US20060003792A1 - Controlling multiple modems in a wireless terminal using energy-per-bit determinations - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile wireless terminal (MWT) includes multiple wireless modems. The multiple modems have their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output. The multiple modems can concurrently transmit data in a reverse link direction and receive data in a forward link direction. The MWT is constrained to operate under an aggregate transmit power limit. Each of the multiple modems has an individual transmit limit related to the aggregate transmit power limit. An MWT controller controls the total number of modems that transmit data at any given time, based on an average energy-per-transmitted bit, or alternatively, individual energy-per-transmitted bits of the modems.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120
• The present Application for Patent is a Continuation and claims priority to patent application Ser. No. 10/283,935 entitled “CONTROLLING MULTIPLE MODEMS IN A WIRELESS TERMINAL USING ENERGY-PER-BIT DETERMINATIONS”filed Oct. 29, 2002, now allowed, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.
REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR PATENT
• This application is related to commonly-owned applications, entitled “Wireless Terminal Operating Under An Aggregate Transmit Power Limit Using Multiple Modems Having Fixed Individual Transmit Power Limits” having U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/283,676, filed on Oct. 29, 2002, and “Controlling Multiple Modems In A Wireless Terminal Using Dynamically Varying Modem Transmit Power Limits” having U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/283,934, filed Oct. 29, 2002, which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
• 1. Field
• The present invention relates generally to mobile wireless terminals, and particularly, to mobile wireless terminals having multiple modems which are constrained to operate under an aggregate transmit power limit for all of the modems.
• 2. Background
• In a data call established between a mobile wireless terminal (MWT) and a remote station, the MWT can transmit data to the remote station over a “reverse” communication link. Also, the MWT can receive data from the remote station over a “forward” communication link. There is an ever pressing need to increase the transmit and receive bandwidth, that is, the data rates, available over both the forward and reverse links.
• Typically, the MWT includes a transmit power amplifier to power-amplify a radio frequency (RF) input signal. The power amplifier produces an amplified, RF output signal having an output power responsive to the input power of the input signal. An inordinately high input power may over-drive the power amplifier, and thus cause the output power to exceed an acceptable operating transmit power limit of the power amplifier. In turn, this may cause undesired distortion of the RF output signal, including unacceptable out-of-band RF emissions.
• Therefore, there is a need to carefully control the input and/or output power of the transmit power amplifier in an MWT so as to avoid over-driving the power amplifier. There is a related need to control the output power as just mentioned, while minimizing to the extent possible, any reduction of the forward and reverse link bandwidth (that is, data rates).
SUMMARY
• A feature of the present invention is to provide an MWT that maximizes an overall communication bandwidth in both the reverse and forward link directions using a plurality of concurrently operating communication links, each associated with a respective one of a plurality of modulator-demodulators (modems) of the MWT.
• Another feature of the present invention is to provide an MWT that combines multiple modulator-demodulator (modem) transmit signals into an aggregate transmit signal (that is, an aggregate reverse link signal) so that a single transmit power amplifier can be used. This advantageously reduces power consumption, cost, and space requirements compared to known systems using multiple power amplifiers.
• Another feature of the present invention is to carefully control an aggregate input and/or output power of the transmit power amplifier, thereby avoiding signal distortion at the power amplifier output. A related feature is to control the aggregate input and/or output power in such a manner as to maximize bandwidth (that is, data through-put) in both the reverse and forward link directions.
• These features are achieved in several ways. First, individual transmit power limits are established in each of the plurality of modems of the wireless terminal, to limit the respective, individual modem transmit powers. Each individual transmit power limit is derived, in part, from an aggregate transmit power limit for all of the modems. Together, the individual transmit power limits collectively limit the aggregate transmit power of all of the modems.
• Second, the present invention controls the total number of modems permitted to transmit data at any given time, so as to maximize an aggregate transmit data rate of the wireless terminal while maintaining the aggregate transmit power of all of the modems below the aggregate transmit power limit. To do this, the present invention collects and/or determines modem transmit statistics corresponding to a previous transmit period or cycle of the wireless terminal. The modem transmit statistics can include individual modem transmit data rates, individual modem transmit powers, the aggregate transmit data rate of all of the modems, and an aggregate transmit power for all of the modems combined.
• The statistics are used to determine an average energy-per-transmitted bit across all of the modems, or alternatively, individual energy-per-transmitted bits for each of the modems, corresponding to the previous transmit cycle of the wireless terminal. Then, either the average or individual energy-per-transmitted-bits are used to determine a maximum number of “active” modems that can be scheduled to transmit data concurrently, and preferably at their respective maximum data rates, without exceeding the aggregate transmit power limit of the wireless terminal. This maximum number of active modems are scheduled to transmit data during the next transmit cycle of the wireless terminal. The invention repeats the process periodically, to update the maximum number of active modems over time. In this manner, the present invention attempts, proactively, to avoid “over-limit” conditions in the modems of the wireless terminal. An over-limit modem has an actual transmit power, or alternatively, a required transmit power, that exceeds the individual transmit power limit established in the modem.
• In the present invention, only active modems are scheduled to transmit data in the reverse link direction. “Inactive” modems are modems that are not scheduled to transmit data. However, in the present invention, inactive modems are able to receive data in the forward link direction, thereby maintaining a high forward link through-put in the wireless terminal, even when modems are inactive in the reverse link direction.
• The present invention is directed to an wireless terminal including a plurality (N) of wireless modems. The N modems have their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output. The N modems can concurrently transmit data in the reverse link direction and receive data in the forward link direction. The wireless terminal is constrained to operate within an aggregate transmit power limit. One aspect of the present invention is a method, comprising: scheduling a plurality, M, of active ones (that is active individual members) of the N modems to transmit payload data, where M is less than or equal to N; monitoring status reports from at least the active modems; determining, based on the status reports, whether to adjust/modify the number of active modems in order to maximize an aggregate transmit data rate of the N modems while maintaining an aggregate transmit power of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power limit; and modifying the number of active modems when it is determined that the number of active modems should be modified to maintain the aggregate transmit power level of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power level. This and further aspects of the present invention are described below.
• The step of determining can comprise determining a maximum number of active modems that can concurrently transmit data, each at a predetermined maximum data rate, while maintaining the aggregate transmit power of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power limit, and comparing the maximum number of active modems to the number M of active modems. The maximum number can be determined by determining an average energy-per-transmitted-bit across at least the M active modems and the aggregate transmit power limit. Here, the status reports being monitored indicate a respective transmit data rate for each of the N modems while determining the average energy-per-transmitted-bit can comprise determining an aggregate transmit data rate across the N modems based on their respective transmit data rates and determining the aggregate transmit power. The status reports monitored can indicate a respective transmit power for each of the N modems.
• In further aspects of the method, next active modems can be selected as the maximum number of modems having the lowest individual energy-per-transmitted-bits among the N modems, and the scheduling process is repeated using these next active modems. The number of active modems can be increased to the maximum number when the maximum number is greater than M, and decreased to the maximum number when the maximum number is less than M.
• The method can include activating a selected, previously inactive one of the N modems, thereby increasing the number of active modems, and increasing the respective transmit power limit in the selected one of the N modems. Alternatively, a selected, previously active one of the N modems, is deselected thereby decreasing the number of active modems; and the respective transmit power limit in the selected one of the N modems is decreased. Each of the N modems is adapted to transmit data at at least one of a maximum transmit data rate and a minimum transmit data rate; and the maximum number of active modems is based on the minimum and maximum transmit data rates as well as the average energy-per-transmitted-bit and the aggregate transmit power limit.
• The N modems can be sorted according to their respective individual energy-per-transmitted-bits and scheduling includes using the maximum number of active modems having the lowest individual energy-per-transmitted-bits among the N modems.
• The invention also includes a method of dynamically calibrating a data terminal including N wireless modems having their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output, the method comprising scheduling each of the N modems to concurrently transmit respective data; receiving respective reported transmit powers P_Rep(i) from the N modems corresponding to when the N modems concurrently transmit, where i designates a respective modem from 1 to N; measuring an aggregate transmit power P_Aggcorresponding to when the N modems concurrently transmit; generating an equation representing the aggregate transmit power as a cumulative function of each reported transmit power P_Rep(i) and a corresponding, undetermined, modem dependent gain factor g(i); repeating these steps N times to generate N simultaneous equations; and determining all of the modem dependent gain factors from the N simultaneous equations. Furthermore these steps can be periodically repeated so that the modem dependent gain factors are updated periodically.
• In further aspects of the invention, a wireless terminal is provided which is constrained to operate under an aggregate transmit power limit, having N wireless modems with their respective transmit outputs combined together to produce an aggregate transmit output. The terminal comprises means for scheduling a plurality, M, of active ones of the N modems to transmit payload data, where M is less than or equal to N; means for monitoring status reports from at least the active modems; means for determining, based on the status reports, whether to modify the number of active modems in order to maximize an aggregate transmit data rate of the N modems while maintaining an aggregate transmit power of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power limit; and means for modifying the number of active modems when it is determined the number should be modified to maintain the aggregate transmit power level at or below the aggregate transmit power level.
• The determining means in the wireless terminal may comprise means for determining a maximum number of active modems that can concurrently transmit data, each at a predetermined maximum data rate, while maintaining the aggregate transmit power of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power limit, and means for comparing the maximum number of active modems to the number M of active modems.
• In further embodiments, the means for determining the maximum number comprises means for determining an average energy-per-transmitted-bit across at least the M active modems or an individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for each of the N modems, and means for determining the maximum number of active modems based on the average or individual energy-per-transmitted-bits, respectively, and the aggregate transmit power limit. The monitored status reports indicate a respective transmit data rate or transmit power for each of the N modems. The means for determining the average energy-per-transmitted-bit comprises means for determining an aggregate transmit data rate across the N modems based on their respective transmit data rates, means for determining the aggregate transmit power, and means for determining the average energy-per-transmitted-bit based on the aggregate transmit data rate and the aggregate transmit power.
• The wireless terminal may include means for selecting as next active modems the maximum number of modems having the lowest individual energy-per-transmitted-bits among the N modems. The modifying means can comprise means for increasing the number of active modems to the maximum number when the maximum number is greater than M, or means for decreasing the number of active modems to the maximum number when the maximum number is less than M. The modifying means can include means for activating a selected, previously inactive one of the N modems, thereby increasing the number of active modems, and means for increasing the respective transmit power limit in the selected one of the N modems. The modifying means can comprise means for deactivating a selected, previously active one of the N modems, thereby decreasing the number of active modems; and decreasing the respective transmit power limit in the selected one of the N modems.
