Patent ID: 8228920

Claim:
A method for scheduling data blocks for transmission from a plurality of transmission elements in timeslots of a given frame in a communication system, the method comprising: designating each of the plurality of transmission elements as eligible to transmit one or more of the data blocks in the given frame; selecting from those of the plurality of transmission elements designated as eligible to transmit the one or more data blocks in the given frame at least one of the plurality of transmission elements for scheduling in a next available timeslot; adjusting eligibility status of the selected at least one of the plurality of transmission elements, wherein the adjusting step comprises designating the selected at least one of the plurality of transmission elements as ineligible to transmit one or more additional data blocks in the given frame; and repeating the selecting and adjusting steps for one or more remaining timeslots of the given frame; wherein the designating, selecting and adjusting steps are performed by a scheduler coupled to the plurality of transmission elements; wherein selecting at least one of the plurality of transmission elements for scheduling in the next available timeslot further comprises selecting from those of the plurality of transmission elements designated as eligible at least one of the plurality of transmission elements having a highest channel capacity; and wherein the highest channel capacity comprises a highest relative channel capacity, with the highest relative channel capacity being determined as a ratio of an absolute channel capacity and an average channel capacity.