Method and apparatus for transmitting high rate packet data over under-utilized virtual circuits

摘要

A wireless communications system (10) and method for providing simultaneous multi- channel packet data communications to a single user for given services without compromising system performance and efficiency. The system has at least one base station (11) that transmits to at least one of a plurality of receiver stations (12-14) over a given set of carrier frequencies, wherein each base station keeps of list of optimal frequencies over which a given receiver station would reliably receive data packets transmitted from the base station without the need for an increase in carrier energy. In one embodiment the system maintains a queue for each terminal to which data packets will be delivered. The data packets can be delivered over voice-dedicated and/or data packet dedicated frequencies at one time. In any event, however, when transmitting on voice-dedicated frequencies, the queued data packets are transmitted during voice inactivity periods. In another embodiment, both the base station and the receiver stations or terminals are capable of transmitting different packet data simultaneously over different frequencies.