Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l. v. Apple, Inc.

Filing 1

COMPLAINT against Apple, Inc. ( Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 0540-3468392.), filed by Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l.. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit 1 - United States Patent No. 6,792,277, # 3 Exhibit 2 - United States Patent No. 7,606,910, # 4 Exhibit 3 - United States Patent No. 6,697,347, # 5 Exhibit 4 - United States Patent No. 7,447,181, # 6 Exhibit 5 - United States Patent No. 6,788,959, # 7 Exhibit 6 - United States Patent No. 7,529,271, # 8 Exhibit 7 - United States Patent No. 6,266,321, # 9 Exhibit 8 - United States Patent No. 6,978,143, # 10 Exhibit 9 - Nokias June 14, 2011 press release)(Hill, Jack)

EXHIBIT 8

111111

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US006978143Bl

(54)

United States Patent

(10)

Vialen

(12)

(45)

METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR
MANAGING PACKET DATA TRANSFER IN A
CELLULAR SYSTEM

Patent No.:
US 6,978,143 Bl
Date of Patent:
Dec. 20,2005
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

WO

WO 96/37079

11/1996

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(75)

Inventor:

Jukka Vialen, Espoo (FI)

(73)

Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones, LTD, Espoo
(FI)

( *)

Notice:

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.c. 154(b) by 575 days.

UMTS YY.01 UE-UTRAN Radio Interface Protocol Architecture, Stage 2, Dec. 18, 1998, ETSI.
UMTS (YY.02) Layer 1, General Requirements, Dec. 1998.

* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner-Nick Corsaro
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Perman & Green, LLP

(21)

Appl. No.: 09/507,804

(57)

(22)

Filed:

A method and an arrangement for managing packet data
transfer in a cellular system such as the Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System, UMTS. The decision about
the channel used for the transfer of packet data is made
based on a channel selection parameter and values of the
parameters needed in the decision-making are sent to the
mobile station. The parameters are advantageously sent on a
common channel such as the BCH or FACH. Parameters
sent advantageously include the maximum packet size on
the RACH, current RACH load, a threshold value for
amount of data in RLC buffers, etc. The parameters may
concern all mobile stations, a subset of the mobile stations
or one mobile station in the area in which the parameters are
sent. The invention minimizes the transfer capacity load
associated with signaling and the transfer of packet data can
be performed with minimal delays caused by signaling.

Feb. 22, 2000
Foreign Application Priority Data

(30)

Feb. 23, 1999
(51)
(52)
(58)

(FI)

...................................... 990384

Int. CI? ................................................ H04Q 7/00
U.S. CI. .................................... 455/452.2; 370/329
Field of Search ................................ 370/349,329,
370/333, 352; 455/455,450, 466, 452.2
References Cited

(56)

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,673,259
6,078,568
6,111,867
6,347,091

A
A
A
B1

*
*
*
*

9/1997
6/2000
8/2000
2/2002

Quick, Jr....................
Wright et al. ...............
Mann et al. ................
Wallentin et al. ...........

370/342
370/312
370/337
370/437

UPLINK TRANSFER
OF PACKET DATA

ABSTRACT

21 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
600

u.s. Patent

Dec. 20,2005

US 6,978,143 Bl

Sheet 1 of 4

eN

UTRAN

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Fig. 1
PRIOR ART

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u.s. Patent

Dec. 20,2005

302

301

302

301

/

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US 6,978,143 Bl

Sheet 2 of 4

/

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AACH

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310

Fig. 3
PRIORAAT
405

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PRIOR ART
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Patent

Dec. 20,2005

US 6,978,143 Bl

Sheet 3 of 4

600

UPLINK TRANSFER
OF PACKET DATA

DEFINE THRESHOLD
~620
VALUES OF CHANNEL
SELECTION PARAMETERS

SEND CHANNEL SELECTION PARAMETERS TO
MOBILE STATION ON
COMMON CHANNEL

~ 630

--

~640
NO UPLINK PACK
L---_--< DATA TRANSFE
EQUEST?
YES

r
COMPARE CHANNEL SELECT
oN PARAMETERS AND
.. ~650
PACKET DATA INFORMATION-"
TO THRESHOLD VALUES

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DCH

CHANNEL
SELECTION

r

ALLOCATE DCH

SEND PACKET DATA
ON ALLOCATED DCH

v-

680

~660

RACH

r

~670

SEND PACKET ON
RACH

~690

Fig. 6

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INPUT

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US 6,978,143 B1
1
METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR
MANAGING PACKET DATA TRANSFER IN A
CELLULAR SYSTEM

