ES2441735T3 - Procedures and apparatus for determining, communicating and using information that includes load factors for interference control - Google Patents

Abstract

A procedure for operating a wireless terminal (106, 108, 118, 120, 300, 420, 836, 838, 844, 846, 852, 854, 868, 870, 872, 874, 876, 878, 8010, 2072, 2074 , 2700) comprising: monitoring (2204) to detect broadcast signals received that communicate at least one uplink load factor, each uplink load factor transmission corresponding to a junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); receiving (1004, 2206, 2406, 2506) a first signal from a first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); perform (2226, 2410) a first measurement on the first received signal; generate (1043, 2232, 2424, 2566, 5536) an uplink interference report based on the measurement of the first signal and a first received uplink load factor corresponding to said first junction point (410, 412, 414 , 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); determine (2426) a transmission instant in which the generated uplink interference report is to be transmitted; and transmitting (1050, 2242, 2428, 2440, 2584) said uplink interference report generated.

Description

Procedures and apparatus for determining, communicating and using information that includes load factors for interference control.

Priority claim under 35 USC § 119

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of the US provisional patent application 60 / 792,128, filed on April 14, 2006 entitled "Procedures and apparatus for determining, communicating and using information that can be used for control purposes of interference "and is a continuation in part of the US patent application 11 / 251,069 filed on October 14, 2005 and is a continuation in part of the US patent application SN 11 / 302,729 filed on December 14, 2005.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wireless communications system and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for collecting, measuring, reporting and / or using information that can be used for interference control purposes in a communications system. wireless

BACKGROUND

In a wireless multiple access communication system, the wireless terminals compete for system resources in order to communicate with a common receiver through an uplink channel. An example of this situation is the uplink channel of a cellular wireless system, whereby the wireless terminals transmit to a receiver of the base station. When a wireless terminal transmits on the uplink channel, it typically causes interference to the entire system, for example, to the receivers of neighboring base stations. Since the wireless terminals are distributed, controlling the interference generated by their transmission is a difficult problem.

Many cellular wireless systems adopt simple strategies to control uplink interference. For example, CDMA voice systems (for example, IS-95) control the power of wireless terminals in such a way that their signals are received at the base station receiver with approximately the same power. A state-of-the-art CDMA system, such as 1xRTT and 1xEV-DO will allow wireless terminals to transmit at a different rate and be received at the base station with different powers. However, interference is controlled in a distributed manner, which reduces the overall level of interference without precisely controlling those wireless terminals, which are the worst sources of interference in the system.

This existing set of interference control approaches limits the uplink capability of wireless systems, an example of this approach is described in WO 2005/060277 A2.

It would be useful if a base station could have information that could be used to determine the amount of interference of the signal to be created in neighboring cells and / or sectors when a transmission occurs and / or determine the amount of interference that A wireless terminal is likely to find due to signal interference. It would be particularly desirable if the information that can be used for the purpose of interference determination could be supplied by one or more wireless terminals to a base station.

In the communication of interference information from a wireless terminal to a base station, a type of reporting may be more appropriate at a particular time, than at a given time. Procedures and devices that adapt to a variety of different types of interference report would be beneficial. As the variety increases, control of signaling overhead usually increases to support and communicate the possible options available. It would be beneficial if the procedures and apparatus were aimed at keeping the signaling overhead relatively low, however, while supporting a plurality of interference reporting variations.

SUMMARY

The above-mentioned objective is solved by the object of independent claims 1 and 15. Several embodiments are directed to procedures and apparatus for the collection, measurement, information and / or use of the information that can be used for interference control purposes. .

In various embodiments, a wireless terminal receives an uplink emission interference report request that conveys a requested report type and / or base station identification information, for example, a unique local base station identifier, as a value. of locally unique cell identifier. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a base station junction point transmits a report request destined to a plurality of wireless terminals using the base station junction point as its current service junction point.

The wireless terminal also receives and measures the reference broadcast signals, for example, beacon and / or pilot signals, transmitted from a plurality of fixing points of the base station. The beacon signals may be narrowband signals, for example, of a single tone. The beacon signals may have a duration of one, two or more periods of instant symbol transmission, for example, OFDM periods of symbol transmission time. However, other types of beacon signals may be used and the particular type of beacon signal is not critical to the invention.

