WO2009070092A1

WO2009070092A1 - Improved uplink scheduling in a cellular system.

Info

Publication number: WO2009070092A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/050450
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jie Mao; Huaisong Zhu; Jingyue Nie
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2007-11-30
Filing date: 2008-04-21
Publication date: 2009-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2010-05-30
Also published as: CN101874424A; TW200935944A; CN101874424B

Abstract

A method (600) for a cellular system (100) with a controlling node (130) for a cell and a node (140) for radio network control. More than one uplink carrier frequency (605) is used in a cell (110) and the cell has an uplink channel with two types of transmission resources (610), scheduled and non-scheduled. The controlling node (130) of a cell is given control (615) over the scheduled transmission resources of the users (120), and the node (140) for radio network control is given initial control (620) over the non-scheduled transmission resources of the users. The controlling node (130) alone or together with a user (120) is subsequently (630) given control of the user's (120) non-scheduled transmission resources, to ensure that the user's non- scheduled uplink transmissions use the same uplink carrier frequency as the user's scheduled transmissions.

Description

TITLE

Improved uplink scheduling in a cellular system.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention discloses a method and a device for improved uplink scheduling in a cellular transmission system.

BACKGROUND

In certain cellular communications systems, there are channels which comprise both scheduled transmissions and non-scheduled transmissions. One example of such a system is the TD-SCDMA HSUPA system, Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access High Speed Uplink Access, in which an example of a channel of the kind mentioned is the E- PUCCH channel, Enhanced Physical Uplink Control Channel.

In a cell in a TD SCDMA system, the resources for scheduled transmissions in the E-PUCCH are controlled by the controlling node of the cell, the NodeB, while the resources for non-scheduled transmissions in the cell are controlled by a node for radio network control, in TD SCDMA known as the RNC. The resources in question may be, for example, time slots, channelization codes and periods.

Transmissions from users in a cell to the controlling node of the cell, so called uplink transmissions, are made according to "grants" from the NodeB in the case of scheduled transmissions, while the non-scheduled transmissions may be made without grants from the NodeB. However, the destination of non-scheduled transmissions from the users in a cell is still the NodeB of the cell.

In TD SCDMA systems, more than one carrier can be used for uplink traffic in a cell, and users are transferred between the various carriers of the cell by the NodeB of the cell. However, since the non-scheduled transmissions are made using resources which are controlled by the RNC as opposed to the NodeB, a case may occur in which a user is allocated different transmit frequencies for its scheduled and non-scheduled uplink transmissions. This is a problem, since a user will then have to transmit on two different frequencies during one and the same time interval, something for which most users are not able to do, and which would require two separate transmitters for one and the same user.

SUMMARY Thus, as explained above, there is a need for a solution by means of which the problem of a user having different frequencies for scheduled and non- scheduled transmissions can be overcome. Such a solution is offered by the present invention in that it discloses a method for use in a cellular communications system in which there is a controlling node for each cell and at least one node for radio network control.

According to the method of the invention, more than one uplink carrier frequency is used in at least a first cell, and this first cell has at least one uplink channel with two types of transmission resources, scheduled and non- scheduled transmission resources.

The controlling node of the first cell is given control over the scheduled resources of the cell and the node for radio network control is given initial control over the non-scheduled resources of the users of the cell. According to the method of the invention, the controlling node alone, or together with a user, is subsequently given control of the user's non-scheduled transmissions, in order to ensure that the user's non-scheduled uplink transmissions use the same uplink carrier frequency as the user's scheduled transmissions.

Thus, according to the method of the invention, if a controlling node transfers a user's scheduled uplink transmissions to a carrier which is different from the carrier which the user has initially been allocated for non-scheduled transmissions by the node for radio network control, the user's non- scheduled transmissions can be moved so that they remain on the same carrier as the scheduled transmissions, which obviates the problem of a user being allocated different frequencies for scheduled and non-scheduled transmissions.

The invention also discloses a controlling node for use in a system in which the invention is applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail in the following, with reference to the appended drawings, in which

Fig 1 shows a view of a system in which the invention may be applied, and Fig 2 shows a message exchange of the invention, and Figs 3-5 show scheduling according to the invention, and Fig 6 shows a flow chart of a method of the invention, and Fig 7 shows a block diagram of a controlling node of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig 1 shows an overview of a part of a system 100 in which the invention may be applied. The invention will in the following be described using terminology from the TD SCDMA HSUPA technology, but it should be pointed out that this is merely in order to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention, and should not be seen as limiting the scope of protection sought for the invention.

