Method, and Associated Apparatus, for Communicating Data at a Reduced Transmission Latency in Radio Communication System Having Slotted Interface

Abstract

Method and associated apparatus for communicating data at reduced transmission latency in a radio communication system having a slotted interface are described. An example network device includes an assignor to receive an indication of an amount of data to be communicated by a first communication station, and assign communication resources to convey all of the indicated data amount, the assigned communication resources comprising a plurality of time slots within one time frame and one radio carrier and a data scheduler to receive an indication of assigned communication resources, and to schedule communication of the data block in conformity with the assigned communication resources and in response to a communication station minimum tuning latency period, wherein the schedule of the communication of the data block provides for completion of the communication of the data block and acknowledgement of successful delivery of the data block within the one time frame.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A network device comprising:
 an assignor configured to assign communication resources to convey an amount of data over a radio block to be communicated by a first communication station, the assigned communication resources comprising a plurality of time slots within one time frame and one radio carrier; and   a data scheduler configured to receive an indication of assigned communication resources, and to schedule communication of the radio block in conformity with the assigned communication resources, wherein the schedule of the communication provides for completion of the communication of the radio block and acknowledgement of successful delivery of the data within the one time frame.   
     
     
         9 . The network device of  claim 8 , wherein the assignor is further configured to receive an indication that the one radio carrier is available to communicate the radio block and to assign the communication resources responsive to the indication that the one radio carrier is available. 
     
     
         10 . The network device of  claim 8 , wherein the data scheduler is further configured to receive an indication of communication resource availability and schedule the communication responsive to the communication resource availability. 
     
     
         11 . The network device of  claim 8 , wherein the radio block is formed across the plurality of time slots. 
     
     
         12 . The network device of  claim 8 , further comprising a message generator configured to receive an indication of the schedule and to generate a message including values representative of the schedule. 
     
     
         13 . The network device of  claim 8 , wherein the data scheduler is configured to schedule communication of the radio block in response to at least one of a minimum latency period required to change between frequencies, a minimum latency period required to change between transmit and receive modes of operation, or a minimum latency period required to change between a communication mode and a measurement mode. 
     
     
         14 . The network device of  claim 8 , wherein the scheduler is further configured to receive an indication of a communication capability of a second communication station and to schedule communication of the radio block in further conformity with the received indication of the communication capability of the second communication station. 
     
     
         15 . The network device of  claim 8 , wherein the communication of the radio block is scheduled in response to a communication station minimum tuning latency period. 
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 assigning communication resources to convey an amount of data over a radio block to be communicated by a first communication station, the assigned communication resources comprising a plurality of time slots within one time frame and one radio carrier; and   receiving an indication of assigned communication resources, and scheduling communication of the radio block in conformity with the assigned communication resources, wherein the schedule of the communication provides for completion of the communication of the radio block and acknowledgement of successful delivery of the data within the one time frame.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising receiving an indication that the one radio carrier is available to communicate the radio block and to assign the communication resources responsive to the indication that the one radio carrier is available. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising receiving an indication of communication resource availability and schedule the communication responsive to the communication resource availability. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the radio block is formed across the plurality of time slots. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising receiving an indication of the schedule and to generate a message including values representative of the schedule. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising scheduling communication of the radio block in response to at least one of a minimum latency period required to change between frequencies, a minimum latency period required to change between transmit and receive modes of operation, or a minimum latency period required to change between a communication mode and a measurement mode. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising receiving an indication of a communication capability of a second communication station and to schedule communication of the radio block in further conformity with the received indication of the communication capability of the second communication station. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the communication of the radio block is scheduled in response to a communication station minimum tuning latency period. 
     
     
         24 . A method for communicating data in a communication scheme, the data of an amount communicable over a radio block during a plurality of time slots within one time frame, the method comprising:
 detecting reception of an allocation message, the allocation message identifying a schedule of communication resources allocated for the communication of the radio block, the schedule providing for completion of the communication of the radio block and acknowledgement of successful delivery of the data within the one time frame; and   transmitting the acknowledgement within the one time frame.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the radio block is formed across the plurality of time slots. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising detecting an indication of communication resource availability and wherein the transmitting is responsive, in part, to the communication resource availability. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the transmitting is further responsive to at least one of a minimum latency period required to change between frequencies, a minimum latency period required to change between transmit and receive modes of operation, or a minimum latency period required to change between a communication mode and a measurement mode. 
     
     
         28 . A mobile device for communicating an amount of data over a radio block in a communication scheme, the data communicable during a plurality of time slots within one time frame, the mobile device comprising:
 one or more processors configured to:
 detect reception of an allocation message, the allocation message identifying a schedule of communication resources allocated for the communication of the radio block, the schedule providing for completion of the communication of the radio block and acknowledgement of successful delivery of the data within the one time frame; and 
 transmit the acknowledgement within the one time frame. 
   
     
     
         29 . The mobile device of  claim 28 , wherein the radio block is formed across the plurality of time slots. 
     
     
         30 . The mobile device of  claim 28 , the one or more processors further operable to detect an indication of communication resource availability and wherein the transmitting is responsive, in part, to the communication resource availability. 
     
     
         31 . The mobile device of  claim 28 , wherein the transmitting is further responsive to at least one of a minimum latency period required to change between frequencies, a minimum latency period required to change between transmit and receive modes of operation, or a minimum latency period required to change between a communication mode and a measurement mode.