The different types of reports requested include specific reports of the type of interference, sometimes called special reports and interference reports of the generic type. In an exemplary embodiment, if the interference report request value is a first value, for example 0, the request is from a generic report and if the report request value is within a set of exclusive default values. of the first value, for example, a set of positive integer values, the request is from a specific report and the base station junction point selected for use in the specific report has a base station identifier corresponding to the report request value .

Specific type interference reports relate a current service connection base station junction point with a selected base station junction point corresponding to the received base station identifier. The generic type interference reports relate a current service connection base station junction point to other unspecified base station fixation points whose transmission reference signals have been detected by the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, a generic type interference report, the current server base station junction point to which the report is directed does not know for sure which base station fixation point or points are used in generating the report. Sub-types of generic reports include reports that use a sum function to generate the report and reports that use a maximum function to generate the report.

In some embodiments, timing information is sometimes used to determine the sub-type of report. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, the recurring timing structure is divided into periods in which a generic report, when transmitted, is a sum function type report and the times during which a generic report, when transmitted, It is a maximum function type report. For example, the report sub-types, in some embodiments, alternate between successive beacons in a recurring predetermined timing structure. This structure facilitates the default timing of generic reports of, for example, two sub-types. The timing structure for reporting the subtype mapping relationship is known, in some embodiments, both by the wireless terminal and by the junction point of the current service sector and therefore does not require additional signaling overload control. to distinguish between the two sub-types of report, thus releasing valuable air link resources for other purposes, for example, to communicate user data.

In some embodiments, for example, some embodiments that employ at least some multi-sector cells, the timing information is used to determine the type of sector of the selected junction point for a specific type interference report requested. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, with three different types of sectors, the communication of specific type reports is structured in such a way that the sector type of the base station sector alternates selected fixing points within a structure Default recurring timing. In some of said embodiments, a wireless terminal determines the selected junction point to be used in the specific type request report by combining the base station identifier received in the report request with a sector type determined by the time in which that the request was received by the wireless network terminal.

As described above, in various embodiments, the base station identifier communicated in the downlink transmission report request signal is a unique identifier at the local level, for example, a unique cell identifier at the local level. In addition, the sector identifier is communicated, in some embodiments, through the request timing of the signal. In various embodiments, the bearer or the tone block identifier assumes, for example, that it is the same as the one being used by the junction point of the current service sector and does not need to be specifically indicated in the request. of report. Therefore the overload control signaling that identifies the selected junction point to be used in the specific interference report request is reduced from what would otherwise be if the identifier transmits a single station identifier of the system identifier of single base junction point. By using fewer bits to communicate the request, valuable air link resources are preserved for other purposes, for example, to be used to transmit user data.

The wireless terminal generates the requested report, for example, one of a specific report, a generic report of the summation function type and a generic report of the maximum function type and transmits the generated report to the junction point of the current connection that issued the request. , for example, through the dedicated control channel segment assigned uplink to the wireless terminal for exclusive use.

While various embodiments have been discussed in the previous summary, it should be appreciated that not all embodiments necessarily include the same features and some of the features described above are not necessary, but may be desirable in some embodiments. Numerous additional features, embodiments and benefits of the present invention are discussed in the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is a drawing of an example wireless communications system implemented according to various embodiments.

Figure 2 shows an example of a base station implemented according to various embodiments.

Figure 3 illustrates a wireless terminal implemented according to various embodiments.

Figure 4 illustrates a system in which a wireless terminal is connected to a base station sector and measures the relative gains associated with a plurality of interfering base stations according to various embodiments.

Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of measuring signal energy, determining gains and providing interference reports according to various embodiments.

Figure 6 illustrates an uplink traffic channel and the segments included therein.

Figure 7 illustrates the assignments that can be used by a base station to assign uplink traffic channel segments to a wireless terminal.

Figure 8 shows an example communication system implemented according to various embodiments.

Figure 9 includes a table of example power scaling factors, implemented in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10 includes a table of example uplink load factors used in various embodiments in generating interference reports.

Figure 11 is a table illustrating an example format of an example interference report, for example, a beacon rate report, according to various embodiments.

