Quasi-Orthogonal Functional Walsh Code Allocation Devices and Methods

Abstract

Methods and devices for allocating codes to user devices to enable extracting an intended signal among a plurality of signals multiplexed over the same physical channel are provided. The methods include determining a threshold number of orthogonal codes to be reserved for allocation to first user devices, based on (i) a number of orthogonal codes usable for allocating, (ii) a usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) an average penetration of first user devices, the first user devices being less capable than the second user devices to cancel undesirable interference from a signal extracted using the allocated code. The methods further include allocating an orthogonal code if a number of available orthogonal codes is larger than the threshold number, otherwise allocating an orthogonal code if a first user device requests a connection, and a quasi-orthogonal code if a second user device requests a connection.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to methods and devices configured to allocate Walsh codes and quasi-orthogonal functional Walsh codes to mobile terminals.

BACKGROUND

In CDMA systems, a plurality of spread-spectrum signals are transmitted simultaneously in the same frequency band, both on forward links from base stations to mobile terminals and on reverse links from the mobile terminals to the base stations. Conventionally, each mobile terminal is assigned a distinct code (e.g., a Walsh code) that identifies the signals sent to, or received from the base station. The mobile terminal receives composite signals having composite spread spectra within the shared frequency band, the composite signals including signals intended for all serviced mobile terminals. Using the assigned code, the mobile terminal selects the signal intended for the mobile terminal from the composite signal.

Preferably, the assigned codes are orthogonal codes such as the Walsh codes. However, in a CDMA 1x Advanced system, in addition to the Walsh codes, Quasi-Orthogonal Functional (QoF) Walsh codes may also be assigned to mobile stations for base band signal spreading. One Walsh code set and four QoF code sets are defined in IS2000. Each of these sets has 128 Walsh or QoF codes of 128 bits length. A user device may be assigned a Walsh code or a QoF code.

In existing CDMA 1xRTT systems, a Walsh code allocation algorithm is implemented in a base transceiver station (BTS) or a base controller station (BCS), allowing a BTS to support up to 35 EVRC users and 46 EVRC-B users in one carrier-sector. In these systems, the number of user devices that can be served is limited by the forward power, so that the 128 Walsh codes are sufficient for the maximum number of possible users. QoF codes are not used and, therefore, a QoF code allocation algorithm has not been implemented in either BTS or BSC.

A reason for which the QoF codes have not been used in radio communication industry until recently is that, when the mobile terminal uses a QoF code to select the signal intended for the mobile terminal from the composite signal, a significant non-orthogonal interference occurs. Therefore, the mobile terminal using a QoF code experiences a significantly higher interference than mobiles using a Walsh code, and the higher interference impacts the service quality.

In the recently developed CDMA 2000 1x Advanced systems, the number of user devices that can be served by a base stations has increased about three time compared to the CDMA 1xRTT systems. As a result the Walsh codes are no longer enough and allocating QoF Wash codes has become necessary. Meanwhile, new mobiles can support Advance Quasi-Linear Interference Cancelation (AQLIC) which maximally cancels the non-orthogonal interference, thereby alleviating the problem of the service quality loss when the mobile terminal uses a QoF code to select the signal intended for the mobile terminal from the composite signal. Therefore, code allocation algorithms allocating both Walsh codes and QoF codes have been proposed.

However, the currently proposed code allocation algorithms allocating both Walsh codes and QoF codes have turned out to have significant drawbacks as explained below.

According to one currently proposed code allocation algorithm, a Walsh code and a QoF code are alternatively allocated. When using this algorithm, although the interference experienced by the mobile terminals is about the same, the total interference is highest.

According to another currently proposed code allocation algorithm, QoF codes are allocated only after all the Walsh codes have been allocated. When using this algorithm, although the total interference is minimal and has less impact on the control channels, the mobile terminal which is first allocated a QoF code experiences a very high interference (i.e., non-orthogonal interference from signals intended to more than 100 user devices of Walsh codes).

Another currently proposed code allocation algorithm allocates alternatively 2^m (e.g., m=5, 2^m=32) Walsh codes, and 2^m QoF codes. Although the performance of this approach falls in-between the previously described algorithms in terms of total interference, it is still arbitrary, without implementing a strategy to optimize quality of service for the users.

Another possible code allocation algorithm allocates QoF codes to mobile terminals that are closer to the BTS, and, thus, require less power. Although theoretically this algorithm seems optimal, in practice, at the time when a communication is setup, no information about the terminal position is available. Additionally, the user devices may move relative to the base station and then the initially allocated code would have to be changed when the power needs for a user device change (increase or decrease). Therefore, a code allocation based on distance from the base station is not yet used.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide methods and devices configured to allocate Walsh codes and quasi-orthogonal functional Walsh code in the context of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) 1x Advance, that avoid the afore-described problems and drawbacks.

