GB2495473A - Modifying transmission time interval (tti) allocation using high speed shared control channel (hs-scch) order - Google Patents

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for causing a modification of a TTI E-DCH resource allocation (42,52) in an instance in which a criterion for resource modification has been met. The criterion may be radio conditions (path loss, interference, cell coverage, uplink power headroom, uplink power or received signal code power), buffer occupancy or channel quality indication. The method may include receiving a HS-SCCH order 48 to switch to a common E-DCH transmission time interval 50; which may comprise determining a common E-DCH resource for the modified resource allocation based on at least one of a resource index or a received scrambling code.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODIFYING RESOURCE ALLOCATION

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for modifying a resource allocation used by a wireless device. Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to communications technology and, more particularly, to modifications of resource allocation and resourcc utilisation in wireless communications.

Background

A transmission time interval (TTI) is a parameter related to encapsulation of data from higher layers into frames for transmission on the radio link laycr. TTI refers to the duration of a transmission on the radio link which may be used for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) decoding. A TTI resource allocation may be IS assigned to the mobile terminal based on signal conditions at a time when a mobile terminal accesses a network resource. The initial TTI resource allocation may be determined based on a number of parameters. For example, in an instance in which a mobile terminal's uplink power is limited and/or the mobile terminal is located at a thc cell edge (e.g. edge of an access point coverage area), a 0 millisecond (ms) TTI may be adopted to improve coverage and decrease the inter-cell interference. By way of ffirthcr example and in an instance in which the mobile terminal stays in the middle of cell or has a sufficient uplink power leftover, 2ms TTI may be adopted. By way of further example, a lOms TTI may provide better coverage while a 2ms TTI may provide higher data rate and lower delay.

However, assigning a TTI resource allocation at a time in which a mobile terminal accesses a network resource may cause various transmission errors as conditions and/or paramctcrs of a mobile terminal's conncction to a network resource change. For example, a mobile terminal may move within an access point coverage area and, as described above, such movement within an access point coverage area may result in errors based on a change of conditions. For example, in an instance in which a mobile terminal accesses an access point in the middle of the cell and is assigned a 2ms TTI, but then moves to the cell edge where a lOms TTI would be advantageous, the mobile terminal may experience delays in data transfer and a radio link connection may be restarted if the mobile terminal cannot switch to a I Oms TTI.

A number of methods have been proposed (e.g. 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) R2-113968, R21 14075, R2-114111, and/or R2-1 14154 which are all hereby incorporated by reference) in an effort to provide some measure of TTI resource allocation and modification for a mobile terminal. However, the proposals have generally suffered from various drawbacks including, for example, when splitting physical random access channel (PRACH) signature space, the already limited signature space may make it difficult to allocate enough resources in a highly loaded cell.

IS Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of modifying resource allocation for a wireless device, the method comprising: determining whether a criterion for modification of a resource allocation to be used by a wireless device has been satisfied; causing a request for modification of a resource allocation to be transmitted in an instance in which the criterion for relocation allocation modification has been satisfied; and causing a modification to the resource allocation in an instance in which an indication of resource allocation modification is received.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising: a processing system constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus to at least: determine whether a criterion for modification of a resource allocation for a wireless device has been satisfied; cause a request for modification of a resource allocation to be transmitted in an instance in which the criterion for relocation allocation modification has been satisfied; and cause a modification to the resource allocation in an instance in which an indication of resource allocation modification is received.

The processing system may comprise a processor and a memory including software, with the memory and the software configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus at least to operate as described above.

There is also provided a computer program comprising code such that when thc computer program is cxccutcd on a computing device, thc computing device is arranged to carry out a method as described above. The computer program may be stored on a computer program product which includes at least one computer readable non-transitory mcmoiy having program code stored thereon.

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided according to IS specific example embodiments in order to cause a modification of a current TTI common enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) resource allocation when a criteria for selection of an alternate TTI common E-DCH resource allocation is met (e.g. modification from a 2ms TTI to a lOms TTI). In an embodiment, thc method, apparatus and computer program product may cause a message to be transmitted to a network resource, such as an access point, indicating that a modification criterion for rcsourcc allocation has bccn mct. In response to the message, an order, such as a high-speed shared control channel (HS-SCCFI) order, may be received by the mobile terminal that causes the modification of the current TTI common E-DCH rcsource allocation. Alternatively or additionally and in some embodimcnts, rcsource allocation rules may be defined by an HS-SCCH order and/or may be preconfigured and stored in a mobile devices memory, such that the resource allocation rules are configured to cause an E-DCH resource to be chosen based on the modified TTI.

