US20150117372A1 - Assignment of radio resources to be used on downlink transmissions in a multiple input multiple output (mimo) communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

An access point and method are described herein for receiving a report from the mobile station containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of one or more transmission modes used during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station, and analyzing the received report to determine one or more downlink control parameters to be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station. In addition, a mobile station and method are described herein for detecting one or more modes of transmissions used by the access point during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station, generating a report containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of the detected one or more transmission modes used by the access point to send the payload to the mobile station, and transmitting the report to the access point.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY
• This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/898,284, filed on Oct. 31, 2013, and further claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/898,296, filed on Oct. 31, 2013. The entire contents of each of these applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is related to the co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Docket No. P42026-US2) entitled “Assignment of Radio Resources to be used on Uplink Transmissions in a Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) Communication System”. The contents of this document are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure relates in general to the wireless telecommunications field and, in particular, to at least the following: (1) an access point and method for receiving a report from the mobile station and analyzing the received report to determine one or more downlink control parameters to be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station, and (2) a mobile station and method for detecting one or more modes of transmissions used by the access point to send payload to the mobile station, generating a report containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of the one or more transmission modes used by the access point to send the payload to the mobile station, and transmitting the report to the access point.
BACKGROUND
• The following abbreviations are herewith defined, at least some of which are referred to within the following description of the prior art and the present invention.
BSS Base Station SubsystemCRC Cyclic Redundancy CheckDL Downlink
• EDGE Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution
EGPRS Enhanced General Packet Radio ServiceGPRS General Packet Radio ServiceGSM Global System for Mobile CommunicationsKBPS Kilo-Bits Per SecondMCS Modulation and Coding SchemeMIMO Multiple Input Multiple OutputMS Mobile StationMU Multi-UserPACCH Packet Associated Control ChannelPC Power ControlPDCH Packet Data ChannelPTCCH Packet Timing Advance Control ChannelRLC Radio Link ControlSU Single UserTBF Temporary Block FlowTFI Temporary Flow IdentityTS Time SlotTSC Training Sequence CodeUL UplinkUSF Uplink State Flag
• In the wireless telecommunications field, the traditional communication MIMO system is typically addressing one user (mobile station), also referred to as a single-user MIMO system (SU-MIMO). In the case of SU-MIMO, the access point (base station) communicates with only one mobile station (the user) while both the access point and the mobile station are equipped with multiple antennas. Although the SU-MIMO technology works relatively well there are still problems that need to be addressed. For instance, if SU-MIMO were to be deployed on the downlink in a GSM/EDGE system then the access point may not receive appropriate feedback from the mobile station so as to be able to effectively determine downlink control parameters which are to be used to send payload to the mobile station. The present invention addresses this problem and other problems which are associated with the existing DL SU-MIMO technology.
SUMMARY
• An access point, a mobile station, and various methods which address the aforementioned problem and other problems associated with the existing DL SU-MIMO technology are described in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the access point, mobile station, and various methods are further described in the dependent claims.
• In one aspect, the present invention provides an access point which is configured to interact with a mobile station. The access point comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory that stores processor-executable instructions, wherein the at least one processor interfaces with the at least one memory to execute the processor-executable instructions, whereby the access point is operable to perform a receive operation and an analyze operation. In the receive operation, the access point receives a report from the mobile station, where the report contains at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of one or more transmission modes used during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station. In the analyze operation, the access point analyzes the received report to determine one or more downlink control parameters to be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station. The access point operating in this manner is able to dynamically and effectively decide what transmission mode (e.g., single stream transmission, dual stream transmission) and/or MCS(s) and/or power control level(s) and/or TSC(s) to be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station.
