Contention-based random access method with autonomous carrier selection

摘要

The method and apparatus described herein controls transmission from a plurality of user terminals to an access point on a random access channel in a wireless communication system. An access point determines an allowed information rate for each user terminal and transmits a rate control parameter indicative of the allowed information rates to the user terminals. The access point also computes a packet transmission probability and transmits the packet transmission probability to the user terminals on a common control channel. The packet transmission probability controls the number of user terminals that transmit in a given time slot to reduce collisions and increase the departure rate. The user terminals selectively transmit one or more packets to the access point in a time slot on the random access channel based on the allowed information rate and the packet transmission probability.