2

the mobile station) or on a common channel. Common
channels include e.g. the random access channel RACH,
forward link access channel FACH, broadcast channel BCH
and the paging channel PCH.
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED
5
The RACH is used only in the uplink direction. As the
RACH is not reserved there is a risk that multiple mobile
APPLICATIONS
stations will be using it simultaneously so that a collision
occurs on the radio path and the data sent cannot be received.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When using the RACH, the identifier of the mobile station
1. Field of the Invention
10 originating the transfer has to be sent as well.
Burst transmission power on the RACH is determined
The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for
using open loop power control. Prior to the transmission of
managing the transfer of packet data in a cellular system.
a random access burst the mobile station measures the
The invention is advantageously applied in WCDMA(Widereceived power on the downlink primary common control
band Code Division Multiple Access) based mobile communications systems, such as UMTS (Universal Mobile 15 physical channel (CCPCH). In addition, the system informs
the mobile station, on the BCH channel, about the transmisTelecommunications System), which uses TDD (Time Division power of the CCPCH channel in question. In addition
sion Duplex) and FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) modes.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information
to these data, the transmission power determination uses the
Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
uplink interference level information as well as information
To aid in understanding the invention, it is below 20 about the required signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), which
described in more detail the structure of the UMTS system,
are sent to the mobile station on the BCH.
which is a so-called third-generation telecommunications
When transferring user data or signaling over the FACH,
the identifier of the target mobile station has to be sent as
system, and the transfer of packet data in the UMTS. It
should be noted, however, that the channels, protocol layers
well. Slow, but not fast, transmission power control may be
and signaling procedures presented here are just examples 25 used on the FACH. The transfer rate may be changed on a
associated with the UMTS system and the application of the
short notice on the FACH.
present invention is in no way limited to them. Methods
A downlink BCH uses a fixed transfer rate. On the BCH,
according to the prior art are also described in the patent
a transmission always covers the whole cell. Likewise, on a
application document WO 96/37079 and in the proposal for
downlink PCH a transmission always covers the whole cell.
a standard ETSI, European Telecommunications Standards 30
A dedicated channel DCH may be reserved in the downInstitute; UMTS YY.01 UE-UTRAN Radio Interface Prolink and/or uplink direction. Fast transfer rate changes are
tocolArchitecture; Stage 2,18.12.1998, and UMTS (YY.02)
possible on the DCH. Also associated with the DCH is fast
Layer 1; General Requirements, 12/1998.
transmission power control.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a third-generation digital
Moreover, it is possible that the channel allocated to the
cellular system. The entity comprised of base station sub- 35 mobile station be available to other mobile stations as well,
systems (BSS), including radio network controllers (RNC)
being then a so-called shared channel. Below, a dedicated
and base stations (BS), is called a UTRAN (UMTS Terreschannel may also refer to such a channel.
trial Radio Access Network). Core networks CN comprise
The MAC adapts the logical channels and the transfer
channels mentioned above in such a manner that the broaddifferent exchange systems, such as MSC (Mobile Services
Switching Center) and SGSN (Serving GPRS Support 40 cast control channel (BCCH) is transferred on the BCH, the
Node; GPRS=General Packet Radio Service), which in
paging control channel (PCCH) is transferred on the PCH,
and the dedicated control channel (DCCH) and dedicated
addition to versatile communications facilities may also
offer various intelligent network services. A mobile station
traffic channel (DTCH) are transferred on the DCH. In
MS can be connected with a plurality of core networks CN
addition, the DCCH and DTCH may also use the FACH/
45 RACH as well as a downlink shared channel (DSCH).
via UTRAN.
FIG. 2 shows protocol layers in a proposed UMTS
Downlink packet data transfer may be performed in three
system. The lowest protocol layer between the mobile
different ways:
Packet data are transferred on the FACH which the mobile
station MS and radio access network UTRAN is Layer 1
(Ll) 200, 201, which corresponds to the physical radio link.
station is currently listening to.
Above that layer there is an entity corresponding to layer 2 50
Packet data are transferred on another FACH than the one
of the conventional OSI model, with a media access control
that the mobile station is listening to, so that the
(MAC) layer 202, 203 at the bottom and above it a radio link
UTRAN first assigns the mobile station a new FACH
control (RLC) layer 204, 205. On the top there is a radio
for the transfer.
resource control (RRC) layer 206, 207 of layer 3 of the OSI
Packet data are transferred on a DCH.
model. In between the radio access network UTRAN and the 55
Assignment of a DCH channel is signaled on the current
FACH. The UTRAN then uses the downlink DCH to transinterworking unit of the core network IWU/CN there is a
fer the data packets and control information. The DCH may
so-called Iu interface where OSI model layers L1 and L2
also be assigned using a special signaling DCH (so-called
(blocks 208 and 209 in FIG. 2) correspond to the abovedescribed layers from L1 to RLC, and OSI model layer L3
Control Only mode). The mobile station uses the uplink
(RANAP; blocks 210 and 211 in FIG. 2) corresponds to the 60 DCH to transfer acknowledgments and control information.
above-described RRC layer. The IWU is needed if the
For downlink data the decision to use a common or a
UTRAN is connected to a second-generation core network,
dedicated channel may be network implementation depenbut if there is a third-generation MSC or SGSN the IWU is
dent, in which case no radio interface signaling is needed.
Uplink packet transfer may be performed in one of two
not needed but the Iu interface suffices.
In the radio interface of the UMTS system, user data and 65 alternative ways:
signaling may be sent either on a dedicated channel (DCH)
Data are transferred on the RACH and acknowledgments
allocated to the mobile station (for a given service offered to
on the FACH, or

