A method (18) for scheduling packet data transmissions in a wireless
communication system wherein a per-user Priority Function (PF) (24) is
based on a channel condition indicated by a Rate Request Indicator (RRI).
The method also considers fairness criteria dictated by predetermined
Quality of Service (QOS) requirements. In one embodiment, the rate request
indicator is a Data Rate Request (DRR). In another embodiment, the rate
request indicator is Carrier-to-Interference (C/I) information. In the
exemplary embodiment, the base station calculates a Priority Function (PF)
for the multiple mobile users. Each PF is a function of the rate request
indicator and the projected throughput of a given mobile user. The PF
values allow the base station to schedule active mobile units having
pending data. The scheduling produces an approximately equal share of the
allocated transmission time to the multiple mobile stations.
