Patents by Inventor Nick W. Whinnett

Nick W. Whinnett has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8948116
    Abstract: In a 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, communication system a base station comprises a scheduler allocating communication resource of at least one of a Physical Uplink Shared CHannel, PUSCH, and a Physical Downlink Shared CHannel, PDSCH to a User Equipment (UE). The scheduling may either be a dynamic scheduling wherein a resource allocation for a single frame is provided to the UE or a persistent scheduling wherein a resource allocation for a plurality of frames is provided to the UE. A resource allocator assigns resource of a Physical Uplink Control CHannel, PUCCH, to the UE dependent on whether dynamic scheduling or persistent scheduling is performed by the scheduler for the UE. The UE transmits uplink control data on a physical uplink channel which is selected as the PUCCH or the PUSCH in response to whether persistent scheduling is used for the UE. The invention allows e.g. reduced PUCCH loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Nick W. Whinnett, Fei Tong, Weimin Xiao, Robert T. Love
  • Patent number: 8644288
    Abstract: A method, system and communication network for transmitting information signals via uplink (UL) collaborative SDMA, in a wireless communication system. Base station receiver estimates a channel gain associated with the transmission path(s) of each user and keeps a matrix of normalized covariance, between users. Based on the estimated channel gain and the normalized covariance, ULS utility is able to compute channel capacity. Based on capacity estimates of (1) the multiplexed user signals and (2) the individual user signals, signals are either multiplexed for UL SDMA or are transmitted individually. An optimal selection of multiplexed signals may be based upon: (1) a cross user interface measurement; and (2) a selection mechanism based on eigen-decomposition techniques. The ULS utility enables a UL scheduler to pair information signals with clear spatial distinction and minimal correlation, based on capacity evaluations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Fan Wang, Stanley J. Benes, Amitabha Ghosh, Chandrasekar Sankaran, Timothy J. Wilson, Fei Tong, Nick W. Whinnett
  • Patent number: 8412209
    Abstract: In a 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, communication system a base station comprises a scheduler allocating communication resource of at least one of a Physical Uplink Shared CHannel, PUSCH, and a Physical Downlink Shared CHannel, PDSCH to a User Equipment (UE). The scheduling may either be a dynamic scheduling wherein a resource allocation for a single frame is provided to the UE or a persistent scheduling wherein a resource allocation for a plurality of frames is provided to the UE. A resource allocator assigns resource of a Physical Uplink Control CHannel, PUCCH, to the UE dependent on whether dynamic scheduling or persistent scheduling is performed by the scheduler for the UE. The UE transmits uplink control data on a physical uplink channel which is selected as the PUCCH or the PUSCH in response to whether persistent scheduling is used for the UE. The invention allows e.g. reduced PUCCH loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Nick W. Whinnett, Fei Tong, Weimin Xiao, Robert T. Love
  • Patent number: 8205129
    Abstract: A base station (103) operates a hybrid retransmission scheme for a communication to a first subscriber unit (101) over a communication channel of an air interface of a cellular communication system. The base station (103) comprises a retransmission parameter controller (209) which sets a transmission parameter, such as a transmit power or an error correcting scheme, for a transmission of the communication in response to an operating point for the retransmission scheme. A CQI processor (203) determines a channel quality indication for the communication channel and a variation processor (205) determines a variation measure of a variation of the channel quality indication. The variation measure can for example be a rate of change. An operating point controller (207) sets the operating point in response to the variation measure. The invention may allow improved setting of transmission parameters for initial transmissions thereby providing higher throughput, reduced resource consumption and reduced delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick W. Whinnett, David C. Padfield
  • Patent number: 8005127
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a detection processor (203) for detecting retransmission feedback messages in response to a detection threshold. A threshold processor (207) determines the detection threshold in response to a noise estimate generated by a noise processor (209). The noise processor comprises a sub-symbol generator (211) which divides a retransmission feedback symbol into a plurality of sub-symbols. Each of the sub-symbols is despread by a spreading code with a lower spreading factor than a spreading factor of the retransmission feedback symbol. A difference generator (213) then generates difference symbol values between the plurality of sub-symbols and a noise estimator (215) generates the noise estimate in response to the difference symbol values, for example by determining the variance of the difference symbol values. An improved noise estimate may be determined resulting in improved detection performance and thus improved retransmission performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventor: Nick W. Whinnett
  • Patent number: 7944891
