Abstract: Data communication includes an estimate of packet error rate that is useful, for example, when there is insufficient data transmission to provide a direct measurement of packet error rate. At least one pilot channel output provides a basis to determine an estimated packet error rate. One example includes using a pilot channel ratio of an energy-per-chip to a noise spectrum density. Another example includes using a pilot symbol error rate from the pilot channel as the basis for determining the traffic channel packet error rate.

Abstract: In the method of flow control, a flow control message, requesting more data, is sent from a first communication device based on an amount of data output by the first communication device and an available data storage capacity of the first communication device.

Abstract: The present invention is a methodology for providing packet aggregation based on transmission window size to achieve improved transport efficiency. One embodiment of the invention includes a methodology for aggregating packets of a first size to packets of a second size for transmission in a communications network. The method includes the steps of receiving an indication of a transmission window size for packets to be transmitted from a first location to a second location where the transmission window size provided by a flow control message. The transmission window size is utilized to determine a bundling factor for transmission of packets from said first location to said second location, the bundling factor being a lesser of a maximum bundling factor and the transmission window size. A transmission window size threshold represents a boundary for a size of a transmission window when transmission of existing frames may be delayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved RACH access burst arrangement and frame structure. That is, the invention provides methods and apparatus for supporting more than one access burst length in the UMTS access channel structure. Preferably, two access burst lengths are supported, e.g., 5 ms and 10 ms. Such an arrangement is advantageous in applications where it is beneficial to have fast access latency such as, for example, voice or other forms of real-time traffic. Also, the invention provides methods and apparatus for supporting multiple frame sizes. It is to be appreciated that further enhancement to access latency can be obtained by having the UMTS physical layer support multiple frame sizes. The access burst signal transmitted by a remote terminal over the RACH may be an access request or data packets in the case where the RACH is being utilized for UMTS short message services.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to aggregate or bundle packets to optimize the resource utilization and improve the transport efficiency of packets which are transferred between various protocol layers in a communications network. One embodiment of the invention sets forth a method of aggregating packets of a first size to packets of a second size for transmission in a wireless communications network between, for example, a base station controller and base transmitting station. The method includes the steps of calculating a maximum bundling factor represented by (an IP packet MTU size at a first location minus protocol overhead) divided by an application layer packet size and determining a most efficient bundling factor in terms of packet fragments, where the most efficient bundling factor is determined by a largest packet per fragment ratio.

Abstract: In a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) based wireless system, a channelization code-tree is partitioned into two sets: a permanent set and shared a shared set. Those codes in the permanent set are assigned to low data rate users for the duration of a session, or connection. Those codes in the shared set are assigned to high data rate users on a frame-by-frame basis using a downlink shared (DSCH) channel. The partition boundary between the permanent set and the shared set can be dynamically shifted based on traffic conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for the retransmission of packets of data. One device comprises a transmission unit adapted to retransmit all previously transmitted packets transmitted during a predetermined time interval, instead of just a single packet, when a received signal indicates that at least one previously transmitted packet contains corrupted data.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for preventing protocol stalling. A control platform is adapted to generate a predetermined time period, wherein the predetermined time period is reset when an acknowledgement signal is received. The control platform is further adapted to examine stored packets to detect new or negatively acknowledged packets. A transmission platform is adapted to transmit an earliest transmitted packet after the predetermined time period expires when no new or negatively acknowledged packets are detected.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at techniques for detecting the “partial loss” of an upper layer frame. One technique envisions a detection platform adapted to determine whether a packet is a final packet for a particular upper layer frame. A comparator platform then compares packets received free of transmission errors with variables indicative of whether all received packets in the particular upper layer frame have been received correctly when a final packet is detected. A transmission platform then sends a signal indicative of whether the packets received without transmission errors constitute the particular upper layer frame so that lost packets can be retransmitted quickly.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for providing access priority in a MAC protocol of a communications system such as, for example, with respect to UMTS RACH. Particularly, the invention introduces several access priority methodologies including: (i) random chip delay access priority (RCDAP); (ii) random backoff based access priority (RBBAP); (iii) variable logical channel based access priority (VLCAP); (iv) UMTS-specific variable logical channel based access priority (VLCAP′); (v) probability based access priority (PBAP); and (vi) retransmission based access priority (REBAP). Each methodology associates some parameter or parameters to access priority classes in order to influence the likelihood of a remote terminal completing a successful access request to a base station.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for providing access priority in a MAC protocol of a communications system such as, for example, with respect to UMTS RACH. Particularly, the invention introduces several access priority methodologies including: (i) random chip delay access priority (RCDAP); (ii) random backoff based access priority (RBBAP); (iii) variable logical channel based access priority (VLCAP); (iv) UMTS-specific variable logical channel based access priority (VLCAP′); (v) probability based access priority (PBAP); and (vi) retransmission based access priority (REBAP). Each methodology associates some parameter or parameters to access priority classes in order to influence the likelihood of a remote terminal completing a successful access request to a base station.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for use in a UMTS receiver of detecting a signal transmitted by a UMTS transmitter which includes determining whether the signal is greater than or equal to at least a first power threshold value when the signal is below an initial detection threshold value, and informing the transmitter when the signal is greater than or equal to the first power threshold value such that the transmitter can increase a signal strength of the signal by a first predetermined amount and re-transmit. In another aspect of the invention, a method for use in a UMTS transmitter of power ramping a signal transmitted by the transmitter and received by a UMTS receiver includes increasing a signal strength of the signal by a first predetermined amount when informed by the receiver that the signal is greater than or equal to a first power threshold value but below an initial detection threshold value, and re-transmitting the signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for providing access priority in a MAC protocol of a communications system such as, for example, with respect to UMTS RACH. Particularly, the invention introduces several access priority methodologies including: (i) random chip delay access priority (RCDAP); (ii) random backoff based access priority (RBBAP); (iii) variable logical channel based access priority (VLCAP); (iv) UMTS-specific variable logical channel based access priority (VLCAP′); (v) probability based access priority (PBAP); and (vi) retransmission based access priority (REBAP). Each methodology associates some parameter or parameters to access priority classes in order to influence the likelihood of a remote terminal completing a successful access request to a base station.