USOO967.4818B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Beale
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,674,818 B2
`Jun. 6, 2017
`
`(54)
`
`SENDING CONTROL INFORMATION OVER
`A SHARED CHANNEL IN A WIRELESS
`NETWORK
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Martin Warwick Beale, Bristol (GB)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES
`HOLDING 81, LLC, Las Vegas, NV
`(US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 126 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 13/212,867
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 18, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2012/OO14338 A1
`Jan. 19, 2012
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 1 1/863.205, filed on
`Sep. 27, 2007, now Pat. No. 8,027,291.
`
`Int. C.
`H0474/00
`H047 72/04
`HO4W 4.8/10
`U.S. C.
`CPC ........ H04W 72/0406 (2013.01); H04W 48/10
`(2013.01)
`
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`
`Field of Classification Search
`USPC ................ 370/322, 326, 328-330, 335-338,
`370/342–345, 348
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`8, 2000 Butler et al.
`6,111,865 A
`1/2003 Kuo et al.
`6,504.827 B1
`7/2006 Willars et al.
`7,072,329 B2
`8, 2006 Benz et al.
`7,088,697 B1
`9, 2006 Koo et al.
`7,113,496 B2
`1/2008 Vayanos et al.
`7,318, 187 B2
`8,446,849 B2* 5/2013 Damnjanovic ............... 370,311
`8.493,909 B2
`7, 2013 Choi
`2005/O1055O2 A1
`5/2005 Kim et al.
`2005/O135320 A1
`6/2005 Tiedemann et al.
`2007/OO42786 A1
`2/2007 Chillariga et al.
`2008, OO14969 A1
`1/2008 Laroia et al.
`2008. O186936 A1
`8, 2008 Chun et al.
`2008/O188220 A1* 8, 2008 DiGirolamo et al. ........ 455,434
`2008/0311926 A1 12/2008 Fischer et al.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`CN
`CN
`
`T 1994
`108.9412 A
`1, 2012
`1860808 B
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Office Action, Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-526245, dated
`Jan. 15, 2013.
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner — Alvin Zhu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Volpe and Koenig, P.C.
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`In a wireless network an indication of High Speed Downlink
`Shared Channel (HS-DSCH) resources may be sent to user
`equipment (UE) by a Node B. A message on an indicator
`channel may be sent by the Node B to indicate that the
`HS-DSCH resources are to be used in a subsequent time
`interval to send control information.
`8 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`1000 Y
`
`1020
`
`
`
`Yes
`y
`Schedule FACH
`message(s) within
`allocated timeslot(s)
`
`1050-J Configure FACH
`indicator BIT
`
`1060-
`
`Initiate
`transmissions
`
`1040
`
`2
`
`Allocate FACH
`timeslots to
`other channels
`
`
`Ex.1009 / Page 1 of 20Ex.1009 / Page 1 of 20
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`TESLA, INC.TESLA, INC.
`
`

`

`US 9,674,818 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2009/02O7774 A1
`2010, O234032 A1
`2013,0028234 A1*
`
`8, 2009 Lee et al.
`9, 2010 Chun et al.
`1/2013 DiGirolamo et al. ........ 370,331
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`WO
`WO
`
`4f1993
`2260245
`9, 1999
`11243579 A2
`T 2000
`200O2O1196 A2
`2002532987 T2 10, 2002
`2005034542
`4/2005
`2005101879
`10/2005
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Third Generation Partnership Project, “Technical Specification
`Group Radio Access Network: High Speed Downlink Packet Access
`(HSDPA); Overall description; Stage 2 (Release 6).” 3GPP TS
`25.308 V6.4.0, Mar. 2007.
`
`Third Generation Partnership Project, “Technical Specification
`Group Radio Access Network: High Speed Downlink Packet Access
`(HSDPA); Overall description; Stage 2 (Release 7).” 3GPP TS
`25.308 V7.3.0, Jun. 2007.
