Method and apparatus for using a traffic channel for communications of control data in a wireless communication system

Abstract

Various method and apparatus provides for a method and apparatus for a communication system to efficiently use the traffic channel resources for communications of control data. A controller receiving a transmission indicator of a control message for transmission from a base station to a mobile station over a traffic channel. The controller selects a traffic channel dormant timer based on the transmission indicator. A network entity may send the transmission indicator to the base station. The transmission indicator of the control message is determined based on at least one of extent of communications and size of data of the control message between the mobile station and the base station. The controller sets up a traffic channel for transmission of the control message with the selected traffic channel dormant timer. The traffic channel is torn down after expiration of the selected traffic channel dormant timer.

1 . A method for a communication system, comprising: 
 receiving a transmission indicator of a control message for transmission from a base station to a mobile station over a traffic channel;    selecting a traffic channel dormant timer associated with said transmission of said control message from said base station to said mobile station based on said transmission indicator.    
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 sending said transmission indicator to said base station.    
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 determining said transmission indicator of said control message based on at least one of extent of communications and size of data of said control message between said mobile station and said base station.    
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 setting up a traffic channel for transmission of said control message with said selected traffic channel dormant timer.    
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 transmitting said control message to said mobile station on said traffic channel with said selected traffic channel dormant timer.    
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 tearing down said traffic channel after expiration of said selected traffic channel dormant timer.    
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said selecting said traffic channel dormant timer includes corresponding said transmission indicator to at least one of a plurality of defined traffic channel dormant timers.  
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 corresponding a plurality of defined traffic channel dormant timers to a plurality of transmission indicators, wherein said selected traffic channel dormant timer is corresponding to one of said plurality of defined traffic channel dormant timers.    
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for a communication system, comprising: 
 means for receiving a transmission indicator of a control message for transmission from a base station to a mobile station over a traffic channel;    means for selecting a traffic channel dormant timer associated with said transmission of said control message from said base station to said mobile station based on said transmission indicator.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9  further comprising: 
 means for receiving data at said base station from said mobile station on a traffic channel set up for transmission of said control message with said selected traffic channel dormant timer.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9  further comprising: 
 means for sending said transmission indicator to said base station.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9  further comprising: 
 means for determining said transmission indicator of said control message based on at least one of extent of communications and size of data of said control message between said mobile station and said base station.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9  further comprising: 
 means for setting up a traffic channel for transmission of said control message with said selected traffic channel dormant timer.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9  further comprising: 
 means for transmitting said control message to said mobile station on said traffic channel with said selected traffic channel dormant timer.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9  further comprising: 
 means for tearing down said traffic channel after expiration of said selected traffic channel dormant timer.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9  wherein said means for selecting said traffic channel dormant timer includes means for corresponding said transmission indicator to at least one of a plurality of defined traffic channel dormant timers.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 9  further comprising: 
 means for corresponding a plurality of defined traffic channel dormant timers to a plurality of transmission indicators, wherein said means for selecting said traffic channel dormant timer selects said selected traffic channel dormant timer by corresponding to one of said plurality of defined traffic channel dormant timers.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 17  further comprising: 
 means for receiving data at said base station from said mobile station on said traffic channel for communications of said control message.