Abstract: In a Time-Division Duplex (TDD) data frame, wherein time slots are allocated to downlink and uplink transmissions, time slots are allocated to pending communication signals beginning at the start of the data frame for one of downlink and uplink transmissions, and are allocated to pending communication signals beginning at the end of the frame for the other of downlink and uplink transmissions. When one or more time slots allocated to downlink and/or uplink transmissions are not utilized for actual communication signal transmission, the non-utilized time slot(s) occur towards the middle of the TDD data frame rather than at the end. This reduces the probability of base station/subscriber terminal interference with another sector or cell utilizing a different downlink/uplink time slot allocation.

Abstract: Data packets on forward link packet data channels are typically transmitted at the full available power of the base station. When a non-canonical transmission format associated with a received DRC index is selected for encoding the packet data, the data may be transmitted with less that full available power, achieving the target FER due to shorter packets, and reducing system interference. The transmit power may be selected as a function of the required FER, payload size (associated physical layer format) and packet format (single- or multiple-user packet). The transmit power may also be based on the selected TF, the QoS needs of the packet data, or current system load information.

Abstract: Multi-user packet detection at multiple mobile stations in a sector may be collectively disabled via a downlink point-to-multipoint command message from a base station. The point-to-multipoint command message may be transmitted on a packet data control channel, typically code division multiplexed, and may be a portion of a QUICKCONFIG message and/or transmitted using less than all of the carrier frequencies used by the base station to transmit downlink packet data. Multi-user packet detection may be subsequently allowed by transmitting a second point-to-multipoint message. The multi-user detection process may comprise checking a portion of a packet against a predetermined list of possible values that indicate the presence of a multi-user packet.

Abstract: A wireless communication network has radio resources for use to support calls over circuit switched (CS) and packet switched (PS) channels. The network uses such radio resources to first support CS calls and thereafter uses the leftover radio resources to support PS calls. The present invention provides method and apparatus that effectively schedule and support incoming CS calls based on frame-offset selection so as to maximize the leftover radio resources that could be used to support PS calls.

Abstract: A scheduler at a base station may schedule packet data traffic based on a ranking metric that varies directly with the mobile station's scheduling downlink transmission rate and a delay factor indicative of the staleness of the corresponding queued data. The ranking metric may advantageously vary in a direct non-linear fashion with the delay factor to allow for delay sensitive data, such as VoIP data, to be scheduled with increased urgency when quality of service is about to be compromised. The scheduler may attempt to pack a multi-user downlink physical layer packet by selecting a tentative rate and determining if an aggregate amount of data in the packet may be increased by transmitting the packet at a lower rate. If so, additional queued data is added to the packet and the transmission rate for the packet is lowered. Such an approach allows for greater link efficiency to be achieved.

Abstract: Admission control in a wireless communication network considers power and spreading code resources as part of its admission control operations. In an exemplary embodiment, an admission controller admits new users in a manner that balances forward link transmit power and spreading code usage. More generally, network admission control maintains a desired relationship between power and code use as new users are admitted. Such control increases forward link capacity by avoiding premature exhaustion of either power or code resources. Thus, in operation, the admission controller chooses either a power-efficient or a code-efficient configuration for admitting new users, depending on the relative availability of power and code resources. Such power and code resource assessment may consider a particular communication channel, e.g., a CDMA channel, in a particular radio service area, or may consider the relative power/code usage balance among channels in multiple service areas.