Turning now to fig 1 , there is shown a TD SCDMA cell 110, in which HSUPA technology is used. There is a controlling node 130, a NodeB for the cell 110, and the cell is shown as having one user 120, a UE, user equipment. Naturally, the number of users per cell, and the number of cells in the system can be varied, the numbers used in fig 1 are merely examples.

Also shown in fig 1 is a node RNC 140, an RNC, which is a node in the system that has as one of its roles to carry out the Radio Network Control of a number of cells in the system 100. It should be noted that there can be more than one RNC in a system, although only one RNC can control one and the same cell or the NodeB of one and the same the cell.

As explained initially, in the cell 110, there is an uplink channel, exemplified by the E-PUCCH channel of TD SCDMA which comprises both scheduled and non-scheduled resources, the scheduled resources being controlled by the NodeB and the non-scheduled resources being controlled by the RNC. The term "resources" is here used to mean a set of resources such as, for example, timeslots, channelization codes and periods.

In a TD SCDMA cell, several carriers can be used, and a problem may arise if the NodeB of a cell transfers the scheduled uplink E-PUCCH transmissions of an UE to a carrier which is not the same as the carrier of that UE's non- scheduled E-PUCCH uplink transmissions. This is a problem which can be overcome by means of the present invention, as follows:

According to the invention, control of certain of the non-scheduled resources of the E-PUCCH for a UE is transferred from the RNC to the NodeB alone or together with the UE, although the RNC will be given initial control of those resources. The word "initial" is here used in the sense that the resources in question will be set up, i.e. configured initially, by the RNC for the UE, either by means of one or more messages to the UE from the RNC via the NodeB, or by means of the NodeB in interaction with the NodeB.

Control of the resources in question for the UE is be transferred to the NodeB either alone or together with the UE, in order to ensure that the UE's scheduled E-PUCCH transmissions are moved to a carrier which is the same as the carrier on which the RNC configures the UE's non-scheduled E- PUCCH transmissions.

The non-scheduled resources which are transferred to the control of the NodeB together or with the UE will from now on also be referred to as "semi- scheduled resources".

Fig 2 shows an exchange of messages between the UE, NodeB and RNC of a cell in which the invention is used. Initially, for each of the carriers used in a cell, the RNC will configure the semi-scheduled transmission resources of the carriers, which will be done by means of message 1 of fig 2. Message is thus a message for set up of the semi-scheduled resources. Messages 2-8 will be described below, in connection with the description of their usage, as well as the grouping of messages into groups shown as "a" and "b" in fig 2.

According to the invention, there are two main embodiments for the transfer and control of the semi scheduled resources, these possibilities being referred to below as "numbering" and "non-numbering":

Numbering

In this embodiment, each semi-scheduled resource is assigned a number, with this number being used as a reference by the RNC, the NodeB and the UE throughout the re-configuring of the semi-scheduled resources. This alternative will be described in more detail below, but is outlined in fig 3, where three carriers are shown, one of them being referred to as the primary carrier, and the two others being secondary carriers number 1 and n, in order to indicate that there may be n secondary carriers in the cell.

As is also shown in fig 3, in each carrier there can be both semi-scheduled and scheduled resources. Each of the semi-scheduled resources is in this alterative given a number, 1 through n. Naturally, the use of the numbering 1 through n serves as a reference only and can be replaced with a letter or a symbol, or the reference can be a combination of one or more numbers, symbols and letters.

In this version, i.e. when "numbering" is used, the information concerning the configuring of the non-scheduled resources of a carrier will be updated by means of message 2, which is a system information message.

Two main options can be discerned in the "numbering embodiment":

Numbering, option one,

In this option, when a UE initially sets up an HSUPA connection, the RNC configures a certain semi-scheduled transmission resource number to the UE via the eNodeB, and the UE will then use the semi-scheduled transmission resource with this number in each carrier, when and if the UE is moved between the different carriers of the cell by the NodeB. Thus, in this option, control of the semi-scheduled resources is given to the UE together with the eNodeB.

Neither the RNC nor the NodeB will reconfigure the semi-scheduled transmission resource number allocated to the UE as the UE is moved between the different carriers of the cell. If and when the NodeB wants to schedule the UE to a different carrier, the NodeB first makes sure that the semi-scheduled transmission resource with the corresponding number is free in the target carrier. This check is easy to perform, since the semi-scheduled resources are either under the control of the NodeB or the RNC.

