Method and apparatus for processing shared subpackets in a communication system

Abstract

Method and Apparatus for Processing Shared Sub-packets in a Communication System are disclosed. A communication system providing both voice and data services allows for a plurality of subscriber station to share a data sent in a unit of a forward traffic channel. To provide information required by the subscriber stations to determine that a unit of the forward traffic channel is shared, and to correctly decode the data, different control channel structures are described. Additionally, the control channel structures provides for more efficient signaling of code channel assignment.

1 . A method to process shared sub-packets, comprising:
 decoding a MAC identifier of a first control channel; and   processing a sub-packet if the MAC identifier of the first control channel indicates the sub-packet is for a subscriber station.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said step of processing said sub-packet if the MAC identifier of the first control channel indicates the sub-packet is for the subscriber station further comprises:
 decoding remaining information from the first control channel and processing said sub-packet of a packet channel in accordance with the information if the decoded MAC identifier of the first control channel is identical to the subscriber station's MAC identifier.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 ceasing further processing if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is not identical with the decoded MAC identifier from the first control channel;   decoding a second control channel's indicator if the subscriber station's MAC identifier is not identical with the decoded MAC identifier from the first control channel;   ceasing further processing if the second control channel's indicator indicates that no second control channel is transmitted,   decoding the second control channel's MAC identifier if the second control channel's indicator indicates that said second control channel is transmitted;   ceasing further processing if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is not identical with the second control channel's decoded MAC identifier; and   acquiring the remaining information from the second control channel and processing the sub-packet of a packet channel in accordance with the information of the subscriber station if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is identical with the second control channel's decoded MAC identifier.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 interpreting the remaining bits of the first control channel If the MAC identifier indicates that a sub-packet of a data channel is for the subscriber station, wherein the remaining bits are interpreted to indicate parameters of the shared sub-packet which comprise a number of sub-slots into which the sub-packet is subdivided and a number of said subscriber stations sharing the sub-packet.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving signaling messages which notify said subscriber station about Walsh codes.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first control channel comprises MAC identifiers for each of the subscriber stations, ARQ identifiers, sub-packet identifiers, encoder packet sizes and a number of Walsh channels. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 accumulating data from said first control channel and all second control channels.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said control channels are encoded with Walsh codes with sequential indexes. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said control channels comprise a partial MAC identifier block identifying subscriber stations for which another control channel is intended. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said control channels are encoded with Walsh codes with increasing indexes. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 decoding the second control channel's MAC identifier for a next said second control channel if the MAC identifier of the second control channel indicates that the second control channel does not contain information for the subscriber station; and   acquiring the remaining information from the next second said control channel, and processing the sub-packet of the packet channel, if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is identical with the next second said control channel's decoded MAC said identifier.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 tuning to the secondary control channels;   examining the MAC identifiers of the secondary control channels;   ceasing further processing if the subscriber station fails to find a MAC identifier of the secondary control channels indicating that the subscriber station is to share a sub-packet;   reading a rest of information and processing the sub-packet on the packet channel if the subscriber station finds a MAC ID of the secondary control channels indicating that the subscriber station is to share the sub-packet on the packet channel, and   examining each portion of the first control channel containing information about sub-slot positions, whereby the second control channel (CDM) channels do not need to contain the starting sub-slot for each said subscriber station.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said second control channels comprises a block identifying a number of the transmitted second control channels. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for processing shared sub-packets, comprising:
 means for decoding a MAC identifier of a first control channel; and   means for processing a sub-packet if the MAC identifier of the first control channel indicates the sub-packet is for a subscriber station.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said means for processing said sub-packet if the MAC identifier of the first control channel indicates the sub-packet is for the subscriber station further comprises:
 means for decoding remaining information from the first control channel and processing said sub-packet of a packet channel in accordance with the information if the decoded MAC identifier of the first control channel is identical to the subscriber station's MAC identifier.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 means for ceasing further processing if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is not identical with the decoded MAC identifier from the first control channel;   means for decoding a second control channel's indicator if the subscriber station's MAC identifier is not identical with the decoded MAC identifier from the first control channel;   means for ceasing further processing if the second control channel's indicator indicates that no second control channel is transmitted, means for decoding the second control channel's MAC identifier if the second control channel's indicator indicates that said second control channel is transmitted;   means for ceasing further processing if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is not identical with the second control channel's decoded MAC identifier; and   means for acquiring the remaining information from the second control channel and processing the sub-packet of a packet channel in accordance with the information of the subscriber station if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is identical with the second control channel's decoded MAC identifier.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 means for interpreting the remaining bits of the first control channel If the MAC identifier indicates that a sub-packet of a data channel is for the subscriber station, wherein the remaining bits are interpreted to indicate parameters of the shared sub-packet which comprise a number of sub-slots into which the sub-packet is subdivided and a number of said subscriber stations sharing the sub-packet.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for receiving signaling messages which notify said subscriber station about Walsh codes.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the first control channel comprises MAC identifiers for each of the subscriber stations, ARQ identifiers, sub-packet identifiers, encoder packet sizes and a number of Walsh channels. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 means for accumulating data from said first control channel and all second control channels.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of said control channels are encoded with Walsh codes with sequential indexes. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of said control channels comprise a partial MAC identifier block identifying subscriber stations for which another control channel is intended. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of said control channels are encoded with Walsh codes with increasing indexes. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 means for decoding the second control channel's MAC identifier for a next said second control channel if the MAC identifier of the second control channel indicates that the second control channel does not contain information for the subscriber station; and   means for acquiring the remaining information from the next second said control channel, and processing the sub-packet of the packet channel, if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is identical with the next second said control channel's decoded MAC said identifier.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 means for tuning to the secondary control channels;   means for examining the MAC identifiers of the secondary control channels;   means for ceasing further processing if the subscriber station fails to find a MAC identifier of the secondary control channels indicating that the subscriber station is to share a sub-packet;   means for reading a rest of information and processing the sub-packet on the packet channel if the subscriber station finds a MAC ID of the secondary control channels indicating that the subscriber station is to share the sub-packet on the packet channel, and   means for examining each portion of the first control channel containing information about sub-slot positions, whereby the second control channel (CDM) channels do not need to contain the starting sub-slot for each said subscriber station.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one of said second control channels comprises a block identifying a number of the transmitted second control channels. 
     