US 6,978,143 B1

3

4

The RACH/FACH is used to assign a DCH for data
The decision about whether to use a common or a
transfer. The DCH may also be assigned using a special
dedicated channel may be based on a plurality of channel
signaling DCH.
selection parameters such as:
size of data packet; amount of data in RLC buffers or
FIG. 3 illustrates packet data transfer on an uplink cominformation obtained from higher layers about the
mon channel. A random access burst 301 sent on the RACH 5
amount of data to be transferred,
is accompanied by a user data packet 302. Such user data
packets may be sent on arbitrary moments. The data packets
bit rate required,
can be acknowledged on the downlink FACH (not shown in
allowable transfer delay,
FIG. 3).
priority or importance of the data to be transferred,
ADCH is allocated to the mobile station either for a given 10
channel load,
period of time or indefinitely, in which case the network,
power level required for the transfer on the RACH, and
upon noticing that the mobile station has stopped transmitmaximum packet size transferable on the RACH.
ting, orders it to release the channel.
The mobile station usually has the information on the bit
rate required, allowable transfer delay and the priority of the
FIG. 4 illustrates data packet transfer on an uplink dedicated channel DCH allocated to the mobile station for a 15 data to be transferred for the uplink packet data transfer. The
certain period of time Tl. A DCH request is made using a
use of these parameters in the channel selection is essential
random access burst 404 sent on the RACH. The random
to achieve a sufficient data transfer quality level.
access burst may also include information about the size of
It is important to provide the mobile station with the
the data packet to be sent or the transfer rate required by the
common channel (RACH) load information in order to
mobile station. If the transfer rate is included as a parameter, 20 achieve the desired reliability of transfer, transfer rate and
the mobile station may select it from among transfer rates
transfer delay on the channel selected, and to make it
allowed for the radio bearer in question. The DCH is
possible to determine the transmission power for the random
allocated using a burst 405 sent on the FACH. The data
access burst.
packets 406-408 are then sent on the DCH 420 according to 25
The maximum allowed transmit power level on the
the allocation made by the system. As the time period T 1
RACH is also an essential piece of information to be
reserved for the mobile station comes to an end, the channel
transferred from the system so that it can be verified that the
is released unless the mobile station requests for additional
transmit power available and the reliability of the transfer
capacity prior to the end of the time period. This request for
are sufficient, and so that power consumption at the mobile
additional capacity may be made using a message sent on the
station can be minimized.
Drn.
~
Furthermore, the maximum packet size allowed on the
FIG. 5 illustrates data transfer on a dedicated channel
RACH is also an important piece of information transferred
from the system in order to prevent a data transfer failure
DCH allocated for an indefinite period of time. Allocation of
due to a packet size too large.
the DCH 520 is requested using a burst 511 sent on the
RACH, acknowledged 512 by the system by allocating the 35
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
DCH. The mobile station may then send data packets
506-508 on the DCH allocated to it. Upon detecting a pause
T2 of sufficient duration following a transmitted data packet
The method according to the invention for the uplink
the system sends to the mobile station a channel release
transfer of packet data from a mobile station to the system
command 513 in order to free the channel.
40 in such a manner that
The problem with the uplink packet data transfer is that
a common channel (RACH) or a dedicated channel
the system has no information about the packets to be sent
(DCH) is selected for the transfer of a data packet, and
on which to base its channel selection decision. Thus the
the data packet is transferred using the selected channel,
information about the data packets to be transferred would
is characterized in that
have to be sent to the system, whereafter the system would 45
a channel selection parameter is defined,
have to send the information about the decision on the use
a current value is determined for the channel selection
of a common vs. dedicated channel to the mobile station.
parameter,
This information transfer uses up traffic capacity and slows
said channel selection parameter is sent from the system
down the transfer of packet data.
to the mobile station, and
An object of the present invention is to provide a solution 50
said selection is made on the basis of said value of the
for the management of uplink packet data, avoiding the
channel selection parameter.
aforementioned problem relating to the prior art.
In another embodiment of the invention
An idea of the invention is that the decision about the
a threshold value of the channel selection parameter is
channel to be used for the packet data transfer is made
stored at the mobile station,
dependent on a channel selection parameter, and parameters 55
the current value of the channel selection parameter sent
needed in the decision-making are sent to the mobile station.
to the mobile station is compared to said threshold
The parameters are advantageously sent on a common
value of the channel selection parameter, and
channel such as the BCH, FACH or PCH. The parameters
said selection is made on the basis of said comparison.
may also be sent on a DCH if one is allocated to the mobile
In another embodiment of the invention
station. Parameters to be sent advantageously include the 60
a value corresponding to the channel selection parameter
maximum packet size allowed for the RACH, current
is calculated at the mobile station on the basis of the
RACH load, etc. The parameters may concern all mobile
parameters of the data packet to be transferred,
stations, a subset of the mobile stations or one mobile station
the last current value of the channel selection parameter
in the area in which the parameters are sent. The invention
sent to the mobile station is compared to said calculated
decreases the signaling load associated with the allocation of 65
value of the channel selection parameter, and
packet data transfer capacity as well as minimizes the delay
said selection is made on the basis of said comparison.
associated with the starting of data transfer.