Figure 12 is a drawing of an example of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) wireless communications system, for example, a wireless OFDM spread spectrum multiple access communications system, implemented according to various embodiments.

Figure 13 illustrates the example system of Figure 12 and provides additional details corresponding to each of the base station sectors to illustrate various features.

Figure 14 is a drawing of the example system described in Figures 12 and 13, which includes the example signaling received and processed by a wireless terminal for purposes of illustration of the example beacon rate report procedures according to various embodiments.

Figure 15 is a drawing of the example system, which is described in Figures 12 and 13, which includes the sample signaling received and processed by a wireless terminal for purposes of illustration of the example beacon rate report procedures according to various embodiments.

Figure 16 is a drawing of the example system, which is described in Figures 12 and 13, which includes the sample signaling received and processed by a wireless terminal for purposes of illustration of the example beacon rate report procedures according to various embodiments.

Figure 17, comprising the combination of Figure 17A, Figure 17B, Figure 17C, and Figure 17D is a flow chart of an example method of operating a wireless terminal, for example a mobile node, according to various realizations

Figure 18 is an example drawing of timing structure information and the corresponding interference report information, for example, beacon rate report information, for an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 19 illustrates in a drawing, for an exemplary embodiment, example downlink beacon rate report request signaling and example uplink beacon rate report signaling.

Figure 20 is a drawing of an example communications system implemented according to various embodiments.

Figure 21 is a drawing illustrating the example of downlink control signaling and uplink interference reports, for example, beacon rate reports, corresponding to the example system of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a drawing of a flowchart of an example method of operating a wireless terminal according to various embodiments.

Figure 23 is a drawing of an example wireless terminal implemented according to various embodiments.

Figure 24, comprising the combination of Figure 24A and Figure 24B, is a flow chart of an example method of operating a wireless terminal.

Figure 25, comprising the combination of Figure 25A and Figure 25B, is a flow chart of an example method of operating a wireless terminal according to various embodiments.

Figure 26 is a drawing of a table illustrating the use of the example interference report signal and the calculation of the report, according to various embodiments.

Figure 27 is a drawing of an example wireless terminal implemented according to various embodiments.

Detailed description

Next, procedures and apparatus for the collection, presentation and use of information that can be used for interference control purposes according to various embodiments will be described. The methods and apparatus of the present invention are very suitable for use with multiple access wireless communications systems, for example multi-user. Such systems can be implemented as OFDM systems, CDMA systems or other types of wireless systems, in which the interference signal of transmissions from one or more transmitters, for example adjacent base stations, is a concern.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below in the context of a wireless cellular data communication system 100 of the present invention shown in Figure 1. While an example cellular wireless system is used for purposes of explaining the Invention, the invention is broader than the example and can also be applied in general to many other wireless communication systems.

In a wireless data communication system, the air link resource generally includes bandwidth, time or code. The air link resource that carries user data and / or voice traffic is called a traffic channel. The data is communicated through the traffic channel in the traffic channel segments (traffic segments for short). Traffic segments can serve as basic or minimum units of available traffic channel resources. The downlink traffic segments transport the data traffic from the base station to the wireless terminals, while the traffic segments transport uplink traffic data from the wireless terminals to the base station. An example system in which the present invention can be used is the OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) spread spectrum multiple access system in which, a traffic segment includes a series of defined frequency tones along A finite time interval.

Figure 1 is an illustration of an example wireless communication system 100, implemented according to various embodiments. The example wireless communication system 100 includes a plurality of base stations (BSS): base station 1 102, base station M 114. Cell 1 104 is the wireless coverage area at base station 1 102. BS 1 102 communicates with a plurality of wireless terminals (WT): the WT (1) 106, WT (N) 108 located within cell 1 104. The WT (1) 106, WT (N) 108 are coupled to the BS 1 102 via wireless links 110, 112, respectively. Similarly, cell M 116 is the wireless coverage area for the base station M 114. The BS M 114 communicates with a plurality of wireless terminals (WT): the WT (1 ') 118, WT (N') 120 located within the M 116 cell. The WT (1 ') 118, WT (N') 120 are coupled to the BS M 114 via wireless links 122, 124, respectively. The WT (106, 108, 118, 120) can be mobile and / or stationary wireless communication devices. Mobile WTs, also called mobile nodes (MNS), can move along system 100 and can communicate with the corresponding base station in the cell in which they are located. Region 134 is a boundary region between cell 1 104 and cell M 116. In the system of Figure 1, cells are shown as single sector cells. Multi-sector cells are also possible and compatible. The transmitter of a base station sector can be identified based on the information transmitted, for example beacon signals, which communicate a base station identifier and / or a sector identifier.

