Abstract: A method of transmitting information over a feed back channel of a communication system that has multiple antenna systems is provided. Long term channel condition information is obtained from received measured and/or calculated channel parameter values. The obtained long term channel condition information is arranged in a particular manner and transmitted over a defined time period during which the long term channel condition information varies relatively slowly. Because the long term information remains relatively constant for one or more defined time periods, the amount of bandwidth needed to communicate this value is small because it need only be communicated occasionally. Thus only a small bandwidth needs to be allocated for transmitting this long term information.

Abstract: In a UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) based system, a wireless receiver implements “effective signal-to-noise (Eb/No) based BER estimation.” In particular, the wireless receiver comprises a rake receiver, a processor and memory. The rake receiver processes a received signal and provides signal-to-noise ratio values for each slot of each received frame of the received signal. The processor converts these signal-to-noise ratio values for each received frame into an effective signal-to-noise ratio value for the received signal. The processor then uses the effective signal-to-noise ratio value as a pointer, or index, into a look-up table (stored in the memory) and retrieves a BER estimate therefrom.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system of radar detection. The method, according to some demonstrative embodiments of the invention, may include comparing an energy level of signals received over a wireless communication channel to a threshold; during operation of a processor, if the energy level is above the threshold, determining independently of the processor one or more time values related to said signals; and if the energy level decreases to or below the threshold, interrupting the operation of the processor to determine, based on the time values, one or more parameters of a detection time period during which the energy level was above the threshold. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blind detection of a received signal having at least one property, which initially is unknown to the receiver, however, limited to a finite set of alternatives ({p1, p2, . . . , pm}). According to the invention, the unknown property is automatically identified as follows. A respective quality measure (q1, q2, . . . , qm) is derived from the incoming signal (r(n)), which each represents a particular property in the finite set of alternatives ({p1, p2, . . . , pm}). The quality measures (q1, q2, . . . , qm) are obtained according to a procedure that involves a computationally efficient rejection of any unwanted signal components in the incoming signal (r(n)). Then, the quality measures (q1, q2, . . . , qm) are compared with each other in order to find a quality measure, which best fulfills a blind selection criterion. The quality measure (qi) thus obtained corresponds to the initially unknown property (pi).

Abstract: A system for dynamically adapting a communication channel to channel impairments includes a spectrum monitor configured to determine a channel impairment characteristic related to a channel impairment present in the channel. The system includes a system manager configured to determine a quality metric indicative of channel performance for the channel, and adjust one or more operating parameters in a set of channel operating parameters when the quality metric is not within a target range, whereby the communication channel operates in accordance with the adjusted parameters.

Abstract: A communication system with an antenna array having a respective antenna for each of a multitude of communication modules and a control system which seiectiyely reassigns communication over a first of said multitude of communication modules to a second communication module of said multitude of communication modules in response to identification of a predicted interference within a predetermined interference matrix.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring a variable-rate data communication channel to determine its signal-to-noise ratio, and adjusting the data transmission rate of the variable rate data communication channel based on its signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A method (10, 40 or 70) or system (200) of detecting periodic intermittent interference (PII) can include indirect detection by tracking (14) retransmission statistics of isochronous traffic or alternatively tracking channel probe request failures corresponding to temporal characteristics of microwave oven interference. Such tracking can be done in a number of ways including tracking (16) retransmission statistics by tracking MAC layer statistics or by tracking retransmission statistics for Voice over WLAN or by tracking a number of retransmission attempts required per transmission opportunity. In another alternative, the method can track (18) success and failures of probe requests for data traffic. The tracking schemes can use correlation. The method can further introduce (28) hysteresis in the detection of the PII to prevent rapid entering and exiting from a current detection mode. The method can further operate (29) in a direct PII detection mode if the indirect detection mode indicates PII.

Abstract: A receive system, including special integrated circuits, for providing enhanced directivity in the form of a narrowed receive beam and a relatively small antenna with performance comparable to a much larger antenna at similar frequencies. Received signals are converted to digital values and stored in a manner which enables subsequent processing directed to improving the resolution of the received signals and to reduce the associated noise corresponding to the received data samples. The Signal-to-Noise ratio of the received data signals is improved as a result of processing techniques made possible by the configuration of the antenna and the digitally stored nature of the received data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting previous packet loss in non-packetized speech by applying one or more filters to a segment of said non-packetized speech, each of said one or more filters determining an energy parameter value for a given frequency band of said segment of said non-packetized speech; comparing one or more of said determined energy parameter values to one or more corresponding thresholds; and detecting previous packet loss based on said comparison of said one or more of said determined energy parameter values to said one or more of said corresponding thresholds.

