Method and an apparatus for a quick retransmission of signals in a communication system

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for quick retransmission of signals in a communication system are disclosed. A transmitting terminal, e.g., a base station, transmits signals in a form of packets to a receiving terminal, e.g., a subscriber station. The receiving terminal determines if the packet was intended for the receiving terminal, and if so, the receiving terminal demodulates the packet. The receiving terminal then computes a quality metric of the packet, and compares the computed quality metric with a quality metric contained in the packet. If the quality metrics match, the packet is declared correctly received, and is forwarded for further processing. If the quality metrics fail to match, the receiving terminal sends a request for retransmission of the packet. The transmitting terminal determines which packet needs to be retransmitted based on the request for retransmission. The transmitting terminal then schedules the packet for retransmission.

1 . A method for wireless communication, comprising:
 receiving a request for data at a data rate;   determining an amount of data transmitted at the data rate; and   transmitting the amount of data in multiple forward link timeslots.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a preamble is transmitted in each of the multiple forward link timeslots.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a preamble is transmitted in only a first of the multiple forward link timeslots.   
   
   
       4 . A method for wireless communication, comprising:
 decoding units of signal transmitted in multiple forward link timeslots;   if the units of signal are incorrectly decoded, transmitting a short acknowledgment; and   setting a timer for the short acknowledgment to await retransmission of the units of incorrectly decoded signal.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising:
 if the incorrectly decoded units of signal are not retransmitted prior to   expiration of the timer, designating a radio link protocol (RLP) layer for retransmission.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein:
 each unit of signal is assigned a sequence number.   
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
 a receiver operative to receive a request for data at a data rate;   a processor operative to determine an amount of data transmitted at the data rate; and   a transmitter operative to transmit the amount of data in multiple forward link timeslots.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the transmitter is further operative to transmit a preamble in each of the multiple forward link timeslots.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the transmitter is further operative to transmit a preamble in only a first of the multiple forward link timeslots.   
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
 a decoder operative to decode units of signal transmitted in multiple forward link timeslots;   a transmitter operative, if the units of signal are incorrectly decoded, to transmit a short acknowledgment; and   a timer operative to be set for the short acknowledgment to await retransmission of the units of incorrectly decoded signal.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein:
 the apparatus is further operative to designate a radio link protocol (RLP) layer for retransmission if the incorrectly decoded units of signal are not retransmitted prior to expiration of the timer.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the apparatus is further configured to assign a sequence number to each unit of signal.   
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
 receiver means operative to receive a request for data at a data rate;   processor means operative to determine an amount of data transmitted at the data rate; and   transmitter means operative to transmit the amount of data in multiple forward link timeslots.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the transmitter means is further operative to transmit a preamble in each of the multiple forward link timeslots.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein;
 the transmitter means is further operative to transmit a preamble in only a first of the multiple forward link timeslots.   
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
 decoder means operative to decode units of signal transmitted in multiple forward link timeslots;   transmitter means operative, if the units of signal are incorrectly decoded, to transmit a short acknowledgment; and   timer means operative to be set for the short acknowledgment to await retransmission of the units of incorrectly decoded signal.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein:
 the apparatus is further operative to designate a radio link protocol (RLP) layer for retransmission if the incorrectly decoded units of signal are not retransmitted prior to expiration of the timer.   
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the apparatus is further configured to assign a sequence number to each unit of signal.