• In further aspects, each of the N modems is adapted to transmit data at at least one of a maximum transmit data rate and a minimum transmit data rate, and the means for determining the maximum number comprises determining the maximum number based on the minimum and maximum transmit data rates as well as the average energy-per-transmitted-bit and the aggregate transmit power limit.
• A wireless terminal constrained to operate within an aggregate transmit power limit, having N wireless modems with their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output, comprising means for determining an individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for each of the N modems that was previously transmitting, means for determining, based on individual energy-per-transmitted-bits and the aggregate transmit power limit, a maximum number of active modems that can concurrently transmit data at a maximum data rate without exceeding the aggregate transmit power limit, and means for scheduling the maximum number of active modems to transmit data.
• In further aspects the wireless terminal further comprises means for sorting the N modems according to their respective individual energy-per-transmitted-bits, while the means for scheduling comprises means for scheduling the maximum number of active modems having the lowest individual energy-per-transmitted-bits among the N modems. The wireless terminal further comprises means for monitoring status reports from at least the active modems, which collectively include a transmit power estimate of each active modem, wherein the means for determining the individual energy-per-transmitted-bits comprises means for determining, from each transmit power estimate, the corresponding individual energy-per-transmitted-bit.
• Apparatus for dynamically calibrating a wireless terminal including N wireless modems having their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output. The apparatus comprises means for scheduling each of the N modems to concurrently transmit respective data, means for receiving respective reported transmit powers P_Rep(i) from the N modems, a power meter, coupled to the aggregate transmit output, for measuring an aggregate transmit power P_Aggof the N modems, means for generating a representation of the aggregate transmit power as a cumulative function of each reported transmit power P_Rep(i) and a corresponding, undetermined, modem dependent gain factor g(i), wherein the scheduling means, the receiving means, the power meter, and the generating means repeat their respective functions N times to generate N simultaneous equations, and means for determining all of the modem dependent gain factors from the N simultaneous equations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify the same or similar elements throughout and wherein:
• FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example wireless communication system.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example mobile wireless terminal.
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example modem representative of individual modems of the mobile wireless terminal ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example data frame that may be transmitted or received by any one of the modems ofFIGS. 2 and 3.
• FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example status report from the modems ofFIGS. 2 and 3.
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example method performed by each of the modems ofFIGS. 2 and 3.
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method performed by the mobile wireless terminal.
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart expanding on the method ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart expanding on the method ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 10 is a flowchart of another example method performed by the mobile wireless terminal.
• FIG. 11 is an example plot of Power versus Modem index(i) identifying respective ones of the modems ofFIG. 2, wherein uniform modem transmit power limits are depicted.FIG. 11 also represents an example transmit scenario of the mobile wireless terminal ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 12 is another example transmit scenario similar toFIG. 11.
• FIG. 13 is an illustration of an alternative, tapered arrangement for the modem transmit power limits.
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example method of calibrating modems in the mobile wireless terminal ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an example method of operating the mobile wireless terminal, using dynamically updated individual modem transmit power limits.
• FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an example method expanding on the method ofFIG. 15.
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an example method of determining a maximum number of active modems using an average energy-per-transmitted-bit of the modems.
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an example method of determining a maximum number of active modems, using an individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for each of the modems.
• FIG. 19 is a graphical representation of different modem transmit limit arrangements.
• FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of an example controller of the mobile wireless terminal ofFIG. 2, for performing the methods of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• A variety of multiple access communication systems and techniques have been developed for transferring information among a large number of system users. However, spread spectrum modulation techniques, such as those used in code division multiple access (CDMA) communication systems provide significant advantages over other modulation schemes, especially when providing service for a large number of communication system users. Such techniques are disclosed in the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307, which issued Feb. 13, 1990 under the title “Spread Spectrum Multiple Access Communication System Using Satellite or Terrestrial Repeaters” to Gilhousen et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,974, which issued Nov. 25, 1997, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Using Full Spectrum Transmitted Power in a Spread Spectrum Communication System for Tracking Individual Recipient Phase Time and Energy” to Carter et al., both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
• The method for providing CDMA mobile communications was standardized in the United States by the Telecommunications Industry Association in TIA/EIA/IS-95-A entitled “Mobile Station-Base Station Compatibility Standard for Dual-Mode Wideband Spread Spectrum Cellular System,” referred to herein as IS-95. Other communications systems are described in other standards such as the IMT-2000/UM, or InternationalMobile Telecommunications System 2000/Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, standards covering what are referred to as wideband CDMA (WCDMA), cdma2000 (such ascdma2000 1× or 3× standards, for example) or TD-SCDMA.
• I. Example Communication Environment
• FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary wireless communication system (WCS)100 that includes abase station112, twosatellites116aand116b,and two associated gateways (also referred to herein as hubs)120aand120b.These elements engage in wireless communications withuser terminals124a,124b,and124c.Typically, base stations and satellites/gateways are components of distinct terrestrial and satellite based communication systems. However, these distinct systems may inter-operate as an overall communications infrastructure.
• AlthoughFIG. 1 illustrates asingle base station112, two satellites116, and two gateways120, any number of these elements may be employed to achieve a desired communications capacity and geographic scope. For example, an exemplary implementation ofWCS100 includes 48 or more satellites, traveling in eight different orbital planes in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to service a large number of user terminals124.
• The terms base station and gateway are also sometimes used interchangeably, each being a fixed central communication station, with gateways, such as gateways120, being perceived in the art as highly specialized base stations that direct communications through satellite repeaters while base stations (also sometimes referred to as cell-sites), such asbase station112, use terrestrial antennas to direct communications within surrounding geographical regions.
• In this example, user terminals124 each have or include apparatus or a wireless communication device such as, but not limited to, a cellular telephone, wireless handset, a data transceiver, or a paging or position determination receiver. Furthermore each of user terminals124 can be hand-held, portable as in vehicle-mounted (including for example cars, trucks, boats, trains, and planes), or fixed, as desired. For example,FIG. 1 illustratesuser terminal124aas a fixed telephone or data transceiver,user terminal124bas a hand-held device, anduser terminal124cas a portable vehicle-mounted device. Wireless communication devices are also sometimes referred to as mobile wireless terminals, user terminals, mobile wireless communication devices, subscriber units, mobile units, mobile stations, mobile radios, or simply “users,” “mobiles,” “terminals,” or “subscribers” in some communication systems, depending on preference.
• User terminals124 engage in wireless communications with other elements inWCS100 through CDMA communications systems. However, the present invention may be employed in systems that employ other communications techniques, such as time division multiple access (TDMA), and frequency division multiple access (FDMA), or other waveforms or techniques listed above (WCDMA, CDMA2000 . . . ).
• Generally, beams from a beam source, such asbase station112 or satellites116, cover different geographical areas in predefined patterns. Beams at different frequencies, also referred to as CDMA channels, frequency division multiplexed (FDM) channels, or “sub-beams,” can be directed to overlap the same region. It is also readily understood by those skilled in the art that beam coverage or service areas for multiple satellites, or antenna patterns for multiple base stations, might be designed to overlap completely or partially in a given region depending on the communication system design and the type of service being offered, and whether space diversity is being achieved.
• FIG. 1 illustrates several exemplary signal paths. For example, communication links130a-cprovide for the exchange of signals betweenbase station112 and user terminals124. Similarly, communications links138a-dprovide for the exchange of signals between satellites116 and user terminals124. Communications between satellites116 and gateways120 are facilitated by communications links146a-d.
• User terminals124 are capable of engaging in bi-directional communications withbase station112 and/or satellites116. As such, communications links130 and138 each include a forward link and a reverse link. A forward link conveys information signals to user terminals124. For terrestrial-based communications inWCS100, a forward link conveys information signals frombase station112 to a user terminal124 across a link130. A satellite-based forward link in the context ofWCS100 conveys information from a gateway120 to a satellite116 over a link146 and from the satellite116 to a user terminal124 over a link138. Thus, terrestrial-based forward links typically involve a single wireless signal path between the user terminal and base station, while satellite-based links typically involve two, or more, wireless signal paths between the user terminal and a gateway through at least one satellite (ignoring multipath).
• In the context ofWCS100, a reverse link conveys information signals from a user terminal124 to either abase station112 or a gateway120. Similar to forward links inWCS100, reverse links typically require a single wireless signal path for terrestrial-based communications and two wireless signal paths for satellite-based communications.WCS100 may feature different communications offerings across these forward links, such as low data rate (LDR) and high data rate (HDR) services. An exemplary LDR service provides forward links having data rates from 3 kilobits per second (kbps) to 9.6 kbps, while an exemplary HDR service supports typical data rates as high as 604 kbps and higher.
• As described above,WCS100 performs wireless communications according to CDMA techniques. Thus, signals transmitted across the forward and reverse links of links130,138, and146 convey signals that are encoded, spread, and channelized according to CDMA transmission standards. In addition, block interleaving can be employed for these forward and reverse links. These blocks are transmitted in frames having a predetermined duration, such as 20 milliseconds.
• Base station112, satellites116, and gateways120 may adjust the power of the signals that they transmit over the forward links ofWCS100. This power (referred to herein as forward link transmit power) may be varied according to user terminal124 and according to time. This time varying feature may be employed on a frame-by-frame basis. Such power adjustments are performed to maintain forward link bit error rates (BER) within specific requirements, reduce interference, and conserve transmission power.
• User terminals124 may adjust the power of the signals that they transmit over the reverse links ofWCS100, under the control of gateways120 orbase stations112. This power (referred to herein as reverse link transmit power) may be varied according to user terminal124 and according to time. This time varying feature may be employed on a frame-by-frame basis. Such power adjustments are performed to maintain reverse link bit error rates (BER) within specific requirements, reduce interference, and conserve transmission power.
