Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating selection of optimal antenna weightings by which to weight signals sent in a communication system that utilizes closed-loop transmit diversity. A deterministic perturbation gradient approximation technique is utilized in which perturbation vectors are selected by a selector and applied, by an applicator, to antenna weighting elements. A selected set of perturbation vectors are applied to the antenna weighting elements in both a positive direction and a negative direction. A detector at a receiving station measures in disassociated with the signals communicated thereto, once weighted with the perturbation vectors. A single-bit feedback value is returned to the sending station, and the antenna weightings are appropriately adjusted. The technique is utilized during both non-handoff conditions and during handoff conditions.

Abstract: An adaptive transmit antenna array having a reduced pilot set is disclosed. The adaptive transmit antenna array utilizes a decision-directed mechanism for the estimation of maximal ratio combining (MRC) weights to be used at a receiver rather than requiring a user-specific pilot to provide estimation information.

Abstract: Near-far effect fading is counteracted by changing the spreading factor used for uplink channel spreading. The determination that a radio uplink channel power fade exists can be made in either the radio access network or the mobile station.

Abstract: A wireless communications network has a plurality of terminals and at least one base station which transmits data to each one of said plurality of terminals on a wireless downlink and receives data from each one of said plurality of terminals on a wireless uplink. One of the terminals sends a rate request to the base station. The rate request requests that the data rate on the wireless uplink for the terminal be changed. In response to the rate request, the base station sends a rate grant to the terminal. The rate grant indicates whether or not the terminal may change the data rate on the wireless uplink.

Abstract: A system and method for random access channel (RACH) capture, where user equipment (UE) transmits a series of time-spaced access preambles each having an increasing power level to Node B and terminates access preamble transmission in response to an acquisition indicator (AI) signal returned from Node B and transmits its RACH message part. A collision detection preamble (CDP) is sent immediately after the message or embedded with the message. A collision detection indicator (CDI) signal matching the CDP is transmitted from Node B to the UE identified as having the failed RACH message requesting retransmission of the message. Optionally, the relative retransmission power level is also specified to the UE along with the CDI signal.

Abstract: A method and associated equipment for use by a first entity (17) of a radio access network (101), such as a node B. in communicating with a UE (18) so as to control an uplink rate used by the UE (18) in communicating with the first entity (17), the method characterized by: a step in which the first entity (17) transmits to the UE (18) a rate control signal (RA) conveying information regarding the uplink rate. The rate control signal may be used to command the UE (18) to adjust the maximum uplink rate in a range or set of uplink rates; alternatively, it may be used to command the UE (18) to adjust the uplink rate. The rate control signal (RA) may be sent as a response to a rate change request signal (RR) received from the UE (18) by the first entity (17).

Abstract: Near-far effect fading is counteracted by changing the spreading factor used for uplink channel spreading. The determination that a radio uplink channel power fade exists can be made in either the radio access network or the mobile station.

Abstract: In a communication device that includes an antenna array including multiple antennas, a method and apparatus is provided for determining whether to employ an antenna array beamforming technique. The communication device determines a bearing from the communication device to the communication unit and a direction of arrival for a signal received from the communication unit by the communication device via each of the multiple antennas. In addition, the communication device determines a distance from the communication device to the communication unit, and also determines multiple signal quality metrics based on multiple signals received by the communication device from the communication unit. The communication device then determines whether to employ an antenna array beamforming technique based on any one or more of the determined bearing and the determined direction of arrival, the determined distance, or the determined signal quality metrics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power control on a first channel that is shared by multiple mobile stations transmitting to base stations in a telecommunication system. An initial mobile station transmission power level is set on the first channel that is shared in the random access mode. The transmission power level may be determined based on a desired performance level of the first channel. The method and system may be efficiently applied on a channel that carries a transmission in one or more bursts, with each burst including the same or a varying number of frames of varying sizes. The method and apparatus utilizes a second channel that is shared by multiple mobile stations for transmitting the power control signaling from the base stations to the mobile stations.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reducing the time delay associated with compensating for fading effects. The system includes a base station and a mobile station in communication. The base station transmits information and a pilot signal to the mobile station through each of the channels. The mobile station receives the information as noisy information and the pilot signal as a noisy pilot signal from each of the channels and compares the received noisy pilot signals to determine and predict a weight to be assigned to each of the channels. The calculated predicted weights are transmitted from the mobile station back to the base station as predicted feedback information that is utilized by the base station to alter the characteristics of the modulated carrier signal prior to transmission.

Abstract: In a communication device that includes an antenna array including multiple antennas, a method and apparatus is provided for optimizing the usage of an antenna array beamforming technique. The communication device determines a bearing from the communication device to the communication unit and a direction of arrival for a signal received from the communication unit by the communication device via each of the multiple antennas. In addition, the communication device determines a distance from the communication device to the communication unit, and also determines multiple signal quality metrics based on multiple signals received by the communication device from the communication unit. The communication device then determines whether to employ an antenna array beamforming technique based on any one or more of the determined bearing and the determined direction of arrival, the determined distance, or the determined signal quality metrics, thereby optimizing the usage of the antenna array beamforming technique.