Dynamic sequencing of timeslots in wireless communication systems

Abstract

A plurality of timeslot sequences is generated. Resource codes are then hypothetically assigned to the timeslot sequences. Next, a total effective interference value for each timeslot sequence is measured. Resource codes are then actually assigned to the timeslot sequence with the lowest measured total effective interference value.

1 . A method of assigning resources in a wireless communication system comprising: 
 (a) generating a plurality of timeslot sequences;    (b) assigning resource codes to the timeslot sequences on a hypothetical basis for analysis;    (c) measuring a total effective interference value for each timeslot sequence; and    (d) assigning actual resource codes to the timeslot sequence with the lowest measured total effective interference value.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) further comprises: 
 (a1) selecting a first weighting factor for evaluating interference;    (a2) selecting a second weighting factor for evaluating usable resource units;    (a3) computing a figure of merit (FOM) value for each of a plurality of timeslots allocated for user traffic;    (a4) sequencing the timeslots in decreasing FOM-value order wherein a timeslot with the highest FOM value is sequenced first and a timeslot with the lowest value is sequenced last; and    (a5) for each additional sequence desired to be generated, adjusting the weighting factors of steps (a1) and (a2) and repeating steps (a3) and (a4).    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein step (b) further comprises: 
 (b1) assigning resource codes to a first timeslot in a first timeslot sequence on a hypothetical basis until the first timeslot reaches capacity;    (b2) assigning resource codes to a next timeslot in the first timeslot sequence on a hypothetical basis until the next timeslot reaches capacity;    (b3) repeating step (b2) until all timeslots in the first timeslot sequence reach capacity or until resource codes are no longer available; and    (b4) repeating steps (b1) through (b3) for all timeslot sequences.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein step (b) further comprises: 
 (b1) assigning a first resource code on a hypothetical basis to a timeslot with the highest FOM value in a first timeslot sequence;    (b2) updating an interference value for the highest FOM-value timeslot;    (b3) re-computing a FOM value for each timeslot in the first timeslot sequence;    (b4) re-sequencing the timeslots in the first timeslot sequence in decreasing FOM-value order;    (b5) assigning a next resource code on a hypothetical basis to a timeslot with the highest re-computed FOM value in the first timeslot sequence;    (b6) repeating steps (b2) through (b5) until all timeslots in the first timeslot sequence reach capacity or until resource codes are no longer available; and    (b7) repeating steps (b1) through (b6) for all timeslot sequences.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein a hysteresis factor is considered in re-computing the FOM values of timeslots to which a resource code was hypothetically assigned.  
   
   
       6 . A device for assigning resources in a wireless communication system comprising: 
 means capable of generating a plurality of timeslot sequences;    means capable of assigning resource codes to timeslot sequences on a hypothetical basis for analysis;    means capable of measuring a total effective interference value for each timeslot sequence; and    means capable of assigning actual resource codes to a timeslot sequence with the lowest measured total effective interference value.    
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 means capable of selecting a first weighting factor for evaluating interference;    means capable of selecting a second weighting factor for evaluating usable resource units;    means capable of computing a figure of merit (FOM) value for each of a plurality of timeslots allocated for user traffic;    means capable of sequencing the timeslots in decreasing FOM-value order such that a timeslot with the highest FOM value is sequenced first and a timeslot with the lowest value is sequenced last; and    means capable of adjusting the first and second weighting factors.    
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising means capable of assigning resource codes to a plurality of timeslot sequences on a hypothetical basis for analysis.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8  further comprising means capable of assigning actual resource codes based on said analysis.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said device is a radio network controller.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said device is a base station.