SUMMARY

Methods and devices configured to allocate Walsh codes and quasi-orthogonal functional Walsh codes to mobile terminals take into consideration the number of Walsh codes in use and whether a mobile terminal to which a code is to be allocated is a mobile station capable to perform Advanced Quasi-Linear Interference Cancelation (AQLIC).

According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for allocating orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes to first user devices and second user devices to enable extracting an intended signal among a plurality of signals multiplexed over the same physical channel is provided. The method includes determining a threshold number of orthogonal codes to be reserved for allocation to first user devices, based on (i) a number of orthogonal codes usable for allocating, (ii) a usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) an average penetration of first user devices. The first user devices are less capable than the second user devices to cancel undesirable interference from a signal extracted using the allocated code. The method further includes allocating an orthogonal code to a first user device or a second user device that requests a connection if a number of available orthogonal codes is larger than the threshold number. If the number of available orthogonal codes is not larger than the threshold number, allocating an orthogonal code if a first user device requests a connection, and allocating a quasi-orthogonal code to a second user device that requests a connection.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a computer readable medium storing executable codes which, when executed on a computer, perform a method for allocating orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes to first and second user devices to enable extracting an intended signal among a plurality of signals multiplexed over the same physical channel is provided. The method includes determining a threshold number of orthogonal codes to be reserved for allocation to first user devices, based on (i) a number of orthogonal codes usable for allocating, (ii) a usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) an average penetration of first user devices, the first user devices being less capable than the second user devices to cancel undesirable interference from a signal extracted using the allocated code. The method further includes if a number of available orthogonal codes is larger than the threshold number, allocating an orthogonal code to a first user device or a second user device that requests a connection. If the number of available orthogonal codes is not larger than the threshold number, allocating an orthogonal code if a first user device requests a connection, and allocating a quasi-orthogonal code to a second user device that requests a connection.

According to another embodiment, a base station connectable to first user devices and second user devices configured to extract an intended signal among a plurality of signals multiplexed over the same physical channel, the first user devices being less capable than the second user devices to cancel undesirable interferences from a signal extracted using the allocated code is provided. The base station includes an interface and a processing unit. The interface is configured to receive a connection request from one of the first user devices or the second user devices, to send a signal upon receiving the connection request, to receive an allocated orthogonal code or quasi-orthogonal code, and to transmit the allocated orthogonal code or quasi-orthogonal code to the one of the first user devices or the second user devices. The processing unit is configured to receive the signal from the interface and to determine a threshold number of orthogonal codes to be reserved for allocation to first user devices, based on (i) a number of orthogonal codes currently usable for allocating, (ii) a usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) an average penetration of first users. The processing unit is further configured to allocate (a) an orthogonal code to the one of the first user devices and second user devices that sent the connection request if a number of available orthogonal codes is larger than the threshold number, (b) an orthogonal code to the one of the first user devices and second user devices that sent the connection request, if the one of the first user devices and second user devices that sent the connection request is a first user device, there is an orthogonal code currently not allocated, and the number of available orthogonal codes is smaller than or equal to the threshold number, and (c) a quasi-orthogonal code to the one of the first user devices and second user devices that sent the connection request, if the one of the first user devices and second user devices that sent the connection request is a second user device and the number of available orthogonal codes is smaller than or equal to the threshold number. The processing unit is also configured to transmit the allocated orthogonal code or quasi-orthogonal code to the interface.

According to another exemplary embodiment a base station controller connected to at least one base station serving first user devices and second user devices configured to extract an intended signal among a plurality of signals multiplexed over the same physical channel, the first user devices being less capable than the second user devices to cancel undesirable interferences from a signal extracted using the allocated code is provided. The base station controller includes an interface and a processing unit. The interface is configured to receive information about a connection request received by the at least one base station from one of the first user devices or the second user devices, to send a signal related to the at least one base station upon receiving the information, to receive an allocated orthogonal code or quasi-orthogonal code related to the base station, and to transmit the allocated orthogonal code or a quasi-orthogonal code to the at least one base station for the one of the first user devices or the second users devices. The processing unit is configured to receive the signal related to the at least one base station, from the interface, and to determine, relative to the at least one base station, a threshold number of orthogonal codes to be reserved for allocation to first user devices, based on (i) a number of orthogonal codes currently usable for allocating, (ii) a usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) an average penetration of first users. The processing unit is further configured to allocate (a) an orthogonal code for the one of the first user devices and second user devices if a number of available orthogonal codes is larger than the threshold number, (b) an orthogonal code for the one of the first user devices and second user devices, if the one of the first user devices and second user devices is a first user device and the number of available orthogonal codes is smaller than or equal to the threshold number, and (c) a quasi-orthogonal code for the one of the first user devices and second user devices, if the one of the first user devices and second user devices is a second user device and the number of available orthogonal codes is smaller than or equal to the threshold number. The processing unit is also configured to transmit the allocated orthogonal code or quasi-orthogonal code to the interface for being transmitted to the at least one base station.

