurality of mobile
units and scheduling the plurality of mobile units additionally
based on C/I.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of scheduling the
plurality of mobile units for data transmission comprises the step
of scheduling the plurality of mobile units for data transmission
over a common channel shared by the plurality of mobile units.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of determining C/I
information for each mobile unit comprises the step of determining
feedback information of a common channel.
5. An apparatus for scheduling mobile units for data transmission,
the apparatus comprising: a channel statistic estimator, wherein
the channel statistic estimator has power control information for a
plurality of mobile units as an input and outputs a power-control
statistic based on the power control information; a scheduler
having the power-control statistic as an input and outputting
scheduled mobile units based on the power control statistic.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the channel statistic estimator
additionally has C/I feedback information for the plurality of
mobile units as an input and outputs a statistic based on both
power control and C/I information for each mobile unit.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the C/I information is C/I
feedback information for a common channel shared by the plurality
of mobile units.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is related in general to communication
systems, and, more particularly, to an improved method and system
for dynamic scheduling via channel quality feedback.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Standards bodies such as the International Standards
Organization (ISO) have adopted a layered approach for the
reference model of a communication subsystem. The complete
communication subsystem is broken down into a number of layers,
each of which performs a well-defined function in the context of
the overall communication subsystem. It operates according to a
defined protocol by exchanging messages, both user data and
additional control information, with a corresponding peer layer in
a remote system. Each layer has a well-defined interface between
itself and the layer immediately above and below. Consequently, the
implementation of a particular protocol layer is independent of all
other layers. The function of each layer is specified formally as a
protocol that defines the set of rules and conventions used by the
layer to communicate with a similar peer layer in another (remote)
system. Each layer provides a defined set of services to the layer
immediately above. It also uses the services provided by the layer
immediately below it to transport the message units associated with
the protocol to the remote peer layer.
[0003] Communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) systems, communicate messages between infrastructure
equipment and subscriber or mobile units. As used herein, a forward
or downlink channel refers to data generated by cellular
infrastructure equipment and transmitted for reception by a mobile
communication unit, and a reverse or uplink channel refers to data
generated by a mobile communication unit, such as a mobile cellular
phone and transmitted for reception by the cellular infrastructure
equipment, specifically a base station.
[0004] At the most basic level, cdma2000 provides protocols and
services that correspond to the bottom two layers of the ISO/OSI
Reference Model (i.e., Layer 1--the Physical Layer, and Layer
2--the Link Layer) according to the general structure specified by
the ITU for IMT-2000 systems. In cdma2000, a generalized
multi-media service model is supported. This allows a combination
of voice, packet data, and circuit data services to be operating
concurrently (within the limitations of the air interface system
capacity). Cdma2000 also includes a Quality of Service (QOS)
control mechanism to balance the varying QOS requirements of
multiple concurrent services.
[0005] One problem associated with the combination of voice, packet
data, and circuit data services operating concurrently is the
ability to maintain a high data rate connection at a required fixed
error rate over a channel of varying quality. In addition,
maximizing system capacity when high data rate channels are active
presents another problem. Consequently, a need exists for a method
and system for dynamic rate switching and scheduling control,
wherein data rates for high data rate channels are automatically
shifted up or down based on a channel quality feedback.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects, and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a communication system in accordance with the
method and system of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a communication system
layer structure in accordance with the method and system of the
present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a fading profile of a typical wireless
communication channel;
[0010] FIG. 4. Scheduling based on C/I measurements provided by
each remote unit A and B.
[0011] FIG. 5. Shows that the forward dedicated control channel
(DCH) voltage gain levels of remote unit A and B can be used to
determine scheduling priority on the common channel.
[0012] FIG. 6. Shows that the accumulation of power control
commands (also called the closed loop gain adjustment (CGA)) of the
forward dedicated control channel (DCH) of remote unit A and B.
