Patent ID: 7933249
Filing Date: 2011-04-26
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for use in a code division multiple access (CDMA) base station for providing multiple grades of service to a plurality of subscriber units requesting traffic channels, the method comprising: detecting requests for access from a plurality of subscriber units to transmit data to or receive data from the base station using a plurality of traffic channels; assigning a priority level for each of the detected requests, the priority level associated with the subscriber unit transmitting the request, wherein the priority level of the subscriber unit depends on the priority level of all inactive users, on a continuity of resource demand and on historical usage of base station resources, and wherein a ratio of subscriber units assigned to different priority levels is respected independently of the total number of subscriber units assigned at each priority level; comparing a time allocation of continuously used channel resources for each of the subscriber units against a predetermined time threshold of allowed usage and reducing the priority level on a condition that the predetermined time threshold is exceeded; allocating at least one traffic channel to each of the subscriber units requesting to transmit data to or receive data from the base station based on the priority level of the subscriber unit, wherein a subscriber unit with a lower priority level is allocated fewer traffic channels than a subscriber unit assigned a higher priority level; and assigning a lower priority level to a subscriber unit on a condition that the time allocation of continuously used channel resources is higher than the predetermined time threshold.