     
         27 . A subscriber station to process shared sub-packets, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory operably connected to said processor, wherein said memory stores software comprising   decode a MAC identifier of a first control channel; and   process a sub-packet if the MAC identifier of the first control channel indicates the sub-packet is for a subscriber station.   
     
     
         28 . The subscriber station according to  claim 27 , wherein said process said sub-packet if the MAC identifier of the first control channel indicates the sub-packet is for the subscriber station further comprises:
 decode remaining information from the first control channel and process said sub-packet of a packet channel in accordance with the information if the decoded MAC identifier of the first control channel is identical to the subscriber station's MAC identifier.   
     
     
         29 . The subscriber station according to  claim 27 , further comprising software to:
 cease further processing if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is not identical with the decoded MAC identifier from the first control channel;   decode a second control channel's indicator if the subscriber station's MAC identifier is not identical with the decoded MAC identifier from the first control channel;   cease further processing if the second control channel's indicator indicates that no second control channel is transmitted,   decode the second control channel's MAC identifier if the second control channel's indicator indicates that said second control channel is transmitted;   cease further processing if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is not identical with the second control channel's decoded MAC identifier; and   acquire the remaining information from the second control channel and processing the sub-packet of a packet channel in accordance with the information of the subscriber station if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is identical with the second control channel's decoded MAC identifier.   
     
     
         30 . The subscriber station according to  claim 27 , further comprising software to:
 interpret the remaining bits of the first control channel If the MAC identifier indicates that a sub-packet of a data channel is for the subscriber station, wherein the remaining bits are interpreted to indicate parameters of the shared sub-packet which comprise a number of sub-slots into which the sub-packet is subdivided and a number of said subscriber stations sharing the sub-packet.   
     
     
         31 . The subscriber station according to  claim 27 , further comprising software to:
 receive signaling messages which notify said subscriber station about Walsh codes.   
     
     
         32 . The subscriber station according to  claim 27 , wherein the first control channel comprises MAC identifiers for each of the subscriber stations, ARQ identifiers, sub-packet identifiers, encoder packet sizes and a number of Walsh channels. 
     
     
         33 . The subscriber station according to  claim 27 , further comprising software to:
 accumulate data from said first control channel and all second control channels.   
     
     
         34 . The subscriber station according to  claim 27 , wherein a plurality of said control channels are encoded with Walsh codes with sequential indexes. 
     
     
         35 . The subscriber station according to  claim 27 , wherein a plurality of said control channels comprise a partial MAC identifier block identifying subscriber stations for which another control channel is intended. 
     
     
         36 . The subscriber station according to  claim 27 , wherein a plurality of said control channels are encoded with Walsh codes with increasing indexes. 
     