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for transmit beamforming in a Frequency Division Duplex communication system. A first step (600) includes correcting for differences between transceiver receive and transmit responses within a base station. A next step (604) obtaining a beamforming weight of a phase antenna array on an uplink. A next step (606) transforming the uplink beamforming weight a downlink beamforming weight by applying a phase correction that is a function of wavelength at the uplink and downlink frequencies and distance between antenna elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick W. Whinnett, Fei Tong, Frederick W. Vook
  • Publication number: 20100029288
    Abstract: A method, system and communication network for transmitting information signals via uplink (UL) collaborative SDMA, in a wireless communication system. Base station receiver estimates a channel gain associated with the transmission path(s) of each user and keeps a matrix of normalized covariance, between users. Based on the estimated channel gain and the normalized covariance, ULS utility is able to compute channel capacity. Based on capacity estimates of (1) the multiplexed user signals and (2) the individual user signals, signals are either multiplexed for UL SDMA or are transmitted individually. An optimal selection of multiplexed signals may be based upon: (1) a cross user interface measurement; and (2) a selection mechanism based on eigen-decomposition techniques. The ULS utility enables a UL scheduler to pair information signals with clear spatial distinction and minimal correlation, based on capacity evaluations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Fan Wang, Stanley J. Benes, Amitabha Ghosh, Chandrasekar Sankaran, Timothy J. Wilson, Fei Tong, Nick W. Whinnett
  • Publication number: 20100008268
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for transmit beamforming in a Frequency Division Duplex communication system. A first step (600) includes correcting for differences between transceiver receive and transmit responses within a base station. A next step (604) obtaining a beamforming weight of a phase antenna array on an uplink. A next step (606) transforming the uplink beamforming weight a downlink beamforming weight by applying a phase correction that is a function of wavelength at the uplink and downlink frequencies and distance between antenna elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Nick W. Whinnett, Fei Tong, Frederick W. Vook
  • Publication number: 20090305715
    Abstract: A wireless communication system comprises a scheduler for scheduling air interface data for a plurality of user equipments. A control channel scheduler estimates a scheduling time for a scheduling of air interface data to a first user equipment of the plurality of user equipments in response to a current scheduling metric for the first user equipment and a reporting processor generates a channel quality reporting request for the user equipment in response to the scheduling time. The channel quality reporting request is transmitted to the user equipment which proceeds to provide channel quality reports in accordance with the request. The approach may improve performance in a wireless communication system by reducing channel reporting resource requirements while still providing channel quality information when needed. The invention may be particularly suitable for a Long Term Evolution 3rd Generation Partnership Project cellular communication system or an IEEE 802.16 wireless communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Satyen D. Barve, Fei Tong, Nick W. Whinnett
  • Patent number: 7471961
    Abstract: A system and method for to establish a wireless group call from one of a plurality of communication units to others communication units includes a first step of receiving, from a requesting communication unit a request for a group call with other communication units of the group. A next step includes allocating a common downlink channel for the group call. A next step includes allocating a dedicated uplink channel for the requesting communication unit. A next step includes switching one of the communication units between the common channel mode and a dedicated channel mode depending upon performance criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Aicard Fabien, Rapeepat Ratasuk, Stephen L. Spear, Nick W. Whinnett, Zhijun Cai, Mansoor Ahmed, Robert M. Harrison
  • Publication number: 20080311919
    Abstract: In a 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, communication system a base station comprises a scheduler allocating communication resource of at least one of a Physical Uplink Shared CHannel, PUSCH, and a Physical Downlink Shared CHannel, PDSCH to a User Equipment (UE). The scheduling may either be a dynamic scheduling wherein a resource allocation for a single frame is provided to the UE or a persistent scheduling wherein a resource allocation for a plurality of frames is provided to the UE. A resource allocator assigns resource of a Physical Uplink Control CHannel, PUCCH, to the UE dependent on whether dynamic scheduling or persistent scheduling is performed by the scheduler for the UE. The UE transmits uplink control data on a physical uplink channel which is selected as the PUCCH or the PUSCH in response to whether persistent scheduling is used for the UE. The invention allows e.g. reduced PUCCH loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Nick W. Whinnett, Fei Tong, Weimin Xiao, Robert T. Love
  • Publication number: 20080256411