• In another aspect, the present invention provides a method in an access point for interacting with a mobile station. The method comprises a receiving operation and an analyzing operation. In the receiving operation, the access point receives a report from the mobile station, where the report contains at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of one or more transmission modes used during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station. In the analyzing operation, the access point analyzes the received report to determine one or more downlink control parameters to be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station. The assess point operating in this manner is able to dynamically and effectively decide what transmission mode (e.g., single stream transmission, dual stream transmission) and/or MCS(s) and/or power control level(s) and/or TSC(s) to be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station.
• In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a mobile station which is configured to interact with an access pint. The mobile station comprises at least one processor, and at least one memory that stores processor-executable instructions, wherein the at least one processor interfaces with the at least one memory to execute the processor-executable instructions, whereby the mobile station is operable to perform a detect operation, a generate operation, and a transmit operation. In the detect operation, the mobile station detects one or more transmission modes used by the access point during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station. In the generate operation, the mobile station generates a report containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of the detected one or more transmission modes that was used by the access point to send the payload to the mobile station. In the transmit operation, the mobile station transmits the report to the access point. The mobile station operating in this manner is able to inform the access point about how it is performing in different downlink transmission modes so the access point can dynamically and effectively decide what transmission mode (e.g., single stream transmission, dual stream transmission) and/or MCS(s) and/or power control level(s) and/or TSC(s) should be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station.
• In another aspect, the present invention provides a method in a mobile station for interacting with an access pint. The method comprises a detecting operation, a generating operation, and a transmitting operation. In the detecting operation, the mobile station detects one or more transmission modes used by the access point during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station. In the generating operation, the mobile station generates a report containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of the detected one or more transmission modes that was used by the access point to send the payload to the mobile station. In the transmitting operation, the mobile station transmits the report to the access point. The mobile station operating in this manner is able to inform the access point about how it is performing in different downlink transmission modes so the access point can dynamically and effectively decide what transmission mode (e.g., single stream transmission, dual stream transmission) and/or MCS(s) and/or power control level(s) and/or TSC(s) should be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station.
• Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth, in part, in the detailed description, figures and any claims which follow, and in part will be derived from the detailed description, or can be learned by practice of the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• A more complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary access point which is configured to interact with a mobile station and implement a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary mobile station which is configured to interact with an access point and implement a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• To describe the technical features of the present invention, a detailed discussion is provided first to explain DL SU-MIMO technology and why anaccess point100 needs appropriate feedback from amobile station102 to effectively determine downlink control parameters which are to be used to send payload to the mobile station. Thereafter, a detailed discussion with respect toFIGS. 1-2 is provided to explain in more detail the specially configuredaccess point100 andmobile station102 and the associatedmethods150 and250 which are performed by these devices in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention.
DL SU-MIMO Technology
• In DL SU-MIMO transmissions, transmissions are taking place from theaccess point100 to themobile station102. Theaccess point100 need not command themobile station102 the chosen MCS as required for UL transmissions wherein themobile station102 needs to use the chosen MCS to send transmissions to theaccess point100, but instead theaccess point100 has complete control of the DL SU-MIMO transmission and chooses the MCS which is used to send DL transmissions to themobile station102, Typically, themobile station102 blindly detects the MCS used in the received DL transmissions. As for the power level used by the access point100 (e.g., base station100) to send DL transmissions to themobile station102, theaccess point100 can to a large extent control the power imbalance between streams received from themobile stations102. However, in order for theaccess point100 to make a proper choice of both MCS and power level for the DL transmissions to themobile station102, theaccess point100 needs to understand how themobile station102 performs in different DL transmission modes (i.e. single stream or dual stream mode (in case of 2×2 MIMO)) that have been used by theaccess point100 to send payload to themobile station102.
• In this regard, the current behavior in the GSM/EDGE network is for the legacy access point (BSS) to request the legacy mobile station to provide feedback where the legacy mobile station reports both estimated channel quality and signal level based on per-burst measurements during the reporting period (from the previous time the legacy mobile station was requested to send feedback to the network, until the current request). However, the legacy mobile station makes no distinction between different DL transmission modes (single or dual stream transmission) in channel quality reporting, so the channel quality report received by the legacy access point will contain a single representative value over a time period irrespective of the actual transmission modes that have been used and this may prove problematic for the legacy access point in making the optimum MCS and power level decisions to be used for DL transmissions to the legacy mobile station.