`International Search Report: PCT Application No. PCT/EP2008/
`062 177; Dated Mar. 4, 2009.
`Nokia, “Analysis of HSDPA in CELL FACH State.” R1-062884,
`3GPP TSG-RAN WG1 Meeting #46bis, Seoul, South Korea, Oct.
`9-13, 2006.
`Third Generation Partnership Project, “Technical Specification
`Group Radio Access Network; Physical Channels and Mapping of
`Transport Channels onto Physical Channels (TDD) (Release 6).”
`3GPP TS 25.221 v6.4.0, Jun. 2005.
`Third Generation Partnership Project, “Technical Specification
`Group Services and System Aspects; Multimedia Broadcast/Multi
`cast Service: Stage 1 (Release 8).” 3GPP TS 22.146 v8.3.0, Jun.
`2007.
`Non-Final Rejection issued by USPTO, dated Sep. 30, 2010 for U.S.
`Appl. No. 1 1/863.205.
`Notice of Allowance issued by USPTO, dated Jun. 13, 2011 for U.S.
`Appl. No. 1 1/863.205.
`* cited by examiner
`
`
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`TESLA, INC.TESLA, INC.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.6, 2017
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 9,674,818 B2
`
`100Lo
`
`
`
`To/from
`gateway
`
`105
`
`
`
`110
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`Node
`B
`
`J \
`\
`\
`\
`\
`\
`
`110
`
`/
`
`/
`
`/
`
`el f \;—s
`120
`8
`UE,_ 120
`
`
`
`Node
`B
`
`
`/
`\
`/
`\
`\
`\
`\
`
`UE
`
`\
`\
`
`120
`
`UE
`
`D
`
`FIG. 1
`PRIOR ART
`
`Node
`B
`
`110
`
`7
`
`7
`
`/
`
`/\
`\
`\
`
`\
`\
`\
`
`UE
`
`r
`
`
`Ex.1009 / Page 3 of 20Ex.1009 / Page 3 of 20
`Ex.1009 / Page 3 of 20
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`TESLA, INC.TESLA, INC.
`TESLA,INC.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 6, 2017
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 9,674,818 B2
`
`
`
`105
`
`110
`
`120
`
`Node B setup
`2051 N/ (Codes, timeslots,
`power headroom for
`FACH)
`
`
`
`215
`
`
`
`
`
`Send FACH
`(Message contents,
`UE-ID, power, code,
`timeslot)
`
`System informationa
`(Codes, timeslots, for
`FACH)
`System information?
`
`(Message Contents,
`UE-ID)
`
`N 200
`
`FIG. 2
`PRIOR ART
`
`HS-DSCH 305
`
`HS-SCH
`
`e - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -A - - - - a
`
`HS-SCCH
`BCH
`V N
`1 N
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`315 310
`
`FIG. 3
`PRIOR ART
`
`
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`TESLA, INC.TESLA, INC.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 6, 2017
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 9,674,818 B2
`
`400 N
`
`420
`
`410
`
`430
`
`
`
`FIG. 4
`
`
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`. . --------- - a
`
`HS-DSCH
`
`505
`
`
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`TESLA, INC.TESLA, INC.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 6, 2017
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 9,674,818 B2
`
`HS-SCCH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Frame n+1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`sa
`/
`/
`
`725
`BcH
`HS-SCCH
`710
`
`715
`
`1.
`
`21-2
`^^ -
`
`7
`
`/
`/
`/
`
`725
`
`FACTTTTTTTT
`705
`BCH
`HS-DSCH
`720
`
`FIG. 7
`
`
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`TESLA, INC.TESLA, INC.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 6, 2017
`
`Sheet S of 8
`
`US 9,674,818 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`(Y
`| -
`
`
`
`N- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1
`
`BCH
`FACH
`HS-SCCH ?