• Examples of techniques for exercising power control in CDMA communication systems are found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,219 issued Jan. 17, 1995, entitled “Fast Forward Link Power Control In A Code Division Multiple Access System” to Padovani et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,516 issued Mar. 7, 1995, entitled “Method And System For The Dynamic Modification Of Control Parameters In A Transmitter Power Control System” to Padovani et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,109 issued Oct. 8, 1991, entitled “Method and Apparatus For Controlling Transmission Power In A CDMA Cellular Mobile Telephone System” to Gilhousen et al., which are incorporated herein by reference.
• II. Mobile Wireless Terminal
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of anexample MWT206 constructed and operated in accordance with the principles of the present invention.MWT206 communicates wirelessly with a base station or gateway (referred to as a remote station), not shown inFIG. 2. Also,MWT206 may communicate with a user terminal.MWT206 receives data from external data sources/sinks, such as a data network, data terminals, and the like, over acommunication link210, such as an Ethernet link, for example. Also,MWT206 sends data to the external data sources/sinks overcommunication link210.
• MWT206 includes anantenna208 for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the remote station.MWT206 includes a controller (that is, one or more controllers)214 coupled tocommunication link210.Controller214 exchanges data with a memory/storage unit215, and interfaces with atimer217.Controller214 provides data-to-be-transmitted to, and receives data from, a plurality of wireless modems216a-216nover a plurality of corresponding bi-directional data links218a-218nbetweencontroller214 and modems216. Data links218 may be serial data connections. The number N of modems that may be used can be one of several values, as desired, depending on known design issues such as complexity, cost, and so forth. In an example implementation, N=16.
• Wireless modems216a-216nprovide RF signals222a_T-222n_Tto and receive RF signals222a_R-222n_Rfrom a power combiner/splitter assembly220, over a plurality of bi-directional RF connections/cables between the modems and the power combiner/splitter assembly220 (hereinafter “assembly220”). In a transmit (that is, reverse link) direction, a power combiner included inassembly220 combines together the RF signals received from all of modems216, and provides a combined (that is, aggregate) RF transmitsignal226 to a transmitpower amplifier228. Transmitpower amplifier228 provides an amplified, aggregate RF transmitsignal230 to aduplexer232.
• Duplexer232 provides the amplified, aggregate RF transmit signal toantenna208. InMWT206, duplexing may be achieved by means other thanduplexer232, such as using separate transmit and receive antennas. Also, apower monitor234, coupled to an output ofpower amplifier228, monitors a power level of amplified, aggregate transmitsignal230.Power monitor234 provides asignal236 indicating the power level of amplified, aggregate transmitsignal230 tocontroller214. In an alternative arrangement ofMWT206, power monitor234 measures the power level ofaggregate signal226 at the input to transmitamplifier228. In this alternative arrangement, the aggregate transmit power limit ofMWT206 is specified at the input to transmitamplifier228 instead of at its output, and the methods of the present invention, described below, take this into account.
• In a receive (that is, forward link) direction,antenna208 provides a received signal toduplexer232.Duplexer232 routes the received signal to a receiveamplifier240. Receiveamplifier240 provides an amplified received signal toassembly220. A power splitter included inassembly220 divides the amplified received signal into a plurality of separate received signals and provides each separate signal to a respective one of the modems216.
• MWT206 communicates with the remote station over a plurality of wireless CDMA communication links250a-250nestablished betweenMWT206 and the remote station. Each of the communication links250 is associated with a respective one of modems216. Wireless communication links250a-250ncan operate concurrently with one another. Each of wireless communication links250 supports wireless traffic channels for carrying data betweenMWT206 and the remote station in both forward and reverse link directions. The plurality of wireless communication channels250 form part of anair interface252 betweenMWT206 and the remote station.
• In the present embodiment,MWT206 is constrained to operate under an aggregate transmit power limit (APL) at the output of transmitamplifier228. In other words,MWT206 is required to limit the transmit power ofsignal230 to a level that is preferably below the aggregate transmit power limit. All of modems216, when transmitting, contribute to the aggregate transmit power ofsignal230. Accordingly, the present invention includes techniques to control the transmit powers of modems216, and thereby cause the aggregate transmit power of modems216, as manifested in transmitsignal230, to be under the aggregate transmit power limit.
• Over-driving transmitamplifier228 causes the power level ofsignal230 to exceed the aggregate transmit power limit. Therefore, the present invention establishes individual transmit power limits (also referred to as transmit limits) for each of modems216. The individual transmit power limits are related to the aggregate transmit power limit in such a way as to prevent modems216 from collectively over-driving transmitamplifier228. During operation ofMWT206, the present invention controls a maximum number of active modems that can concurrently transmit data at any given time so as to maximize the aggregate transmit data rate of the MWT, while maintaining the aggregate transmit power of all of modems216 at or below the aggregate transmit power limit. The present invention uses proactive techniques to avoid over-limit conditions in modems216. Further aspects of the present invention are described below.
• AlthoughMWT206 is referred to as being mobile, it is to be understood that the MWT is not limited to a mobile platform, or portable platforms. For example,MWT206 may reside in a fixed base station or gateway.MWT206 may also reside in a fixeduser terminal124a.
• III. Modem
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of anexample modem300 representative of each of modems216.Modem300 operates in accordance with CDMA principles.Modem300 includes adata interface302, acontroller304, amemory306, a modem signal processor ormodule308, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) or ASICs, an intermediate frequency IF/RF subsystem310, and anoptional power monitor312, all coupled to one another over adata bus314. In some systems, the modems do not comprise transmit and receive processors coupled in pairs as in a more traditional modem structure, but may use an array of transmitters and receivers or modulators and demodulators which are interconnected, as desired, to handle user communications, and one or more signals, or otherwise time shared among users.
• In the transmit direction,controller304 receives data-to-be-transmitted fromcontroller214 overdata connection218i(where “i” indicates any one of the modems216a-216n), and throughinterface302.Controller304 provides the data-to-be-transmitted tomodem processor308. A transmit (Tx)processor312 ofmodem processor308 encodes and modulates the data-to-be-transmitted, and packages the data into data frames that are to be transmitted. Transmitprocessor312 provides asignal314 including the data frames to IF/RF subsystem310.Subsystem310 frequency up-converts and amplifies signal314, and provides a resulting frequency up-converted, amplifiedsignal222i_Tto power combiner/splitter assembly220.Optional power meter320 monitors a power level ofsignal222i_T(that is, the actual transmit power at whichmodem300 transmits the above-mentioned data frames). Alternatively,modem300 can determine the modem transmit power based on gain/attenuator settings of IF/RF subsystem310 and the data rate at whichmodem300 transmits the data frames.
• In the receive direction, IF/RF subsystem310 receives a receivedsignal222i_Rfrom power combiner/splitter assembly220, frequency down-converts signal222i_Rand provides the resulting frequency down-convertedsignal316, including received data frames, to a receive (Rx)processor318 ofmodem processor308. Receiveprocessor318 extracts data from the data frames, and thencontroller304 provides the extracted data tocontroller214, usinginterface302 anddata connection218i.
• Modems216 each transmit and receive data frames in the manner described above and further below.FIG. 4 is an illustration of anexample data frame400 that may be transmitted or received by any one of modems216.Data frame400 includes a control oroverhead field402 and apayload field404.Fields402 and404 include data bits used to transfer either control information (402) or payload data (404).Control field402 includes control and header information used in managing a communication link established between a respective one of modems216 and the remote station.Payload field404 includes payload data (bits406), for example, data-to-be-transmitted betweencontroller214 and the remote station during a data call (that is, over the communication link established between the modem and the remote station). For example, data received fromcontroller214, over data link218i,is packaged intopayload field404.
• Data frame400 has a duration T, such as 20 milliseconds, for example. The payload data inpayload field404 is conveyed at one of a plurality of data rates, including a maximum or full-rate (for example, 9600 bits-per-second (bps)), a half-rate (for example, 4800 bps), a quarter-rate (for example, 2400 bps), or an eighth-rate (for example, 1200 bps). Each of the modems216 attempts to transmit data at the full-rate (that is, at a maximum data rate). However, an over-limit modem rate-limits, whereby the modem reduces its transmit data rate from the maximum rate to a lower rate, as will be discussed below. Also, each of the modems216 may transmit a data frame (for example, data frame400) without payload data. This is referred to as a zero-rate data frame.
• In one modem arrangement, each of thedata bits406 within a frame carries a constant amount of energy, regardless of the transmit data rate. That is, within a frame, the energy-per-bit, E_b, is constant for all of the different data rates. In this modem arrangement, each data frame corresponds to an instantaneous modem transmit power that is proportional to the data rate at which the data frame is transmitted. Therefore, the lower the data rate, the lower the modem transmit power.
• Each of the modems216 provides status reports tocontroller214 over respective data connections218.FIG. 5 is an illustration of anexample status report500.Status report500 includes a modemdata rate field502, a modem transmitpower field504, and an optional over-limit (also referred to as a rate-limiting)indicator field506. Each modem reports the data rate of the last transmitted data frame infield502, and the transmit power of the last transmitted data frame infield504. In addition, each modem can optionally report whether it is in a rate-limiting condition infield506.
• In another alternative modem arrangement, the modem can provide status signals indicating the over-limit/rate-limiting condition, the transmit power, and transmit data rate of the modem.
• IV. Example Method
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example method orprocess600 representative of an operation ofmodem300, and thus, of each of modems216.Method600 assumes a data call has been established between a modem (for example,modem216a) and the remote station. That is, a communication link including a forward link and a reverse link has been established between the modem and the remote station.
• At afirst step602, a transmit power limit P_Lis established in the modem (for example, inmodem216a).
• At anext step604, the modem receives a power control command from the remote station over the forward link indicating a requested transmit power P_Rat which the modem is to transmit data frames in the reverse link direction. This command may be in the form of an incremental power increase or decrease command.
• At adecision step606, the modem determines whether any payload data has been received fromcontroller214, that is, whether or not there is any payload data to transmit to the remote station. If not, processing of the method proceeds to anext step608. Atstep608, the modem transmits a data frame at the zero-rate, that is, without payload data. The zero-rate data frame may include control/overhead information used to maintain the communication link/data call, for example. The zero-rate data frame corresponds to a minimum transmit power of the modem.
• On the other hand, if there is payload data to transmit, then processing (control) proceeds fromstep606 to anext step610. Atstep610, the modem determines whether or not it is not over-limit, that is, whether the modem is under-limit. In one arrangement, determining whether the modem is under-limit includes determining whether the requested transmit power P_Ris less than the transmit power limit P_L. In this arrangement, the modem is considered over-limit when the requested transmit power P_Ris greater than or equal to P_L. In an alternative arrangement, determining whether or not the modem is under-limit includes determining whether an actual transmit power P_Tof the modem is less than the transmit power limit P_L. In this arrangement, the modem is considered over-limit when P_Tis greater than or equal P_L. The modem may usepower meter320 in determining whether its transmit power P_T, for example, the transmit power ofsignal222i_T, is less than the transmit power limit P_L.
• While the modem is not-over limit, the modem transmits a data frame, including payload data and control information, at a maximum data rate (for example, the full-rate) and at a transmit power level P_Tthat is in accordance with the requested transmit power P_R. In other words, the modem transmit power P_Ttracks the requested transmit power P_R.
• When P_Tor P_Ris equal to or greater than P_L, the modem is over-limit, and thus rate-limits from a current rate (for example, the full-rate) to a lower transmit data rate (for example, to the half-rate, quarter-rate, eighth-rate or even the zero-rate), thereby reducing the transmit power P_Tof the modem relative to when the modem was transmitting at the full-rate. Therefore, rate-limiting in response to either of the over-limit conditions described above is a form of modem self power-limiting, whereby the modem maintains its transmit power P_Tbelow the transmit power limit P_L. Also, the over-limit/rate-limiting condition, as reported instatus report500, indicates tocontroller214 that the requested power P_R, or the actual transmit power P_Tin the alternative arrangement, is greater than or equal to the transmit power limit P_L. It should be appreciated that while the modem may be operating at the zero-rate in the transmit (that is, reverse link) direction, because it either is rate-limiting (for example, in step610) or has no payload data to transmit (step608), it may still receive full-rate data frames in the receive (that is, forward link) direction.