     
         37 . The subscriber station according to  claim 29 , further comprising software to:
 decode the second control channel's MAC identifier for a next said second control channel if the MAC identifier of the second control channel indicates that the second control channel does not contain information for the subscriber station; and   acquire the remaining information from the next second said control channel, and processing the sub-packet of the packet channel, if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is identical with the next second said control channel's decoded MAC said identifier.   
     
     
         38 . The subscriber station according to  claim 33 , further comprising software to:
 tune to the secondary control channels;   examine the MAC identifiers of the secondary control channels;   cease further processing if the subscriber station fails to find a MAC identifier of the secondary control channels indicating that the subscriber station is to share a sub-packet;   read a rest of information and processing the sub-packet on the packet channel if the subscriber station finds a MAC ID of the secondary control channels indicating that the subscriber station is to share the sub-packet on the packet channel, and   examine each portion of the first control channel containing information about sub-slot positions, whereby the second control channel (CDM) channels do not need to contain the starting sub-slot for each said subscriber station.   
     
     
         39 . The subscriber station according to  claim 33 , wherein at least one of said second control channels comprises a block identifying a number of the transmitted second control channels. 
     
     
         40 . A computer readable medium encoded with computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions are executable by a computer processor and configured to process shared sub-packets, comprising instructions to:
 decode a MAC identifier of a first control channel; and   process a sub-packet if the MAC identifier of the first control channel indicates the sub-packet is for a subscriber station.   
     
     
         41 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 40 , wherein said instructions to process said sub-packet if the MAC identifier of the first control channel indicates the sub-packet is for the subscriber station further comprise:
 decode remaining information from the first control channel and process said sub-packet of a packet channel in accordance with the information if the decoded MAC identifier of the first control channel is identical to the subscriber station's MAC identifier.   
     
     
         42 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 40 , further comprising instructions to:
 cease further processing if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is not identical with the decoded MAC identifier from the first control channel;   decode a second control channel's indicator if the subscriber station's MAC identifier is not identical with the decoded MAC identifier from the first control channel;   cease further processing if the second control channel's indicator indicates that no second control channel is transmitted,   decode the second control channel's MAC identifier if the second control channel's indicator indicates that said second control channel is transmitted;   cease further processing if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is not identical with the second control channel's decoded MAC identifier; and   acquire the remaining information from the second control channel and processing the sub-packet of a packet channel in accordance with the information of the subscriber station if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is identical with the second control channel's decoded MAC identifier.   
     
     
         43 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 40 , further comprising instructions to:
 interpret the remaining bits of the first control channel If the MAC identifier indicates that a sub-packet of a data channel is for the subscriber station, wherein the remaining bits are interpreted to indicate parameters of the shared sub-packet which comprise a number of sub-slots into which the sub-packet is subdivided and a number of said subscriber stations sharing the sub-packet.   
     
     
         44 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 40 , further comprising instructions to:
 receive signaling messages which notify said subscriber station about Walsh codes.   
     
     
         45 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 40 , wherein the first control channel comprises MAC identifiers for each of the subscriber stations, ARQ identifiers, sub-packet identifiers, encoder packet sizes and a number of Walsh channels. 
     
     
         46 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 40 , further comprising instructions to:
 accumulate data from said first control channel and all second control channels.   
     
     
         47 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 40 , wherein a plurality of said control channels are encoded with Walsh codes with sequential indexes. 
     
     
         48 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 40 , wherein a plurality of said control channels comprise a partial MAC identifier block identifying subscriber stations for which another control channel is intended. 
     
     
         49 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 40 , wherein a plurality of said control channels are encoded with Walsh codes with increasing indexes. 
     
     
         50 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 42 , further comprising instructions to:
 decode the second control channel's MAC identifier for a next said second control channel if the MAC identifier of the second control channel indicates that the second control channel does not contain information for the subscriber station; and   acquire the remaining information from the next second said control channel, and processing the sub-packet of the packet channel, if the MAC identifier of said subscriber station is identical with the next second said control channel's decoded MAC said identifier.   
     
     
         51 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 46 , further comprising instructions to:
 tune to the secondary control channels;   examine the MAC identifiers of the secondary control channels;   cease further processing if the subscriber station fails to find a MAC identifier of the secondary control channels indicating that the subscriber station is to share a sub-packet;   read a rest of information and processing the sub-packet on the packet channel if the subscriber station finds a MAC ID of the secondary control channels indicating that the subscriber station is to share the sub-packet on the packet channel, and   examine each portion of the first control channel containing information about sub-slot positions, whereby the second control channel (CDM) channels do not need to contain the starting sub-slot for each said subscriber station.   
     
     
         52 . The computer readable medium according to  claim 46 , wherein at least one of said second control channels comprises a block identifying a number of the transmitted second control channels.