`820
`
`HS-DSCH
`
`805
`
`FIG. 8
`
`922
`
`
`
`FACH 920
`921 -
`a SN
`L -
`
`s - - - - - - - - - - - - -------- - - - -
`
`BCH
`HS-SCCH
`
`HS-DSCH 965
`
`FIG. 9
`
`
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`TESLA, INC.TESLA, INC.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 6, 2017
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 9,674,818 B2
`
`1000 N
`
`1010
`
`
`
`FACH
`message?
`
`Schedule FACH
`message(s) within
`allocated timeslot(s)
`
`Allocate FACH
`timeslots to
`Other channels
`
`Configure FACH
`indicator BIT
`
`Initiate
`transmissions
`
`FIG. 10
`
`
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`TESLA, INC.TESLA, INC.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 6, 2017
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 9,674,818 B2
`
`1100 N
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1110
`
`FACH
`message?
`
`NO
`
`Schedule FACH
`message(s) within
`allocated timeslot(s)
`
`FACH
`GSOUCG)
`free?
`
`Configure FACH
`indicator BIT
`
`Initiate
`transmissions
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Allocate FACH
`resource to
`Other Channels
`
`
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`TESLA, INC.TESLA, INC.
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 6, 2017
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 9,674,818 B2
`
`
`
`Processor
`1204
`
`Storage devices
`1210
`
`Media drive
`1212
`
`Storage unit
`interface
`1220
`
`Communications
`interface
`1224
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Storage unit
`1222
`
`Channel 1228
`
`
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`

`

`US 9,674,818 B2
`
`1.
`SENDING CONTROL INFORMATION OVER
`A SHARED CHANNEL IN A WIRELESS
`NETWORK
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 11/863,205, filed Sep. 27, 2007, which issued
`as U.S. Pat. No. 8,027,291 on Sep. 27, 2011, the content of
`which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
`
`10
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The field of the invention relates, in general, to a method
`and apparatus for transmitting transport channels over a
`physical channel of a cellular communication system. In
`particular, but not exclusively, the field of the invention
`relates to allocating channel resources within a physical
`channel of a cellular communication system.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Known cellular communication systems, such as a Uni
`versal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio
`Access Network (UTRAN), standardised by the 3" Genera
`tion Partnership Project (3GPP), typically consist of a set of
`radio network controllers (RNCs), Node B, also known as
`Node-Bs, and mobile stations (MSs), also known as User
`Equipment (UEs). FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a known
`network topology for part of Such a cellular communication
`system 100.
`The RNCs 105 provide a connection with, for example, a
`Media Gateway (not shown), which acts as a translation unit
`between, in this case, the UMTS network and, for example,
`35
`a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The RNC
`105 also performs some of the higher layer processing for
`the UMTS network, performing functions, such as, setting
`up and managing radio bearers, radio resource management,
`Supporting mobility, controlling initial access of UEs to the
`communication system, radio link control (RLC), etc.
`The Node Bs 110 typically perform lower layer process
`ing for the network, performing Such functions as Medium
`Access Control (MAC), formatting blocks of data for trans
`mission and physically transmitting transport blocks to UES.
`As can be seen in FIG. 1, Node Bs 110 are connected to
`an RNC 105 via an interface (Iub) 115. This interface
`between a Node B 110 and an RNC 105 may be a leased line,
`for example provided by a fixed line telecommunications
`provider, a microwave link, an Ethernet cable or some other
`form of communication link. The Node Bs are connected
`wirelessly to the UEs 120.
`In order to conserve battery life, when a UE 120 is not
`involved in active connections, it is known for the UE 120
`to go into an idle state, whereby the UE powers down its
`radio frequency circuitry (RF). When a UE 120 is in the idle
`state, it is important to allow the Node B to initiate a
`connection to the UE 120, for example when there is an
`in-coming call for the UE 120.
`In order to achieve this, it is known for a UE 120 to
`periodically power up its radio circuitry in order to monitor
`specific channels in order to determine whether it is required
`to establish a connection with the network. UMTS provides
`two services with which a Node B is able to indicate to a
`specific UE 120 that it is required to establish a connection
`with the network. One is termed a Paging CHannel (PCH)
`and the other is termed a Forward Access CHannel (FACH).