• Embodiments of the present invention described hereinafter introduce theaccess point100 which is specially configured to dynamically and effectively decide what transmission mode (e.g., single stream transmission, dual stream transmission) and/or MCS(s) and/or power control level(s) and/or TSC(s) to use for DL transmissions to themobile station102. Theaccess point100 is able to accomplish this by understanding in a timely manner and with minimum impact on user plane throughput how themobile station102 performs in different DL transmission modes (i.e. single stream or dual stream mode) which have been used by theaccess point100. In particular, theaccess point100 is able to accomplish this by receiving a specially configuredreport104 which contains desirable DL SU-MIMO feedback from themobile station102.
• The desirable DL SU-MIMO feedback which enables theaccess point100 to properly control the link adaptation, power level etc for DL transmissions to themobile station102 can be obtained by letting themobile station102 autonomously detect the mode of transmission (e.g., single stream or dual stream) and have it report the channel quality and/or signal strength separately for each stream associated with the detected transmission mode(s). For example, if the transmission mode in the network was a single transmission mode (i.e., MIMO is not used), then thereport104 from themobile station102 would contain information regarding the channel quality and/or signal strength for the received bursts in the single stream. And, if the transmission mode in the network was a dual transmission mode, then thereport104 from themobile station102 would contain two separate sets of information related to channel quality and/or signal strength for the received bursts within each of the two streams associated with the dual transmission mode. It should be noted that theaccess point100 may use multiple transmission modes (e.g., signal stream and dual stream) during a period of time to send DL transmissions to themobile station102. For example, if the transmission modes in the network were a single transmission mode and a dual transmission mode, then thereport104 from themobile station102 would contain information regarding the channel quality and/or signal strength for the received bursts in the single stream associated with the signal transmission mode, and contain two separate sets of information related to channel quality and/or signal strength for the bursts in each of the two streams associated with the dual transmission mode. In this case, themobile station102 during a reporting period in which both dual and single stream transmissions are received will detect these transmission modes and provide feedback information for each stream in each transmission mode separately in thesame reporting message104.
• To summarize, themobile station102 depending on the detected transmission mode(s) will send areport104 containing the channel quality and/or signal level separated for:
• • Single stream transmission mode; and/or
  • Dual stream transmission mode,
    • One for first stream, and
    • One for second stream.
  • etc. . . .
• This reporting scheme is desirable because themobile station102 may experience different qualities in the different spatial streams. Hence, themobile station102 by reporting the quality of each stream to theaccess point100 enables the best modulation scheme (for example) to be chosen respectively for each stream which is to be used when sending additional payload to themobile station102.
• Given the volume of information expected in thechannel quality report104 when themobile station102 is using DL SU-MIMO means that an increase in the use of PACCH based reporting will be needed for the control plane signaling to transmit thereport104 to theaccess point100. This is possible but it is desirable to minimize the control plane signaling and one alternative way for themobile station102 to transmit thereport104 to theaccess point100 while minimizing PACCH based signaling is described next. Assuming themobile station102 is operating according to DL SU-MIMO and has an ongoing UL TBF, then a UL Mini-PACCH could be used to convey this feedback information (i.e., the report104) to theaccess point100 which enables theaccess point100 to make fast decisions regarding what transmission mode and/or MCSs and/or TSCs to use on the DL. The UL Mini-PACCH is a piggy-backed Ack/Nack (PAN) field (or variation thereof) used in a dedicated message where the existing PAN space is treated as a Mini-PACCH in which the 20 payload bits of the current PAN are formatted in a new manner to contain thereport104 and support this new functionality. The Mini-PACCH can be sent in a RLC data block (i.e., user plane payload) rather than PACCH based signaling to minimize the impact of PDCH utilization.
• Referring toFIG. 1, there is a diagram of anexemplary access point100 which is configured to interact with amobile station102 and implement amethod150 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, theaccess point100 includes aninput interface101, at least oneprocessor103, at least onememory105, and anoutput interface107. The access point300 includes many other components which are well known in the art but for clarity the well known components are not described herein. The access point300 functions wherein the at least one processor403 interfaces with the at least one memory405 to execute processor-executable instructions stored therein whereby the access point300 is operable to implement the various steps of the method400 as discussed next. Beginning atstep152, theaccess point100 receives, from themobile station102, thereport104 containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of one or more transmission modes used during a period of time to send payload to themobile station102. As discussed above, theaccess point100 could receive thereport104 via UL control plane signaling or in a dedicated message which has a piggy-backed Ack/Nack (PAN) field (or variation thereof) in which the PAN space contains thereport104. In effect, the PAN space is treated as an UL Mini-PACCH which can be desirable because there is no need to allocate a full data block for the control signaling. Instead, the Ack/Nack is piggy-backed on the data block, effectively creating a data block and a control block in the same UL block transmission.
