Wireless communication network and method for extended-range uplink communications

Abstract

Embodiments of a wireless network and method for extended-range communications are generally described herein. In some embodiments, an RF bandwidth of an uplink communication channel is established for a plurality of subscriber units. A desired channel quality is also established for uplink communications from each subscriber unit to a base transceiver station over the uplink communication channel. The RF bandwidth of the uplink communication channel is reduced and additional time-slots are allocated to the uplink communication channel of some subscriber units to achieve the desired channel quality for the uplink communications to provide extended-range uplink communications for subscriber units that are further from the base transceiver station.

1 . A wireless communication network comprising:
 a service controller to establish an RF bandwidth comprising single tones as uplink communication channels for a plurality of subscriber units; and   a time-slot manager to allocate additional uplink time-slots to some of the subscriber units for uplink communications over the uplink communication channels to meet a desired uplink transmission rate,   wherein the time-slot manager is further configured to allocate less uplink time-slots to some other subscriber units for uplink communications over the uplink communication channel when the desired uplink transmission rate can be met.   
   
   
       2 . The network of  claim 1  wherein the service controller and time-slot manager are located within a base transceiver station,
 wherein the uplink communication channel for each of the subscriber units comprises a single tone, and   wherein downlink communication channels established between the base transceiver station and the subscriber units comprise multicarrier communication channels that are orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM).   
   
   
       3 . The network of  claim 1  wherein the service controller and time-slot manager are located within a mobile switching center (MSC) in communication with a base transceiver station,
 wherein the uplink communication channel for each of the subscriber units comprises a single tone, and   wherein downlink communication channels established between the base transceiver station and the subscriber units comprise multicarrier communication channels that are orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM).   
   
   
       4 . The network of  claim 1  further comprising a quality-of-service (QOS) manager to establish a desired channel quality for the uplink communications with the subscriber units, and
 wherein the time-slot manager is configured to individually allocate additional uplink time-slots to the subscriber units to achieve the desired channel quality to meet the desired uplink transmitting rate, the allocation of additional uplink time-slots to allow for extended uplink communications for subscriber units that are further from the base transceiver station.   
   
   
       5 . A method for extending uplink communications from a plurality of subscriber units to a base transceiver station comprising:
 establishing an RF bandwidth comprising single tones as uplink communication channels for the subscriber units;   allocating additional uplink time-slots to some of the subscriber units for uplink communications over the uplink communication channels to meet a desired uplink transmission rate; and   allocating less uplink time-slots to other subscriber units for uplink communications over the uplink communication channel when the desired uplink transmission rate can be met.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the establishing and allocating are performed within the base transceiver station,
 wherein the uplink communication channel for each of the subscriber units comprises a single tone, and   wherein downlink communication channels established between the base transceiver station and the subscriber units comprise multicarrier communication channels that are orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM).   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the establishing and allocating are performed within a mobile switching center (MSC) in communication with the base transceiver station,
 wherein the uplink communication channel for each of the subscriber units comprises a single tone, and   wherein downlink communication channels established between the base transceiver station and the subscriber units comprise multicarrier communication channels that are orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM).   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 establishing a desired channel quality for the uplink communications with the subscriber units; and   allocating the additional uplink time-slots to achieve the desired channel quality to meet the desired uplink transmitting rate,   wherein the allocating of additional uplink time-slots allows for extended uplink communications for subscriber units that are further from the base transceiver station.   
   
   
       9 . A network to adapt wireless communication links for extended-range uplink communications comprising:
 a service controller to establish an RF bandwidth of an uplink communication channel for a plurality of subscriber units;   a quality-of-service (QOS) manager to establish a desired channel quality for uplink communications from each subscriber unit to a base transceiver station over the uplink communication channel; and   a time-slot manager to allocate time-slots to the uplink communication channel,   wherein the service controller is configured to reduce the RF bandwidth of the uplink communication channel and the time-slot manager is configured to allocate additional time-slots to the uplink communication channel of some subscriber units to achieve the desired channel quality for the uplink communications to provide extended-range uplink communications for subscriber units that are further from the base transceiver station.   
   
   
       10 . The network of  claim 9  wherein the reduced RF bandwidth and the additional of time-slots are selected to maintain the desired channel quality for the uplink communications. 
   
   
       11 . The network of  claim 9  wherein the time-slot manager is further configured to reduce a number of time-slots for uplink communications with other subscriber units that are nearer to the base transceiver station when the desired channel quality for the uplink communications can be achieved. 
   
   
       12 . The network of  claim 11  wherein time-division multiplexed orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) frames comprising downlink and uplink subframes are used for communications between the base transceiver station and the subscriber units, and
 wherein the service controller reduces the RF bandwidth of the uplink communication channel by reducing a number of OFDM subcarriers allocated to the uplink communication channel within one of the uplink subframes.   
   
   
       13 . A method of adapting wireless communication links for extended-range uplink communications comprising:
 establishing an RF bandwidth of an uplink communication channel for a plurality of subscriber units;   establishing a desired channel quality for uplink communications from each subscriber unit to a base transceiver station over the uplink communication channel; and   reducing the RF bandwidth of the uplink communication channel and allocating additional time-slots to the uplink communication channel of some subscriber units to achieve the desired channel quality for the uplink communications to provide extended-range uplink communications for subscriber units that are further from the base transceiver station.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising selecting the reduced RF bandwidth and the additional time-slots to maintain the desired channel quality for the uplink communications. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising reducing a number of time-slots for uplink communications with other subscriber units that are nearer to the base transceiver station when the desired channel quality for the uplink communications can be achieved. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising:
 using time-division multiplexed orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) frames comprising downlink and uplink subframes for communications between the base transceiver station and the subscriber units; and   reducing the RF bandwidth of the uplink communication channel by reducing a number of OFDM subcarriers allocated to the uplink communication channel within one of the uplink subframes.   
   
   
       17 . A base transceiver station to adapt wireless communication links for extended-range uplink communications comprising:
 a service controller to establish an RF bandwidth for uplink communications with a plurality of communication units;   a quality-of-service (QOS) manager to establish a desired channel quality for the uplink communications from each communication unit; and   a time manager to allocate time for the uplink communications,   wherein the service controller is configured to reduce the RF bandwidth of the uplink communications and the time manager is configured to allocate additional time to the uplink communications of some communication units to achieve the desired channel quality to provide extended-range uplink communications for communication units located further away from the base transceiver station.   
   
   
       18 . The base transceiver station of  claim 17  wherein the reduced RF bandwidth and the allocation of additional time are selected to maintain the desired channel quality for the extended-range uplink communications, and
 wherein the RF bandwidth is reduced by reducing a number of subcarriers allocated.   
   
   
       19 . The base transceiver station of  claim 18  wherein the time manager is further configured to reduce time allocated for uplink communications with other communication units located nearer to the base transceiver station when the desired channel quality for the uplink communications can be achieved.