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`Details of these and other services are provided in 3GPP TS
`25 221 (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
`(UMTS); Physical channels and mapping of transport chan
`nels onto physical channels (TDD)) and other documents
`referenced therein.
`The PCH is a downlink transport channel that is used to
`carry control information to a UE when the network does not
`know the specific location of the UE, i.e. the specific Node
`B to which the UE is attached.
`In the known art, the PCH comprises two blocks: the
`Paging Indicator CHannel (PICH) and the PCH itself. The
`PICH comprises multiple indicator bits. Each UE is associ
`ated with one of the indicator bits within the PICH. Accord
`ingly, when the UE is paged by the network using the PCH,
`the network sets the relevant indicator bit in the PICH. When
`in the idle state, the UE periodically decodes the PICH to see
`if the indicator bit with which it is associated has been set.
`If the relevant indicator has been set, the UE then reads the
`PCH.
`Each UE has a unique identifier (UE-ID). When the
`network pages a UE, as previously mentioned, the network
`sets the relevant indicator within the PICH for that UE, and
`transmits the UE-ID for the UE being paged, and the
`relevant message within the PCH. In this manner, since more
`than one UE may be associated with an indicator bit in the
`PICH, the UE-ID enables a UE to determine whether the
`message is intended for that UE or not. If the PCH contains
`the UE-ID for the UE, the UE then reads the message, and
`performs the required actions. Thus, in the known art, the
`indicator bits are used in a paging channel to inform the UE
`whether it needs to turn its radio on for reading the PCH (i.e.
`as a battery saving mode).
`The UMTS standard dictates that the PCH (and PICH) are
`always transmitted at a reference power level.
`In a wireless communications system, the communication
`medium is divided into units of resource. A unit of resource
`can be a single code (e.g. UMTS FDD), a plurality of codes,
`a set of codes and timeslots (e.g. UMTS TDD), a set of
`timeslots (e.g. a TDD System) or a set of tones, tones and
`symbols or tones, symbols and timeslots (e.g. an OFDM
`system).
`The FACH is a downlink transport channel that is used to
`carry control information to a UE when the system knows
`the location cell of the UE, e.g. the specific Node B to which
`the UE is attached. The FACH allows short messages to be
`sent from the Node B to the UE. These short messages are
`typically control type messages that are used, for example,
`to allocate physical resources to the UE, set up dedicated
`physical channels, etc.
`The FACH is transmitted on a set of physical resources
`that are pre-defined and broadcast by the Node B on a
`Broadcast CHannel (BCH). The FACH is controlled by the
`RNC, which defines the codes and timeslots that are
`reserved for FACH transmissions. The RNC also reserves an
`amount of power headroom for the transmission of the
`FACH. When the FACH is transmitted, the RNC defines the
`power with which the FACH must be transmitted by the
`Node B. Power headroom is the amount of power that the
`RNC reserves for allocation of FACH resources. The power
`that is not reserved for power headroom is allocated to the
`Node B to do with as it sees fit (for example scheduling
`HS-DSCH resource into). Thus, when the RNC allocates
`power headroom, it informs the Node B that the Node B
`cannot allocate that power headroom, as the power head
`room is reserved by the RNC for the RNC to allocate
`resource into.
`
`
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`

`3
`Unlike the PCH (and PICH), the FACH is not required to
`always be transmitted, and typically is only used when a
`message is required to be sent to a UE.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a high level signal flow example 200 of
`an implementation for FACH transmissions. An RNC sends
`a NODE B SETUP message to a Node B, instructing the
`Node B to reserve a certain set of codes and timeslots for
`FACH transmissions. This message may also reserve power
`headroom for use by the RNC. In UMTS, the NODE B
`SETUP message for configuring the FACH transport chan
`nel is the COMMON TRANSPORT CHANNEL SETUP
`message, sent to the Node B over the Ilub interface 115.