Abstract: Interference suppression in a receiver in a wireless network that utilizes training sequences for synchronization and channel estimation, wherein the training sequence of an interfering channel overlaps the training sequence of a desired channel to cause degraded channel estimation, by generating a channel estimate for a carrier part of a received signal; generating a residual signal where the carrier part has been removed from the received signal; generating covariance matrix estimates for interferer channel estimate candidates; selecting carrier and interferer channel estimates having the lowest energy in the covariance matrix; and, explicitly generating the selected interferer channel estimate.

Abstract: A receive system, including special integrated circuits, for providing enhanced directivity in the form of a narrowed receive beam and a relatively small antenna with performance comparable to a much larger antenna at similar frequencies. Received signals are converted to digital values and stored in a manner which enables subsequent processing directed to improving the resolution of the received signals and to reduce the associated noise corresponding to the received data samples. The Signal-to-Noise ratio of the received data signals is improved as a result of processing techniques made possible by the configuration of the antenna and the digitally stored nature of the received data.

Abstract: A mobile station (MS) and method for estimating received signal strength of a radio signal from a neighboring cell in a cellular radio telecommunication network. The MS measures the received signal strength of the radio signal over a plurality of frames, and calculates an average received signal strength. During an idle frame, the MS receives a synchronization channel (SCH) signal, and determines a channel estimate for the SCH using a known extended training sequence. The extended training sequence is then modified with the channel estimate, and the modified extended training sequence is subtracted from the received SCH signal to obtain a residual signal. The MS calculates a residual energy of the residual signal, and subtracts the residual energy from the average received signal strength of the radio signal to obtain an estimated received signal strength of the radio signal from the neighboring cell.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are disclosed relating to gating transmissions in a wireless networks. Transmissions are gated based on a duty cycle. The duty cycle in turn is determined by the requirement to maintain an original application data rate rinitial given increased transmit power.

Abstract: A method for reducing a delay in a wireless communications system resulting from a handoff while mitigating a risk of premature termination of wireless communications, the method includes comparing data indicative of actual use of the wireless communications systems to at least one predetermined criteria. If the comparing determines a sector pairing in the wireless communications system to be statistically significant for purposes of recommending at least one search window setting, at least one value related with a distance associated with the sector pairing may be used to automatically determine a corresponding signal delay. If the corresponding signal delay exceeds a prior determined signal delay, a recommended search window setting may be determined using the corresponding signal delay.

Abstract: A wireless receiving method includes calculating a transmission channel response from a reception signal and a reference signal, determining reliabilities of a plurality of transmission channel responses calculated using reception signals received at different time periods to decide on a weight synthesis method, weight-synthesizing the plurality of transmission channel responses based on the decided weight synthesis method to obtain a synthesized transmission channel response, and compensating a distortion of the reception signal using the synthesized transmission channel response.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for estimating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) based on dedicated physical channel (DPCH) pilot symbols in a wireless communication system. A receiver receives a DPCH transmission and a despreader despreads the received DPCH transmission. A selector selects pilot symbols in the despread DPCH transmission. A signal power estimator estimates signal power based on the pilot symbols, and a noise power estimator estimates noise power based on the received DPCH transmission. A SNR estimator estimates an SNR based on the signal power estimation and the noise power estimation. The noise power estimator may calculate the noise power estimation either based only on pilot symbols or based on both pilot symbols and non-pilot symbols. The DPCH transmission may be transmitted using more than one antenna for transmit diversity.

Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises a plurality of receive signal paths, each of the receive signal paths is configured to receive signals in a certain frequency bandwidth. The communication device also comprises an amplifier coupled with each of the plurality of receive signal paths. The amplifier is configured to amplify the receive signals associated with each of the plurality of receive signal paths.

