METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SCHEDULING PEER TO PEER TRAFFIC IN CELLULAR NETWORKS

摘要

A wireless terminal receives peer to peer resource control information from a base station. The peer to peer resource control information is used by the wireless terminal in a peer to peer network to control transmission scheduling and/or resource utilization. The base station sends the control signals at a first rate which is slower than the rate at which wireless terminals make transmission decisions for traffic slots. During the intervals between receipt of the base station control signals, wireless terminals make transmission decisions with regard to multiple traffic segments. The decisions are also influenced based on peer to peer signaling occurring between the wireless terminals in the network for each traffic slot. Resource utilization feedback information is provided from the wireless terminal to the base station. Based on the feedback information the base station updates the resource utilization control information and sends updated resource utilization control signals to the wireless terminals.