`The Node B 110 then periodically transmits a SYSTEM
`INFORMATION message 210 on the Broadcast CHannel
`(BCH). This SYSTEM INFORMATION message 210
`informs UEs of the physical resources used for FACH
`transmissions. Such as the codes and timeslots in a Code
`Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system or the sub
`carriers and timeslots in an Orthogonal Frequency-Division
`Multiplexing (OFDM) system. The SYSTEM INFORMA
`TION message 210 typically also contains other broadcast
`information relevant to that cell, such as the network identity
`etc.
`A UE 120 is able to receive the SYSTEM INFORMA
`TION message 210, and configure its FACH decoding
`25
`function based on the information contained within the
`SYSTEM INFORMATION message 210.
`When the RNC 105 needs to send a message to a UE 120
`using the FACH, the RNC sends a SEND FACH message
`215 to the Node B. In UMTS, the SEND FACH message
`is carried using FACH frame protocol (FACHFP) messages
`over the lub interface 115. The SEND FACH message 215
`defines the specific code and timeslot to be used for the
`FACH transmission 220 from the Node B 110 to the UE 120,
`as well as the power level to be applied to the FACH
`35
`transmission, the message contents and the identity of the
`UE (the UE-ID) that are to be included in the FACH
`transmission. The Node B 110 subsequently transmits the
`FACH message 220 to the UE 120, as defined by the RNC
`105 in the SEND FACH message 215.
`40
`The UE 120 decodes the FACH 220 every frame, accord
`ing to the definition of the FACH provided within the
`SYSTEM INFORMATION message 210. If the UE-ID in
`the FACH message 220 matches the identity that has been
`assigned to the UE 120, the UE 120 acts on the message
`contents in the FACH 220.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a known assignment of
`physical resources 300 for a single Time Division Duplex
`(TDD) system, and shows that one timeslot per frame is
`assigned for FACH usage. As previously mentioned, the
`physical resources 300 for the FACH are pre-assigned by the
`RNC 105, in the NODE B SETUP message 205, and cannot
`be reused by other channels. Even when the FACH is lightly
`used, for example when most UEs are in a connected State,
`receiving data traffic on a traffic channel, indicated as a High
`Speed DownlinkShared Channel (HS-DSCH)305 in FIG.3,
`the FACH timeslot 310 is still required to be reserved.
`As will be appreciated by a skilled artisan, the fact that the
`FACH timeslot 310 is required to be reserved, particularly
`during light use of the FACH, is an inefficient use of physical
`resources. Consequently, the inventor of the present inven
`tion has recognised and appreciated that it is desirable for the
`timeslot 310 assigned to the FACH to be able to be used for
`other purposes when it is not required for the transmission
`of FACH messages. For the example illustrated in FIG. 3,
`the traffic channel resources, namely the HS-DSCH
`resources 305, comprise seven timeslots. If the timeslot 310
`
`50
`
`30
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
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`US 9,674,818 B2
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`4
`reserved for FACH transmissions could be utilised for a
`traffic channel during periods when no FACH transmissions
`were required to be sent, the traffic channel resources could
`be increased from seven timeslots to eight timeslots. This
`would increase the traffic channel resources by fourteen
`percent (14%) during those periods.
`A known solution for the reuse of the FACH timeslot is
`for the traffic channel resources, which for the example
`illustrated in FIG. 3 is in the form of the HS-DSCH 305, to
`be used for the transmission of FACH messages. In this case,
`the information that would have been transmitted on the
`FACH transport channel is instead transmitted on the HS
`DSCH transport channel. In this solution the Node B 110, as
`opposed to the RNC 105, controls the FACH, and the FACH
`timeslot of FIG. 3 becomes an HS-DSCH timeslot. In this
`manner, in the example of FIG.3, the HS-DSCH305 always
`comprises eight timeslots, as opposed to seven.
