Method and apparatus for high rate packet data transmission

• US 8,009,625 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Black, Peter J., Wheatley, Charles E. III, Grob, Matthew S., Bender, Paul E., Padovani, Roberto, Sindhushayana, Nagabhushana T., Hinderling, Jurg K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phunkulh; Bob A
• Application Number:
  US11/540,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20070019567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/330
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/264 for data rate control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0026 Transmission of channel quality indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1809 Selective-repeat protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1829 Arrangements specially adapted for the receiver end
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/04 Scheduled access hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

In a data communication system capable of variable rate transmission, high rate packet data transmission improves utilization of the forward link and decreases the transmission delay. Data transmission on the forward link is time multiplexed and the base station transmits at the highest data rate supported by the forward link at each time slot to one mobile station. The data rate is determined by the largest C/I measurement of the forward link signals as measured at the mobile station. Upon determination of a data packet received in error, the mobile station transmits a NACK message back to the base station. The NACK message results in retransmission of the data packet received in error. The data packets can be transmitted out of sequence by the use of sequence number to identify each data unit within the data packets.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

means for receiving a transmission of pilot;

means for measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system based on the received transmission of pilot;

means for determining a data rate usable for an initial transmission of data based on the measured channel quality;

means for mapping the data rate to a quality indicator;

means for transmitting the quality indicator; and

means for receiving the initial transmission of data as a function of the quality indicator determined based on the measured channel quality, the initial transmission of data being received after receiving the transmission of pilot and after transmitting the quality indicator.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for determining a modulation format as a function of the measured channel quality.

3. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for determining a modulation format as a function of the data rate.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for determining the data rate based on the measured channel quality comprises:

means for determining a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality, and

means for determining a supported data rate based on the maximum data rate, wherein the supported data rate is mapped to the quality indicator.

5. The apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the means for transmitting the quality indicator comprises:

means for transmitting the quality indicator to request transmission at the supported data rate, and

wherein the means for receiving the initial transmission of data comprises;

means for receiving the initial transmission of data at the supported data rate.

6. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for determining the data rate based on the measured channel quality comprises:

means for determining a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to the maximum data rate.

7. The apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the means for receiving the initial transmission of data comprises:

means for receiving the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than the maximum data rate.

8. The apparatus as in claim 6, wherein the means for receiving the initial transmission of data comprises:

means for receiving the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than or equal to the maximum data rate.

9. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the quality indicator comprises a data rate control index value.

10. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the data rate control index value corresponds to a maximum data rate supported by the measured channel quality.

11. The apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the data rate control index value specifies a modulation format.

12. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to a bit error rate.

13. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for receiving an indication of a transmission data rate used for the initial transmission of data; and

means for decoding the initial transmission of data based on the transmission data rate.

14. The apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is received with the initial transmission of data.

15. The apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is received prior to receiving the initial transmission of data.

16. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for measuring channel quality comprises:

means for measuring a Carrier-to-Interference (C/I) ratio of the link.

17. The apparatus as in claim 16, wherein the means for measuring channel quality further comprises:

means for quantizing the C/I ratio; and

means for mapping the quantized C/I ratio to the data rate.

18. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for determining the data rate comprises:

means for quantizing the measured channel quality to obtain a maximum data rate, wherein the maximum data rate is mapped to the quality indicator.

19. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for determining the data rate comprises:

means for quantizing the measured channel quality to obtain a maximum data rate, and

means for determining a supported data rate based on the maximum data rate, wherein the supported data rate is mapped to the quality indicator.

20. The apparatus as in claim 19, wherein the means for mapping the data rate to the quality indicator further comprises:

means for determining an index value corresponding to the supported data rate, wherein the quality indicator includes the index value.

21. The apparatus as in claim 20, wherein the index value specifies a modulation format.

22. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program to increase data throughput and efficiency when coupled to a computing device.

23. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for measuring channel quality comprises means for measuring channel quality of the link independent of received data.

24. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for measuring channel quality comprises means for measuring channel quality of the link based on a pilot transmitted independently of data.

25. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for measuring channel quality comprises means for measuring channel quality of the link based on a pilot transmitted periodically.

26. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for measuring channel quality comprises means for measuring channel quality of the link based on a pilot transmitted continuously.

62. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:

means for receiving an additional transmission of data as a function of the quality indicator determined based on the measured channel quality.

