Power control protocol for highly variable data rate reverse link of wireless communication system

• US 8,526,401 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2011
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IPR Licensing Incorporated (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IPR Licensing Incorporated (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Proctor, James A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harper, Kevin C
• Application Number:
  US13/330,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20120087325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/335
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2628 using code-division multiple access [CDMA] or spread spectrum multiple access [SSMA] H04B7/2618 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/08 Closed loop power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/143 Downlink power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/146 Uplink power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/287 when the channel is in stand-by
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/288 taking into account the usage mode, e.g. hands-free, data transmission, telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/50 at the moment of starting communication in a multiple access environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/58 Format of the TPC bits

Abstract

A subscriber unit performs power control of a reverse link by sending heartbeat messages to a base station, permitting the base station to determine a reverse link quality report. Using a reverse link quality report message received from the base station, the subscriber unit calculates its reverse power level and maintains the reverse power level during the standby state.

Claims

1. A subscriber unit comprising:

circuitry configured to transmit first traffic data to a base station;

wherein the circuitry is further configured to receive control information;

wherein in response to the subscriber unit not having traffic data to send to the base station, the subscriber unit periodically transmitting a single code channel without traffic data in time intervals;

wherein the period for transmitting the single code channel is determined from the received control information;

wherein the circuitry is further configured to receive power commands in response to the transmitted single code channel and adjust a transmission power level of the transmitted single code channel in response to the received power commands;

wherein the circuitry is further configured to transmit second traffic data to the base station after periodically transmitting the single code channel;

wherein a transmission power level of the transmitted second traffic data is based on the power commands received in response to the single code channel.

2. The subscriber unit of claim 1 wherein each time interval is at least one time slot.

3. The subscriber unit of claim 1 wherein the transmitting second traffic data is in response to receiving a grant from the base station.

4. The subscriber unit of claim 1 wherein the transmitting first and second traffic data is substantially continuous.

5. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a subscriber unit, first traffic data to a base station;

receiving, by the subscriber unit, control information;

in response to the subscriber unit not having traffic data to send to the base station, periodically transmitting, by the subscriber unit, a single code channel without traffic data in time intervals;

wherein the period for transmitting the single code channel is determined from the received control information;

receiving power commands, by the subscriber unit, in response to the transmitted single code channel and adjusting, by the subscriber unit, a transmission power level of the transmitted single code channel in response to the received power commands;

transmitting, by the subscriber unit, second traffic data to the base station after periodically transmitting the single code channel;

wherein a transmission power level of the transmitted second traffic data is based on the power commands received in response to the single code channel.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein each time interval is at least one time slot.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the transmitting second traffic data is in response to receiving a grant from the base station.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the transmitting first and second traffic data is substantially continuous.