`The HS-DSCH 305 is a shared channel that is controlled
`by the Node B 110. The content of the HS-DSCH 305 is
`allocated via Shared Control CHannels for the HS-DSCH
`(HS-SCCH)315, which is a downlink physical channel that
`carries higher layer control information for the HS-DSCH.
`The HS-SCCH 315 contains a UE-ID relating to the UE
`120 for which content within the HS-DSCH 305 is intended.
`The UE-ID ensures that only that UE 120 for which the
`content of the HS-DSCH 305 is intended decodes the
`HS-SCCH 315 successfully. The HS-SCCH 315 also
`instructs the UE of those codes and timeslots that are
`allocated to it for the HS-DSCH 305 transmission allocated
`to it, and the coding and modulation of the HS-DSCH 305,
`e.g. code rate and modulation order, such as quadrature
`phase shift keying (QPSK), 16-QAM (Quadrature Ampli
`tude Modulation), etc. Having decoded the HS-SCCH 315,
`the UE 120 is able to decode relevant timeslot(s) of the
`HS-DSCH 305 using the information contained within the
`HS-SCCH 315, and retrieve the relevant content.
`When the HS-DSCH 305 is used to transmit the FACH,
`the codes and timeslots that are used for the HS-SCCH 315,
`as well as a FACH-ID are broadcast by the Node B, for
`example within the SYSTEM INFORMATION message
`210 illustrated in FIG. 2. UEs that are required to monitor
`the FACH subsequently attempt to decode the HS-SCCH
`315 using the FACH-ID. If a UE 120 is successful in
`decoding the HS-SCCH 315 using the FACH-ID, a FACH
`message is present within the HS-DSCH315.
`Having decoded the HS-SCCH315 using the FACH-ID,
`the UE 120 then decodes the relevant part of the HS-DSCH
`305 as allocated by the HS-SCCH 315, and using the
`information provided within the HS-SCCH 315.
`The UE-ID of the relevant UE 120 is included with the
`HS-DSCH 305. If this matches the UE-ID of the UE 120
`decoding the HS-DSCH 305, the UE 120 acts on the FACH
`message contents in the HS-DSCH 305.
`When a FACH message is to be sent to a UE120, the RNC
`105 requests the Node B 110 to send a FACH to a UE 120
`with a certain message. The Node B 110 then schedules the
`transmission of the FACH message in the HS-DSCH 305,
`along with any traffic data that is to be sent in the HS-DSCH
`305. The Node B 110 chooses the codes and timeslots that
`are to be used for the HS-DSCH 305 carrying the FACH
`message, as well as the coding and modulation to be applied
`to the HS-DSCH 305. The Node B then transmits an
`HS-SCCH 315 that allocates the codes and timeslots on the
`HS-DSCH 305 for the FACH message, along with the
`coding and modulation used, and encodes the HS-SCCH
`315 using the FACH-ID.
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`When there are no requests from the RNC 105 for the
`Node B 110 to transmit a FACH message, the Node B is able
`to use all of the HS-DSCH 305 resource for traffic data. In
`this manner, physical resources are used more efficiently,
`and in particular physical resources are not permanently
`assigned for transmitting FACH messages, in particular
`when no, or few, FACH messages are required to be trans
`mitted.
`However, a problem with this known technique for reus
`ing the FACH timeslot is that it requires the use of the
`HS-SCCH 315 and the HS-DSCH 305 channels for trans
`mitting FACH messages, as opposed to just a FACH chan
`nel, and as Such carries a penalty in terms of power con
`Sumption.
`FACH messages may be transmitted to a UE 120 when the
`UE is in an idle state (or alternatively in a connected state).
`Accordingly, the Node B 110 is unaware of the state of the
`transmission path between itself and the UE 120. As a result,
`normal power control is ineffective since the Node B 110 has
`no information with which to make an informed decision on
`the appropriate power level to use. Consequently, the power
`requirements must initially depend on the number of bits to
`be transmitted, and the coding rate, without explicit knowl
`edge of the path loss between the UE and Node B.
