Acknowledging communication in a wireless network

Abstract

Allocating uplink resources based on downlink traffic in a wireless network is provided. The number of sent segments of transport communication protocol (TCP) data may be counted. In response to the count exceeding a value, a message is sent allocating uplink resources to receive an uplink segment and a message acknowledging sent segments of the TCP data.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a control message including an indication of a downlink resource assignment, an indication of a delay associated with transmitting an acknowledgement (ACK), and an indication of uplink resources;   receiving, by the UE, downlink data utilizing the assigned downlink resources; and   in response to successfully recovering the downlink data, the UE transmitting an ACK following the indicated delay and utilizing the indicated uplink resources.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the received downlink data includes at least a segment of a transport communication protocol (TCP) packet. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising receiving, by the UE, an uplink grant and transmitting, by the UE, at least a segment of a transport communication protocol (TCP) packet with an acknowledgement of received downlink data. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the ACK is transmitted in response to successful receipt of a plurality of downlink transmissions. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 transmitting, by the UE, a request message indicating an amount of data in a buffer of the UE.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the UE, an assignment of uplink resources based on the transmitted request.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the received downlink data is associated with a count tracked in a wireless network. 
     
     
         26 . A user equipment (UE) comprising:
 a receiver;   a transmitter; and   a processor; wherein:   the receiver and the processor are configured to, receive a control message including an indication of a downlink resource assignment, an indication of a delay associated with transmitting an acknowledgement (ACK), and an indication of uplink resources;   the receiver and the processor are further configured to receive data utilizing the assigned downlink resources; and   the transmitter and the processor are configured to, in response to successfully recovering the downlink data, transmit an ACK following the indicated delay and utilizing the indicated uplink resources.   
     
     
         27 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the received downlink data includes at least a segment of a transport communication protocol (TCP) packet. 
     
     
         28 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the receiver and the processor are further configured to receive an uplink grant and the transmitter and the processor are further configured to transmit at least a segment of a transport communication protocol (TCP) packet with an acknowledgement of received downlink data. 
     
     
         29 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the ACK is transmitted in response to successful receipt of a plurality of downlink transmissions. 
     
     
         30 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the transmitter and the processor are further configured to transmit a request message indicating an amount of data in a buffer of the UE. 
     
     
         31 . The UE of  claim 30 , wherein the receiver and the processor are further configured to receive an assignment of uplink resources based on the transmitted request. 
     
     
         32 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the received downlink data is associated with a count tracked in a wireless network. 
     
     
         33 . A base station comprising:
 a transmitter;   a receiver; and   a processor; wherein:   the transmitter and the processor are configured to transmit a control message to a user equipment (UE) including an indication of a downlink resource assignment, an indication of a delay associated with the UE transmitting an acknowledgement (ACK), and an indication of uplink resources;   the transmitter and the processor are further configured to transmit downlink data to the UE utilizing the assigned downlink resources; and   the receiver and the processor are configured to receive an ACK, transmitted by the UE in response to successfully recovering the downlink data, wherein the UE transmits the ACK following the indicated delay and utilizing the indicated uplink resources.   
     
     
         34 . The base station of  claim 33 , wherein the transmitted downlink data includes at least a segment of a transport communication protocol (TCP) packet. 
     
     
         35 . The base station of  claim 33 , wherein the transmitter and the processor are further configured to transmit an uplink grant and the receive and the processor are further configured to receive, from the UE at least a segment of a transport communication protocol (TCP) packet with an acknowledgement of received downlink data. 
     
     
         36 . The base station of  claim 33 , wherein the UE transmits the ACK in response to successful receipt of a plurality of downlink transmissions. 
     
     
         37 . The base station of  claim 33 , wherein the receiver and the processor are further configured to receive a request message indicating an amount of data in a buffer of the UE. 
     
     
         38 . The base station of  claim 37 , wherein the transmitter and the processor are further configured to transmit an assignment of uplink resources based on the request received from the UE.