    Abstract: A base station (103) operates a hybrid retransmission scheme for a communication to a first subscriber unit (101) over a communication channel of an air interface of a cellular communication system. The base station (103) comprises a retransmission parameter controller (209) which sets a transmission parameter, such as a transmit power or an error correcting scheme, for a transmission of the communication in response to an operating point for the retransmission scheme. A CQI processor (203) determines a channel quality indication for the communication channel and a variation processor (205) determines a variation measure of a variation of the channel quality indication. The variation measure can for example be a rate of change. An operating point controller (207) sets the operating point in response to the variation measure. The invention may allow improved setting of transmission parameters for initial transmissions thereby providing higher throughput, reduced resource consumption and reduced delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Nick W. Whinnett, David C. Padfield
  • Patent number: 7428416
    Abstract: A cellular communication system includes first and second base stations and a user equipment. A Radio Network Controller controls a handover of the user equipment between the base stations by either forwarding data of the communication to both the first and second base stations or to only one of the first and second base stations dependent on a Quality of Service (QoS) characteristic of the communication of the user equipment. The QoS characteristic can specifically be an indication of a delay constraint for the communication service such as an indication of whether the service is a real-time service or a non-real time service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick W. Whinnett, Amitava Ghosh, Weimin Xiao
  • Publication number: 20080227443
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a detection processor (203) for detecting retransmission feedback messages in response to a detection threshold. A threshold processor (207) determines the detection threshold in response to a noise estimate generated by a noise processor (209). The noise processor comprises a sub-symbol generator (211) which divides a retransmission feedback symbol into a plurality of sub-symbols. Each of the sub-symbols is despread by a spreading code with a lower spreading factor than a spreading factor of the retransmission feedback symbol. A difference generator (213) then generates difference symbol values between the plurality of sub-symbols and a noise estimator (215) generates the noise estimate in response to the difference symbol values, for example by determining the variance of the difference symbol values. An improved noise estimate may be determined resulting in improved detection performance and thus improved retransmission performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventor: Nick W. Whinnett
  • Publication number: 20080045255
    Abstract: A method of transmitting scheduling information by a wireless communication device (200) to a network (112) for allocation of resources to the wireless communication device, comprises the steps of transmitting (500) to the network first scheduling information (SI1) relating to a first resource requirement and re-transmitting (516) the first scheduling information when the first scheduling information is not received by the network. Second scheduling information (SI2) relating to a second resource requirement subsequent to the first resource requirement is transmitted (512) to the network (112) in response to one of the first scheduling information having been received by the network and the first scheduling information having not been received by the network after a predetermined number of re-transmissions of the first scheduling information. The generation of scheduling information may be initiated in response to a trigger event such as a periodic trigger event or a non-periodic trigger event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: AGNES M. REVEL, RICHARD C. BURBIDGE, KENNETH J. CRISLER, NICK W. WHINNETT
  • Publication number: 20070165730
    Abstract: A transmitter comprises functionality (101, 103) for generating a block of input modulation symbols for example from received data bits. An M-point discrete Fourier transform (105) is applied to the block of input modulation symbols resulting in a frequency domain symbol block. This block is fed to an N-point inverse discrete Fourier transform (105) (N>M) thereby generating a time domain transmit signal. In addition, the transmitter (200) comprises an inter-symbol processor (201) which determines inter-symbol values corresponding to inter-symbol times of the time domain transmit signal and an attenuation processor (203) which attenuates at least one of the input modulation symbols in response to the inter-symbol values. By attenuating selected input modulation symbol(s) a significantly reduced amplitude variation and specifically peak-to-average amplitude variation can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: Nick W. Whinnett, Amitava Ghosh, Jun Tan
  • Patent number: 7242956
    Abstract: A method (400) and apparatus (501) provide for rapid power control based on a quality related value, e.g. channel quality indicator (CQI) value. A transmit power level can be derived from a CQI value received according to a time period, e.g. corresponding to 500 Hz. A first predicted value can be predicted based on the CQI value, at a first time within the time period and a power adjustment value can be determined based on the CQI value as well as the first predicted value at a rate that exceeds the rate of receiving the CQI values. Note that other predicted values for or corresponding to the CQI value can be predicted at other times within the time period and that power adjustment values can be determined through interpolation between predicted values for any time within the period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Rapeepat Ratasuk, Amitava Ghosh, Fan Wang, Weimin Xiao, Nick W. Whinnett