`A number of bits transmitted on the HS-SCCH 315 is
`comparable to a number of bits that are transmitted on a
`traditional FACH, in the order of 60 bits (57 bits for a 3.84
`Mcps TDD HS-SCCH). The exact number of bits to be
`transmitted on the FACH depends on the particular imple
`mentation. The power requirements for HS-SCCH 315 and
`FACH at the start of a connection are therefore substantially
`the same, due to the similar number of bits to be carried on
`each channel, for example approximately 33% of the Node
`B transmit power.
`A problem with this known technique for reusing the
`FACH timeslot is that both the HS-SSCH 315 and the
`HS-DSCH 305 must be used in order to transmit a FACH
`message, each requiring approximately 33% of the Node B
`transmit power, albeit in different timeslots. This is in
`contrast to the traditional method of transmitting FACH
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`messages, where using the dedicated FACH timeslot only
`required the one timeslot. Thus, the known technique for
`reusing the FACH timeslot requires an additional timeslot at
`33% of the Node B transmit power.
`A skilled artisan will appreciate that, although the reuse of
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`the FACH timeslot by mapping the FACH onto HS-DSCH
`resources provides a considerable improvement in the use of
`the physical resources, this increase in the power require
`ments is undesirable.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`Accordingly, the invention seeks to mitigate, alleviate or
`eliminate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages,
`singly or in any combination.
`According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a cellular communication network node compris
`ing a transmitter operably coupled to signal processing logic
`and arranged to transmit at least one direct signalling
`channel indicator bit generated by the signal processing
`logic. The signal processing logic is arranged, upon receipt
`of a message to be transmitted, to set at least one direct
`signalling channel indicator bit to indicate that a direct
`signalling channel is active in at least one unit of resource.
`The signal processing logic is further arranged to reallocate
`the at least one unit of resource for use by at least one other
`channel when no message is required to be transmitted.
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`Thus, embodiments of the invention may allow improved
`use of the communication resource in the communication
`system, for example by allowing physical resource to be
`dynamically switched between different channel types.
`According to an optional feature of the invention, the
`signal processing logic may be arranged to generate direct
`signalling channel resource information comprising a
`description of the physical resources and transport formats
`applied to the direct signalling channel(s). Thus, embodi
`ments of the invention may allow the physical resources of
`the direct signalling channel to be transmitted relatively
`infrequently to all UES. Thus, in this manner, a reduction in
`the signalling load is provided, as compared to the classic
`case where the physical resources for the direct signalling
`channel are sent whenever the direct signalling channel is
`allocated.
`According to an optional feature of the invention, the
`signal processing logic may be arranged, upon receipt of a
`message to be transmitted, to set the at least one direct
`signalling channel indicator bit in a first frame, and to
`transmit the message in a second frame. For example, the
`second frame may be a next consecutive frame to the first
`frame. Thus, embodiments of the invention may allow the
`UE to have a longer time to process the indicatorbit, thereby
`allowing the UE complexity to be reduced and/or to allow
`the UE to turn its receiver off in the time during which the
`direct signalling channel is transmitted.
`According to an optional feature of the invention, the
`signal processing logic may allocate a plurality of direct
`signalling channels to at least one unit of resource. Thus,
`embodiments of the invention may allow the system to
`operate with a reduced number of direct signalling channel
`indicator bits. The bits that are freed up on the indicator
`channel may then be used for other indication purposes (e.g.
`paging or E-DCH ACK/NACK signalling).
`According to an optional feature of the invention, the
`signal processing logic may generate a single direct signal
`ling channel indicator bit for transmission, or a plurality of
`direct signalling channel indicator bits, one for each direct
`signalling channel, or a number of indicator bits for trans
`mission, where each indicator bit corresponds to a plurality
`of direct signalling channels. Thus, embodiments of the
`invention may allow for finer granularity control of the
`allocated direct signalling channel, for example the network
`may allocate some of the resource as direct signalling
`channel instead of either allocating all or none of the
`resource. This allows for more targeted allocation of
`resource to direct signalling channels and traffic channels
`(e.g. HS-DSCH).