• The following are some examples of what thereport104 could contain under several different circumstances. In one example, if theaccess point100 used a single stream transmission mode to previously send payload during a period of time to themobile station102 then the receivedreport104 would contain at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the single stream transmission mode. In another example, if theaccess point100 used a dual stream transmission mode to previously send payload during a period of time to themobile station104 then the receivedreport104 would contain (a) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the dual stream transmission mode, and (b) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dual stream transmission mode. In yet another example, if theaccess point100 used a single stream transmission mode and a dual stream transmission mode to previously send payload during a period of time to themobile station102 then the receivedreport104 would contain: (a) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the single stream transmission mode; (b) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the dual stream transmission mode, and (c) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dual stream transmission mode.
• Atstep154, theaccess point100 analyzes the receivedreport104 to determine one or more DL control parameters which are to be used for sending additional payload to themobile station102. As described above, the DL control parameter(s) can comprise at least one of the following: one or more transmission modes, one or more MCSs, one or more power levels, one or more USFs, and one or more Training Sequence Codes (TSCs).
• Referring toFIG. 2, there is a diagram of an exemplarymobile station102 which is configured to interact with anaccess point100 and implement amethod250 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the mobile station102 (e.g., mobile phone, tablet, laptop computer, machine-type-communication device etc. . . . ) includes aninput interface201, at least oneprocessor203, at least onememory205, and anoutput interface207. Themobile station102 includes many other components which are well known in the art but for clarity the well known components are not described herein. Themobile station102 functions wherein the at least oneprocessor203 interfaces with the at least onememory205 to execute processor-executable instructions stored therein whereby themobile station102 is operable to implement the various steps of themethod250 as discussed next. Beginning atstep252, themobile station102 detects one or more transmission modes used by theaccess point100 during a period of time to send payload to themobile station102. For instance, themobile station102 can detect the one or more transmission modes by detecting the training sequence used by the respective received stream(s). The training sequence is a pre-defined bit pattern and will be known to themobile station102 when the data carrier is set-up.
• Atstep254, themobile station102 generates thereport104 containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of the detected one or more transmission modes used by theaccess point100 to send the payload to themobile station102. To accomplish this, themobile station102 would have to measure at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of the detected one or more transmission modes used by theaccess point100 to send the payload to themobile station102. The following are some examples of what thereport104 could contain under several different circumstances. In one example, when themobile station102 detects a single stream transmission mode then the generatedreport104 would contain at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the single stream transmission mode. In another example, when themobile station102 detects a dual stream transmission mode then the generatedreport104 would contain (a) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the dual stream transmission mode, and (b) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dual stream transmission mode. In yet another example, when themobile station102 detects a single stream transmission mode and a dual stream transmission mode then the generatedreport104 would contain: (a) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the single stream transmission mode; (b) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the dual stream transmission mode, and (c) at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dual stream transmission mode.
• Atstep256, themobile station102 transmits thereport104 via theoutput interface207 to theaccess point100. As discussed above, themobile station102 could transmit thereport104 using UL control plane signaling or in a dedicated message which has a piggy-backed Ack/Nack (PAN) field (or variation thereof) in which the PAN space contains thereport104. In effect, the PAN space is treated as an UL Mini-PACCH which can be desirable because there is no need to allocate a full data block for the control signaling. Instead, the Ack/Nack is piggy-backed on the data block, effectively creating a data block and a control block in the same UL block transmission.
• Although multiple embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but instead is also capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the present invention that as has been set forth and defined within the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. An access point configured to interact with a mobile station, the access point comprising:

at least one processor; and,

at least one memory that stores processor-executable instructions, wherein the at least one processor interfaces with the at least one memory to execute the processor-executable instructions, whereby said access point is operable to:

receive, from the mobile station, a report containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of one or more transmission modes used during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station; and,

analyze the received report to determine one or more downlink control parameters to be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station.

2. The access point ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more downlink control parameters comprise at least one of the following: one or more transmission modes, one or more Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCSs), one or more power levels, one or more Uplink State Flags (USFs), and one or more Training Sequence Codes (TSCs).

3. The access point ofclaim 1, wherein when the access point used a single stream transmission mode to previously send the payload to the mobile station then the received report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the single stream transmission mode.

4. The access point ofclaim 1, wherein when the access point used a dual stream transmission mode to previously send the payload to the mobile station then the received report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the dual stream transmission mode; and,

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dual stream transmission mode.

5. The access point ofclaim 1, wherein when the access point used a single stream transmission mode and a dual stream transmission mode to previously send the payload to the mobile station then the received report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the single stream transmission mode;

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the dual stream transmission mode; and,

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dual stream transmission mode.

6. A method in an access point for interacting with a mobile station, the method comprising:

receiving, from the mobile station, a report containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of one or more transmission modes used during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station; and,

analyzing the received report to determine one or more downlink control parameters to be used for sending additional payload to the mobile station.

7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the one or more downlink control parameters comprise at least one of the following: one or more transmission modes, one or more Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCSs), one or more power levels, one or more Uplink State Flags (USFs), and one or more Training Sequence Codes (TSCs).

8. The method ofclaim 6, wherein when the access point used a single stream transmission mode to previously send the payload to the mobile station then the received report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the single stream transmission mode.

9. The method ofclaim 6, wherein when the access point used a dual stream transmission mode to previously send the payload to the mobile station then the received report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the dual stream transmission mode; and,

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dual stream transmission mode.

10. The method ofclaim 6, wherein when the access point used a single stream transmission mode and a dual stream transmission mode to previously send the payload to the mobile station then the received report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the single stream transmission mode;

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the dual stream transmission mode; and,

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the dual stream transmission mode.

11. A mobile station configured to interact with an access point, the mobile station comprising:

at least one processor; and,

at least one memory that stores processor-executable instructions, wherein the at least one processor interfaces with the at least one memory to execute the processor-executable instructions, whereby said mobile station is operable to:

detect one or more transmission modes used by the access point during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station;

generate a report containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of the detected one or more transmission modes that was used by the access point to send the payload to the mobile station; and,

transmit the report to the access point.

12. The mobile station ofclaim 11, wherein when the mobile station detects a single stream transmission mode then the generated report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the detected single stream transmission mode.

13. The mobile station ofclaim 11, wherein when the mobile station detects a dual stream transmission mode then the generated report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode; and,

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode.

14. The mobile station ofclaim 11, wherein when the mobile station detects a single stream transmission mode and a dual stream transmission mode then the generated report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the detected single stream transmission mode;

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode; and,

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode.

15. The mobile station ofclaim 11, wherein when the mobile station has an ongoing Uplink Link Temporary Block Flow (UL TBF) with the access point then the mobile station sends a dedicated message which has a piggy-backed Ack/Nack (PAN) field or variation thereof wherein space therein contains the report.

16. A method in a mobile station for interacting with an access point, the method comprising:

detecting one or more transmission modes used by the access point during a period of time to send payload to the mobile station;

generating a report containing at least one of a channel quality and a signal strength for each of one or more streams associated with each of the detected one or more transmission modes that was used by the access point to send the payload to the mobile station; and,

transmitting the report to the access point.

17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein when a single stream transmission mode is detected then the generated report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the detected single stream transmission mode.

18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein when a dual stream transmission mode is detected then the generated report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode; and,

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode.

19. The method ofclaim 16, wherein when a single stream transmission mode and a dual stream transmission mode are detected then the generated report contains:

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of one stream used in the detected single stream transmission mode;

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a first stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode; and,

the at least one of the channel quality and the signal strength of a second stream used in the detected dual stream transmission mode.

20. The method ofclaim 16, wherein when the mobile station has an ongoing Uplink Link Temporary Block Flow (UL TBF) with the access point then the mobile station sends a dedicated message which has a piggy-backed Ack/Nack (PAN) field or variation thereof wherein space therein contains the report.

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