| 摘要 |
The invention described herein enables a form of downlink macro-diversity in packet-switched cellular networks. It allows packets (650, 650', 652, 652', 654, 654', 656, 656', 658, 658', 660, 660', 662) to be selectively delivered from a network/internetwork to an end node (200), e.g., wireless communication device or terminal, over a set of available link-layer connections (402, 502) to/from the end node (200), through one or more access nodes (300, 300'), e.g., base stations. Downlink macro-diversity is particularly important when the link layer connections (402, 502) between the end node (200) and the corresponding access node (300, 300'), e.g., the access links, are subject to independent or partially correlated time variations in signal strength and interference. In accordance with the invention, the end node (200) dynamically selects a downlink (402, 502) to be used out of a set of available access links on a per packet basis subject to prevailing channel conditions, availability of airlink resources and other constraints. The invention improves the robustness and efficiency of communication, overall utilization of air-link resources, and quality of service experienced by the end node (200). |