`According to an optional feature of the invention, the
`signal processing logic may be arranged to allocate a plu
`rality of direct signalling channels to a plurality of units of
`resource. Thus, embodiments of the invention may allow a
`single indicator bit to control more than one direct signalling
`channel, thus either allowing more direct signalling channels
`(when the number of indicator bits that can be sent are
`constrained) or reduced usage of the indicator bits.
`According to an optional feature of the invention, the
`signal processing logic, upon receipt of at least one message
`to be transmitted, may be arranged to re-allocate at least one
`unit of resource not required for transmitting the one or more
`message, for use by at least one channel other than the direct
`signalling channel. Thus, embodiments of the invention may
`allow better usage of the resource, for example some of the
`resource may be assigned to the direct signalling channel
`and some of the resource may be reassigned to the other
`channel when it is not needed for the direct signalling
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`channel. Furthermore, the usage of the resource may be
`more tailored to the traffic profile, if the direct signalling
`channel is not greatly required, but there is a lot of traffic on
`the traffic channel.
`According to an optional feature of the invention, the at
`least one direct signalling channel may be a Forward Access
`Channel(s) (FACH) within a Universal Mobile Telecommu
`nications System (UMTS) network. For example, the at least
`one direct signalling channel unit of resource may be
`re-allocated for use by a High Speed Downlink Shared
`CHannel (HS-DSCH). Thus, embodiments of the invention
`may allow direct applicability to an application. In this case,
`for example, under-utilised FACH resource may be trans
`ferred to HS-DSCH resource, thus increasing the potential
`throughput of HS-DSCH.
`According to an optional feature of the invention, the
`signal processing logic may generate the at least one direct
`signalling channel indicator bit within a Broadcast CHannel
`(BCH) for broadcast. For example, the signal processing
`logic may locate the at least one direct signalling channel
`indicator bit within a Transport Format Combination Indi
`cator (TFCI) type field within the BCH. Furthermore,
`according to an optional feature of the invention, the signal
`processing logic may generate the direct signalling channel
`indicator bit(s) as part of a data portion of the BCH for
`broadcast. Thus, embodiments of the invention may allow
`transmission directly on the broadcast channel, thereby
`removing a need for a separate indicator channel. Alterna
`tively, when an indicator channel naturally exists (e.g. PICH
`or E-HICH), the paging or E-DCH acknowledgement capac
`ity of those indicator channels is not reduced, as direct
`signalling channel indicator bits do not replace indicator bits
`that might be required for the other functions, such as PICH
`Or E-HICH.
`According to an optional feature of the invention, the
`signal processing logic may generate the at least one direct
`signalling channel indicator bit within a dedicated direct
`signalling channel indicator channel or within a dedicated
`paging indicator channel or within a E-DCH Hybrid ARQ
`Indicator CHannel (E-HICH) of a Universal Mobile Tele
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`communications System (UMTS) network. Thus, embodi
`ments of the invention may allow a reduction in usage of the
`broadcast channel. In this manner, an indicator channel may
`also be more lightly coded (than a broadcast channel),
`thereby allowing for lower powerflower complexity decod
`ing of the indicator channel (compared to a case where the
`indicator bits are sent on the broadcast channel).
`In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there
`is provided a method for transmitting transport channels
`over a physical channel of a cellular communication system.
`The method comprises determining whether at least one
`message is to be transmitted. If it is determined that at least
`one message is required to be transmitted, scheduling the at
`least one message for transmission in at least one unit of
`resource allocated to at least one direct signalling channel,
`and setting at least one direct signalling channel indicator bit
`for transmission. If it is determined that no message is to be
`transmitted, re-allocating at least one unit of resource allo
`cated for use by the at least one direct signalling channel for
`use by at least one channel other than the direct