Patent ID: 7047310

Claim:
A method for controlling a data rate for a transfer of data from a first node of a plurality of nodes in a communication system to a second node of the plurality of nodes, the method comprising: determining whether a period of time has expired since an immediately preceding flow control message has been conveyed by the second node to the first node; when the period of time has expired, determining a plurality of flow control parameters comprising a current occupancy (Q) of a buffer of the second node, an upper threshold (U) for an occupancy of the buffer, and a lower threshold (L) for an occupancy of the buffer; and determining a desired data rate (r) based on the determined plurality of flow control parameters; wherein the desired data rate can be used to adjust the data rate and wherein determining a desired data rate comprises: determining a quantity (q) corresponding to an amount by which the current occupancy (Q) of the buffer exceeds the lower threshold (L); determining a difference between the upper threshold (U) and the lower threshold (L); determining a time period (C′) based on a maximum data rate (R) for a transfer of data over an air interface, the upper threshold (U), and the lower threshold (L); and when the quantity (q) is less than the difference between the upper threshold (U) and the lower threshold (L) and the quantity (q) is greater than zero, determining a desired data rate (r) based on the maximum data rate (R), the quantity (q), and the time period (C′).