It is an object to overcome some of the deficiencies discussed in the previous section and to provide methods and devices allocating codes to user devices having different capabilities of removing undesired interferences in a simple and efficient manner. One or more of the independent claims advantageously provides an environment that serves better user devices with lower capabilities of removing undesired interferences from a signal extracted using an allocating code, while optimizing the interference level for all the channels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, explain these embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for allocating Walsh codes and QoF codes to AQLIC and non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a base station according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a base station controller according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating results of applying a method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is another graph illustrating results of applying a method according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is another graph illustrating results of applying a method according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is another graph illustrating results of applying a method according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The following embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regard to the terminology and structure of a CDMA communication system. However, the embodiments to be discussed next are not limited to these systems but may be applied to other systems.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, there is a communication system 100 using CDMA as its access methodology. That is, actors in the system 100 use a spread-spectrum technology (in which a signal generated in a particular bandwidth is deliberately spread in the frequency domain, resulting in a signal with a wider bandwidth) and a coding scheme where each transmitter is assigned a code to allow multiple user devices to be multiplexed over the same physical channel. The actors in the system 100 are base stations 110 and 120, and mobile stations 111, 112, 121, and 122. The base stations 110 and 120 are controlled by a base station controller (BSC) 130. FIG. 1 illustrates only two base stations 110 and 120 connected to the BCS 130. However, the two base stations are an illustration and not a limitation, the BCS 130 likely being connected to more than two base stations. Similarly, FIG. 1 illustrates two user devices (i.e., mobile stations) connected to each of the base stations 110 and 120. However, the two user devices are merely an illustration and not a limitation, each of the base stations being capable to serve more than two user devices and the number of connected user devices is not necessarily the same for different base stations.

The allocated codes may be orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes, wherein extracting a signal using a quasi-orthogonal code yields a lower intended signal to unintended interferences ratio. For example, the orthogonal codes may be Walsh codes and the quasi-orthogonal codes may be quasi-orthogonal functional (QoF) Walsh codes. Although the following description refers to Walsh codes and QoF codes, these codes are an illustration and not a limitation of orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes.

The code allocation for user devices (e.g., mobile stations) of a base station may be performed in the base station (e.g., 110 and 120), for example, by a base station transceiver subsystem (BTS), by a processing unit. Alternatively, the BCS 130 may be configured to perform the code allocation for one or more base stations connected to the BCS 130. Some of the mobile terminals 111, 112, 121, and 122 may be capable to perform Advanced Quasi-Linear Interference Cancelation (AQLIC), while others may not be capable to perform AQLIC. The AQLIC capable mobile stations can maximally cancel non-orthogonal interference. In the following description AQLIC capable mobile station(s) and non-AQLIC capable mobile stations terminology is used for illustration and not of limitation. In other words, the following devices and methods are usable when user devices (mobile terminals) can be classified into first user devices and second user devices, the first user devices being less capable than the second user devices to cancel undesirable interference from a signal extracted using the allocated code.

In some embodiments, allocating Walsh codes and QoF codes is based on a strategy outlined in the following three rules. (1) Control channels are allocated Walsh codes. (2) When the number of unallocated Walsh codes is sufficient (e.g., greater than a threshold number), Walsh codes are allocated to both AQLIC capable mobiles and non-AQLIC capable mobiles. (3) When the number of unallocated Walsh codes in not larger than the threshold number, QoF codes are allocated to AQLIC capable mobile stations and Walsh codes (as long as still available) are allocated to non-AQLIC capable mobile stations.

Rule (2) has the objective to cause, when possible, less interference for the signals transmitted via the control channels. Combining rules (2) and (3) may be summarized as reserving a number of Walsh codes for non-AQLIC capable mobiles.

The number of Walsh codes reserved for non-AQLIC capable mobiles is a feature of exemplary embodiments which leads to the superior performance of this algorithm. Reserving more or fewer Walsh codes than necessary results in a higher total interference. Additionally, if the number of Walsh codes reserved is less than necessary, QoF codes are allocated to more non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, which leads to poorer service quality for more non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals. Thus, establishing an appropriate threshold for rules (2) and (3) is a significant feature of these embodiments.