In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for determining whether a criteria for resource allocation modification has been satisfied.

An apparatus further comprises means for causing a request for modification of a resource allocation to be transmitted in an instance in which the criterion for relocation allocation modification has been satisfied. An apparatus further comprises means for causing a modification to the resource allocation in an instance in which an indication of resource allocation modification is received.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a system having a mobile terminal that may experience resource allocation modification and that may benefit from an embodiment of the present invention; IS Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an example of an apparatus that may be embodied by a mobile terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a flow chart illustrating an example of operations performed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 shows an example of a signal flow diagram illustrating operations performed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or finmware is not physically present.

This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uscs of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple I 5 processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or application specific integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

A method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment of the present invention are configured to determine instances in which a mobile terminal may cause a modification of the common E-DCFI resource TTI allocation based on the satisfaction of a resource allocation modification criterion. In accordance with an example embodiment, a mobile terminal may be configured to determine whether a criterion for modification of a TTI resource allocation has been satisfied. Such criterion includes but is not limited to current radio conditions, buffer occupancy and/or a channel quality indication (CQI). In an instance in which the criterion for modification of a TTI resource allocation has been satisfied, a request may be transmitted to a network resource, such as an access point, that requests a reallocation and/or modification of the TTI. In an embodiment, the mobile terminal may then receive an order, such as an HS-SCCH order, that causes the modification of the ITT.

In example embodiments, resource allocation rules may be pre-contigured to optionally adjust and/or select a new common E-DCH resource based on the stored set of resources and the modified TTI resource allocation. For example, a resource offset and/or a scrambling code may be used. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile terminal may be configured to receive two resources (e.g. one 2ms TTI resource and one lOms TTI resource) thereby allowing the mobile terminal to, for example, switch between the TTI resources based on the systems and methods described herein.

Although the method, apparatus and computer program product may be implemented in a variety of different systems, one example of such a system is shown schematically in Figure 1, which includes a first communication device (e.g. mobile IS terminal 10) that is capable of communication via an access point 12, such as a base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), serving cell or other access point, with a network 14 (e.g. a core network). While the network may be configured in accordance with Long Term Evolution (LTE) or LIE-Advanced (LTE-A), other networks may support the method, apparatus and computer program product of embodiments of the present invention, including those configured in accordance with widcband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), CDMA2000, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and/or the like.

The network 14 may include a collection of various different nodes, devices or functions that may be in communication with each other via corresponding wired and/or wireless interfaces. For example, the network may include one or more cells, including access point 12, each of which may serve a respective coverage area. The serving cell and the neighbour cells could be, for example, part of one or more cellular or mobile networks or public land mobile networks (PLMNs). In turn, other devices such as processing devices (e.g. personal computers, server computers or the like) maybe coupled to the mobile terminal 10 and/or other communication devices via the network.

A communication device, such as the mobile terminal 10 (also known as user equipment (UE)), may be in communication with other communication devices or other devices via the access point 12 and, in turn, the network 14. In some eases, the communication device may include an antenna for transmitting signals to and for receiving signals from a serving cell.

\Vhen referred to herein, a serving cell includes, but is not limited to, a primary serving cell (PCell) and other serving cells such as secondary serving cells (SCell) that may be operating on an access point, such as access point 12. A candidate cell, target cell, neighbour cell and/or the like may also be used herein, and that includes a cell that is not currently a serving cell, but may become a serving cell IS in the thture. A PCeII, which may be embodied by an access point, generally includes, but is not limited to, a cell that is configured to perform initial establishment procedures, security procedures, system information (SI) acquisition and change monitoring procedures on the broadcast channel (BCCH) or data channel (PDCCH), and paging. The SCeII, which may be embodied by a remote radio head (RRH), is configured to provide additional radio resources to the PCeII. In an embodiment, a "primary band" is the band that is indicated by the serving cell as the band of a serving carrier frequency. The secondary band is the band that is indicated by the serving cell as an additional band (e.g. in addition to the primary band), that allows a mobile terminal radio frequency that is supported by the secondary band to also camp onthecell.

