Why Packet Scheduling?

It is characteristic for RT traffic that its load cannot be controlled in efficient way. Load caused by RT
traffic, interference from other cell users and noise together is called non-controllable load. The available
capacity, which is not used by non-controllable load, can be used for NRT radio bearers on best effort
basis. To fill the whole load budget and achieve the maximum capacity, the allocation of NRT traffic needs
to be fast.
The Packet scheduler is a general feature, which takes care of scheduling radio resources for NRT radio
bearers for both UL & DL directions; Packet scheduling happens periodically (with the period of tens of
milliseconds) and is implemented for both dedicated (DCH) and common control transport channels
(RACH/FACH).
Additionally, packet access is implemented for HS-DSCH when using HSDPA and for E-DCH in
the case of HSUPA.
Packet scheduler is not applicable to the HS-DSCH MAC-d flow in DL and E-DCH in UL.
Scheduled capacity depends on the UE capabilities, Node B capabilities, current load of the cell as well as
the availability of the physical radio resources.
PS and MAC layer together make the decision of the used channel type for DL direction, data
transmission on dedicated channel is initiated when MAC layer requests transmission capacity
For UL direction the decision of the used channel type is based on UE measurements and parameters
controlled by network. Data transmission on dedicated channels is initiated when a capacity request is
received from UE.
The selection of the channel type is done fast - taking into account the data amount in the buffers and the
current radio conditions
CS Voice over HSPA is non-controllable load and impacts also RT DCH admission. If CS voice over
HSPA is in the cell, then the target for the non-controllable transmitted carrier power
is dynamic. Despite it, power of the DCH traffic cannot exceed PtxTarget.