The network of nodes 126 is coupled to BS 1 102 and BS M 114 via network links 128, 130, respectively. The network node 126 is also coupled to other nodes of the network / Internet through the link of

network 132. Network links 128, 130, 132 may be, for example, fiber optic links. The network node 126, for example, a router node, provides connectivity for the WTs, for example WT (1) 106, with other nodes, for example other base stations, AAA server nodes, home agent nodes, partners of communication, for example, WT (N ') 120, etc., which are outside its current cell, for example, cell 1 104.

Figure 2 illustrates an example base station 200, implemented according to various embodiments. The example BS 200 may be a more detailed representation of any of the base stations, BS 1 102, BS M 114 of Figure 1. The BS 200 includes a receiver 202, a transmitter 204, a processor, for example, the CPU 206, an I / O interface 208, I / O devices 210 and a memory 212 coupled to each other via a bus 214 through which the various elements can exchange data and information. In addition, the base station 200 includes a receiving antenna 216 that is coupled to the receiver 202 and a transmitter antenna 218 that is coupled to the transmitter 204. The transmitter antenna 218 is used for the transmission of information, for example, channel signals of downlink traffic, beacon signals, pilot signals, assignment signals, interference report request messages, interference control indicator signals, etc., to BS 200 and WT 300 (see Figure 3), while that receiver antenna 216 is used to receive information, for example, uplink traffic channel signals, requests for WT resources, WT interference notifications, etc., from the WT 300.

Memory 212 includes routines 220 and data / information 224. Processor 206 executes routines 220 and uses data / information 224 stored in memory 212 to control the overall operation of base station 200 and implement procedures. The I / O devices 210, for example, screens, printers, keyboards, etc., display system information to an administrator of the base station and receive control and / or management inputs from the administrator. The I / O interface 208 couples the base station 200 to a computer network, to other nodes in the network, to other base stations 200 and / or to the Internet. Therefore, through the I / O interface 208 the base stations 200 can exchange customer information and other data, as well as synchronize the transmission of signals to the WT 300 if desired. In addition, the I / O interface 208 provides a high-speed connection to the Internet, allowing WT users to receive and / or transmit information over the Internet through the base station 300. Receiver 202 processes the signals. received through the antenna of the receiver 216 and extracts from the received signals the content of the information included therein. The extracted information, for example, data and channel interference report information, is communicated to the processor 206 and stored in the memory 212 via the bus 214. The transmitter 204 transmits the information, for example, data, beacon signals. , pilot signals, assignment signals, interference report request messages, interference control indicator signals, to the WT 300 via antenna 218.

As mentioned above, processor 206 controls the operation of the base station 200 under the direction of routines 220 stored in memory 212. Routines 220 include communication routines 226 and control routines of base station 228. Routines of Base station control 228 includes a scheduler 230, a downlink signaling emission module 232, a WT report processing module 234, a report request module 236 and an interference indicator module 238. The request module of report 236 may generate requests for specific interference reports relating to a particular BS sector identified in the report request. The generated report requests are transmitted to one or more wireless terminals when the BS searches for interference information at a time other than that provided in the predetermined or fixed report schedule. The data / information 224 includes downlink broadcast reference signal information 240, wireless terminal data / information 241, uplink traffic channel information 246, interference report request messages 248, information and control indicator signals of interference 250.