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates the nature of the channel statistics and
important channel metrics;
[0014] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of scheduling a plurality of
users based on the channel statistics in accordance with the method
and system of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 9 illustrates a functional flow diagram depicting the
process of base transceiver station transmit scheduling for a
plurality of users in accordance with the method and system of the
present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts a communication system 100 in accordance with
the preferred embodiment of the present invention. System 100
includes a mobile station 102, a first base transceiver station
104, a second base transceiver station 103, and a Centralized Base
Station Controller (CBSC) 105. CBSC 105 includes a transcoder 106,
and a selection distribution unit 111. System 100 preferably
includes a plurality of mobile stations and base transceiver
stations, but only one mobile station and two base transceiver
stations are depicted in FIG. 1 for clarity. In a preferred
embodiment, system 100 is a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
system. System 100 may also be any communication system that
transmits signaling messages and requires accurate delivery and
receipt by mobile stations.
[0017] First base station 104 includes a transceiver 108 that
includes a transmitter and a receiver. Second base station 103
includes a transceiver 107 that includes a transmitter and a
receiver. Transceivers 107 and 108 transmit, over-the-air, RF
signals to be received by mobile unit 102. The transmission is well
known in the art, and will not be described further in this
application. Signals transmitted from base stations 103 and 104 to
mobile unit 102 are referred to herein as forward traffic frames,
or as forward link messages. Transceivers 107 and 108 receive
messages from mobile unit 102, as is well known in the art. Such
messages are referred to herein as reverse link messages.
[0018] Mobile unit 102 is preferably a cellular telephone unit that
is capable of communicating with base transceiver stations 103 and
104. In a preferred embodiment, mobile unit 102 is a digital
cellular CDMA telephone. Mobile unit 102 may also be a wireless
data terminal or a videophone. Mobile unit 102 includes a
transceiver 110 that includes a transmitter and a receiver, as is
well known in the art. Mobile unit 102 communicates with base
stations 103 and 104 by transmitting messages by the transceiver
110 located therein on a reverse link, and by receiving messages
generated by base stations 103 and 104 at transceiver 110 located
therein on the forward link.
[0019] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, BTSs
103 and 104 act as the central location for managing power control
in system 100. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
CBSC 105 manages power control in system 100.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a communication system
layer structure 200 in accordance with the method and system of the
present invention. In the preferred embodiment, FIG. 2 illustrates
a block diagram of IS-95 and cdma2000 layer structure. However, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other
communication systems, such as CDMAOne, UMTS, and ARIB, have
similar layer structures. As shown in FIG. 2, IS-95 has a layered
structure providing voice, packet data, simple circuit data, and
simultaneous voice and packet data services. It should be noted
that the term "IS-95" includes any of the standards that are
predecessors to cdma2000, i.e. IS-95-A, and TIA/EIA-95-B. At the
most basic level, cdma2000 provides protocols and services that
correspond to the bottom two layers of the ISO/OSI Reference Model
(i.e., Layer 1--the Physical Layer 202, and Layer 2--the Link Layer
204) according to the general structure specified by the ITU for
IMT-2000 systems. Layer 2 204 is further subdivided into the Link
Access Control (LAC) sublayer 206 and the Medium Access Control
(MAC) sublayer 208. In addition, a Quality of service (QOS) control
mechanism 210 is included to balance the varying QOS requirements
of multiple concurrent services. Applications and upper layer
protocols corresponding to OSI Layers 3 through 7 utilize the
services provided by the cdma2000 LAC services. Examples include
signaling services, voice services, packet data
applications(TCP/IP), and circuit data applications.
[0021] The design of the cdma2000 LAC and MAC sublayers 206, 208 is
motivated by many factors, among those being: the need to support a
wide range of upper layer services; the requirement to provide for
high efficiency and low latency for data services operating over a
wide performance range; support for advanced QOS delivery of
circuit and packet data services; and the demand for advanced
multi-media services that support multiple concurrent voice, packet
data, and circuit data services, each with varying QOS
requirements. The cdma2000 MAC sublayer 208 provides two important
functions: (1) best effort delivery--reasonably reliable
transmission over the radio link with a Radio Link Protocol (RLP)
212 that provides a best effort level of reliability; and (2)
multiplexing and QOS control--enforcement of negotiated QOS levels
by mediating conflicting requests from competing services and by
the appropriate prioritization of access requests. The resolution
of these conflicting requirements is handed to a scheduler that
prioritizes the prepares the users and system requirements.