Abstract: A method for influencing, e.g., for decreasing, the treble reproduction of an audio signal for reproduction obtained from a received signal, the received field strength and reception quality of the received signal being evaluated and, as a function thereof, the transfer function of at least one filter unit that can be impinged upon by the audio signal being controlled, as well as a circuit assemblage or arrangement for performing such a method for the modification of treble reproduction, so that, among other things, reproduction of the interference may always be reliably concealed and so that no noticeable and/or irritating “flutter” effects may occur. The method may include processing of the output signals of at least two reception interference detectors, and processing of the received field strength may be accomplished respectively in at least one first processing branch operating at a first, e.g.

Abstract: A method detects which radio communication terminals use interference suppression procedures, in a radio communication system. Here radio communication terminals periodically return measurement signals which represent radio field characteristics and/or reception situations determined at the radio terminal to a base station and compare these signals with one another and also with threshold values determined on the base station side. The comparisons conducted are used for assigning radio communication terminals to groups, with a first group being assigned those radio communication terminals which display a good reception situation during the threshold value comparison, whereas a second group is assigned all further radio communication terminals.

Abstract: In a communication system for respectively transmitting pilot signals from a plurality of base stations to a mobile station via a first channel and also for transmitting data from one base station to a mobile station via a second channel, the mobile station corrects total receive power at the time of handover by subtracting power of the data signal received via the second channel from the total receive power of the signals received from a base station in communication (serving cells) via the second channel, then corrects the total noise power based on the total receive power after the correction, and measures the communication environment between the base station and the mobile station using the power of the pilot signal received from the base station in-communication and the corrected total noise power.

Abstract: A method, arrangement (512) and communication receiver (500) for SNIR estimation of a received signal, by: deriving (512A) an estimation {circumflex over (Z)} of SNIR of the received signal in accordance with the relation Z ^ = [ E ? { ? r ? ( t ) ? } ] 2 E ? { r 2 ? ( t ) } - [ E ? { ? r ? ( t ) ? } ] 2 , where E represents mean value and r(t) represents the level of the received signal; and correcting (512B, 512C) the estimation {circumflex over (Z)} to produce a corrected estimation Z based on the relation Z=?({circumflex over (Z)})×{circumflex over (Z)}, where ?({circumflex over (Z)}) represents a correction factor. The estimation may be corrected by calculating the correction factor, retrieving the correction factor from a predetermined table (512B) or retrieving the corrected estimation from a predetermined table. The correction may be effected by adding to a logarithmic estimation a logarithmic correction factor.

Abstract: There is described a radio communications system, including a unit which is able to communicate over a radio communications network such as a satellite or cellular system, and is also able to communicate with a device such as a portable handset over a short range radio link. In order to avoid potentially troublesome interference on the communications path with the communications network, the unit is able to detect the strength of signals received on the short range radio link, and alert the user if those signals are such as to be a potential source of interference.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for estimating a path-loss difference between uplink and downlink communications at a first node communicating with a second node in a communication system. A quantity of access request preambles transmitted by the first node to the second node before an acknowledgement from the second node of successful receipt of a preamble is received at the first node is determined. A difference between an uplink path-loss attributed to communications from the first node to the second node and a downlink path-loss attributed to communications to the first node from the second node is estimated based on the transmitted preamble quantity determination. Once the path-loss difference is estimated, the estimate can be used for many purposes, such as to determine a transmission power of the first node.

Abstract: A method for providing a multicast service from a macrocell or a microcell to a mobile station in a mobile communication system having a hierarchical cell structure in which a given area is divided into at least one macrocell and at least one microcell overlapping with each other. The mobile station receives a multicast service by accessing the macrocell or the microcell according to a carrier-to-interference ratio (C/I) for the multicast service measured in a macrocell area and according to an existence or non-existence of a concurrent call currently in service. When there is no concurrent call currently in service, the mobile station receives the multicast service by accessing the macrocell in an area where the measured C/I is equal to or greater than a required C/I. However, when there is a concurrent call currently in service, the mobile station receives the multicast service by accessing the macrocell or the microcell based on the current cell and the C/I.

Abstract: A radio module that detachably connects with a host device. A radio module is provided that includes an antenna as an integral part of the radio module. The antenna satisfies regulatory requirements by being an integral part of the radio module. The radio module includes an interface circuit that provides the processing required for communication over a wireless network. The functionality of the interface can be divided between the radio module and the host device. The physical interface between a host device and the radio module may depend on which functions are implemented by the radio module and which functions are implemented by the host device. In one example, the physical interface is a standard connection that permits the radio module to be detachably connected with multiple devices. The radio module also includes a flexible cable such that the radio module can be optimally positioned within the wireless network.