The downlink broadcast reference signal information 240 includes beacon signal information 252, pilot signal information 254 and allocation signal information 256. The beacon signals are relatively high power OFDM transmission signals, wherein the Transmitter power is concentrated in one or a few tones for a short duration, for example, two symbol times. The beacon signal information 252 includes identification information 258 and power level information 260. The beacon identification information 258 may include information used to identify and associate the beacon signal with the specific BS 200, for example, a tone or a set of tones comprising the beacon signal at a specific time in a repetitive downlink or cycle transmission interval. The beacon power level information 260 includes information defining the power level at which the beacon signal is transmitted. Pilot signals may include known signals that are transmitted to WT at moderately high energy levels, for example, above ordinary signaling levels, which are typically used to identify a base station, synchronize a base station and obtain an estimate. channel. The pilot signal information 254 includes identification information 262 and power level information 264. The pilot identification information 262 includes information used to identify and associate the pilot signals with the specific base station 200. The power level information of Pilot 264 includes information that defines the power level at which the pilot signals are transmitted. Several signals that provide information on the transmission signal power levels, for example, pilot beacon signal transmission levels, can be transmitted for use by wireless terminals in determining gain coefficients and / or interference reports. The assignment signals include assignment signals broadcast channel segment of broadcast traffic

downlink and downlink at power levels above ordinary signaling levels, in order to reach the WTs within your cell that have poor uplink channel quality conditions. The assignment signal information 256 includes identification information 266 and power level information 268. The signaling assignment identification information 266 includes information that associates specific tones at specific times of the downlink time cycle with assignments for the BS specific 200. The power level assignment information 268 includes information defining the power level at which the assignment signals are transmitted.

The wireless terminal data / information 241 includes a plurality of data sets / WT information, WT information 1 242 information from WT N 244. The WT information 242 1 includes data 270, terminal identification information 272, report information of interference cost 274, requested segments of uplink traffic 276 and assigned segments of uplink traffic 278. Data 270 includes user data associated with WT 1, for example, data and information received from WT1 intended for be communicated by the BS 200, either directly or indirectly to a node of the same level of WT1, for example, WT N, where WT 1 is participating in a communications session. The data 270 also includes the data and information originally received from a node of the same level of WT 1, for example, WT N. The terminal identification information 272 includes an identifier assigned to the BS to associate WT 1 to the BS and used by the BS to identify WT 1. The interference cost report information 274 includes information that has been transmitted in a feedback report from WT 1 to BS 200 identifying the interference costs of WT 1 transmitting uplink signaling in the communications system. The requested uplink traffic segments 276 of WT1 include requests for uplink traffic segments that are assigned by the BS 230 scheduler, for example, the number, type and / or time constraint information. The assigned uplink traffic segments 278 include information that identifies the uplink traffic segments that have been assigned by the scheduler 230 for the WT

one.

The uplink traffic channel information 246 includes a plurality of uplink traffic channel segment information sets that include information on the segments that can be assigned by the BS 230 scheduler for WTs requesting air link resources uplink. The uplink traffic channel information 246 includes the information 280 of the segment 1 channel and the information 282 of the segment N channel. The information 280 of the segment 1 channel includes type 284 information, power level information 286, information of definition 288 and allocation information 290. The information of type 284 includes information defining the characteristics of segment 1, for example, the frequency and measurement time of the segment. For example, the BS can support multiple types of uplink segments, for example, a segment with a large bandwidth but at a short time duration and a segment with a small bandwidth, but a long time duration. The energy level information 286 includes information defining the specific power level at which the WT transmits using uplink segments 1. The definition information 288 includes information defining the specific frequencies or tones and specific timings that constitute the uplink traffic channel segment. The assignment information 290 includes assignment information associated with the uplink traffic segment 1, for example, the WT identifier is assigned the uplink traffic channel segment 1, an encoding and / or a modulation scheme that will be used in the uplink traffic channel segment 1.

Interference report request messages 248, which are used in some embodiments, are messages to be transmitted, for example, as broadcast messages or as messages addressed to specific WTs. The BS 200 can transmit to the WT 300 in a common control channel, instructing the WTs to determine and report the interference information with respect to a particular transmitter, the base station, for example, the station sector transmitter base, in the communications system. Interference report request messages 248 typically include transmitter base station identification information 292 that identifies the sector of the particular base station that is currently designated for the interference report. As discussed earlier, some base stations are implemented as single sector base stations. Over time, the BS 200 may change the transmitter base station identification information 292 to correspond to each of the neighboring transmitters and thereby obtain information about the interference of multiple neighbors.

