A network-assisted dynamic packet assignment algorithm for wireless data networks

We propose a dynamic packet assignment algorithm, Network-Assisted Dynamic Packet Assignment (NA-DPA), for wireless data networks with frame synchronized base stations. The basic idea of NA-DPA is to use inter-base signaling to shift most of the burden of the resource allocation from the air interface to the backbone infrastructure. By exchanging path loss and channel assignment information in real time, each base can calculate the effect of-a resource assignment on the overall system. As a result, rapid interference measurements, which are typically needed to implement dynamic channel assignment (DCA) schemes, are replaced by a limited amount of path loss measurements and the computation of interference conditions by the base stations. This significantly reduces the measurement and over-the-air signaling requirements. It also provides an opportunity for a better optimization of the system performance, than that permitted by other DCA algorithms. We show NA-DPA can provide a throughput that is 50% higher than that obtained by other proposed DCA algorithms.