US 6,978,143 B1
5

6

In step 630 the UTRAN sends on a common channel one
or more of said channel selection parameters. This information may be sent on alternative common channels as follows:
on the BCH to mobile stations in the idle mode,
5
on the FACH to mobile stations in the RACH/FACH
mode, or
on the PCH or BCH to mobile stations in the RACH/PCH
is characterized in that the cellular system also comprises
mode, or, in the packet idle mode. This mode is also
means for defining a channel selection parameter,
known as the URA connected mode.
means for determining a current value for the channel 10
In the UMTS system the information may be included in
selection parameter,
the SYSTEM INFORMATION messages, for example.
means for sending the value of said channel selection
Moreover, the channel selection parameters may be sent
parameter from the system to the mobile station in
on a DCH e.g. when such a channel is reserved for packet
order to make said selection on the basis of the value of 15 data transfer. Having received a request to send a data
the channel selection parameter.
packet, step 640, the (RLCI) MAC layer either makes an
A mobile station according to the invention which is
autonomous decision on the use of a common channel vs.
connected with a cellular system and comprises means for
dedicated channel on the basis of parameters received from
sending uplink packet data to the system using a selected
the system or requests the RRC layer to determine the
channel, wherein the selected channel is either a common 20 appropriate channel type.
channel (RACH) or a dedicated channel (DCH), is characDescribed below is an example in which the channel
terized in that the mobile station also comprises
selection parameter is the amount of data to be transferred.
means for receiving a channel selection parameter value
When a data packet, or service data unit SDU, arrives during
from the system, and
the RACH/FACH mode from the RLC layer to the MAC
means for making said selection dependent on said chan- 25 layer, the MAC compares the size of the SDU to the
nel selection parameter value.
maximum allowed size. If the size of the RLC packet is
greater than the maximum allowed size on the RACH, the
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL
MAC layer requests transfer resources in the form of a
VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
dedicated channel from the RRC layer. The RRC layer takes
30 care of the packet resource allocation signaling across the
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in
radio interface and informs the MAC layer about the traffic
the dependent claims.
channel (DCH) parameters it can use and, if necessary,
The invention is below described in more detail with
configures the physical layer (Ll). If the size of the RLC
packet is smaller than the maximum allowed packet size, the
reference to the accompanying drawing in which
FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of a third-generation cel- 35 MAC layer schedules the sending of the data on the RACH
autonomously.
lular radio network,
If the decision is to allocate a DCH, the MAC layer
FIG. 2 shows protocol layers in a third-generation radio
informs the RRC layer which takes care of the capacity
access network,
request signaling across the radio interface, step 680. The
FIG. 3 illustrates uplink data packet transfer on the
40 RRC layer of the mobile station uses this parameter together
RACH,
with the bit error rate (BER) value to calculate the maximum
FIG. 4 illustrates the transfer of individual data packets on
allowed RLC-PDU (Protocol Data Unit) size for each paran uplink DCH,
ticular radio access channel. The BER value is needed to
FIG. 5 illustrates the transfer of data comprised of a
estimate the number of possible retransmissions. If there are
plurality of data packets on an uplink DCH,
multiple radio access channels with different BER parameter
FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a method according to the 45 values the maximum RLC-PDU may be different for each of
invention for managing uplink packet data transfer,
them. The maximum allowed RLC-PDU size is sent to the
FIG. 7 illustrates the structure of a protocol data unit, and
MAC layer of the mobile station.
FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a mobile station accordFIG. 7 shows by way of example a RLC-PDU structure
ing to the invention.
50 comprising 160 bits when the transfer rate is 16 kbps and
320 bits when the transfer rate is 32 kbps. In addition, the
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
lO-ms Layer 1 frame includes e.g. the L1 CRC (Cyclic
INVENTION
Redundancy Check) and possible tail bits.
FIG. 8 shows in a simplified block diagram a mobile
FIGS. 1 to 5 were already discussed above in conjunction 55 station 800 according to the invention and its connection to
with the description of the prior art, so below the invention
a cellular system. The mobile station comprises an antenna
is described referring mainly to FIGS. 6 to 8.
801 to receive radio-frequency (RF) signals sent by base
FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a method according to the
stations. A received RF signal is conducted by means of a
invention for transferring packet data in the uplink direction,
switch 802 to a RF receiver 811 in which the signal is
600. First, threshold values are determined for the channel 60 amplified and converted digital. The signal is then detected
selection parameters and stored in the mobile station's
and demodulated in block 812 which advantageously commemory, step 620. It should be noted that a channel selection
prises a RAKE combiner. Deinterleaving is performed in
parameter may have a system-specific invariable threshold
block 813 and de-encryption in block 814. Signal processing
value, such as data packet size, while some channel selection
is then performed in block 830. The received data may be
parameters may require a current value associated with the 65 stored as such in the mobile station's memory or, alternathreshold value, such as the RACH load, for example. Some
tively, the processed packet data are transported after the
threshold values may thus change dynamically.
signal processing to a possible external device, such as a
A cellular system according to the invention, comprising
means for sending packet data in the uplink direction from
a mobile station to the system using a selected channel,
means for selecting a common channel (RACH) or a
dedicated channel (DCH) for the sending of a data
packet,