Abstract: Substantial improvements in frequency reuse in microwave communications systems is achieved by canceling co-channel interference and transmitter leakage. Interferometric beam-narrowing reduces beamwidth without reducing peak magnitude of the beam pattern. Frequency-dependent beam-shaping compensates for frequency-dependent distortions of the beam pattern thereby improving bandwidth. A spatial demultiplexing technique utilizes spatial gain distributions of received signals to separate signals, even from co-located transmit sources, and uses microwave lensing to enhance received spatial gain distributions. Predetermined cross-polarization interference is used to separate differently-polarized receive signals. A reference branch provides a cancellation signal to a receiver to cancel transmitter leakage signals. An error signal controls an impedance-compensation circuit that is responsive to changes in antenna impedance but not to receive signals.

Abstract: One illustrative method of reducing signal interference in a wireless receiver includes receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal; amplifying the received RF signal with a gain G; producing a baseband signal from the amplified RF signal; producing a signal-to-interference (S/I) ratio from the baseband signal; and adjusting the gain G based on the S/I ratio. Preferably, the gain G is varied over a time period to produce a plurality of S/I ratios, so that the gain G corresponding a maximum S/I ratio produced over the time period can be selected for optimal performance. With this technique, higher accuracy is provided as intermodulation distortion is accounted for in the S/I ratio. Advantageously, the S/I ratio calculations and the gain adjustments are performed digitally by one or more processors such as a digital signal processor (DSP).

Abstract: Calculating of signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) of a mobile device in a wireless communication system. A communication signal transmitted by the mobile device is non-coherently processed. Interference power of the communication signal is estimated and then scaled, and the scaled estimated interference power is subtracted from the processed communication signal to thereby estimate signal power. The SIR is calculated by dividing the estimated signal power by the estimated interference power.

Abstract: A CDMA mobile communication system is disclosed in which a reference value, an uplink signal SIR value, which is used in a closed-loop transmission power control is updated in base transceiver stations. The uplink signal target SIR value is updated independently at base transceiver stations and not at the base station controller. At the base transceiver station, when a decoder detects a loss of synchronization of a user signal from a mobile station, a demodulator adds a step value ?SIR that has been set in advance to the uplink signal SIR value that has been reported from the base station controller to obtain an uplink signal target SIR provisional value. When this uplink signal target SIR provisional value is smaller than an uplink signal target SIR maximum value that has been set in advance, the uplink signal target SIR value is updated to the uplink signal target SIR provisional value.

Abstract: Aggregate throughput may be improved in a wireless network by rejecting packets that have a low probability of creating harmful interference within a wireless device. In at least one embodiment, a minimum received interference power level that is likely to cause a loss of packets is first estimated. Subsequently received packets that have a received signal strength below the minimum level may then be rejected.

Abstract: A method controls the operation of devices which communicate over a wireless communications channel. The method includes determining a parameter of a received signal communicated over the wireless communications channel and determining a minimum threshold value of the received signal. An average duration of fade is determined using the parameter and the minimum threshold. The method detects whether the received signal is less than the minimum threshold value. At least one of the devices is placed in a sleep mode for approximately the average duration of fade in response to the received signal being detected as less than the minimum threshold value. The determined parameter of the received signal may be the root mean square value of the received signal.

Abstract: Techniques to determine a set of rates for a set of data streams to be transmitted in a multi-channel communication system. A group of transmission channels to be used for each data stream is initially identified. An equivalent system for each group is then defined to have an AWGN (or flat) channel and a spectral efficiency equal to the average spectral efficiency of the transmission channels in the group. A metric for each group is then derived based on the associated equivalent system, e.g., set to the SNR needed by the equivalent system to support the average spectral efficiency. A rate for each data stream is then determined based on the metric associated with the data stream. The rate is deemed to be supported by the communication system if the SNR required to support the data rate by the communication system is less than or equal to the metric.

Abstract: An wireless network service provider such as access point (AP) and wireless gateway, and relating channel-searching method is disclosed. The wireless network service provider receives a signal strength information and a channel-influence information from the other wireless network service provider, and selects the best channel based on the signal-strength information and the channel-influence information. The method comprises the following steps: providing the station with a signal-strength information and a channel-influence information from the other wireless network service provider, generating a interference information based on the signal-strength information and the channel-influence information by the wireless network service provider, and selecting the best channel of the wireless network service provider according to the interference information. Thus, the best channel can be chosen to be used for improving the efficiency in the wireless network.