A flow chart of a method 200 for allocating Walsh codes and QoF codes to non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals and to AQLIC capable mobile terminals in order to enable the mobile terminals to extract an intended signal among a plurality of signals multiplexed over the same physical channel (e.g., CDMA), according to an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 2. The method 200 includes determining a threshold number of Walsh codes to be reserved for allocation to non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, at S210. The threshold number is determined, for example, based on a number of Walsh codes usable for allocating, a usage of the Walsh codes, and an average penetration of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals.

The method 200 further includes determining whether a number of available Walsh codes (NavWC) is larger than the threshold number, at S220. If the number of available Walsh codes is larger than the threshold number, at S230, a Walsh code is allocated to a non-AQLIC capable mobile terminal or an AQLIC capable mobile terminal that requests a connection.

If the number of available Walsh codes is not larger than the threshold number, it is determined whether the mobile terminal requesting a connection is a non-AQLIC capable mobile terminal, at S240. If the mobile terminal requiring a connection is a non-AQLIC capable mobile terminal, and there are Walsh codes available, a Walsh code is allocated at S250. If the mobile terminal requiring a code is not a non-AQLIC capable mobile terminal, that is, it is an AQLIC capable mobile terminal, a QoF code is allocated at S260.

The method 200 may further include allocating Walsh codes to control channels. The threshold number may be determined each time a mobile terminal requests a connection.

A current penetration (CP) of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals for an incoming call N may be calculated as CP(N)=(NWC1+NQoF1)/(NWC+NQoF), where NWC1 is the number of Walsh codes currently used by non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, NQoF1 is the number of QoF codes currently used by non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, NWC is the number of Walsh codes currently used by non-AQLIC capable and AQLIC capable mobile terminals, and NQoF is the number of QoF codes currently used by non-AQLIC capable and AQLIC capable mobile terminals.

The average penetration of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, P_ave(N), may be calculated as a weighted average of the current penetration of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals CP(N) and a previous average penetration of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals P_ave(N−1). The previous average penetration of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals P_ave(N−1) may be the current average penetration of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals calculated when, a non-AQLIC capable mobile terminal or an AQLIC capable user device has previously requested a connection. If N=0, the previous penetration of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals may be considered equal to the current penetration of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, or in other words, if N=0, the average penetration is equal to the current penetration.

Thus, the average penetration of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals may be calculated as P_ave(N)=CP(N)×(1−α)+P_ave(N−1)×α, where α<1. For example, the value of α may be 0.33.

The usage of Walsh codes (WCUsage) may be calculated as a ratio of the number of Walsh codes currently used by non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals (NWC1) and the number of Walsh codes currently used by AQLIC capable mobile terminals (NWC2), and the total number of Walsh codes usable for allocation (TotalWCTraffic): (NWC1+NWC2)/TotalWCTraffic (i.e., for the traffic channel), which may be 115.

In order to reserve enough Walsh codes for non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals connecting to the system in the future, preferably, at least the same proportion of the available Walsh codes as the proportion of Walsh codes from the currently used Walsh codes are reserved. On average, among the currently used Walsh codes, the non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals have been allocated TotalWCForTraffic×WCUsage×P_ave(N). Among available Walsh codes TotalWCForTraffic×(1−WCUsage) at least the same proportion P_ave(N) is reserved for non_AQLIC mobile terminals according to this exemplary embodiment.

However, TotalWCForTraffic×(1−WCUsage)×P_ave(N) is merely a minimum number of Walsh codes to be reserved for non_AQLIC mobile terminals for one exemplary embodiment. In order to enhance the likelihood to avoid allocating QoF codes to non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, a variance may be added to this minimum number. The variance Var may be calculated as Var=TotalWCForTraffic×50%×WCUsage×P_ave(N), which represents a half of Walsh codes that has already been used by the non_AQLIC capable mobile terminals. This manner of calculating the variance is based on the fact that considering a Poisson distribution, the variance equals a traffic arrival rate. Here, the non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals traffic arrival rate is TotalWCForTraffic×WCUsage×P_ave(N). However, in one embodiment, only a half of this variance is covered (i.e. from average to upper bound of the Poisson distribution), therefore, the quantity included in number of Walsh codes used by non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals is the variance multiplied with 50% (i.e., 0.5). In other embodiments, a different fraction of the variance included in number of Walsh codes used by non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, the half being merely a recommended value. In fact, this fraction may be a configurable variable. The fraction may be set to a value larger than 50% if, in a more conservative approach, it is desired to lower the likelihood that a QoF code is allocated to a non-AQLIC capable mobile terminal.

To summarize the above described calculations, the threshold number of Walsh codes to be reserved for non-AQLIC capable mobile stations, NT=TotalWCForTraffic×(1−WCUsage)×P_ave(N)+TotalWCForTraffic×50%×WCUsage×P_ave(N). The value of NT is rounded to the closest lower integer.