• Although it can be advantageous for the modem to self rate-limit in response to the over-limit condition, an alternative arrangement of the modem does not rate-limit in this manner. Instead, the modem reports the over-limit condition tocontroller214, and then waits for the controller to impose rate-limiting adjustments. A preferred arrangement uses both approaches. That is, the modem self rate-limits in response to the over-limit condition, and the modem reports the over-limit condition tocontroller214, and in response, the controller imposes rate-limiting adjustments on the modem.
• After bothstep608 and step610, the modem generates a status report (for example, status report500) at astep612, and provides the report tocontroller214 over a respective one of data links218.
• V. Fixed Transmit Power Limit Embodiments
• FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method performed byMWT206, in accordance with the present embodiments.Method700 includes an initializingstep702. Step702 includesfurther steps704,706, and708. Atstep704,controller214 establishes an individual transmit power limit P_Lin each of modems216. The transmit power limits are fixed over time inmethod700.
• Atstep706,controller214 establishes a data call over each of modems216. In other words, a communication link, including both forward and reverse links, is established between each of the modems216 and the remote station. The communication links operate concurrently with one another. In an exemplary arrangement of the present invention, the communication links are CDMA based communication links.
• In the embodiments, a modem may be designated as an active modem or as an inactive modem.Controller214 can schedule active modems, but not inactive modems, to transmit payload data.Controller214 maintains a list identifying currently active modems. At astep708,controller214 initially designates all of the modems as being active, by adding each of the modems to the active list, for example.
• At anext step710, assumingcontroller214 has received data that needs to be transmitted to the remote station,controller214 schedules each of the active modems to transmit payload data. In a first past throughstep710, all of modems216 are active (from step708). However, in subsequent passes throughstep710, some of modems216 may be inactive, as will be described below.
• Controller214 maintains a queue of data-to-be-transmitted for each of the active modems, and supplies each data queue with data received from the external data sources overlink210.Controller214 provides data from each data queue to the respective active modem.Controller214 executes data-loading algorithms to ensure the respective data queues are generally, relatively evenly loaded, so that each active modem is concurrently provided with data-to-be-transmitted. Aftercontroller214 provides data to each modem, each modem in turn attempts to transmit the data in data frames at the full-rate and in accordance with the respective requested transmit power P_R, as described above in connection withFIG. 6.
• Atstep710,controller214 also de-schedules inactive modems by diverting data-to-be-transmitted away from such inactive modems and toward the active modems. However, there are no inactive modems in the first pass throughstep710, since all of the modems are initially active afterstep708, as mentioned above.
• At anext step712,controller214 monitors the modem status reports from all of the inactive and active modems.
• At anext step714,controller214 determines whether any of the modems216 are over-limit, and thus rate-limiting, based on the modem status reports. Ifcontroller214 determines that one or more (that is, at least one) of the modems are over-limit, thencontroller214 deactivates only these over-limit modems, at astep716. For example,controller214 can deactivate an over-limit modem by removing it from the active list.
• If none of the modems are determined to be over-limit atstep714, the method or processing proceeds to astep718. Processing also proceeds to step718 after any over-limit modems are deactivated instep716. Atstep718,controller214 determines whether or not any of the modems previously deactivated atstep716 need to be activated (that is, reactivated). Several techniques for determining whether modems should be activated are discussed below. If the answer atstep718 is yes (modems need to be reactivated), then processing proceeds to astep720, andcontroller214 activates the previously deactivated modems that need to be activated, for example, by reinstating the modems on the active list.
• If none of the previously deactivated modems need to be activated, then processing proceeds fromstep718 back to step710. Also, processing proceeds fromstep720 to step710.Steps710 through720 are repeated over time, whereby over-limit ones of modems216 are deactivated atstep716 and then reactivated atstep718 as appropriate, and correspondingly de-scheduled and re-scheduled atstep710.
• When an over-limit modem is deactivated at step716 (that is, becomes inactive), and remains deactivated throughstep718, the modem will be de-scheduled in the next pass throughstep710. In other words,controller214 will no longer provide data to the deactivated modem. Instead,controller214 will divert data to active modems. If it is assumed that the data call associated with the deactivated modem has not been torn-down (that is, terminated), then de-scheduling the modem atstep710 will cause the deactivated modem to have no payload data to transmit, and will thus cause the modem to operate at the zero-rate and at a corresponding minimum transmit power level on the reverse link (seesteps606 and608, described above in connection withFIG. 6). This keeps the data call alive or active on the deactivated/descheduled modem, so the modem can still receive full-rate data frames on the forward link. When a data call associated with a modem is torn-down, that is, terminated or ended, the modem stops transmitting and receiving data altogether.
• Deactivating the over-limit modem atstep716 ultimately causes the modem to reduce its transmit data rate and corresponding transmit power in the reverse link direction. In this manner,controller214 individually controls the modem transmit power limits (and thus modem transmit powers), and as a result, can maintain the aggregate transmit power ofsignal230 at a level below the aggregate transmit power limit ofMWT206.
• Alternative arrangements ofmethod700 are possible. As described above, deactivatingstep716 includes deactivating an over-limit modem by designating the modem as inactive, for example, by removing the modem from the active list. Conversely, activatingstep720 includes reinstating the deactivated modem to the active list. In an alternative arrangement ofmethod700, deactivatingstep716 further includes tearing-down (that is, terminating) the data call (that is, the communication link) associated with the over-limit modem. Also, in this alternative arrangement, activatingstep720 further includes establishing another data call over the previously deactivated modem, so that the modem can begin to transmit data to and receive data from the remote station.
• In another alternative arrangement ofmethod700, deactivatingstep716 further includes deactivating all of the modems, whether over-limit or not over-limit, when any one of the over-limit modems is detected atstep714. In this arrangement, deactivating the modems may include designating all of the modems as inactive, and may further include tearing-down all of the data calls associated with the modems.
• FIG. 8 is a flowchart expanding on transmitlimit establishing step704 ofmethod700. At afirst step802,controller214 derives the transmit power limit for each of modems216. For example,controller214 may calculate the transmit power limits, or simply access predetermined limits stored in a memory look-up table. At anext step804,controller214 provides each of the modems216 with a respective one of the transmit power limits, and in response, the modems store their respective transmit power limits in their respective memories.
• FIG. 9 is a flowchart expanding on determiningstep718 ofmethod700.Controller214 monitors (atstep712, for example) the respective reported transmit powers of the deactivated/inactive modems that are transmitting at the zero-rate. At astep902,controller214 derives, from the reported modem transmit powers, respective extrapolated modem transmit powers representative of when the modems transmit at the maximum transmit data rate.
• At anext step904,controller214 determines whether each extrapolated transmit power is less than the respective modem transmit power limit P_L. If yes, then processing proceeds to step720 where the respective modem is activated, because it is likely the modem will not exceed the power limit. If not, the modem remains deactivated, and the method proceeds back tostep710.
• FIG. 10 is a flowchart of anotherexample method1000 performed byMWT206.Method1000 includes many of the method steps described previously in connection withFIG. 7, and such method steps will not be described again. However,method1000 includes anew step1004 followingstep716, and a corresponding determiningstep1006. Atstep1004,controller214 initiates an activation timeout period (for example, using timer217) corresponding to each modem deactivated atstep716. Alternatively,controller214 can schedule a future activation time/event corresponding to each modem deactivated instep716.
• At determiningstep1006,controller214 determines whether it is time to activate any of the previously deactivated modems. For example,controller214 determines whether any of the activation timeout periods have expired, thereby indicating it is time to activate the corresponding deactivated modem. Alternatively,controller214 determines whether the activation time/event scheduled atstep1004 has arrived.
• Alternative arrangements ofmethod1000, similar to the alternative arrangements discussed above in connection withmethod700, are also envisioned.
• VI. Fixed Transmit Power Limit Arrangements
• 1. Uniform Limits
• In one fixed limit arrangement, a uniform set of fixed transmit power limits is established across all of modems216. That is, each modem has the same transmit power limit as each of the other modems.FIG. 11 is an example plot of Power versus Modem index(i) identifying respective ones of the modems216, wherein uniform, modem transmit power limits P_Liare depicted. As depicted inFIG. 11, modem(1) corresponds to power limit P_L1, modem(2) corresponds to power limit P_L2, and so on.
• In one arrangement of uniform limits, each transmit power limit P_Lis equal to the aggregate transmit power limit APL divided by the total number N of modems216. Under this arrangement of uniform limits, when all of the modems have respective transmit powers equal to their respective transmit power limits, the aggregate transmit power for all of the modems will just meet, and not exceed, the APL. An example APL in the present invention is approximately 10 or 11 decibel-Watts (dBW).
• FIG. 11 also represents an example transmit scenario forMWT206. Depicted inFIG. 11 are representative, requested modem transmit powers P_R1and P_R2corresponding to modem(1) and modem(2). The example transmit scenario depicted inFIG. 11 corresponds to the scenario in which all of the requested modem transmit powers are below the respective, uniform transmit power limits. In this situation, none of the modems are over-limit, and thus rate-limiting.
• FIG. 12 is another example transmit scenario similar toFIG. 11, except that modem(2) has a requested power P_R2exceeding respective transmit power limit P_L2. Therefore, modem(2) is over-limit, and thus rate-limiting. Since modem(2) is over-limit,controller214 deactivates modem(2) in accordance withmethod700 ormethod1000, thereby causing modem(2) to transmit at a zero-data rate, and at a correspondingly reduced transmitpower level1202.
• 2. Tapered Limits
• FIG. 13 is an illustration of an alternative, tapered arrangement for the fixed modem transmit power limits. As depicted, the tapered arrangement includes progressively decreasing transmit power limits P_Liin respective successive ones of the N modems, where i=1 . . . N. For example, transmit power limit P_L1for modem(l) is less than transmit power limit P_L2for modem(2), which is less than transmit power limit P_L3, and so on down the line.
• In one tapered arrangement, each of the transmit power limits P_Liis equal to the APL divided by the total number of modems having transmit power limits greater than or equal to P_Li. For example, transmit power limit P_L5is equal to the APL divided by five (5), which is the number of modems having transmit power limits greater than or equal to P_L5. In another tapered arrangement, each transmit power limit P_Liis equal to the transmit power limit mentioned above (that is, the APL divided by the total number of modems having transmit power limits greater than or equal to P_Li) less a predetermined amount, such as one, two or even three decibels (dB). This permits a safety margin in the event that the modems tend to transmit at an actual transmit power level that is slightly higher than the respective transmit power limits, before they are deactivated.
• Assume a transmit scenario where all of the modems transmit at approximately the same power, and all of the transmit powers are increasing over time. Under the tapered arrangement, modem(N) rate-limits first, modem(N-1) rate limits next, modem(N-2) rate-limits third, and so on. In response,controller214 deactivates/deschedules modem(N) first, modem(N-1) second, modem(N-3) third, and so on.
• VII. Modem Calibration—Determining Gain Factors g(i)
• As described above in connection withFIG. 2, each modem216igenerates a transmitsignal222i_Thaving a respective transmit power level. Also, each modem216igenerates a status report including a modem transmit power estimate P_Rep(i) of the respective transmit power level. Each modem transmitsignal222i_Ttraverses a respective transmit path frommodem222ito the output of transmitamplifier228. The respective transmit path includes RF connections, such as cables and connectors, power combiner/splitter assembly220, and transmitamplifier228. Therefore, transmitsignal222i_Texperiences a respective net power gain or loss g(i) along the respective transmit path. An example gain for the above-mentioned transmit path is approximately 29 dB.