In some example embodiments, the mobile terminal 10 may be a mobile communication device such as, for example, a mobile telephone, portable digital assistant (PDA). pager, laptop computer, or any of numerous other hand held or portable communication devices, computation devices, content generation devices, content consumption devices, or comb[nations thereof As such, the mobile terminal may include one or more processors that may define processing circuitry either alone or in combination with one or more memories. The processing circuitry may utilise instructions stored in the memory to cause the mobile terminal 10 to operate in a particular way or execute specific functionality when the instructions arc executed by the one or more processors. The mobile terminal 10 may also include communication circuitry and corresponding hardware/software to enable communication with othcr devices and/or the network 14.

In one embodiment, for example, the mobile terminal 10 and/or the access point 12 may be embodied as or otherwise include an apparatus 20 as generically and schematically represented by the block diagram of Figure 2. While the apparatus 20 may be employed, for example, by a mobile terminal 10 or an access point 12, it should be noted that the components, devices or elements described below may not be mandatory and thus some may be omitted in certain embodiments. Additionally, IS some embodiments may include frirther or different components, devices or elements beyond those shown and described herein.

As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 20 may include or otherwise be in communication with processing circuitry 22 that is configurable to perform actions in accordance with example embodiments described herein. The processing circuitry may be configured to perform data processing, application execution and/or other processing and management services according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the apparatus or the processing circuitry may be embodied as a chip or chipset. In other words, the apparatus or the processing circuitry may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g. chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g. a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus or the processing circuitry may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or as a single "system-on-a-chip". As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the funetionalities described herein.

In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 22 may include a processor 24 and memory 28 that may be in communication with or otherwise control a communication interface 26 and, in some cases, a user interface 30. As such, the processing circuitry may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g. an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g. with hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software) to perform operations dcscribcd herein. However, in some embodiments taken in the context of the mobile terminal 10, the processing circuitry may be embodied as a portion of a mobile computing device or other mobile terminal.

The user interface 30 (if implemented) may be in communication with the processing circuitry 22 to receive an indication of a user input at the user interface 30 IS and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user. As such, the user interface 30 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. The apparatus 20 need not always include a user interface. For example, in instances in which the apparatus 20 is embodied as a access point 12, the apparatus 20 may not include a user interface. As such, the user interface 30 is shown in dashed lines in Figure 2.

The communication interface 26 may include one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices and/or networks. In some eases, the communication interface may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data front/to a network 14 and/or any other device or module in communication with the processing circuitry 22, such as between the mobile terminal 10 and the access point 12. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network and/or a communication modem or other hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL). universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet or other methods.

In an example embodiment, the memory 28 may include one or more non-transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory 28 may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling the apparatus 20 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. For example, the memory 28 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 24. Additionally or alternatively, the memory 28 could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor 24. As yet another alternative, the memory 28 may include one of a plurality of databases that may store a variety of files, contents or data sets. Among the contents of the memory 28, IS applications may be stored for execution by the processor 24 in order to carry out the functionality associated with each respective application. In some cases, the memory 28 may be in communication with the processor 24 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus 20, The processor 24 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor 24 may be embodied as various processing means such as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing element, a coproeessor, a controller or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or the like. In an example embodiment, the processor 24 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 28 or otherwise accessible to the processor 24. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor 24 may represent an entity (e.g. physically embodied in circuitry -in the form of processing circuitry 22) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor 24 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor 24 may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor 24 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure thc processor 24 to perform the operations described herein.

Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating the operations performed by examples of a method, apparatus and computer program product, such as apparatus 20 of Figure 2, from the perspective of a mobile terminal 10 in aecordancc with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry and/or other device associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be IS embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory device 28 of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a processor 24 in the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g. hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus provides for implementation of the ifinctions specified in the flowchart's block(s). These computer program instructions may also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage memory produce an article of manufacture, the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart's block(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s). As such, the operations of Figure 3, when executed, convert a computer or processing circuitry into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the operations of Figure 3 define an algorithm for configuring a computer or processing circuitry 22, e.g. processor, to perform an example embodiment. In some cases, a general purpose computer may be provided with an instance of the processor which performs the algorithm of Figure 3 to transform the general purpose computer into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment.

Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart support combinations of means for performing the specified thnctions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be undcrstood that one or more blocks of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified IS functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified as described below. Moreover, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may also be included (examples of which are shown in dashed lines in Figure 3). It should be appreciated that each of the modifications, optional additions or amplifications below may be included with the operations above either alone or in combination with any others among the features described herein.