27. A method implemented in an apparatus in a wireless communication system, comprising:

receiving a transmission of pilot;

measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system based on the received transmission of pilot;

determining a data rate usable for an initial transmission of data based on the measured channel quality;

mapping the data rate to a quality indicator;

transmitting the quality indicator; and

receiving the initial transmission of data as a function of the quality indicator determined based on the measured channel quality, the initial transmission of data being received after receiving the transmission of pilot and after transmitting the quality indicator.

37. The method as in claim 27, further comprising:

receiving an additional transmission of data as a function of the quality indicator determined based on the measured channel quality.

38. The method as in claim 27, further comprising:

determining a modulation format as a function of the measured channel quality.

39. The method as in claim 27, further comprising:

determining a modulation format as a function of the data rate.

40. The method as in claim 27, wherein the determining the data rate based on the measured channel quality comprises:

determining a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality, and

determining a supported data rate based on the maximum data rate, wherein the supported data rate is mapped to the quality indicator.

41. The method as in claim 40, wherein the transmitting the quality indicator comprises:

transmitting the quality indicator to request transmission at the supported data rate, and

wherein the receiving the initial transmission of data comprises;

receiving the initial transmission of data at the supported data rate.

42. The method as in claim 27, wherein the determining the data rate based on the measured channel quality comprises:

determining a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality, and wherein the quality indicator corresponds to the maximum data rate.

43. The method as in claim 42, wherein the receiving the initial transmission of data comprises:

receiving the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than the maximum data rate.

44. The method as in claim 42, wherein the receiving the initial transmission of data comprises:

receiving the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than or equal to the maximum data rate.

45. The method as in claim 27, wherein the quality indicator comprises a data rate control index value.

46. The method as in claim 45, wherein the data rate control index value corresponds to a maximum data rate supported by the measured channel quality.

47. The method as in claim 45, wherein the data rate control index value specifies a modulation format.

48. The method as in claim 27, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to a bit error rate.

49. The method as in claim 37, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a transmission data rate used for the initial transmission of data; and

decoding the initial transmission of data based on the transmission data rate.

50. The method as in claim 49, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is received with the initial transmission of data.

51. The method as in claim 49, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is received prior to receiving the initial transmission of data.

52. The method as in claim 27, wherein the measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system comprises:

measuring a Carrier-to-Interference (C/I) ratio of the link.

53. The method as in claim 52, wherein the measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system further comprises:

quantizing the C/I ratio; and

mapping the quantized C/I ratio to the data rate.

54. The method as in claim 27, wherein the determining the data rate comprises:

quantizing the measured channel quality to obtain a maximum data rate, wherein the maximum data rate is mapped to the quality indicator.

55. The method as in claim 27, wherein the determining the data rate comprises:

quantizing the measured channel quality to obtain a maximum data rate, and

determining a supported data rate based on the maximum data rate, wherein the supported data rate is mapped to the quality indicator.

56. The method as in claim 55, wherein the mapping the data rate to the quality indicator further comprises:

determining an index value corresponding to the supported data rate, wherein the quality indicator includes the index value.

57. The method as in claim 56, wherein the index value specifies a modulation format.

58. The method as in claim 27, wherein the measuring channel quality comprises measuring channel quality of the link independent of received data.

59. The method as in claim 27, wherein the measuring channel quality comprises measuring channel quality of the link based on a pilot transmitted independently of data.

60. The method as in claim 27, wherein the measuring channel quality comprises measuring channel quality of the link based on a pilot transmitted periodically.

61. The method as in claim 27, wherein the measuring channel quality comprises measuring channel quality of the link based on a pilot transmitted continuously.

28. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

means for measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system;

means for determining a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality;

means for mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator;

means for transmitting the quality indicator;

means for receiving data as a function of the quality indicator;

means for decoding the received data at a first data rate; and

means for decoding the received data at a second data rate if decoding at the first data rate is unsuccessful, wherein the second data rate is different from the first data rate.

29. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

means for measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system;

means for determining a data rate based on the measured channel quality;

means for mapping the data rate to a quality indicator;

means for transmitting the quality indicator by use of an absolute reference and a relative reference; and

means for receiving data as a function of the quality indicator.

30. The apparatus as in claim 29, wherein the absolute reference identifies the data rate.

31. The apparatus as in claim 29, wherein the relative reference indicates whether the data rate for an upcoming time slot is higher or lower than the data rate of a previous time slot.