An example of this option is shown in fig 4, which shows what happens when an UE is scheduled from the primary carrier to secondary carrier number 1 , and then to secondary carrier number n: the UE has initially been allocated semi-scheduled transmission resource number 2, and the UE keeps the semi-scheduled resource with this number as the UE is first moved by the NodeB from the primary carrier to secondary carrier number 1 , and is then moved to secondary carrier number 2.

An advantage of this option is that no information on semi-scheduled transmission resource information needs to be sent to the UE.

Numbering, option two

In a first version of this option, indicated as "a" in the message diagram of fig 2, the RNC will configure one semi-scheduled transmission resource number or send the corresponding configuration information (timeslot, channelization codes, repetition period, repetition length, etc) to UE and NodeB in messages 3 and 4 in Figure 1.

Since the semi-scheduled transmission resource number is initially allocated by the RNC, the NodeB should report a change in the semi-scheduled transmission resource status to the RNC when there is a status change, a report which can take place in message 8 in Figure 2. Such a status change can be the result of, for example, the eNodeB wishing to move the UE to another carrier frequency, or the eNodeB wishing to change the configuration of an UE, by means of changing, for example timeslots, whilst letting the UE remain on the same carrier frequency. Thus, in this option, the eNodeB can be said to control the semi-scheduled resources alone, without the UE.

If or when the UE is handed over to another cell, the RNC will reconfigure the semi-scheduled transmission resource of the UE for the target cell.

In a second version of option 2, shown as "b" in fig 2, the semi-scheduled transmission resource number or the configuration information (timeslot, channelization codes, repetition period, repetition length ...) is allocated by the NodeB and configured to the UE in a first "grant" in the E- AGCH in message 5 in Figure 1 , without a previous schedule request from UE. Thus, in this option as well, the eNodeB can be said to control the semi-scheduled resources alone, without the UE.

The semi-scheduled transmission resource number or the corresponding configuration information (timeslot, channelization codes, repetition period, repetition length, etc.) can, as an alternative, be sent to the UE in a new message, i.e. one which is created especially for this purpose. If or when the

UE is handed over to another cell in the system, the RNC will not reconfigure the semi-scheduled transmission resource of the UE; instead the NodeB of the target cell will allocate the semi-scheduled transmission resource when the UE has arrived in the target cell.

In this option, i.e. "b", when the NodeB wants to move the UE to a different carrier, the NodeB will first try to find a free semi-scheduled transmission resource and then transmit the number of the free semi-scheduled transmission resource in the new carrier to the UE in, for example, the E- AGCH (in which case a new IE may need to be added to the E-AGCH) in message 7 in figure 2 when the UE has sent a schedule request to the NodeB in message 6 in Figure 2. NodeB can also reconfigure the different semi-scheduled transmission resource in the same carrier.

An example of this option is shown in fig 5, which shows what happens as a UE is moved from the primary carrier to secondary carrier number 1 , and from there to secondary carrier number n: the semi-scheduled transmission resources of the UE will be reconfigured from semi-scheduled transmission resource number in the primary carrier to semi-scheduled transmission number 2 in secondary carrier number 1 , and from there to semi-scheduled transmission resource number 3 in secondary carrier number n, as the NodeB finds free semi-scheduled resources with different numbers in the different carriers between which the UE is moved. In this version of the invention, if or when a UE is handed over to another cell, the UE can send data to the NodeB of the new cell with the semi-scheduled transmission after receiving a semi-scheduled resources allocating message from the NodeB of the new cell. The UE can determine the timing advance which should be used for the transmissions based on source NodeB and target NodeB timing difference measurements, such as, for example, the SFN-SFN (System Frame Number) observed time differences.

The timing advance for the target NodeB can be seen as the timing advance of the source cell plus the time difference of the reception time of frames from the target cell and the source cell. If there is no data to be sent to the NodeB during the handover, "dummy" data may be sent until a response is received in downlink, for example, in the E-HICH (E-DCH HARQ Acknowledgement

Indicator Channel), and the uplink is synchronized. As an alternative, the dummy data can be SI (Scheduling Information)

To keep the uplink synchronization, if there is no data to be sent to NodeB from the UE for a long time (5ms~80ms), "dummy" data may be sent to the NodeB with the semi-schedules transmission resources. As an alternative, the dummy data can be SI (Scheduling Information)

RNC can reconfigure the Semi-schedule transmission resources in each carrier of the cell. NodeB can also report the status of the Semi-schedule transmission resources to RNC, for example, percentage of the free Semi- schedule transmission resources. RNC can reconfigure the Semi-schedule transmission resources in each carrier of the cell based on the report from NodeB.