Abstract: A method for estimating quality of communications between a transmitter and a receiver over a communications link operable to carry data in at least one of a plurality of different compressed forms, the method comprising: detecting an error rate of the communications as received; receiving at a quality estimation unit an indication of the detected error rate and an indication of the at least one of the plurality of compressed forms in use over the link; and the quality estimation unit estimating the quality of the communications by means of both the indication of the detected error rate and the indication of the at least one of the plurality of compressed forms.

Abstract: In a radio communication system comprising a primary station (100) and a secondary station (110), the primary station is able to employ one of a plurality of transmission schemes for transmissions to the secondary station. The secondary station determines a quality parameter relating to a downlink channel (122) and from this parameter determines a measurement report to signal to the primary station. The measurement report indicates a suitable transmission power for one transmission scheme, and the primary station is able to determine from a plurality of power offsets between transmission schemes respective transmission powers for a plurality of transmission schemes. The power offsets may be signalled to the primary station by the secondary station. Such a scheme provides sufficient flexibility to handle a wide range of receiver capabilities without the need for excessive signalling.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses to determine a set of rates for a set of data streams to be transmitted in a multi-channel communication system. A group of transmission channels to be used for each data stream is initially identified. An equivalent system for each group is then defined to have an AWGN (or flat) channel and a spectral efficiency equal to the average spectral efficiency of the transmission channels in the group. A metric for each group is then derived based on the associated equivalent system, e.g., set to the SNR needed by the equivalent system to support the average spectral efficiency. A rate for each data stream is then determined based on the metric associated with the data stream. The rate is deemed to be supported by the communication system if the SNR required to support the data rate by the communication system is less than or equal to the metric.

Abstract: A Signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) measuring apparatus in a multiple antenna high data rate packet transmission system measures signal energy to interference energy ratio by using pilot signals that are orthogonal to each other between antennas signals and used by a receiver for separating the signals transmitted from all of the transmitting antennas from each other. The SIR measuring apparatus comprises a signal energy measuring unit, an interference energy measuring unit and a SIR measuring unit. The signal energy measuring unit measures signal energy by synthesizing after coherently integrating and non-coherently integrating values that are obtained by correlating a received signal with pilot patterns equal to the pilot patterns of transmitted antenna signals, respectively.

Abstract: A received continuous phase modulation (CPM) signal (which is formed with a set of pulse shaping functions) is approximated as a phase shift keying (PSK) modulated signal (which is formed with just the dominant pulse shaping function having the largest energy). Channel estimation and data detection are performed in accordance with the CPM-to-PSK approximation. A signal power estimate and a noise power estimate are obtained for the received CPM signal and have errors due to the CPM-to-PSK approximation. The difference ? between the energy of the dominant pulse shaping function and the energy of the remaining pulse shaping functions is determined. An approximation error is estimated based on the signal power estimate and the difference ?. A C/I estimate for the received CPM signal is computed based on the signal power estimate, the noise power estimate, and the approximation error estimate.

Abstract: An evaluation of the interference situation of a transmission system is performed. If valid payload data is received, a counter for valid receptions is incremented and a signal power at which the payload data was received is stored. If invalid payload data is received, a counter for invalid receptions is incremented. If no payload data has to be received, the signal power is measured in order to consider the signal power as interference power. The ratio of the signal power measured during a valid reception and as the interference power is calculated as a fictive signal-to-interference power ratio.

Abstract: A mobile communications system includes base stations and mobile units. A power control scheme is provided in which a mobile unit can enter into a discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode. During DTX mode, the mobile unit is not transmitting traffic channels that can be monitored to determine frame errors so that the target ratio of energy per bit to noise spectral density (target Eb/No) can be adjusted. Instead, the base station monitors bit errors of bits in a pilot channel communicated by the mobile unit during DTX mode. Using this technique, the target Eb/No can be adjusted even when the mobile unit is not transmitting traffic channels, so that outer-loop power control can be performed. A number of mechanisms can also be used to detect when a mobile unit has entered DTX mode.