32. The apparatus as in claim 29, wherein the relative reference indicates whether the data rate for an upcoming time slot is higher, lower or the same as the data rate of a previous time slot.

33. The apparatus as in claim 29, further comprising:

means for determining a supported data rate based on the channel quality; and

means for transmitting the absolute reference to request transmission at the supported data rate.

34. The apparatus as in claim 33, further comprising:

means for transmitting the relative reference to indicate whether to increase or decrease the supported data rate.

35. The apparatus as in claim 33, further comprising:

means for transmitting the relative reference to indicate whether to increase, decrease or maintain the supported data rate.

36. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for a wireless communication system, comprising:

a first plurality of instructions for receiving a transmission of pilot;

a second plurality of instructions for measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system based on the received transmission of pilot;

a third plurality of instructions for determining a data rate usable for an initial transmission of data based on the measured channel quality;

a fourth plurality of instructions for mapping the data rate to a quality indicator;

a fifth plurality of instructions for transmitting the quality indicator; and

a sixth plurality of instructions for receiving the initial transmission of data as a function of the quality indicator determined based on the measured channel quality, the initial transmission of data being received after receiving the transmission of pilot and after transmitting the quality indicator.

63. A method implemented in an apparatus in a wireless communication system, comprising:

measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system;

determining a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality;

mapping the maximum data rate to a quality indicator;

transmitting the quality indicator;

receiving data as a function of the quality indicator;

decoding the received data at a first data rate; and

decoding the received data at a second data rate if decoding at the first data rate is unsuccessful, wherein the second data rate is different from the first data rate.

64. A method implemented in an apparatus in a wireless communication system, comprising:

measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system;

determining a data rate based on the measured channel quality;

mapping the data rate to a quality indicator;

transmitting the quality indicator by use of an absolute reference and a relative reference; and

receiving data as a function of the quality indicator.

65. The method as in claim 64, wherein the absolute reference identifies the data rate.

66. The method as in claim 64 or 65, wherein the relative reference indicates whether the data rate for an upcoming time slot is higher or lower than the data rate of a previous time slot.

67. The method as in claim 64, wherein the relative reference indicates whether the data rate for an upcoming time slot is higher, lower or the same as the data rate of a previous time slot.

68. The method as in claim 64, further comprising:

determining a supported data rate based on the channel quality; and

transmitting the absolute reference to request transmission at the supported data rate.

69. The method as in claim 68, further comprising:

transmitting the relative reference to indicate whether to increase or decrease the supported data rate.

70. The method as in claim 68, further comprising:

transmitting the relative reference to indicate whether to increase, decrease or maintain the supported data rate.

71. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

means for sending a transmission of pilot;

means for receiving a quality indicator for a link in the communication system, the quality indicator being determined based on the transmission of pilot;

means for determining a data rate usable for an initial transmission of data based on the received quality indicator; and

means for sending the initial transmission of data as a function of the data rate, the initial transmission of data being sent after sending the transmission of pilot and after receiving the quality indicator.

72. The apparatus as in claim 71, further comprising:

means for determining a modulation format based on the received quality indicator.

73. The apparatus as in claim 71, further comprising:

means for determining a modulation format as a function of the data rate.

74. The apparatus as in claim 71, wherein the quality indicator indicates a maximum data rate supported by a measured channel quality for the link.

75. The apparatus as in claim 74, wherein the means for sending the initial transmission of data comprises:

means for sending the initial transmission of data at the maximum data rate.

76. The apparatus as in claim 74, wherein the means for sending the initial transmission of data comprises:

means for sending the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than the maximum data rate.

77. The apparatus as in claim 74, wherein the means for sending the initial transmission of data comprises:

means for sending the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than or equal to the maximum data rate.

78. The apparatus as in claim 71, wherein the quality indicator comprises a data rate control index value.

79. The apparatus as in claim 78, wherein the data rate control index value corresponds to a maximum data rate supported by a measured channel quality for the link.

80. The apparatus as in claim 78, wherein the data rate control index value specifies a modulation format.

81. The apparatus as in claim 71, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to a bit error rate.

82. The apparatus as in claim 71, further comprising:

means for transmitting an indication of a transmission data rate used for the initial transmission of data.

83. The apparatus as in claim 82, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is transmitted with the initial transmission of data.

84. The apparatus as in claim 71, further comprising:

means for transmitting data at a constant transmit power independent of the data rate.

85. The apparatus as in claim 71, further comprising:

means for receiving quality indicators from a plurality of mobile stations, each quality indicator indicative of a quality of a link in the communication system; and

means for scheduling data transmissions as a function of the quality indicators received.

