Power and timing control methods and apparatus

Abstract

The use of multiple states of mobile communication device operation to allow a single base station to support a relatively large number of mobile nodes is described. The various states require different amounts of communications resources, e.g., bandwidth. Four supported states of operation are an on-state, a hold-state, a sleep-state, and an access-state. Each mobile node in the on-state is allocated communication resources to perform transmission power control signaling, transmission timing control signaling and to transmit data as part of a data uplink communications operation. Each mobile node in the hold-state is allocated communication resources to perform transmission timing control signaling and is provided a dedicated uplink for requesting a state transition and a shared resource for transmitting acknowledgements. In the sleep state a mobile node is allocated minimal resources and does not conduct power control signaling or timing control signaling. Data may be received in the on and hold states.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10 / 636,482 filed Aug. 7, 2003 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 401,920 filed on Aug. 8, 2002 and which is a continuation-in-part application of issued U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 324,194 filed Dec. 20, 2002, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,788,963 and which is also a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 378,563 filed Mar. 3, 2003; this application is also a continuation-in-part application of International Application No. PCT / US03 / 24889, filed Aug. 7, 2003 which designated the U.S., the entire content of each of the preceding identified patent applications is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to wireless communications systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for supporting a plurality of mobile nodes in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for supporting multiple wireless terminals using a single base station and limited resources. The invention allows for the allocation of dedicated control bandwidth to mobile nodes based on their state of operation, which can vary from a sleep state to an access state. The invention also allows for the efficient control of transmission power levels based on power control signals transmitted by the base station. By supporting multiple states of operation, the invention can allocate more resources to mobile nodes, increasing the number of mobile nodes that can be supported by a base station. This improves the efficiency of the system and reduces interference between mobile nodes.

Problems solved by technology

In the case of a shared communications channel conflicts may result when multiple nodes, at the same time attempt to transmit a control signal using the shared communications channel.

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