Abstract: A method of radar detection in a channel for radio local area networks operating in a regulatory band. First, a quiet time and quiet period are set, in which the ratio of the quiet time to the quiet period equals 1:4. The channel is quieted for the quiet time periodically at a rate dictated by the quiet period in order to be tested for radar. During each quiet time, a received power is measured to determine whether it exceeds a predetermined threshold. Radar presence is declared when the received power on that channel exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating the presence of RF interference in a wireless data channel is described. The method and apparatus comprises a set of identical tracking/register (T/R) filter blocks, each T/R filter block associated and corresponding to an RF channel of interest. Each T/R filter block includes a pair of tracking/register (T/R) filters. Power/magnitude estimates from an RSSI calculation are input to the T/R filter blocks. One T/R filter is used to estimate the noise floor (in the absence of interference). The T/R filter latches and filters the lowest input values received from a power/magnitude circuit. The other T/R filter estimates the level of an interferer, if present, by latching and filtering the largest valued outputs of the power/magnitude circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile communication system whereby, to reduce the connection time, a mobile station closely located to a base wireless station is permitted to continue to use a common channel for exchanging signals, and to suppress an increase in interference, an individual channel is set for a mobile station located near the edge of a cell, and to obtain a stabilized communication quality and to prevent an increase in the connection time, the probability that the transmission power will reach an upper limit is reduced. When communication between a mobile station and a wireless base station is started, the wireless base station measures the transmission power and the communication quality in the communication with the mobile station and the utilization ratio for a common channel, and compares the obtained values with predetermined threshold values. When the obtained values are lower than the threshold values, the wireless base station continues to use the common channel for signal transmission/reception.

Abstract: An outer-loop power control method and a communication apparatus having an outer-loop power control function for increasing target SIR if an error is detected in a block-error observation interval and decreasing target SIR if not a single error is detected in the block-error observation interval. At least one of the block-error observation interval, an incrementing step for when target SIR is increased and a decrementing step for when target SIR is decreased is varied based upon the number of erroneous blocks among error-detecting blocks contained in a transmission time interval TTI.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling communication on a reverse link in a mobile communication system includes a measurer, a controller, and a reverse link transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention. The measurer detects a power control bit from a channel signal received on a forward link and measures the reception strength of the channel signal using the detected power control bit. The controller compares the reception strength with a threshold and generates a signal for controlling transmission on a reverse link if the channel status of the forward link is determined to be bad during the comparison. The reverse link transmitter stops channel transmission on the reverse link in response to the transmission control signal.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for reducing interference in a wireless communication system utilizing an antenna array. The antenna array uses one or more signal channels for communicating with one or more mobile terminals. First, at least one channel is assigned as an empty channel in which no desired signal is carried so as to provide a representation of all relevant interference. Since the spatial characteristics of the empty channel and the regular signal channels should be very similar, the spatial signature of the signal channels is analyzed based on the interference received on the empty channel and the desired signals received on at least one signal channel. The analyzed spatial signature is then used for reducing the interference on all signal channels.

Abstract: A method and device to estimate the impulse response h of a propagation channel in a system comprising at least one or more sensors, comprising at least one step for estimating the statistics of the additive noise resulting from the interference and from the thermal noise on the basis of the statistics of the received signal

Abstract: A method for estimating wireless broadcast service quality on a broadcast channel including the steps of: receiving (310) a service parameter message with a service identifier associated with a broadcast channel, determining (320) a quality indicator threshold from the service parameter message, measuring (340) a quality indicator to form a calculated (350) quality indicator, comparing (360, 370) the calculated quality indicator to the quality indicator threshold. The quality indicator threshold can be embedded in the service parameter message or obtained indirectly such as through a table mapping a service identifier to a quality indicator. Various quality indicators are available, including various signal-to-noise ratios (e.g., Eb/Nt) and pilot signal-to-noise ratio (C/IPICH).

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for estimating signal-to-noise ratio of a forward traffic channel in a wireless communication system that utilizes a pilot channel. Initially, a signal-to-noise ratio is estimated for the pilot channel and an adjustment to convert the signal-to-noise ratio for the pilot channel to a signal-to-noise ratio for the forward traffic channel is estimated. The adjustment is then applied to the signal-to-noise ratio for the pilot channel to obtain an estimate for the signal-to-noise ratio for the forward traffic channel.