86. The apparatus as in any of claim 71 or 85, wherein the apparatus is a non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program to increase data throughput and efficiency when coupled to a computing device.

87. The apparatus as in claim 71, further comprising:

means for sending an additional transmission of data as a function of the data rate.

88. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

means for receiving a quality indicator for a link in the communication system;

means for determining a data rate based on the received quality indicator;

means for generating a plurality of orthogonally covered digital data sequences directed to one of a plurality of mobile stations as a function of the data rate;

means for generating a sequence of pilot symbols directed to the plurality of mobile stations;

means for time-division-multiplexing the plurality of orthogonally covered digital data sequences and the sequence of pilot symbols to provide a sequence of digital values; and

means for transmitting the sequence of digital values.

89. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for a wireless communication system, comprising:

first plurality of instructions for sending a transmission of pilot;

second plurality of instructions for receiving a quality indicator for a link in the communication system, the quality indicator being determined based on the transmission of pilot;

third plurality of instructions for determining a data rate usable for an initial transmission of data based on the received quality indicator; and

fourth plurality of instructions for sending the initial transmission of data as a function of the data rate, the initial transmission of data being sent after sending the transmission of pilot and after receiving the quality indicator.

90. A method implemented in an apparatus in a wireless communication system, comprising:

sending a transmission of pilot;

receiving a quality indicator for a link in the communication system;

determining a data rate usable for an initial transmission of data based on the received quality indicator, the quality indicator being determined based on the transmission of pilot; and

sending the initial transmission of data as a function of the data rate, the initial transmission of data being sent after sending the transmission of pilot and after receiving the quality indicator.

91. The method as in claim 90, further comprising:

determining a modulation format based on the received quality indicator.

92. The method as in claim 90, further comprising:

determining a modulation format as a function of the data rate.

93. The method as in claim 90, wherein the quality indicator indicates a maximum data rate supported by a measured channel quality for the link.

94. The method as in claim 93, wherein the sending the initial transmission of data further comprises:

sending the initial transmission of data at the maximum data rate.

95. The method as in claim 93, wherein the sending the initial transmission of data further comprises:

sending the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than the maximum data rate.

96. The method as in claim 93, wherein the sending the initial transmission of data further comprises:

sending the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than or equal to the maximum data rate.

97. The method as in claim 90, wherein the quality indicator comprises a data rate control index value.

98. The method as in claim 97, wherein the data rate control index value corresponds to a maximum data rate supported by a measured channel quality for the link.

99. The method as in claim 97, wherein the data rate control index value specifies a modulation format.

100. The method as in claim 90, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to a bit error rate.

101. The method as in claim 90, further comprising:

transmitting an indication of a transmission data rate used for the initial transmission of data.

102. The method as in claim 101, wherein the indication of the transmission data rate is transmitted with the initial transmission of data.

103. The method as in claim 90, further comprising:

sending an additional transmission of data as a function of the data rate.

104. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

at least one processor configured to receive a transmission of pilot, to measure channel quality of a link in the communication system based on the received transmission of pilot, to determine a data rate usable for an initial transmission of data based on the measured channel quality, to map the data rate to a quality indicator, to send the quality indicator, and to receive the initial transmission of data as a function of the quality indicator determined based on the measured channel quality, the initial transmission of data being received after receiving the transmission of pilot and after sending the quality indicator; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

105. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a modulation format as a function of the measured channel quality.

106. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a modulation format as a function of the data rate.

107. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality, to determine a supported data rate based on the maximum data rate, and to map the supported data rate to the quality indicator.

108. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein the at least one processor is configured to send the quality indicator to request transmission at the supported data rate, and to receive the initial transmission of data at the supported data rate.

109. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality, and wherein the quality indicator corresponds to the maximum data rate.

110. The apparatus of claim 109, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than the maximum data rate.

111. The apparatus of claim 109, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than or equal to the maximum data rate.

112. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the quality indicator comprises a data rate control index value.

113. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the data rate control index value corresponds to a maximum data rate supported by the measured channel quality.

114. The apparatus of claim 112, wherein the data rate control index value specifies a modulation format.

115. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to a bit error rate.

116. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive an indication of a transmission data rate used for the initial transmission of data, and to decode the initial transmission of data based on the transmission data rate.

117. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive the indication of the transmission data rate with the initial transmission of data.

118. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive the indication of the transmission data rate prior to receiving the initial transmission of data.

119. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to measure a Carrier-to-Interference (C/I) ratio of the link.

120. The apparatus of claim 119, wherein the at least one processor is configured to quantize the C/I ratio, and to map the quantized C/I ratio to the data rate.

121. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to quantize the measured channel quality to obtain a maximum data rate, and to map the maximum data rate to the quality indicator.

122. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to quantize the measured channel quality to obtain a maximum data rate, to determine a supported data rate based on the maximum data rate, and to map the supported data rate to the quality indicator.

123. The apparatus of claim 122, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine an index value corresponding to the supported data rate, and wherein the quality indicator includes the index value.

124. The apparatus of claim 123, wherein the index value specifies a modulation format.

125. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to measure channel quality of the link independent of received data.

126. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to measure channel quality of the link based on a pilot transmitted independently of data.

127. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to measure channel quality of the link based on a pilot transmitted periodically.

128. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to measure channel quality of the link based on a pilot transmitted continuously.

129. The apparatus of claim 104, wherein the at least one processor is configured to receive an additional transmission of data as a function of the quality indicator determined based on the measured channel quality.

130. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

at least one processor configured to measure channel quality of a link in the communication system, to determine a maximum data rate based on the measured channel quality, to map the maximum data rate to a quality indicator, to send the quality indicator, to receive data as a function of the quality indicator, to decode the received data at a first data rate, and to decode the received data at a second data rate if decoding at the first data rate is unsuccessful, wherein the second data rate is different from the first data rate; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

131. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

at least one processor configured to measure channel quality of a link in the communication system, to determine a data rate based on the measured channel quality, to map the data rate to a quality indicator, to send the quality indicator by use of an absolute reference and a relative reference, and to receive data as a function of the quality indicator; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

132. The apparatus of claim 131, wherein the absolute reference identifies the data rate.

133. The apparatus of claim 131, wherein the relative reference indicates whether the data rate for an upcoming time slot is higher or lower than the data rate of a previous time slot.

134. The apparatus of claim 131, wherein the relative reference indicates whether the data rate for an upcoming time slot is higher, lower, or the same as the data rate of a previous time slot.

135. The apparatus of claim 131, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a supported data rate based on the channel quality, and to send the absolute reference to request transmission at the supported data rate.

136. The apparatus of claim 135, wherein the at least one processor is configured to send the relative reference to indicate whether to increase or decrease the supported data rate.

137. The apparatus of claim 135, wherein the at least one processor is configured to send the relative reference to indicate whether to increase, decrease, or maintain the supported data rate.

138. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for a wireless communication system, comprising:

instructions for measuring channel quality of a link in the communication system;

instructions for determining a data rate based on the measured channel quality;

instructions for mapping the data rate to a quality indicator;

instructions for sending the quality indicator by use of an absolute reference and a relative reference; and

instructions for receiving data as a function of the quality indicator.

139. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising:

at least one processor configured to send a transmission of pilot, to receive a quality indicator for a link in the communication system, the quality indicator being determined based on the transmission of pilot, to determine a data rate usable for an initial transmission of data based on the received quality indicator, and to send the initial transmission of data as a function of the data rate, the initial transmission of data being sent after sending the transmission of pilot and after receiving the quality indicator; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

140. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a modulation format based on the received quality indicator.

141. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a modulation format as a function of the data rate.

142. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the quality indicator indicates a maximum data rate supported by a measured channel quality for the link.

143. The apparatus of claim 142, wherein the at least one processor is configured to send the initial transmission of data at the maximum data rate.

144. The apparatus of claim 142, wherein the at least one processor is configured to send the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than the maximum data rate.

145. The apparatus of claim 142, wherein the at least one processor is configured to send the initial transmission of data at a data rate less than or equal to the maximum data rate.

146. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the quality indicator comprises a data rate control index value.

147. The apparatus of claim 146, wherein the data rate control index value corresponds to a maximum data rate supported by a measured channel quality for the link.

148. The apparatus of claim 146, wherein the data rate control index value specifies a modulation format.

149. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the quality indicator corresponds to a bit error rate.

150. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the at least one processor is configured to send an indication of a transmission data rate used for the initial transmission of data.

151. The apparatus of claim 150, wherein the at least one processor is configured to send the indication of the transmission data rate with the initial transmission of data.

152. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the at least one processor is configured to send an additional transmission of data as a function of the data rate.