US 6,978,143 B1
7

8

computer. A control unit controls the reception blocks mensaid selection is performed on the basis of said comparitioned above in accordance with a program stored in the
son (660).
2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that
unit.
said current value corresponding to the channel selection
Transmission according to the invention from a mobile
station is performed e.g. as follows. Controlled by the 5 parameter is calculated at the mobile station on the basis of
control unit 803, block 833 performs signal processing, and
the parameters of the data packet to be transferred.
block 820 encrypts the processed signal e.g. on the MAC
3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that if
the channel selected for the data packet transfer is a dedilayer, and block 821 interleaves the signal e.g. on layer Ll.
Bursts are generated from the encoded data in block 822,
cated channel (DCH), a channel (DCH) is allocated after the
which are modulated and amplified into a RF signal in block 10 selection, whereafter the data packet is transferred on the
allocated channel (DCH).
823. The RF signal to be transmitted is conducted to the
antenna 801 by means of switch 802. The control unit 803
4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that
controls also these processing and transmission functions.
said channel selection parameter value is sent on a common
The control unit 803 controls the reception blocks in such
channel.
a manner that the parameters relating to the selection of the 15
5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the
channel selection parameter value is sent on one of the
uplink channel are received from a common channel in
accordance with the invention. Channel selection is advanfollowing common channels: BCH, FACH, PCH.
6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that
tageously performed in the control unit 803 which also
controls the transmission blocks such that the packet data are
said channel selection parameter value is sent on a DCH.
transmitted on the selected channel.
7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that
20
one or more of the following parameters are used in the
FIG. 8 also shows a keypad 831 and display 832 that
belong to a conventional mobile station. The blocks of the
channel selection:
mobile station according to the invention may be implesize of data packet,
maximum allowed data packet size on the RACH,
mented using components which are known per se. Howbit rate required,
ever, the control unit that controls the other blocks executes 25
the block control functions according to special software,
allowed transfer delay,
thus realizing the above-described block functions accordpriority of data to be transferred,
load on the transfer channel, and
ing to the invention.
In addition, FIG. 8 shows the cellular system components
transmit power level required on the RACH.
used in the transfer of data. Transmission and reception of a 30
8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the
RF signal are realized through the antenna 850 of one or
size of data packet is determined on the basis of amount of
data in RLC buffers.
more base stations 851. Connection is established from a
9. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the
base station 851 via a base station controller 852 to an
exchange 853. The exchange 853 is connected, apart from
channel selection parameter value sent to the mobile station
other base station systems in the system, also to a home 35 is one or several of the following:
location register 854 and public switched telephone network
maximum allowed data packet size on the RACH,
PSTN, among other things. The base station system sends
load on the transfer channel, and
the parameters associated with the selection of the packet
maximum allowed power level on the RACH.
data transfer channel to the mobile station in accordance
10. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that
with the invention and receives the packet data sent by the 40 the channel selection parameter value sent to the mobile
mobile station through a channel selected by the mobile
station is a threshold value for the data in the RLC buffer(s).
station.
11. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that
the channel selection parameters are defined so as to concern
The names of signals, channels, systems and system
components as well as the names of other objects used in the
all mobile stations in the area in which the parameters are
examples above are in accordance with the plans for a 45 sent.
12. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that
so-called third-generation mobile communications system,
the channel selection parameters are defined so as to concern
which is discussed here only by way of example, so as to
provide an example of a possible application of the invena subset of all mobile stations in the area in which the
tion. The invention is not limited to any particular mobile
parameters are sent.
communications system but it may be modified within the 50
13. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that
scope of the invention as defined by the claims attached
the channel selection parameters are defined so as to concern
hereto.
a single mobile station.
What is claimed is:
14. The use of the method of claim 1 in a UMTS system.
15. A cellular system comprising:
1. A method for transferring packet data in the uplink
means for sending packet data in the uplink direction from
direction from a mobile station to a system in such a manner 55
that:
a mobile station to the system using a selected channel,
a common channel (RACH) or a dedicated channel
means for selecting a common channel (RACH) or a
(DCH) is selected for the sending of a data packet, and
dedicated channel (DCH) for the sending of a data
the data packet is sent using the channel selected, charpacket,
60 characterized in that it also comprises:
acterized in that
means for defining a threshold value of a channel seleca threshold value of a channel selection parameter is
defined (620)
tion parameter,
means for sending said threshold value of the channel
said threshold value of the channel selection parameter is
sent to the mobile station (630),
selection parameter from the system to the mobile
a current value of the channel selection parameter is 65
station in order to compare said threshold value of the
compared to said threshold value of the channel selecchannel selection parameter to a current value of the
tion parameter by the mobile station (650), and
channel selection parameter, and

US 6,978,143 B1

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means for making said channel selection on the basis of
19. A mobile station according to claim 17 characterized
said comparison.
in that it comprises:
16. A cellular system of claim 15 characterized in that it
means for calculating a value corresponding to the chanis a UMTS system.
nel selection parameter on the basis of the parameters
of the data packet to be sent,
17. A mobile station connected with a cellular system, 5
means for comparing a current value of the last channel
comprising means for sending uplink packet data to the
system using a selected channel, wherein the selected chanselection parameter sent to the mobile station to said
nel is either a common channel (RACH) or a dedicated
calculated value of the channel selection parameter, and
channel (DCH), characterized in that it also comprises:
means for making said channel selection on the basis of
said comparison.
means for receiving a threshold value of a channel selec- 10
tion parameter from the system,
20. A mobile station according to claim 19, characterized
means for storing said threshold value of the channel
in that said value corresponding to the channel selection
selection parameter, and
parameter is the amount of data in the RLC buffer(s), said
means for comparing said threshold value of the channel
last current value of the last channel selection parameter is
selection parameter to a current value of the channel 15 a threshold value for the amount of data in the RLC
selection parameter for basis of said channel selection.
buffer(s).
18. A mobile station according to claim 17, characterized
21. The use of the mobile station of claim 17 in a UMTS
in that it further comprises:
system.
means for making said channel selection on the basis of
the result of said comparison.
* * * * *