A base station (or base transceiver station) 300 capable to perform the method 200 is illustrated in FIG. 3. The base station 300 includes an interface 310, a processing unit 320, and a memory 330.

The interface 310 is configured to receive a connection (e.g., call) request from a user, to send a signal to the processing unit 320 upon receiving the connection request, to receive an allocated code from the processing unit 320, and to transmit the allocated code to the user device that submitted the connection request.

The processing unit 320 is configured to receive the signal from the interface, to perform the method 200 thereby allocating a code for the user device that sent the connection request, and to transmit the allocated code to the interface 310. The processing unit 320 is connected to the memory 330 which may store executable codes that enable the processing unit 320 to perform the method 200.

A base station controller 400 capable to perform the method 200 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The base station controller 400 includes an interface 410, a processing unit 420, and a memory 430.

The interface 410 is configured to receive information about a connection request received by a base station from a user, to send a signal to the processing unit 420 upon receiving the information, to receive an allocated code from the processing unit 420, and to transmit the allocated code to the base station for a user device that submitted the connection request to the base station.

The processing unit 420 is configured to receive the signal from the interface, to perform the method 200 thereby allocating a code for the user device that sent the connection request, and to transmit the allocated code to the interface 410. The processing unit 420 is connected to the memory 430 which may store executable codes that enable the processing unit 420 to perform the method 200.

Simulations have shown that the above method is effective in various loading conditions and various ratios between the number of AQLIC capable mobile terminals and the number of non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals. In FIGS. 5-8, for each call arrival, statistics for Walsh/QoF code usage are illustrated in the graphs. Thus, x-axis represents an incoming call number, and on y-axis are numbers related to the Walsh/QoF code allocation and reservation. The simulations are performed for the same fixed period. The higher the Erlang capacity the more calls are made during the fixed period.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating evolution of the numbers related to the Walsh/QoF code allocation and reservation simulated using an exemplary embodiment for a heavy loading (Erlang 88), 60% of the user devices being AQLIC capable mobile terminals, the non-AQLIC mobile terminals using RC3. For Erlang 88, about 2077 calls are made in 1800s (i.e., the fixed period). Line 510 represents the number of Wash codes reserved for non-AQLIC mobile terminals, line 520 represents the number of QoF codes in use (i.e., by both AQLIC capable and non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals), line 530 represents the number of QoF codes used by non-AQLIC capable terminals, line 540 represents the number of QoF codes used by AQLIC capable terminals, line 550 represents the number of Walsh codes in use, line 560 represents the number of Walsh codes used by non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, and line 570 represents the number of Walsh codes used by AQLIC capable mobile terminals. On average, 88.7 Walsh codes are used and 0.88 QoF codes are allocated to non-AQLIC mobile terminals.

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating evolution of the same numbers related to the code Walsh/QoF allocation and reservation as in FIG. 5, simulated using an exemplary embodiment for a light loading (Erlang 48), 60% of the user devices being AQLIC capable mobile terminals, and the non-AQLIC mobile terminals using RC3. For Erlang 48, about 1238 calls are made in 1800s. Line 610 represents the number of Wash codes reserved for non-AQLIC mobile terminals, line 620 represents the number of QoF codes in use, line 630 represents the number of QoF codes used by non-AQLIC capable terminals, line 640 represents the number of QoF codes used by AQLIC capable terminals, line 650 represents the number of Walsh codes in use, line 660 represents the number of Walsh codes used by non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, and line 670 represents the number of Walsh codes used by AQLIC capable mobile terminals. On average, 69.97 Walsh codes are used and 0 QoF codes are allocated to non-AQLIC mobile terminals (line 630 is the x-axis, and line 640 overlaps line 620).

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating evolution of the same numbers related to the Walsh/Q of code allocation and reservation as in FIGS. 5 and 6, simulated using an exemplary embodiment for a heavy loading (Erlang 108), 90% of the user devices being AQLIC capable mobile terminals, and the non-AQLIC mobile terminals using RC3. For Erlang 108, about 2576 calls are made in 1800s. Line 710 represents the number of Wash codes reserved for non-AQLIC mobile terminals, line 720 represents the number of QoF codes in use, line 730 represents the number of QoF codes used by non-AQLIC capable terminals, line 740 represents the number of QoF codes used by AQLIC capable terminals, line 750 represents the number of Walsh codes in use, line 760 represents the number of Walsh codes used by non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, and line 770 represents the number of Walsh codes used by AQLIC capable mobile terminals. On average, 100.8 Walsh codes are used and 0 QoF codes are allocated to non-AQLIC mobile terminals (line 730 is the x-axis, and line 740 overlaps line 720).