[0022] In the preferred embodiment, the Mobile Unit transmits
channel quality feedback on the Reverse Link, which indicates the
measured quality metrics of the forward link. These metrics can be
explicit (actual values of channel signal to noise measurements
such as C/I), implicit (power control commands) or a mixture of
both. The channel quality metrics a fed into the scheduler which
prepares the different transmission to the plurality of users and
indicates the event to the MAC 208. For these applications,
portions of the MAC are moved to the Base Stations from the PDG and
CBSC 105.
[0023] Placing the decision making on the Base Station side of the
link, allows for more intelligent scheduling with low latency and
fast turn around decision based on the link statistics.
[0024] FIG. 3. The power control command behavior given rayleigh
faded channel at 3 kph with 800 Hz feedback.
[0025] FIG. 4. Scheduling based on C/I measurements provided by
each remote unit A and B. In the preferred embodiment of the
present invention the scheduling may be for a common channel (such
as a pilot channel) shared by a plurality of mobile units. The
remote unit reporting the strongest C/I is scheduled first, where
the actual modulation (QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM) and the encoding rate
used (1/2 or 3/4) is determined by the strength of the C/I and
other metrics available at the basestation indicating the available
bandwidth for each remote unit. If enough bandwidth is available
and the remote unit's C/I are strong enough then both can be
scheduled for the same time interval using separate orthogonal
codes.
[0026] FIG. 5. Shows that the forward dedicated control channel
(DCH) voltage gain levels of remote unit A and B can be used to
determine scheduling priority on the common channel due to the high
correlation of the gain with the reported C/I measurements (see
FIG. 5). Scheduling the remote unit with the lowest DCH voltage
gain is similar to scheduling based on C/I measurements passed from
the remote units.
[0027] FIG. 6. Shows that the accumulation of power control
commands (also called the closed loop gain adjustment (CGA)) of the
forward dedicated control channel (DCH) of remote unit A and B can
be used to determine scheduling priority on the common channel due
to the high correlation of the CGA level with the reported C/I
measurements (see FIG. 5).). Scheduling the remote unit with the
lowest CGA is similar to scheduling based on C/I measurements
passed from the remote units.
[0028] FIG. 7. illustrates the different link fading parameters
which in accordance with the method and system of the present
invention. The scheduler uses these parameter to define its
internal processing. For example, the Doppler rate 507 is used to
define the fading mode (slow, medium, fast) which is used in the
scheduling process and the channel coherence period 503 is used to
determine the scheduling window for a given Mobile Station. It is
noted that the actual channel gain during a constructive fade 504
is higher than the static channel reference point 505 by about 3-6
db. As a result, scheduling a transmission only during the
constructive fade will provide a net gain during this packet.
[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates the input to the scheduler from three
different Mobile Stations 601,602 and 603; each subject to a
different fade condition. The scheduler realizes that user one is
in constructive fade at the beginning of the coherence time, and
assigns the highest priority to packets directed to this user
during the time slot 604. For time slot 605, the scheduler gives
the highest priority to user three. During timeslot 606, the
scheduler did not realize yet that user three is in a constructive
fade, so the priority is assigned to user two, however the
scheduler realizes that user two is well into the coherence period,
and a fade is likely to happen within the 606 time slot. As a
result the user two is assigned a lower transmission rate during
606 to allow for the higher possibility of a fade in this time
slot. During time slot 607, the scheduler assigns the channel again
to user two, but this time at full rate as no fade is expected.
During time slot 608, the channel is assigned to user one.
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart detailing how the channel
data is processed accordance with the method and system of the
present invention. In the metric calculation module 701, the
probability of the channel being in a constructive fade is scaled
by a programmable parameter `A` and combined with a priority Metric
scaled by a programmable parameter `B`. The Priority metric is a
result of the time a packet is waiting in the transmission Que. The
longer the wait time, the higher the priority for a given packet to
be selected regardless of the channel conditions. Following the
metric generation 701, the scheduler selects the highest metric in
the metric selector 702. One the packet to be transmitted, or
Mobile station to be serviced is known, the rate determination 703
defines which rate to use based on the channel conditions 705 and
the coherence time left in the fade cycle 706. The packet is
transmitted in block 706. Block 707 resets the priority counters
and the scheduling sequence starts all over again.
[0031] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best
illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical
application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to
utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All
such modifications and variations are within the scope of the
invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in
accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and
equitably entitled.
* * * * *