• Accordingly, the gain or loss g(i) of the respective transmit path may cause the power level of respective transmitsignal222i_Tat the output ofmodem222ito be different from the transmit power level at the output of transmitamplifier228. Therefore, the respective modem transmit power estimate P_Rep(i) may not accurately represent the respective transmit power at the output of transmitamplifier228. A more accurate estimate P_O(i) of the transmit power at the output of transmit amplifier228 (due tomodem222i), is the reported power P_Rep(i) adjusted by the corresponding gain/loss amount g(i). Therefore, g(i) is referred to as a modem dependent gain correction factor g(i), or the modem gain factor g(i) formodem222i.
• When reported modem transmit power estimate P_Rep(i) and modem gain correction factor g(i) both represent power terms (as expressed in decibels or Watts, for example), the corrected transmit power estimate P_O(i) is given by:
  P_O(i)=g(i)+P_Rep(i).
• Alternatively, when reported transmit power estimate P_Rep(i) and modem gain correction factor g(i), in Watts, for example, the transmit power P_O(i) is given by:
  P_O(i)=g(i)P_Rep(i).
• It is useful to be able to calibrateMWT206 dynamically, to determine the gain correction factors g(i) corresponding to all of the N modems. Once the factors g(i) are determined, they can be used to calculate more accurate individual and aggregate modem transmit power estimates from the modem transmit power reports.
• FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example method of calibrating modems216 inMWT206. At afirst step1405,controller214 schedules all N modems216 to transmit data, so as to cause all of the modems to transmit data, concurrently.
• At anext step1410,controller214 collects status reports500, including respective reported transmit powers P_Rep(i), where i represents modem i, and i=1 . . . N.
• At anext step1420,controller214 receives an aggregate transmit power measurement P_Aggfor all of the N modems, for example, as determined by transmitpower monitor234.
• At anext step1425,controller214 generates an equation representing the aggregate transmit power as a cumulative function of reported transmit powers P_Rep(i) and corresponding unknown, modem dependent gain correction factors g(i). For example, aggregate transmit power P_Aggis represented as:$P_{\mathrm{Agg}}=\sum _{i=1}^{N_N}g\left(i\right)P_{\mathrm{Rep}}\left(i\right).$
• At anext step1430,previous steps1405,1410,1420 and1425 are repeated N times to generate N simultaneous equations in P_Rep(i) and unknown gain correction factors g(i).
• At anext step1435,controller214 determines the N gain correction factors g(i) by solving the N equations generated instep1430. Determined gain correction factors g(i) are stored inmemory215 ofMWT206, and used as needed to adjust/correct modem transmit power estimates P_Rep(i) in the methods of the invention, described below.Method1400 may be scheduled to repeat periodically to update factors g(i) over time.
• VIII. Methods Using Dynamically Updated Transmit Limits
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart of anexample method1500 of operatingMWT206, using dynamically updated individual modem transmit power limits. Inmethod1500,controller214 initializes (step702), schedules and deschedules active and inactive ones of modems216 (step710), and monitors status reports from the modems (step712), as described above. At anext step1502,controller214 determines whether to modify (for example, increase or decrease) or maintain the number of active modems ofMWT206, in order to maximize an aggregate reverse link data rate (that is, the aggregate transmit data rate) without exceeding the aggregate transmit power limit of the MWT.
• At anext step1504,controller214 increases, decreases, or maintains the number of active modems, as necessary, in accordance withstep1502. To increase the number of active modems,controller214 adds one or more previously inactive modems to the active list. Conversely, to decrease the number of active modems,controller214 deletes one or more previously active modems from the active list.
• At anext step1506,controller214 updates/adjusts individual transmit power limits in at least some of modems216, as necessary. Techniques for adjusting individual transmit power limits will be described further below. Instep1506, the individual transmit power limits are adjusted across modems216 such that when all of the individual transmit limits are combined together into a combined transmit power limit, the combined transmit power limit does not exceed the aggregate transmit power limit ofMWT206. Exemplary transmit power limit arrangements that may be used withmethod1500 are described later in connection with Table 1 andFIG. 19. A reason for varying modem transmit power limits inmethod1500 is to avoid rate-limiting conditions in the modems. Also, a reason for deactivating modems (that is, decreasing the number of active modems) includes avoiding rate-limiting conditions so as to increase the overall transmit data rate on the reverse-link while operating under the aggregate transmit power limit.
• At first blush, it might appear that deactivating modems would decrease, not increase, the transmit data rate. However, operating a number of modems, for example, 16 modems, at their rate-limited data rates (for example, at 4800 bps) achieves a lower effective data rate than operating a lesser number modems, for example 8 modems, at their full rates (for example, 9600 bps), even though each case may have the same aggregate transmit power. This is because the ratio of overhead information (used to manage the data calls, for example) to actual/useful data (used by end users, for example) is disadvantageously greater for rate limiting modems compared to non-rate limiting modems.
• FIG. 16 is a flowchart of anexample method1600 expanding onmethod1500.Method1600 includes astep1602 expanding onstep1502 ofmethod1500.Step1602 includesfurther steps1604 and1606. Atstep1604,controller214 determines a maximum number N_Maxof active modems that can concurrently transmit at their respective maximum data rates (for example, at 9600 bps), without exceeding the aggregate transmit power limit ofMWT206. It is assumed that N_Maxis less than or equal to a total number N of modems216.
• Atnext step1606,controller214 compares the maximum number N_Maxto a number M of previously active modems (that is, the number of active modems used in a previous pass throughstep710, described above).
• Anext step1610, corresponding to step1504 ofmethod1500, includesfurther steps1612,1614 and1616. If the maximum number N_Maxof active modems fromstep1604 is greater than the number M of previously active modems, then the method proceeds fromstep1606 tonext step1612. Atstep1612,controller214 increases the number M of active modems to the maximum number N_Maxof active modems. To do this,controller214 selects an inactive modem to activate from among the N modems.
• Alternatively, if the maximum number N_Maxof modems is less than M, then processing proceeds fromstep1606 to step1614. Atstep1614,controller214 decreases the number of active modems. To do this,controller214 selects an active modem to deactivate.Steps1612 and1614 together represent an adjusting step (also referred to as a modifying step) where the number M of previously active modems is modified in preparation for a next pass throughsteps710,712, and so on.
• Alternatively, if the maximum number N_Maxis equal to M, then processing proceeds fromstep1606 to step1616. Instep1616,controller214 simply maintains the number of active modems at M, for the next pass throughsteps710,712, and so on.
• The method proceeds from both modifyingsteps1612 and1614 to a next, limit adjustingstep1620. Atstep1620,controller214 increases the individual transmit power limits in the one or more modems that were activated atstep1612. Conversely,controller214 decreases the individual power limits in the one or more modems that were deactivated instep1614.
• The method proceeds fromsteps1610 and1620 back to scheduling/descheduling step710, and the process described above repeats.
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart of anexample method1700 of determining the maximum number N_Maxof active modems using an average energy-per-transmitted-bit of the N modems.Method1700 expands onstep1604 ofmethod1600. At afirst step1702,controller214 determines an aggregate transmit data rate based on the respective transmit data rates reported by the N modems. For example,controller214 adds together all of the transmit data rates reported by the N modems in respective status reports500.
• At anext step1704,controller214 determines an aggregate power level of transmitsignal230, at the output of transmitamplifier228. For example,controller214 may receive transmit power measurements (signal236) from transmitpower monitor234. Alternatively,controller214 may aggregate individual modem transmit power estimates P_Rep(i) (as corrected using factors g(i)) received from the individual modems in respective status reports500.
• At anext step1706,controller214 determines the average energy-per-transmitted-bit across the N modems216 based on the aggregate data rate and the aggregate transmit power. In one arrangement of the embodiments,controller214 determines the average energy-per-transmitted-bit in accordance the following relationships:
  BE_b—avg=P(t)Δt=E_T,
  and, therefore,
  E_b—avg=(P(t)Δt)/B=E_T/B,
  where:
• Δt is a predetermined measurement time interval (for example, the duration of a transmitted frame, such as 20 ms),
• B is the aggregate data rate during time interval Δt,
• E_b—avgis the average energy-per-transmitted-bit during time interval Δt,
• P(t) is the aggregate transmit power during time interval Δt, and
• E_Tis the total energy of all the bits transmitted during time interval Δt.
• At anext step1708,controller214 determines the maximum number N_Maxbased on the average energy-per-transmitted-bit and the aggregate transmit power limit. In one arrangement,controller214 determines the maximum number N_Maxin accordance with the following equations:
  ((R_maxN_Max+R_min(N−N_Max))E_b—avg=APL,
  and, therefore,
  N_Max=((APL/E_b—avg)−P_minN)/(R_max−R_min),
  where:
• APL is the aggregate transmit power limit of MWT206 (for example, 10 or 11 decibel-Watts (dBW)),
• R_maxis a maximum data rate of the N modems (for example, 9600 bps),
• R_minis a minimum data rate of the N modems (for example, 2400 bps),
• E_b—avgis the average energy-per-transmitted-bit during time interval Δt,
• N is the total number of modems216, and
• N_Maxis the maximum number of active modems to be determined.
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart of anexample method1800 of determining the maximum number N_Maxof active modems, using an individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for each of modems216.Method1800 expands onstep1604 ofmethod1600. At afirst step1802,controller214 determines an individual energy-per-transmitted-bit E_b(i) for each modem using modem reports500. In one arrangement of the embodiment,controller214 determines each energy-per-transmitted-bit E_b(i) in accordance the following relationship:
  E_b(i)=g(i)P_Rep(i)Δt/Bi,
  where:
• Δt is a predetermined measurement time interval,
• E_b(i) is the individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for modem i, where i=1 . . . N, over time interval Δt,
• P_Rep(i) is a reported modem transmit power (that is, a transmit power estimate for modem i), and
• g(i) is a modem dependent gain correction factor, also referred to as a gain calibration factor (described above in connection withFIG. 14), and
• Bi is the transmit data rate of modem i.
• At astep1804,controller214 sorts the modems according to their respective energy-per-transmitted-bits E_b(i).
• At anext step1805,controller214 determines the maximum number N_Maxof active modems based on the individual modem energy-per-transmitted-bits, using an iterative process. In one arrangement, the iterative process ofstep1805 determines the maximum number N_Maxof active modems that can be supported, using the following equation:$\mathrm{APL}=\sum _{i=1}^{N_{\mathrm{Max}}}{P}_{\max }{E}_b\left(i\right)+\sum _{i=N_{\mathrm{Max}}}^N{P}_{\min }{E}_b\left(i\right),$
  where:
• APL is the aggregate transmit power limit,
• P_maxis the maximum data rate for each modem,
• P_minis the minimum data rate for each modem, and
• E_b(i) is the individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for modem i.
• Step1805 is now described in further detail. Astep1806 withinstep1805 is an initializing step in the iterative process, whereinmodem214 sets a test number N_Actof active modems equal to one (1). Test number N_Actrepresents a test, maximum number of active modems. At anext step1808,modem214 determines an expected transmit power P_Expusing the test number N_Actof modems. Instep1808, it is assumed that the test number N_Actof modems having the-lowest individual energy-per-transmitted-bits among the N modems each transmit at a maximum data rate (for example, 9600 bps). In the arrangement mentioned above,step1808 determines the expected transmit power in accordance with the following relationship:$P_{\mathrm{Exp}}=\sum _{i=1}^{N_{\mathrm{act}}}{P}_{\max }{E}_b\left(i\right)+\sum _{i=N_{\mathrm{act}}}^N{P}_{\min }{E}_b\left(i\right),$
• At anext step1809,controller214 compares the expected transmit power P_Expto the APL. If P_Exp<APL, then more active modems can be supported. Thus, the test number N_Actof active modems is incremented (step1810), and the method proceeds back tostep1808.
• Alternatively, if P_Exp=APL, then the maximum number N_Maxof active modems is set equal to the present test number N_Act(step1812).
• Alternatively, if P_Exp>APL, then the maximum number N_Maxis set equal to the previous test number of active modems, that is, N_Act−1 (step1814).
• If P_Expis neither equal to nor greater than APL then the process returns to step1810 andstep1809. At some point a maximum number of modems may be reached or exceeded and eitherstep1812 or1814, respectively, are reached. The process for recalculating APL checking the current N (number of access terminals in use), or checking P_Exprelative to APL, may be repeated every so often or on a periodic basis as part of an iterative procedure to prevent overdriving the power amplifier.
• IX. Example Transmit Power Limits
• Table 1, below, includes exemplary modem transmit power limits that may be used in the present invention.