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating evolution of the same numbers related to the Walsh/Q of code allocation and simulation as in FIGS. 5-7, simulated for a heavy loading (Erlang 68), 10% of the user devices being AQLIC capable mobile terminals, and the non-AQLIC mobile terminals using RC3. For Erlang 68, about 1631 calls are made in 1800s. Line 810 represents the number of Wash codes reserved for non-AQLIC mobile terminals, line 820 represents the number of QoF codes in use, line 830 represents the number of QoF codes used by non-AQLIC capable terminals, line 840 represents the number of QoF codes used by AQLIC capable terminals, line 850 represents the number of Walsh codes in use, line 860 represents the number of Walsh codes used by non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals, and line 870 represents the number of Walsh codes used by AQLIC capable mobile terminals. On average, 106.89 Walsh codes are used, 31.02 QoF codes are allocated to non-AQLIC capable mobile terminals and 0 Walsh codes are allocated to AQLIC capable mobile terminals (line 870 is the x-axis, and line 860 overlaps line 850).

The disclosed exemplary embodiments provide methods, devices and computer readable media storing executable codes for allocating codes to user devices having different capabilities of suppressing unintentional interferences from a signal extracted when using a quasi-orthogonal code. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which are included in the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Further, in the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the claimed invention. However, one skilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may be practiced without such specific details.

The exemplary embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combining hardware and software aspects. Further, the exemplary embodiments may take the form of a computer program product stored on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions embodied in the medium. Any suitable computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, digital versatile disc (DVD), optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices such a floppy disk or magnetic tape. Other non-limiting examples of computer readable media include flash-type memories or other known memories.

Although the features and elements of the present exemplary embodiments are described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein. The methods or flow charts provided in the present application may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by a specifically programmed computer or processor.

Claims

1. A method (200) for allocating orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes to first user devices and second user devices to enable extracting an intended signal among a plurality of signals multiplexed over the same physical channel, the method comprising: determining (S210) a threshold number of orthogonal codes to be reserved for allocation to first user devices, based on (i) a number of orthogonal codes usable for allocating, (ii) a usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) an average penetration of first user devices, the first user devices being less capable than the second user devices to cancel undesirable interference from a signal extracted using the allocated code;if a number of available orthogonal codes is larger than the threshold number (S220), allocating (S230) an orthogonal code to a first user device or a second user device that requests a connection; andif the number of available orthogonal codes is not larger than the threshold number (S220), allocating (S250) an orthogonal code if a first user device requests a connection (S240), and allocating (S260) a quasi-orthogonal code to a second user device that requests a connection.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: allocating orthogonal codes to control channels.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the orthogonal codes are Walsh codes and the quasi-orthogonal codes are quasi-orthogonal functional (QoF) Walsh codes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user devices are non-AQLIC capable mobiles and the second user devices are AQLIC capable mobiles.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the orthogonal codes are Walsh codes and the quasi-orthogonal codes are quasi-orthogonal functional (QoF) Walsh codes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the threshold number is performed each time a first user device or a second user device requests a connection.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the average penetration of first user devices is a weighted average of (i) a current penetration of first user devices and (ii) a previous average penetration of first users.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, in the weighted average, the current penetration of first user devices is weighted with 0.67 and the previous average penetration of first user devices is weighted 0.33.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein, the current penetration of first user devices is a ratio between (i) a sum of a number of orthogonal codes currently used by first user devices and a number of quasi-orthogonal codes currently used by first user devices, and (ii) a total number of orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes currently used,the previous average penetration of first user devices is the average penetration of first user devices calculated when previously a first user device or a second user device has requested a connection, andif previously no first user device or second user device has previously requested a connection, the average penetration of first user devices is equal to the current penetration of first users.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the usage of orthogonal codes is a ratio of (i) a number of orthogonal codes currently allocated to first user devices and to second user devices, and (ii) a total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the threshold number is at least a product of (i) a total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, (ii) a difference between 1 and the usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) the average penetration of first users.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the threshold number is a sum of the product and a variance, the method further comprising: calculating the variance as a fraction of a product of (i) the total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, (ii) the usage of orthogonal codes and (iii) the average penetration of first users.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fraction is a half.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein: the determining of the threshold number is performed each time a first user device or a second user device requests a connection,the average penetration of first user devices is a weighted average of (i) a current penetration of first user devices and (ii) a previous average penetration of first user devices,the current penetration of first user devices is a ratio between (i) a sum of a number of orthogonal codes currently used by first user devices and a number of quasi-orthogonal codes currently used by first user devices, and (ii) a total number of orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes currently used,the previous average penetration of first user devices is the average penetration of first user devices calculated when previously a first user device or a second user device has requested a connection,if previously no first user device or second user device has previously requested a connection, the average penetration of first user devices is equal to the current penetration of first user devices,the usage of orthogonal codes is a ratio of (i) a number of orthogonal codes currently allocated to first user devices and to second user devices, and (ii) a total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, andthe threshold number is a sum of (a) a product of (i) a total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, (ii) a difference between 1 and the usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) the average penetration of first user devices, and(b) a fraction of a product of (i) the total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, (ii) the usage of orthogonal codes and (iii) the average penetration of first users.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fraction is a half.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein: the orthogonal codes are Walsh codes and the quasi-orthogonal codes are quasi-orthogonal functional (QoF) Walsh codes, andthe first user devices are non-AQLIC capable mobiles and the second user devices are AQLIC capable mobiles.