Referring now to Figure 3, the operations of a method, apparatus and computer program product are configured to provide an indication from a mobile terminal 10 to an access point 12 or other network element in an instance in which a criterion for a modification of a resource allocation is met. Tn response, the access point 12 or other network clement may cause a TTI resource allocation to be modified. As shown in operation 32, the apparatus 20 may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24 or the like, for determining at least one of a plurality of resource modification parameters, wherein TTI resource modification parameters may include but are not limited to current radio conditions, buffer occupancy threshold and/or CQI. While several parameters are described for purposes of illustration, additional or different parameters may be determined in other embodiments. For example, the apparatus may include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor or the like, for determining the transmission power for signals transmitted by the mobile terminal via an uplink channel. In one embodiment, the apparatus, such as the processor, may determine the transmission power of the signals transmitted via the uplink dedicated physical control channel (DPCCI-I) to the serving cell. In an instance in which thc transmission power for signals transmitted via an uplink channel, such as the uplink DPCCH, is relatively high, the mobile terminal may be located relatively far from the scrving cell and/or the mobile terminal may be suffering from uplink interference from other mobile terminals served by neighbour cells. In either instance, a relatively high transmission power for signals transmitted via an uplinlc channel of the mobile terminal may create the need for a change in TTI IS resource allocation (e.g. from a low TTI to a higher TTL, such as for example from a 2ms TTI to a lOms TTI).

Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 20 may also include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24 or the like, for determining other parameters, such as radio conditions, associated with the operation of the mobile terminal 10 that may result in a modification of a resource allocation. Example radio conditions include, but are not limited to, interference, cell coverage, uplink power headroom, received signal power and/or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 20 may also include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24 or the like, for determining a current data transmission buffer occupancy.

For example, in an instance in which the current data transmission buffer has only a small amount of data, then a modification of a resource allocation may not be necessary because, for example, it may be more efficient to complete the transmission of the data in the data transmission buffer using the existing resource. In another example, in an instance in which the buffer occupancy is above a threshold amount of data and another criterion of operation 32 is met, then a modification of a resource allocation may be requested.

Based upon at least one of the resource modification parameters determined with respect to operation 32, such as the radio conditions, the buffer occupancy, the CQI andior the like, the apparatus 20, such as the processor 24, may determine if the or each criteria for modification of TTI resource has been satisfied. See operation 34 of Figure 3. For example, the apparatus, such as the processor, may be configured to compare the radio conditions, buffer occupancy and/or a CQI with a threshold. The threshold may be pre-defined and stored by memory 28 of the apparatus.

Alternatively, a network element, such as the access point 12, a radio network controller or the like, may notify the mobile terminal 1 0 of the respective thresholds.

In one embodiment, the parameters need not just satis' respective thresholds at one instant in time in order to be considered to be indicative of a criterion for modification IS of a TTI resource, but in alternative embodiments may need to satis the respective thresholds for predetermined periods of time (e.g. a minimum amount of time before the threshold is considered to be met).

While the apparatus 20, such as the processor 24, may simply continue to monitor the various parameters for an instance in which the parameters satisfy the respective thresholds, in an instance in which a parameter does satisfy the respective threshold the apparatus 20 may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communication interface 26 or the like, for causing a request for reallocation of a resource to be transmitted. Sec operation 36 of Figure 3. The request for reallocation of resource may be communicated using signalling, such as layer I and/or layer 2 signalling, to indicate that a criterion for modifying resource allocation has been met. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus 20 may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communication interface 26 or the like, for causing a request for reallocation to be transmitted using a value of the CQI, an average value derived from CQI or by using medium access control (MAC) signalling using scheduling information (SI) or a special layer 2 protocol data unit (PDU). The mobile terminal 10 may provide the request for reallocation of resource to the access point 12, a radio network controller or other network element.

Upon receipt of the request for reallocation of resource, the network element, such as access point 12, may determine whether a modification of a resource allocation is necessaiy. In some embodiments, the network device may determine that modification of a resource allocation is not necessary even though one or more parameters have satisfied a threshold. For example, network traffic, uplink interference, resource shortages, service prioritisation and/or the like may cause the network device to determine not to modify a resonree allocation. In an instance in which the network resource, such as the access point 12, determines that the network resource should be modified, the network element may cause an HS-SCCH order to be transmitted. An HS-SCCH order may be configured to indicate a particular TTI IS resource to be used and/or may indicate a change of a TTI resource allocation.