"Non-numbering" In this second option, the semi-scheduled resources are configured in each carrier without numbering. In this option, the NodeB will allocate all or part of the semi-scheduled transmission resources in a carrier to a UE, and will send this information to the UE in a downlink channel such as, for example, the E- AGCH, i.e. the E-DCH Absolute Grant Channel.

The allocation information can comprise, for example, carrier frequency, timeslots, channelization codes, repetition periods, repetition lengths, etc. If the UE in question is moved to another carrier, or reconfigured in the same carrier (for example, by a change of timeslots or channelization codes in the same carrier) or the call/session is terminated, the semi-scheduled resources will be released by the NodeB, i.e. the resources may be allocated by the NodeB for other use. If a UE is moved to another carrier, or reconfigured in the same carrier, new resources will be configured to the UE in the new carrier or in the same carrier in a downlink channel such as, for example, the E-AGCH, i.e. the E-DCH Absolute Grant Channel, in this option, the eNodeB can also be said to control the semi-scheduled resources alone, without the UE.

Fig 6 shows a rough flow chart of a method 600 of the invention. Steps which are options or alternatives are shown with dashed lines.

Thus, as has emerged from the description above, the inventive method 600 is intended for use in a cellular communications system such as the one 100 in fig 1.

In the system in which the invention may be applied, there is a controlling node for each cell and at least one node for radio network control. As indicated in step 605, more than one uplink carrier frequency is used in at least a first ceil, and as shown in step 610, the first cell has at least one uplink channel with two types of transmission resources, scheduled and non- scheduled.

Step 615 shows that the controlling node, i.e. the eNodeB, of the first cell is given control over the scheduled transmission resources of the users of the cell, and the node 140 for radio network control is given initial control over the non-scheduled transmission resources of the users of the cell.

Step 620 illustrates that the node for radio network control, the RNC, is given initial control over the non-scheduled transmission resources of the users of the cell,

As shown in step 630, the controlling node, alone or together with a user, is subsequently given control of the user's non-scheduled transmission resources in order to ensure that the user's non-scheduled uplink transmissions use the same uplink carrier frequency as the user's scheduled transmissions.

As shown in step 640, in one embodiment of the invention, the controlling node of a cell allocates all or part of the non-scheduled transmission resources in a carrier to a user and sends the configuration information regarding this allocation to the user in a downlink channel.

In this embodiment, if the user is moved to another carrier by the controlling node, or if the user's session with the system is terminated, control of the non-scheduled transmission resources for the user can be returned to the node for network control.

As shown in step 655, in one embodiment of the invention, at least a first non-scheduled transmission resource in a number of carriers is given a reference, such as a number, a letter or a symbol, or a combination of those, and a user may utilize non-scheduled transmission resources with one and the same reference in different carriers if the user is moved between those carriers.

As indicated in step 635, non-scheduled transmission resources may also initially be allocated to a user and its controlling node by the node for network control, and the controlling node can report to the node for network control if the controlling node re-allocates the resources.

Step 650 illustrates that in one embodiment of the invention, the controlling node of a cell is given control of at least a number of non-scheduled resources in a number of carriers and allocates non-scheduled resources to at least a first user, regardless of whether or not that user has signalled a need for such resources. In this embodiment, at least a first non-scheduled transmission resource in a number of carriers can be given a reference, such as a number, a letter or a symbol, or a combination of those, and the controlling node will then transfer a user's non-scheduled transmissions to another carrier by transmitting the reference of the new carrier to the user. Also, in this embodiment, the transfer may be is carried out if the user has transmitted a request for uplink transmissions to the controlling node.

The non-scheduled resources used in the method of the invention can include one or more of the following: a timeslot, a channelization code, a repetition period or a repetition length.

The method 600 as described above may be applied to a Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access system, a TD SCDMA system, so that the controlling node of a cell is a TD SCDMA NodeB, and the node for network control is a TD SCDMA RNC.

Fig 7 shows a schematic block diagram of a transceiver 700 for use as a controlling node in a system in which the invention is applied. As indicated in fig 7, the controlling node 700 will comprise an antenna, shown as block 710, and will also comprise a receive part 720 and a transmit part 730. In addition, the controlling node 700 also comprises a control means 740 such as a micro processor, as well as a memory 750. Furthermore, the controlling node 700 also comprises an interface 760 towards other components in the system apart from the UEs. The components 710, 720 730,740, 750 and 760 will in the description below only be referred to by their reference numbers, for reasons of brevity.