17. A computer readable medium storing executable codes which, when executed on a computer, perform a method for allocating orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes to first and second user devices to enable extracting an intended signal among a plurality of signals multiplexed over the same physical channel, the method comprising: determining (S210) a threshold number of orthogonal codes to be reserved for allocation to first user devices, based on (i) a number of orthogonal codes usable for allocating, (ii) a usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) an average penetration of first user devices, the first user devices being less capable than the second user devices to cancel undesirable interference from a signal extracted using the allocated code;if a number of available orthogonal codes is larger than the threshold number (S220), allocating (S230) orthogonal codes to a first user device or a second user device that requests a connection; andif the number of available orthogonal codes is smaller than or equal to the threshold number (S220), allocating (S250) an orthogonal code if a first user device requests a connection (S240), and allocating (S260) a quasi-orthogonal code to a second user device that requests a connection.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17, the method further comprising allocating orthogonal codes to control channels.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the determining of the threshold number is performed each time a first user device or a second user device requests a connection,the average penetration of first user devices is a weighted average of (i) a current penetration of first user devices and (ii) a previous average penetration of first user devices,the current penetration of first user devices is a ratio between (i) a sum of a number of orthogonal codes currently used by first user devices and a number of quasi-orthogonal codes currently used by first user devices, and (ii) a total number of orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes currently used,the previous average penetration of first user devices is the average penetration of first user devices calculated when previously a first user device or a second user device has requested a connection,if previously no first user device or second user device has previously requested a connection, the average penetration of first user devices is equal to the current penetration of first user devices,the usage of orthogonal codes is a ratio of (i) a number of orthogonal codes currently allocated to first user devices and to second user devices, and (ii) a total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, andthe threshold number is a sum of (a) a product of (i) a total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, (ii) a difference between 1 and the usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) the average penetration of first user devices, and(b) a fraction of a product of (i) the total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, (ii) the usage of orthogonal codes and (iii) the average penetration of first users.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the fraction is a half.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the orthogonal codes are Walsh codes and the quasi-orthogonal codes are quasi-orthogonal functional (QoF) Walsh codes, andthe first user devices are non-AQLIC capable mobiles and the second user devices are AQLIC capable mobiles.

22. A base station (110, 120, 300) connectable to first user devices and second user devices (111,112,121,122) configured to extract an intended signal among a plurality of signals multiplexed over the same physical channel, the first user devices being less capable than the second user devices to cancel undesirable interferences from a signal extracted using the allocated code, the base station (300) comprising: an interface (310) configured to receive a connection request from one of the first user devices or the second user devices, to send a signal upon receiving the connection request, to receive an allocated orthogonal code or quasi-orthogonal code, and to transmit the allocated orthogonal code or quasi-orthogonal code to the one of the first user devices or the second user devices; anda processing unit (320) configured to receive the signal from the interface,to determine a threshold number of orthogonal codes to be reserved for allocation to first user devices, based on (i) a number of orthogonal codes currently usable for allocating, (ii) a usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) an average penetration of first user devices,to allocate an orthogonal code to the one of the first user devices and second user devices that sent the connection request if a number of available orthogonal codes is larger than the threshold number,to allocate an orthogonal code to the one of the first user devices and second user devices that sent the connection request, if the one of the first user devices and second user devices that sent the connection request is a first user, there is an orthogonal code currently not allocated, and the number of available orthogonal codes is smaller than or equal to the threshold number,to allocate a quasi-orthogonal code to the one of the first user devices and second user devices that sent the connection request, if the one of the first user devices and second user devices that sent the connection request is a second user device and the number of available orthogonal codes is smaller than or equal to the threshold number, andto transmit the allocated orthogonal code or quasi-orthogonal code to the interface.

23. The base station of claim 22, the processing unit being further configured to allocate orthogonal codes to control channels.