Additionally or alternatively, the network element may cause the modification of a TTI based on a CQI received from the mobile terminal without receiving a request for reallocation from the mobile terminal.

As is shown in operation 38, the apparatus 20 may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communication interface 26 or the like, for receiving an indication from network resource, such as an access point, wherein the indication causes a modification to a resource allocation. For example, the apparatus 20 may receive an order, such as HS-SCCH order, that indicates a TTI to be used (e.g. 2ms TTI, I Onts TTI, and/or the like). In response to the received order, the apparatus 20, such as the mobile terminal 20, the processor 24, the communication interface 26 or the like, may then cause a resource, such as an E-DCH resource to be chosen based on the indicated TTI. See operation 40 of Figure 3. The resource, such as the E-DCH resource, may be chosen by the apparatus 20, such as by the processor 24, from a plurality of stored resources that may be stored in the memory 28. A particular E-DCH resource may also be preconfigured by the network device, such as by the access point 12, prior to the transmission of the order and subsequently received by the mobile terminal with the order.

Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus 20 may also include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24 or the like, for causing a rule for selecting a resource, such as an E-DCH resource, to be executed. See operation 40 of Figure 3. In some embodiments, even though an order, such as the I-IS-SCCH order, may be received, an apparatus 20, such as for example the mobile terminal 10, may not have received instructions for resource allocation. Thus, as described herein, rules for E-DCI4 resource allocation may be preconfigured and/or received from a network resource, such as from access point 12. For example, a nile may use an index to select a particular resource out of a block of resources. For examplc, if example resources 1-16 are lOms TTI resources and example resources 17-32 are 2ms TTI resources, such resource blocks would define an index of 16 (e.g. resources I and 17, IS 2 and IS, etc.), thus allowing the mobile terminal 10 to easily determine a resource allocation in an instance in which a TTE is modified. An offset may be determined by the mobile terminal and/or the mobile terminal may receive an indication of the index from a network resource. In either example, once an offset is known, the mobile terminal and/or the network device may add/subtract the index to/from the current resource to determine the current resource allocation. By way of further example, if an apparatus 20, such as mobile terminal 10, is currently using resource 3, then in an instance in which a TTI is modified, the apparatus 20, such as the mobile terminal 10, would then be configured to operate on resource 19. Advantageously, for example, such a known mdcx would enable a mobile terminal and a network device to know, for example, which E-DCH resource was to be used without further signalling or an allocation action of E-DCH resources.

Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus 20 may also include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24 or the like, for determining a scrambling code used in the order, such as the I-IS-SCCH order. Once a scrambling code is determined, the apparatus 20, such as the mobile terminal 10 may use the same resource index as the determined scrambling code in instances in which a network resource, such as the access point 12, has configured TTI resources, such as lOms and/or 2ms TTI, in the same index of different scrambling codes. In yet a further embodiment, the network resource, such as the access point 12, may be configured to provide the apparatus 20, such as the mobile terminal 10, with one 2ms TTI resource and one lOms TTI resource which may advantageously be switched by the mobile terminal 10.

Figure 4 shows an cxamplc signal flow diagram illustrating operations performed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, a mobile terminal 10 may be communicating with an access point 12 using common E-DCH transmission on a first TTI resource, for example a 2ms TTI resource. See signal 42 of Figure 4. In an instance in which a criterion is met for selection of a second TTI resource, as is shown with reference to block 44, a layer I IS (CQI) and/or a layer 2 (SI) indication may be transmitted by mobile terminal 10 and received by access point 12. See signal 46 of Figure 4. In response to the layer I and/or layer 2 indication, an HS-SCCH order may be generated and transmitted from the access point 12 to the mobile terminal 10. The HS-SCCH order is configured to cause a second TTI resource to be selected as is shown in block 50 of Figure 4. After the second TTI resource is selected, the mobile terminal 10 may communicate with access point 12 using a common E-DCH transmission on the second TTT resource.

See signal 52 of Figure 4.