  TABLE 1
  A
  No. active	B	C	D
  modems	Active Modem	Active Modem	Active Modem
  (Total	Limits (dBm)	Limits (dBm)	Limits (dBm)
  N = 16)	APL = 10 dBW	APL = 11 dBW	APL = 10 dBW

  1.0	5.0	5.2	4.2
  2.0	5.0	4.6	3.6
  3.0	5.0	4.0	3.0
  4.0	5.0	3.5	2.5
  5.0	4.0	3.1	2.1
  6.0	3.2	2.7	1.7
  7.0	2.5	2.3	1.3
  8.0	2.0	2.0	1.0
  9.0	1.5	1.7	0.7
  10.0	1.0	1.4	0.4
  11.0	0.6	1.1	0.1
  12.0	0.2	0.9	−0.1
  13.0	−0.1	0.6	−0.4
  14.0	−0.5	0.4	−0.6
  15.0	−0.8	0.2	−0.8
  16.0	−1.0	0.0	−1.0

• The transmit power limits of Table 1 may be stored inmemory215 ofMWT206. Table 1 assumesMWT206 includes a total of N=16 modems. Each row of table 1 represents a corresponding number (such as 1, 2, 3, and so on, down the rows) of active ones of the N modems, at any given time. Each row of Column A identifies a given number of active modems. The number of inactive modems corresponding to any given row of Table 1 is the difference between the total number of modems (16) and the number of active modems specified in the given row.
• Columns B, C and D collectively represent three different individual transmit power limit arrangements of the present invention. The transmit limit arrangement of column B assumes an APL of 10 dBW inMWT206. Also, the arrangement of column B assumes that, in any given row, all of the active modems receive a common maximum transmit limit, while all of the inactive modems receive a common minimum transmit limit equal to zero. For example in column B, when the number of active modems is six (6), a common maximum transmit limit of 3.2 decibel-milliwatt (dBm) is established in each of the active modems, and a common minimum transmit limit of zero is established in each of the ten (10) inactive modems. The sum of the maximum transmit power limits in all of the active modems corresponding to any given row is equal to the APL.
• The transmit limit arrangement of column C assumes an APL of 11 dBW inMWT206. Also, the arrangement of column C assumes that, for any given number of active modems (that is, for each row in Table 1), all of the active modems receive a common maximum transmit limit, while all of the inactive modems receive a common minimum transmit limit equal to the maximum transmit limit less six (6) dB. For example in column C, when the number of active modems is six (6), a maximum transmit limit of 2.7 dBm is established in each of the six (6) active modems, and a minimum transmit limit of (2.7-6) dBm is established in each of the ten (10) inactive modems. The sum of the maximum transmit power limits in all of the active modems, together with the sum of the minimum transmit power limits in all of the inactive modems, corresponding to any given row is equal to the APL. Since the transmit power limit in each of the inactive modems is greater than zero, the inactive modems may be able to transmit at respective minimum data rates, or at least at the zero-data rate, in order to maintain their respective data links active.
• The transmit limit arrangement of column D is similar to that of column C, except a lower APL of 10 dBW is assumed in the arrangement of column D. The arrangement of column D assumes that, for any given number of active modems (that is, for each row in Table 1), all of the active modems receive a common maximum transmit limit, while all of the inactive modems receive a common minimal transmit limit equal to the maximum transmit limit less six (6) dB. For example, from column D, when the number of active modems is six (6), a maximum transmit limit of 1.7 dBm is established in each of the active modems, and a transmit limit of (1.7-6) dBm is established in each of the ten (10) inactive modems.
• Controller214 can use the limits specified in Table 1 to establish and adjust individual transmit limits in modems216 inmethods1500 and1600, described above in connection withFIGS. 15 and 16. For example, assume the transmit limit arrangement of Table 1, column D, is being used withmethod1600. Assume the number of active modems in a previous pass throughstep710 is seven. During the previous pass, a transmit limit of 1.3 dBm is established in each of the seven active modems, and a transmit limit of (1.3-6) dBm is established in the other nine, inactive modems (see the entry in column D corresponding to seven active modems). Also assume that in the next pass throughsteps1602 and1614, the number of active modems is decreased from seven down to six. Then, atlimit adjusting step1620, a new transmit limit of 1.7 dB is established in each of the six active modems, and a transmit limit of (1.7-6) dB is established in each of the ten remaining inactive modems.
• FIG. 19 is a graphical representation of the information presented in Table 1.FIG. 19 is a plot of transmit limit power (in dBm) versus the number of active modems (labeled as N) for each of the transmit limit arrangements listed in columns B, C and D of Table 1. InFIG. 19, the transmit limit arrangement of column B is represented by a curve COL B, the limit arrangement of column C is represented by a curve COL C, and the limit arrangement of column D is represents by a curve COL D.
• X. MWT Computer Controller
• FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of an example controller (which can also be a plurality of controllers)2000 representingcontroller214.Controller2000 includes a series of controller modules for performing the various method steps of the embodiments discussed above.
• A scheduler/descheduler2002 schedules active modems to transmit payload data, and de-schedules inactive modems; acall manager2004 establishes data calls and tears-down data calls over the plurality of modems216; and astatus monitor2006 monitors status reports from modems216, for example, to determine when various ones of the modems are over-limit, and to collect modem transmit data rates and transmit powers.Status monitor2006 may also determine an aggregate data rate and an aggregate transmit power based on the modem reports.
• A deactivator/activator module2008 acts to deactivate over-limit ones (in the fixed limit arrangement of the present invention) of the modems (for example by removing the modems from the active list) and to activate deactivated ones of the modems by reinstating the modems on the active list.Module2008 also activates/deactivates selected ones of the modems in accordance withsteps1504,1612, and1614 ofmethods1500 and1600.
• Alimit calculator2010 operates to calculate/derive transmit power limits for each of the modems216. Limit calculator also accesses predetermined transmit power limits stored inmemory215, for example.
• Aninitializer2012 supervises/manages initialization of the system, such as establishing initial transmit power limits in each modem, setting up calls over each modem, initializing various lists and queues inMWT206, and so on.
• Amodem interface2014 receives data from and transmits data to modems216, and anetwork interface2016 receives and transmits data overinterface210.
• Amodule2020 determines whether to modify the number of active modems in accordance withsteps1502 and1602 ofmethods1500 and1600.Module2020 includes a sub-module2022 for determining a maximum number of active modems that can be supported based on either an average-energy-per-transmitted-bit or individual modem energy-per-transmitted-bits.Sub-module2022 includes comparison or comparing logic (such as a comparator) configured to operate in accordance with comparingstep1606 ofmethod1600.Module2020 also includes sub-modules2024 and2026 for determining the average-energy-per-transmitted-bit and the individual modem energy-per-transmitted-bits, respectively. Sub-modules2024 and2026, or alternatively,status monitor2006, also determine an aggregate data rate and an aggregate transmit power based on modem reports.
• Acalibration module2040 controls calibration inMWT206 in accordance withmethod1400, for example. The calibration module includes an equation generator to generate simultaneous equations and an equation solver to solve the equations to determine modem correction factors g(i). The calibration module can also call/incorporate other modules, as necessary, to perform calibration ofMWT206.
• Asoftware interface2050 is used for interconnecting all of the above mentioned modules to one another.
• Features of the present invention can be performed and/or controlled by processor/controller214, which in effect comprises a programmable or software-controllable element, device, or computer system. Such a computer system includes, for example, one or more processors that are connected to a communication bus. Although telecommunication-specific hardware can be used to implement the present invention, the following description of a general purpose type computer system is provided for completeness.
• The computer system can also include a main memory, preferably a random access memory (RAM), and can also include a secondary memory and/or other memory. The secondary memory can include, for example, a hard disk drive and/or a removable storage drive. The removable storage drive reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit in a well known manner. The removable storage unit, represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk, and the like, which is read by and written to by the removable storage drive. The removable storage unit includes a computer usable storage medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.
• The secondary memory can include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into the computer system. Such means can include, for example, a removable storage unit and an interface. Examples of such can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units and interfaces which allow software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit to the computer system.
• The computer system can also include a communications interface. The communications interface allows software and data to be transferred between the computer system and external devices. Software and data transferred via the communications interface are in the form of signals that can be electronic, electromagnetic, optical or other signals capable of being received by the communications interface. As depicted inFIG. 2,processor214 is in communications withmemory215 for storing information.Processor214, together with the other components ofMWT206 discussed in connection withFIG. 2, performs the methods of the present invention.
• In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as a removable storage device, a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) withinMWT206, and signals. Computer program products are means for providing software to the computer system.
• Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in the main memory and/or secondary memory. Computer programs can also be received via the communications interface. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system to perform certain features of the present invention as discussed herein. For example, features of the flow charts depicted inFIGS. 7, 8,9 and10, can be implemented in such computer programs. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enableprocessor214 to perform and/or cause the performance of features of the present invention. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system ofMWT206, and thus, controllers of the MWT.
• Where the embodiments are implemented using software, the software can be stored in a computer program product and loaded into the computer system using the removable storage drive, the memory chips or the communications interface. The control logic (software), when executed byprocessor214, causesprocessor214 to perform certain functions of the invention as described herein.
• Features of the invention may also or alternatively be implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, a software-controlled processor or controller programmed to perform the functions described herein, a variety of programmable electronic devices, or computers, a microprocessor, one or more digital signal processors (DSP), dedicated function circuit modules, and hardware components such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or programmable gate arrays (PGAs). Implementation of the hardware state machine so as to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s).
• The previous description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
XI. CONCLUSION
• The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that these functional building blocks can be implemented by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or many combinations thereof. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (47)

