Patent ID: 8422439

Claim:
A multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) capable wireless communication device comprising: memory operable to store a reference block size for transmission of control information of a first type, the reference block size being based at least on a predetermined quantity of information bits for the first type of control information, the first type of control information is channel quality information for at least one downlink channel, the predetermined quantity of information bits for the first type of control information is equal to a quantity of channel quality information bits assuming a reference rank value, and the quantity of channel quality information bits includes error correction bits; a receiver operable to receive a scheduling message including a resource allocation indicator and a request for control information of the first type, the resource allocation indicator identifying a set of transmission resources for transmitting control information; a processor coupled to the receiver and the memory, the processor operable to determine whether control information of a second type is to be sent, control information of the second type being different than control information of the first type; the processor operable to determine, based on the reference block size, a second quantity of transmission resources from the set of transmission resources, the second quantity of transmission resources for use in transmitting the control information of the second type; the processor operable to encode the control information of the second type; and a transmitter operably coupled to the processor and operable to transmit the encoded control information of the second type using the second quantity of transmission resources over a data channel in an absence of data to send over the data channel.