Method and apparatus for transmitting reverse link power control signals based on the probability that the power control command is in error

摘要

A method and apparatus for controlling the transmit power of a plurality of mobile radio units transmitting to a base station in a mobile radio telephone system. For each of the mobile units in the system, a signal strength estimate is measured at the base station based on reverse link signals sent from the mobile units and received at the base station, wherein each signal strength estimate is associated with one of the mobile units. The signal strength estimate associated with each mobile unit is compared to a threshold. Next, for each mobile unit in the plurality of mobile units, if the signal strength estimate associated with the mobile unit is greater than the threshold, then a power control bit having a first value is assigned to the mobile unit; conversely, if the signal strength estimate associated with the mobile unit is less than the threshold, then a power control bit having a second value is assigned to the mobile unit. A variable gain that is a function of the difference between the signal strength estimate associated with the mobile unit and the threshold is next applied to each power control bit. The variable gain applied to each power control bit increases as the magnitude of the difference between the signal strength estimate associated with the mobile unit and the threshold increases. Each gain-adjusted power control bit is then transmitted to the mobile units.