1. A method of operating a wireless device within an aggregate transmit power limit, the wireless device including N wireless modems having their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output, comprising:

(a) scheduling a plurality, M, of active ones of the N modems to transmit payload data, where M is less than or equal to N;

(b) monitoring status reports from at least the active modems;

(c) determining, based on the status reports, whether to modify the number of active modems in order to maximize an aggregate transmit data rate of the N modems while maintaining an aggregate transmit power of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power limit; and

(d) modifying the number of active modems when it is determined in step (c) that the number of active modems should be modified to maintain the aggregate transmit power level of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power level.

2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein step (d) comprises modifying the number of active modems to a modified number of active modems when it is determined that the number of active modems should be modified, the method further comprising:

(e) repeating steps (a), (b), and (c) for the modified number of active modems.

3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein step (c) comprises:

(c)(i) determining a maximum number of active modems that can concurrently transmit data, each at a predetermined maximum data rate, while maintaining the aggregate transmit power of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power limit; and

(c)(ii) comparing the maximum number of active modems to the number M of active modems.

4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein step (c)(i) comprises:

determining an average energy-per-transmitted-bit across at least the M active modems; and

determining the maximum number of active modems based on the average energy-per-transmitted-bit and the aggregate transmit power limit.

5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the status reports monitored in step (b) indicate a respective transmit data rate for each of the N modems, said step of determining the average energy-per-transmitted-bit comprising:

determining an aggregate transmit data rate across the N modems based on their respective transmit data rates;

determining the aggregate transmit power; and

determining the average energy-per-transmitted-bit based on the aggregate transmit data rate and the aggregate transmit power.

6. The method ofclaim 3, wherein step (c)(i) comprises:

determining an individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for each of the N modems; and

determining the maximum number of active modems based on the individual energy-per-transmitted-bits and the aggregate transmit power limit.

7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the status reports monitored in step (b) indicate a respective transmit power for each of the N modems, said step of determining the individual energy-per-transmitted-bit comprising determining the individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for each of the N modems based on the respective transmit power.

8. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising:

selecting as next active modems the maximum number of modems having the lowest individual energy-per-transmitted-bits among the N modems; and

repeating step (a) using the next active modems.

9. The method ofclaim 3, wherein step (d) comprises increasing the number of active modems to the maximum number when the maximum number is greater than M.

10. The method ofclaim 3, wherein step (d) comprises decreasing the number of active modems to the maximum number when the maximum number is less than M.

11. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

prior to step (a), establishing a respective transmit power limit for each of the N modems to limit the respective transmit powers of each of the N modems, wherein all of the transmit power limits, when combined, represent a combined transmit power limit that is less than or equal to the aggregate transmit power limit.

12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein:

a respective transmit power limit is established in each of the N modems to limit the respective transmit powers of each of the N modems;

step (d) comprises activating a selected, previously inactive one of the N modems, thereby increasing the number of active modems; and

the method further comprises increasing the respective transmit power limit in the selected one of the N modems.

13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein:

a respective transmit power limit is established in each of the N modems to limit the respective transmit powers of each of the N modems;

step (d) comprises deactivating a selected, previously active one of the N modems, thereby decreasing the number of active modems; and

the method further comprises decreasing the respective transmit power limit in the selected one of the N modems.

14. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

prior to step (a), establishing an individual communication link between a remote station and each of the N modems, each communication link including a forward link and a reverse link, whereby each modem is able to transmit data in the reverse link direction and receive data in the forward link direction; and

maintaining all of the communication links during steps (a), (b), (c) and (d).

15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein each communication link is a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) based communication link.

16. A method of operating a wireless terminal within an aggregate transmit power limit, the wireless terminal including N wireless modems having their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output, the method comprising:

(a) determining an average energy-per-transmitted-bit across a plurality of previously active ones of the N modems that were previously transmitting;

(b) determining, based on the average energy-per-transmitted-bit and the aggregate transmit power limit, a maximum number of active modems that can concurrently transmit data at a maximum data rate without exceeding the maximum aggregate transmit power limit; and

(c) scheduling data-to-be-transmitted over the determined maximum number of active modems.

17. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising:

prior to step (a):

determining an aggregate transmit power of the N modems corresponding to when the plurality of active modems were previously transmitting data;

monitoring status reports from the N modems, the status reports indicating a respective transmit data rate for each of the N modems; and

determining, based on the respective transmit data rates, an aggregate data rate of the N modems corresponding to the aggregate transmit power; and

wherein step (a) comprises determining the average energy-per-transmitted-bit based on the aggregate transmit power and the aggregate data rate.

