An enhanced RLC/MAC design for supporting integrated services over EGPRS

We examine the feasibility of supporting integrated services, such as packet voice, Web browsing, and best-effort data, using Enhanced General Packet Radio Services (EGPRS). Among many factors that need to be considered, we focus on enhancing the radio link control/medium access control (RLC/MAC) layer design to support such services. We first describe the relevant capabilities offered by the current standard, and then outline additional capabilities that are needed at RLC/MAC layer to support real-time services. In summary, these needed capabilities are: (1) fast uplink access during an ongoing session; (2) fast resource assignment for both uplink and downlink; and (3) the ability to differentiate services at the base station sub-system. To realize these capabilities, we propose enhancements to the RLC/MAC layer, including: (1) a new set of packet control channels; (2) uplink access protocols that utilize these control channels; and (3) a new access request identifier. These changes would enable EGPRS to offer a wide range of services through a single packet based network