24. The base station of claim 22, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine the threshold number each time a first user device or a second user device requests a connection,to calculate the average penetration of first user devices as a weighted average of (i) a current penetration of first user devices and (ii) a previous average penetration of first user devices,to calculate the current penetration of first user devices as a ratio between (i) a sum of a number of orthogonal codes currently used by first user devices and a number of quasi-orthogonal codes currently used by first user devices, and (ii) a total number of orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes currently used,to consider the previous average penetration of first user devices to be the average penetration of first user devices calculated when previously a first user device or a second user device has requested a connection, and if previously no first user device or second user device has previously requested a connection, to consider the average penetration of first user devices to be equal to the current penetration of first user devices,to calculate the usage of orthogonal codes as a ratio of (i) a number of orthogonal codes currently allocated to first user devices and to second user devices, and (ii) a total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, andto determine the threshold number as a sum of (a) a product of (i) a total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, (ii) a difference between 1 and the usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) the average penetration of first user devices, and(b) a fraction of a product of (i) the total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, (ii) the usage of orthogonal codes and (iii) the average penetration of first users.

25. The base station of claim 24, wherein the fraction is a half.

26. The base station of claim 24, wherein the orthogonal codes are Walsh codes and the quasi-orthogonal codes are quasi-orthogonal functional (QoF) Walsh codes, andthe first user devices are non-AQLIC capable mobiles and the second user devices are AQLIC capable mobiles.

27. A base station controller (130, 400) connected to at least one base station (110, 120) serving first user devices and second user devices (111,112, 121, 122) configured to extract an intended signal among a plurality of signals multiplexed over the same physical channel, the first user devices being less capable than the second user devices to cancel undesirable interferences from a signal extracted using the allocated code, the base station controller (400) comprising: an interface (410) configured to receive information about a connection request received by the at least one base station from one of the first user devices or the second user devices, to send a signal related to the at least one base station upon receiving the information, to receive an allocated orthogonal code or quasi-orthogonal code related to the at least one base station, and to transmit the allocated orthogonal code or a quasi-orthogonal code to the at least one base station for the one of the first user devices or the second user devices; anda processing unit (420) configured to receive the signal related to the at least one base station, from the interface,to determine, relative to the at least one base station, a threshold number of orthogonal codes to be reserved for allocation to first user devices, based on (i) a number of orthogonal codes currently usable for allocating, (ii) a usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) an average penetration of first users;to allocate an orthogonal code for the one of the first user devices and second user devices if a number of available orthogonal codes is larger than the threshold number;to allocate an orthogonal code for the one of the first user devices and second user devices, if the one of the first user devices and second user devices is a first user device and the number of available orthogonal codes is smaller than or equal to the threshold number;to allocate a quasi-orthogonal code for the one of the first user devices and second user devices, if the one of the first user devices and second user devices is a second user device and the number of available orthogonal codes is smaller than or equal to the threshold number, andto transmit the allocated orthogonal code or quasi-orthogonal code to the interface for being transmitted to the at least one base station.

28. The base station controller of claim 27, the processing unit being further configured to allocate orthogonal codes to control channels used by the at least one base station.

29. The base station controller of claim 27, wherein the processing unit is configured to calculate the average penetration of first user devices as a weighted average of (i) a current penetration of first user devices and (ii) a previous average penetration of first user devices,to calculate the current penetration of first user devices as a ratio between (i) a sum of a number of orthogonal codes currently used by first user devices and a number of quasi-orthogonal codes currently used by first user devices, and (ii) a total number of orthogonal codes and quasi-orthogonal codes currently used,to consider the previous average penetration of first user devices to be the average penetration of first user devices calculated when previously a first user device or a second user device has requested a connection, and if previously no first user device or second user device has previously requested a connection, to consider the average penetration of first user devices to be equal to the current penetration of first user devices,to calculate the usage of orthogonal codes as a ratio of (i) a number of orthogonal codes currently allocated to first user devices and to second user devices, and (ii) a total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, andto determine the threshold number as a sum of (a) a product of (i) a total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, (ii) a difference between 1 and the usage of the orthogonal codes, and (iii) the average penetration of first user devices, and(b) a fraction of a product of (i) the total number of orthogonal codes usable for allocation, (ii) the usage of orthogonal codes and (iii) the average penetration of first users.

30. The base station controller of claim 29, wherein the fraction is a half.

31. The base station controller of claim 27, wherein the orthogonal codes are Walsh codes and the quasi-orthogonal codes are quasi-orthogonal functional (QoF) Walsh codes, andthe first user devices are non-AQLIC capable mobiles and the second user devices are AQLIC capable mobiles.

32. The base station controller of claim 27, wherein the interface and the processing unit are configured to assist simultaneously more than one base station in allocating orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal codes.