Advantageously, for example, the systems and methods as described herein may be configured to enable the switching between TTI resources during a common E-DCI-1 resource allocation. Advantageously, the example systems and methods as described herein may improve reliability of a 2ms and/or a lOms TTI by allowing a mobile terminal to switch to the opposite TTI (10 ms and/or 2ms respectively) if conditions allow.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example comb[nations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of IS limitation.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMS1. A method of modi'ing resource allocation for a wireless device, the method comprising: determining whether a criterion for modification of a resource allocation to be used by a wireless device has been satisfied; causing a request for modification of a resource allocation to be transmitted in an instance in which the criterion for relocation allocation modification has been satisfied; and causing a modification to the resource allocation in an instance in which an indication of resource allocation modification is received.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A method according to claim I, wherein the resource allocation comprises a transmission time interval (TTI) resource allocation.IS</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A method according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the determining comprises determining at least one of a plurality of resource modification parameters, wherein said resource modification parameters include at least one of radio conditions, buffer occupancy or channel quality indication.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the determining whcther the criterion for resource allocation has been satisfied comprises detemiining whether a radio condition satisfics a threshold value, wherein, in an instance in which thc radio condition threshold vahie is satisfied, thc critcrion for resource allocation has been satisfied.</claim-text> <claim-text>S. A method according to claim 4, wherein said radio condition includes at least one of path loss, interference, cell coverage, uplink power headroom, uplink power or received signal code power.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A method according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the determining whether the criterion for resource allocation has been satisfied comprises determining whether a buffer occupancy threshold has been satisfied, wherein, in an instance in which the buffer occupancy threshold has been satisfied, the criterion for resource allocation has S been satisfied.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A method according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the determining whether the criterion for resource allocation has been satisfied comprises determining whether a value derived from a channel quality indication (CQI) value cxcceds a threshold value, wherein, in an instance in which the derived CQT value exceeds a threshold, the criterion for resource allocation has been satisfied.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A method according to any of claims 1 to 7. wherein causing the request for reallocation of the resource to be transmitted comprises generating a request using at IS least one of a value of channel quality indication (CQI), scheduling information (SI) or a layer 2 control protocol data unit (PDU).</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A method according to any of claims I to 8, receiving a high-speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH) order to switch a common enhanced dedicated channel (h-DO-I) transmission time interval (TTI).</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A method according to claim 9, wherein receiving the HS-SCCH order comprises determining a common E-DCH resource for the modified resource allocation based on at least one of a resource index or a received scrambling code.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. Apparatus comprising: a processing system constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus to at least: determine whether a criterion for modification of a resource allocation for a wireless device has been satisfied; cause a request for modification of a resource allocation to be transmitted in an instance in which the criterion for relocation allocation modification has been satisfied; and cause a modification to the resource allocation in an instance in which an indication of resource allocation modification is received.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the rcsourcc allocation comprises a transmission time interval (TTI) rcsource allocation.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the processing system is constructed and arrangcd to cause the apparatus to determine at least onc of a plurality of resourcc modification parameters, whcrcin said rcsource modification parameters includc at least one of radio conditions, buffer occupancy or channel quality indication.IS</claim-text> <claim-text>14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the proccssing systcm is constructed and ananged to cause the apparatus to determine whether a radio condition satisfies a threshold value, whcrein, in an instance in which the radio condition threshold value is satisfied, the criterion for rcsourcc allocation has been satisficd.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said radio condition includes at least one of path loss, interference, cell coverage, uplink power headroom, uplinlc power or received signal codc power.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. Apparatus according to any of claims 13 to IS, wherein the processing system is constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus to determine whether a buffer occupancy threshold has been satisfied, wherein, in an instance in which the buffer occupancy threshold has been satisfied, the criterion for resource allocation has been satisfied.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. Apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the processing system is constructed and arranged such that the apparatus determining whether the criterion for resource allocation has been satisfied comprises determining whether a value derived from a channel quality indication (CQT) value exceeds a threshold value, wherein, in an instance in which the derived CQI value exceeds a threshold, the criterion for resource allocation has been satisfied.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 17, wherein the processing system is constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus to generate a request using at least one of a value of channel quality indication (CQI), scheduling infornrntion (SI) or a layer 2 control protocol data unit (PDIJ).</claim-text> <claim-text>19. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the processing system is constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus to receive a high-speed shared IS control channel (HS-SCCI-1) order to switch common enhanced dedicated chamiel (E-DCI-1) transmission time interval (TTI).</claim-text> <claim-text>20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the processing system is constructed and arranged to cause the apparatus to determine a common E-DCI-1 resource for the modified resource allocation based on at least one of a resource index or a received scrambling code.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A computcr program comprising code such that when the computer program is executed on a computing device, the computing device is arranged to carry out a method according to any of claims Ito JO.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. Apparatus for modif'ing resource allocation, substantially in accordance with any of the examples as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A method of modifying resource allocation, substantially in accordance with any of the examples as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>