Methods for improving on-time throughput in wireless networks

Abstract

In a multiple Radio Access Technology (multi-RAT) heterogeneous wireless network, a user equipment (UE) is capable of communicating via multiple types technologies, such as both WiFi and Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular. The evolved node B that the UE communicates with may be a small network, encompassing distances of 200 meters or less. A method communicating in such a network may involve using an on-time throughput scheduling algorithm that maximizes the throughput by handing off certain users and prioritizing communications based on specific criteria. These criteria may include prioritizing communications of users closest to a target threshold. The UE may communicate with the network to negotiate which radio access technology is to be used, a range of acceptable data rates.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method for increasing on-time throughput in a wireless network comprising:
 obtaining information regarding on-time throughput of the wireless network;   finding a subset of users who fail to meet a target on-time data rate;   determining which user of the subset of users is closest to the target on-time data rate; and   scheduling the user who is closest to the on-time target data rate for further data transmissions.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the information regarding throughput comprises instantaneous data rate information for each user in the wireless network. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the information regarding throughput comprises on-time data throughput information for each user. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein determining which of the subset of users is closest to the on-time target data rate comprises:
 determining an amount indicating how short of the target rate each user of the subset is; 
 determining an instantaneous data rate for each user; and 
 dividing the amount by the instantaneous data rate for each user to determine which user of the subset of users is closest to the target data rate. 
 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the wireless network is a multiple radio access technology heterogeneous network. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the wireless network includes a WiFi network and a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the LTE network and WiFi is supported on small cells that are part of a larger 3GPP network. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the small cell is chosen from a pico network, a femto network, a micro network, and a multi-radio WiFi/LTE small cell network. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the method further comprises:
 selecting a radio access technology with which the scheduled user is to send and receive its transmissions, wherein the radio access technology is selected from WiFi and LTE. 
 
     
     
         35 . An evolved Node B (eNB) comprising:
 a processor with multiple functions including:   a multiple radio access technology scheduler;   a multiple radio access technology aggregation function; wherein   the multiple radio access technology scheduler is arranged to:
 obtain information regarding on-time throughput of the wireless network; 
 find a subset of users who fail to meet a target on-time data rate; 
 determine which of the subset of users is closest to the target on-time data rate; and 
 schedule the user who is closest to meeting the target on-time data rate for transmission. 
   
     
     
         36 . The evolved node B of  claim 35  wherein the information regarding throughput comprises instantaneous data rate information for each user. 
     
     
         37 . The evolved node B of  claim 35  wherein the information regarding throughput comprises on-time data throughput information for each user. 
     
     
         38 . The evolved node B of  claim 35  wherein determining which of the subset of users is closest to the on-time target data rate comprises:
 determining an amount indicating how short of the target on-time data rate each user of the subset is; 
 determining an instantaneous data rate for each user; and 
 dividing the amount by the instantaneous data rate for each user to determine which user of the subset of users is closest to the target on-time data rate. 
 
     
     
         39 . The evolved node B of  claim 35  wherein the multiple radio access technology scheduler is further arranged to:
 change a user from a first radio access technology to a second radio access technology; and further wherein 
 the first radio access technology and second radio access technology are chosen from WiFi and Long Term Evolution (LTE). 
 
     
     
         40 . The evolved node B of  claim 35  wherein the multiple radio access technology scheduler is further arranged to:
 offload a user to another eNB. 
 
     
     
         41 . The evolved node B of  claim 40  wherein offloading a user to a second eNB comprises:
 compiling a list of users being serviced by the first eNB; 
 determining an amount resources being used by each user being serviced by the eNB; 
 sorting the resources used to determine a user with the highest amount of resources being used; and 
 offloading the user with the highest amount of resources being used to the second eNB. 
 
     
     
         42 . The eNB of  claim 35  wherein the eNB is selected from the group comprising: macro eNB, pico eNB, femto eNB, and multi-radio WiFi/LTE small cells. 
     
     
         43 . The eNB of  claim 35  further comprising:
 a deep packet inspection module, wherein the deep packet inspection module is arranged to drop low-priority packets of a data flow. 
 
     
     
         44 . A method for offloading users from a first evolved node B (eNB) to a second eNB comprising:
 compiling a list of users being serviced by the first eNB;   determining an amount resources being used by each user being serviced by the eNB;   sorting the resources used to determine a user with the highest amount of resources being used; and   offloading the user with the highest amount of resources being used to the second eNB.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising:
 determining if a goal for number of users achieving a target data rate is being met; and 
 if the goal is not achieved, offloading the user with the next highest amount of resources being used to the second eNB. 
 
     
     
         46 . A user equipment (UE) comprising:
 an antenna assembly;   a transceiver coupled to the antenna assembly arranged to send and receive signals via the antenna assembly;   a processor coupled to the transceiver the processor being arranged to:
 transmit radio link performance measurement information to an evolved Node B (eNB); 
 determine a range of acceptable operating on-time throughput data rates; 
 determine a minimum QoE requirement; 
 determine an on-time throughput data rate to achieve the minimum QoE requirement; and 
 transmit the range of acceptable operating on-time throughput data rates, minimum QoE requirement, and the on-time throughput data rate. 
   
     
     
         47 . The UE of  claim 46  wherein the UE is arranged to transmit information both via a long-term evolution (LTE) data connection and via a WiFi data connection. 
     
     
         48 . The UE of  claim 47  wherein the processor is further arranged to:
 receive an association message receive a radio link assignment message; 
 change to either the LTE data connection or the WiFi data connection based on the radio link assignment message; and 
 connect with a specific network entity based on the association message. 
 
     
     
         49 . The UE of  claim 46  wherein the processor is further arranged to:
 receive a recommended on-time throughput data rate from a network entity; and 
 change the range of acceptable operating on-time throughput data rates based on the recommended on-time throughput data rate. 
 
     
     
         50 . The UE of  claim 46  wherein the processor is further arranged to:
 determine a current on-time throughput data rate; and 
 change the range of acceptable operating on-time throughput data rates based on the current on-time throughput data rate.