Method and apparatus for allocating bandwidth in a wireless communication system
US6956834B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 20, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W72/51
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The inventive method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. In accordance with this technique, currently active CPEs request bandwidth using previously unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE. The CPE is responsible for distributing the allocated uplink bandwidth in a manner that accommodates the services provided by the CPE. By using a combination of bandwidth allocation techniques, the present invention advantageously makes use of the efficiency benefits associated with each techni…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.