The controlling node 700, as has emerged from the description above, is intended for use in a cell of a cellular communications system, in which system there is also at least one node for radio network control.

The controlling node can use its components 710, 720 and 740 for receiving uplink traffic on more than one uplink carrier frequency and also for receiving at least one uplink channel with two types of transmission resources, scheduled and non-scheduled.

In addition, the controlling node can use its means 740, 750, 730 and 710 for controlling the scheduled transmission resources of the users of the cell which the node controls, and can use its components 760, 750 and 740 for, alone or together with a user, being given control of the user's non-scheduled transmission resources by the node for radio network control, in order to ensure that the user's non-scheduled uplink transmissions use the same uplink carrier frequency as the user's scheduled transmissions.

In one embodiment the controlling node 700 uses its components 710, 730, 740 and 750 for allocating all or part of the non-scheduled transmission resources in a carrier to a user, and uses the components 710 and 730 for sending the configuration information regarding this allocation to the user in a downlink channel. In this embodiment, the controlling node can use the components 760, 740 and 750 for returning the non-scheduled transmission resources of a user to the node for network control if the user is moved to another carrier by the controlling node, or if the user's session with the system is terminated,

In a further embodiment the controlling node 700 uses its components 740 and 750 for giving at least a first non-scheduled transmission resource in a number of carriers a reference, such as a number, a letter or a symbol, or a combination of those, so that a user may utilize non-scheduled transmission resources with one and the same reference in different carriers if the user is moved between those carriers.

Alternatively, the controlling node 700 can use its components 760, 740, 750 for, together with a user, receiving non-scheduled transmission resources from the node for radio network control, and may use the components 760, 740 and 750 for reporting to the node for radio network control if the controlling node re-allocates the resources.

In another embodiment, the controlling node 700 uses its components 760, 750 and 740 for being given control of at least a number of non-scheduled resources in a number of carriers by the node for radio network control, and uses the components 710, 730, 740 and 750 for allocating non-scheduled resources to at least a first user, regardless of whether or not that user has signalled a need for such resources.

In this embodiment, the controlling node 700 uses its components 740 and 750 for assigning to at least a first non-scheduled transmission resource in a number of carriers a reference, such as a number, a letter or a symbol, or a combination of those, and also uses the components 710, 730, 740 and 750 for transferring a user's non-scheduled transmissions to another carrier by transmitting the reference of the new carrier to the user. In one version of this embodiment, the controlling node carries out the transfer if the user has transmitted a request for uplink transmissions to the controlling node.

In the controlling node of the invention, the non-scheduled resources can include one or more of the following: a timeslot, a channelization code, a repetition period or a repetition length. In a preferred embodiment, the controlling node 700 of the invention is a NodeB in a system for Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access, TD SCDMA.

The invention is not limited to the examples of embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but may be freely varied within the scope of the appended claims. It should also be pointed out that all operations for the non- scheduled transmissions can be applied to the semi-scheduled transmissions of the invention.

Claims

1. A method (600) for use in a cellular communications system (100), in which system there is a controlling node (130) for each cell and at least one node (140) for radio network control, according to which method more than one uplink carrier frequency (605) is used in at least a first cell (110) and said first cell has at least one uplink channel with two types of transmission resources (610), scheduled and non-scheduled, according to which method the controlling node (130) of said first cell is given control (615) over the scheduled transmission resources of the users (120) of the cell and the node (140) for radio network control is given initial control (620) over the non- scheduled transmission resources of the users of the cell, the method being characterized in that the controlling node (130) alone or together with a user (120) is subsequently (630) given control of the user's (120) non-scheduled transmission resources, in order to ensure that the user's non-scheduled uplink transmissions use the same uplink carrier frequency as the user's scheduled transmissions.

2. The method (600, 640) of claim 1 , according to which the controlling node (130) of a cell (110) allocates all or part of the non-scheduled transmission resources in a carrier to a user (120) and sends the configuration information regarding this allocation to the user in a downlink channel.

3. The method (600, 640) of claim 2, according to which, if the user (120) is moved to another carrier by the controlling node (130), or the user's session with the system is terminated, control of the non-scheduled transmission resources for the user are returned to the node for network control (140).

