Method and apparatus for managing wireless communication based on network traffic level

摘要

The present invention provides a method for managing communications of a wireless device in a wireless communication system based on network traffic level, and a wireless device comprising a control system configured to evaluate a network traffic level. The wireless device may be configured to transmit data, such as delay-tolerant data, based upon the network traffic level, for example transmitting data only under low traffic conditions. Deferring delay-tolerant communications may result in lower peak traffic conditions in the network. Evaluating the network traffic level may comprise measuring chip energy over total energy (Ec/Io), monitoring data on shared control channels such as HS-SCCH of a HSDPA system, inferring power allocated to channels by a dynamic power allocation scheme, or other methods.

主权项

1. A method for managing communication of a wireless device with a wireless communication system, the method comprising:
a. evaluating a network traffic level based partially or fully upon signals associated with communications in the wireless communication system, said signals associated with communications involving devices other than the wireless device, wherein said signals are monitored and evaluated using the wireless device, wherein the network traffic level represents a total amount of signaling traffic caused by wireless communication devices within the wireless communication system relative to an amount of traffic sustainable by the wireless communication system; and b. selectively transmitting delay-tolerant data from the wireless device based upon the network traffic level by transmitting said delay-tolerant data when the network traffic level is below a predetermined threshold and refraining from transmitting said delay-tolerant data when the network traffic level is above the predetermined threshold; wherein evaluating the network traffic level is based partially or fully on an indirect measurement of radio power made independently by the wireless device, the indirect measurement comprising performing a first measurement of radio power associated with a first set of one or more channels of the wireless communication system and inferring radio power associated with a second set of one or more channels of the wireless communication system based on the first measurement of radio power.