18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein:

each of the N modems is adapted to transmit data at at least one of a maximum transmit data rate and a minimum transmit data rate; and

step (b) comprises determining the maximum number of active modems based on the minimum and maximum transmit data rates as well as the average energy-per-transmitted-bit and the aggregate transmit power limit.

19. The method ofclaim 16, comprising:

repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) periodically, thereby causing the maximum of active modems to vary over time in correspondence with the average energy-per-transmitted bit.

20. A method of operating a wireless terminal within an aggregate transmit power limit, the wireless terminal including N wireless modems having their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output, the method comprising:

(a) determining an individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for each of the N modems that was previously transmitting;

(b) determining, based on all of the individual energy-per-transmitted-bits and the aggregate transmit power limit, a maximum number of active modems that can concurrently transmit data at a maximum data rate without exceeding the aggregate transmit power limit; and

(c) scheduling the maximum number of active modems to transmit data.

21. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising:

prior to step (c), sorting the N modems according to their respective individual energy-per-transmitted-bits; and

wherein step (c) comprises scheduling the maximum number of active modems having the lowest individual energy-per-transmitted-bits among the N modems.

22. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising, prior to step (a), monitoring status reports from at least the active modems, the status reports collectively including a transmit power estimate of each active modem,

wherein step (a) comprises determining, from each transmit power estimate, the corresponding individual energy-per-transmitted-bit.

23. A method of dynamically calibrating a wireless terminal including N wireless modems having their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output, the method comprising:

(a) scheduling each of the N modems to concurrently transmit respective data, thereby causing each of the N modems to concurrently transmit;

(b) receiving respective reported transmit powers P_Rep(i) from the N modems corresponding to when the N modems concurrently transmit, where i designates a respective modem from 1 to N;

(c) measuring, at the aggregate transmit output, an aggregate transmit power P_Aggof the N modems corresponding to when the N modems concurrently transmit;

(d) generating an equation representing the aggregate transmit power as a cumulative function of each reported transmit power P_Rep(i) and a corresponding, undetermined, modem dependent gain factor g(i);

(e) repeating steps (a), (b), (c) and (d) N times to generate N simultaneous equations; and

(f) determining all of the modem dependent gain factors from the N simultaneous equations.

24. The method ofclaim 23, further comprising:

repeating steps (a) through (f) periodically, whereby the modem dependent gain factors are updated periodically.

25. A wireless terminal constrained to operate under an aggregate transmit power limit, the wireless terminal including N wireless modems having their respective transmit outputs combined together to produce an aggregate transmit output, comprising:

means for scheduling a plurality, M, of active ones of the N modems to transmit payload data, where M is less than or equal to N;

means for monitoring status reports from at least the active modems;

means for determining, based on the status reports, whether to modify the number of active modems in order to maximize an aggregate transmit data rate of the N modems while maintaining an aggregate transmit power of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power limit; and

means for modifying the number of active modems when it is determined that the number of active modems should be modified to maintain the aggregate transmit power level of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power level.

26. The wireless terminal ofclaim 25, wherein:

said modifying means comprises means for modifying the number of active modems to an modified number of active modems when it is determined that the number of active modems should be modified; and

the scheduling means, the monitoring means, and the modifying means repeat their respective functions using the modified number of active modems.

27. The wireless terminal ofclaim 25, wherein the determining means comprises:

means for determining a maximum number of active modems that can concurrently transmit data, each at a predetermined maximum data rate, while maintaining the aggregate transmit power of the N modems at or below the aggregate transmit power limit; and

means for comparing the maximum number of active modems to the number M of active modems.

28. The wireless terminal ofclaim 27, wherein the means for determining the maximum number comprises:

means for determining an average energy-per-transmitted-bit across at least the M active modems; and

means for determining the maximum number of active modems based on the average energy-per-transmitted-bit and the aggregate transmit power limit.

29. The wireless terminal ofclaim 28, wherein the status reports monitored by the monitoring means indicate a respective transmit data rate for each of the N modems, said means for determining the average energy-per-transmitted-bit comprising:

means for determining an aggregate transmit data rate across the N modems based on their respective transmit data rates;

means for determining the aggregate transmit power; and

means for determining the average energy-per-transmitted-bit based on the aggregate transmit data rate and the aggregate transmit power.

30. The wireless terminal ofclaim 27, wherein the means for determining the maximum number comprises:

means for determining an individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for each of the N modems; and

means for determining the maximum number of active modems based on the individual energy-per-transmitted-bits and the aggregate transmit power limit.

31. The wireless terminal ofclaim 30, wherein the status reports monitored by the monitoring means indicate a respective transmit power for each of the N modems, the means for determining the individual energy-per-transmitted-bit comprising means for determining the individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for each of the N modems based on the respective transmit power.

32. The wireless terminal ofclaim 30, further comprising:

means for selecting as next active modems the maximum number of modems having the lowest individual energy-per-transmitted-bits among the N modems; and

wherein the means for scheduling repeats its respective function using the next active modems.

33. The wireless terminal ofclaim 27, wherein the modifying means comprises means for increasing the number of active modems to the maximum number when the maximum number is greater than M.

34. The wireless terminal ofclaim 27, wherein the modifying means comprises means for decreasing the number of active modems to the maximum number when the maximum number is less than M.

35. The wireless terminal ofclaim 25, further comprising:

means for establishing a respective transmit power limit for each of the N modems to limit the respective transmit powers of each of the N modems, wherein all of the transmit power limits, when combined, represent a combined transmit power limit that is less than or equal to the aggregate transmit power limit.

36. The wireless terminal ofclaim 25, wherein:

a respective transmit power limit is established in each of the N modems to limit the respective transmit powers of each of the N modems;

the modifying means comprises means for activating a selected, previously inactive one of the N modems, thereby increasing the number of active modems; and

the wireless terminal further comprises means for increasing the respective transmit power limit in the selected one of the N modems.

37. The wireless terminal ofclaim 25, wherein:

a respective transmit power limit is established in each of the N modems to limit the respective transmit powers of each of the N modems;

the modifying means comprises means for deactivating a selected, previously active one of the N modems, thereby decreasing the number of active modems; and

the wireless terminal further comprises decreasing the respective transmit power limit in the selected one of the N modems.

38. The wireless terminal ofclaim 25, further comprising:

means for establishing an individual communication link between a remote station and each of the N modems, each communication link including a forward link and a reverse link, whereby each modem is able to transmit data in the reverse link direction and receive data in the forward link direction; and

means for maintaining all of the communication links while the scheduling means, the monitoring means, the determining means, and the modifying means perform their respective functions.

39. The wireless terminal ofclaim 38, wherein each communication link is a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) based communication link.

40. A wireless terminal constrained to operate within an aggregate transmit power limit, the wireless terminal including N wireless modems having their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output, comprising:

means for determining an average energy-per-transmitted-bit across a plurality of previously active ones of the N modems that were previously transmitting;

means for determining, based on the average energy-per-transmitted-bit and the aggregate transmit power limit, a maximum number of active modems that can concurrently transmit data at a maximum data rate without exceeding the maximum aggregate transmit power limit; and

means for scheduling data-to-be-transmitted over the determined maximum number of active modems.

41. The wireless terminal ofclaim 40, further comprising:

means for determining an aggregate transmit power of the N modems corresponding to when the plurality of active modems were previously transmitting data;

means for monitoring status reports from the N modems, the status reports indicating a respective transmit data rate for each of the N modems; and

means for determining, based on the respective transmit data rates, an aggregate data rate of the N modems corresponding to the aggregate transmit power, wherein the means for determining the maximum number comprises means for determining the average energy-per-transmitted-bit based on the aggregate transmit power and the aggregate data rate.

42. The wireless terminal ofclaim 40, wherein:

each of the N modems is adapted to transmit data at at least one of a maximum transmit data rate and a minimum transmit data rate; and

the means for determining the maximum number comprises determining the maximum number based on the minimum and maximum transmit data rates as well as the average energy-per-transmitted-bit and the aggregate transmit power limit.

43. The wireless terminal ofclaim 40, wherein the means for determining the average energy-per-transmitted-bit, the means for determining the maximum number of active modems, and the means for scheduling repeat their respective functions periodically, thereby causing the maximum number of active modems to vary over time in correspondence with the average energy-per-transmitted bit.

44. A wireless terminal constrained to operate within an aggregate transmit power limit, the wireless terminal including N wireless modems having their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output, comprising:

means for determining an individual energy-per-transmitted-bit for each of the N modems that was previously transmitting;

means for determining, based on all of the individual energy-per-transmitted-bits and the aggregate transmit power limit, a maximum number of active modems that can concurrently transmit data at a maximum data rate without exceeding the aggregate transmit power limit; and

means for scheduling the maximum number of active modems to transmit data.

45. The wireless terminal ofclaim 44, further comprising:

means for sorting the N modems according to their respective individual energy-per-transmitted-bits, the means for scheduling comprises means for scheduling the maximum number of active modems having the lowest individual energy-per-transmitted-bits among the N modems.

46. The wireless terminal ofclaim 44, further comprising means for monitoring status reports from at least the active modems, the status reports collectively including a transmit power estimate of each active modem, wherein the means for determining the individual energy-per-transmitted-bits comprises means for determining, from each transmit power estimate, the corresponding individual energy-per-transmitted-bit.

47. An apparatus for dynamically calibrating a wireless terminal, the wireless terminal including N wireless modems having their respective transmit outputs combined to produce an aggregate transmit output, comprising:

means for scheduling each of the N modems to concurrently transmit respective data, thereby causing each of the N modems to concurrently transmit;

means for receiving respective reported transmit powers P_Rep(i) from the N modems corresponding to when the N modems concurrently transmit, where i designates a respective modem from 1 to N;

a power meter, coupled to the aggregate transmit output, for measuring an aggregate transmit power P_Aggof the N modems corresponding to when the N modems concurrently transmit;

means for generating an equation representing the aggregate transmit power as a cumulative function of each reported transmit power P_Rep(i) and a corresponding, undetermined, modem dependent gain factor g(i), wherein the scheduling means, the receiving means, the power meter, and the generating means repeat their respective functions N times to generate N simultaneous equations; and

means for determining all of the modem dependent gain factors from the N simultaneous equations.

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