4. The method (600, 645) of claim 1 , according to which at least a first non- scheduled transmission resource in a number of carriers is given a reference, such as a number, a letter or a symbol, or a combination of those, and a user (120) utilizes non-scheduled transmission resources with one and the same reference in different carriers if the user is moved between those carriers.

5. The method (600, 635) of claim 1 , according to which non-scheduled transmission resources are initially allocated to a user (120) and its controlling node (130) by the node (140) for network control, and the controlling node reports to the node for network control if the controlling node re-allocates the resources.

6. The method (600, 650) of claim 1 , according to which the controlling node (130) of a cell (110) is given control of at least a number of non-scheduled resources in a number of carriers and allocates non-scheduled resources to at least a first user (120), regardless of whether or not that user has signalled a need for such resources.

7. The method (600, 655) of claim 6, according to which at least a first non- scheduled transmission resource in a number of carriers is given a reference, such as a number, a letter or a symbol, or a combination of those, and the controlling node (130) transfers a user's (120) non-scheduled transmissions to another carrier by transmitting the reference of the new carrier to the user.

8. The method (600, 655) of claim 7, according to which the transfer is carried out if the user (120) has transmitted a request for uplink transmissions to the controlling node (130).

9. The method (600) of any of claims 1-8, according to which the non- scheduled resources include one or more of the following: a timeslot, a channelization code, a repetition period or a repetition length.

10. The method (600) of any of claims 1-9, applied to a Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access system, a TD SCDMA system, so that the controlling node (130) of a cell (110) is a TD SCDMA NodeB, and the node (140) for network control is a TD SCDMA RNC.

11. A controlling node (700) for use in a cell (110) of a cellular Communications system (100), in which system there is also at least one node (140) for radio network control, the controlling node (700) being equipped with means (710, 720, 740) for receiving uplink traffic on more than one uplink carrier frequency and with means (710, 720, 740) for receiving at least one uplink channel with two types of transmission resources, scheduled and non-scheduled, the controlling node (130) being equipped with means (740, 750, 730, 710) for controlling the scheduled transmission resources of the users (120) of the cell, the controlling node being characterized in that it is equipped with means (760, 750, 740) for, alone or together with a user (120), being given control of the user's (120) non-scheduled transmission resources by the node for radio network cntrol, in order to ensure that the user's non-scheduled uplink transmissions use the same uplink carrier frequency as the user's scheduled transmissions.

12. The controlling node (700) of claim 11 , being equipped with means (710, 730, 740, 750) for allocating all or part of the non-scheduled transmission resources in a carrier to a user (120) and means (710, 730) for sending the configuration information regarding this allocation to the user in a downlink channel.

13. The controlling node (700) of claim 12, being equipped with means (760, 740, 750) for returning the non-scheduled transmission resources of a user to the node for network control (140) if the user (120) is moved to another carrier by the controlling node (130), or the user's session with the system is terminated,

14. The controlling node (700) of claim 11 , being equipped with means (740, 750) for giving at least a first non-scheduled transmission resource in a number of carriers a reference, such as a number, a letter or a symbol, or a combination of those, so that a user may utilize non-scheduled transmission resources with one and the same reference in different carriers if the user is moved between those carriers.

15. The controlling node (700) of claim 11 , being equipped with means (760, 740, 750) for receiving non-scheduled transmission resources together with a user by the node (140) for radio network control, and with means (760, 740, 750) for reporting to the node for radio network control if the controlling node re-allocates the resources.

16. The controlling node (700) of claim 11 , being equipped with means (760, 750, 740) for being given control of at least a number of non-scheduled resources in a number of carriers and means (710, 730, 740, 750) for allocating non-scheduled resources to at least a first user (120), regardless of whether or not that user has signalled a need for such resources.

17. The controlling node (700) of claim 16, being equipped with means (740, 750) for assigning to at least a first non-scheduled transmission resource in a number of carriers a reference, such as a number, a letter or a symbol, or a combination of those, and with means (710, 730, 740, 750) for transferring a user's (120) non-scheduled transmissions to another carrier by transmitting the reference of the new carrier to the user.

18. The controlling node (700) of claim 17, which carries out the transfer if the user (120) has transmitted a request for uplink transmissions to the controlling node (130).

19. The controlling node (700) of any of claims 11-18, in which the non- scheduled resources include one or more of the following: a timeslot, a channelization code, a repetition period or a repetition length.

20. The controlling node (700) of any of claims 11-19, being a NodeB in a system for Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access, TD SCDMA