The interference control indicator signals 250 used in some embodiments, for example, in which at least some of the uplink traffic segments are not explicitly assigned by the base station, are signals emitted by the BS 200 for the WT 300 to control, in terms of interference, that WTs can use uplink traffic segments. For example, a multi-level variable can be used where each level indicates the margin by which the BS 200 would like to control the interference. The WT 300 receiving this signal can use this signal in combination with their own measured interference to determine whether or not the WT 300 is allowed to use the uplink traffic segments that are being controlled.

Communication routines 226 implement the different communication protocols used by BS 200 and

globally control the transmission of user data. The base station control routines 228 control the operation of the I / O devices 210, the I / O interface 208, the receiver 202, a transmitter 204 and control the operation of the BS 200 to implement the procedures of The present invention. The scheduler 230 assigns uplink traffic segments under its control to the WT 300 based on a number of limitations: segment power requirement, transmission power capacity of the WT and the cost of interference in the system. Therefore, the scheduler 230 can, and often does, use the information from the interference reports received when planning downlink transmissions. The downlink broadcast signaling module 232 uses the data / information 224 including the downlink broadcast reference signal information 240 to generate and transmit broadcast signals, such as beacons, pilot signals, allocation signals and / or Another common control signal transmitted at known power levels that can be used by the WT 300 to determine the quality of the downlink channel and uplink interference levels. The interference report processing module of WT 234 uses the data / information 224 including the interference cost report information 274 obtained from the WT 300 to process, correlate and forward uplink interference information to the scheduler 230. The module Report request 236, which is used in some embodiments, generates a sequence of interference report request messages 248 to request a sequence of uplink interference reports, each report corresponding to one of its adjacent base stations. The interference indicator module 238, used in some embodiments, generates interference control indicator signals 250, which are transmitted to the WT 300 to control access to some uplink traffic channel segments.

Figure 3 illustrates an example wireless terminal 300, implemented according to various embodiments. The example wireless terminal 300 may be a more detailed representation of any of the WT 106, 108, 118, 120 of the wireless communication system example system 100 of Figure 1. The WT 300 includes a receiver 302, a transmitter 304, an I / O device 310, a processor 306, for example, a CPU, and a memory 312 coupled to each other through the bus 314 over which the various elements can exchange data and information. Receiver 302 is coupled to antenna 316; transmitter 304 is coupled to antenna 318.

Downlink signals transmitted from BS 200 are received through antenna 316 and are processed by receiver 302. Transmitter 304 transmits uplink signals through antenna 318 to BS 200. Uplink signals they include, for example, uplink traffic channel signals and interference cost reports. I / O devices 310 include user interface devices, such as microphones, speakers, video cameras, video screens, keyboards, printers, data terminal screens, etc. I / O devices 310 can be used to connect to the operator of the WT 300, for example, to allow the operator to enter user, voice and / or video data directed to a node of the same level and allow the operator to view the data of user, voice, and / or video communicated from a node of the same level, for example, another WT 300.

Memory 312 includes routines 320 and data / information 322. Processor 306 executes routines 320 and uses data / information 322 in memory 312 to control the basic operation of WT 300 and to implement procedures. Routines 320 include communication routine 324 and control routines of WT 326. The control routines of WT 326 include a reference signal processing module 332, an interference cost module 334, a format selection module of report 329 and a planning decision module 330. The reference signal processing module 332 includes an identification module 336, a received power measurement module 338 and a channel gain ratio calculation module 340. The interference cost module 334 includes a filter module 342, a determination module 344 and a report generation module 346. The report generation module 346 includes a quantification module 348.

The data / information 322 includes downlink broadcast reference signal information 349, wireless terminal information / data 352, uplink traffic channel information 354, message received from interference report information request 356, signal received of interference control indicator 358 and broadcast reference signals emitted 353.

The broadcast reference signal information 349 includes a plurality of downlink broadcast reference signal information sets, downlink broadcast reference signal information 350 of the base station 1, broadcast broadcast reference signal information downlink 351 of the base station M. The downlink broadcast reference signal information 350 of the BS 1 includes beacon signal information 360, pilot signal information 362 and allocation signaling information 364. The beacon signal information 360 includes identification information 366, for example, the BS identifier and the sector identifier information and the power level information 368. The pilot signal information 362 includes identification information 370 and the information of power level 372. Assignment signaling information 364 includes info Identification mark 374 and power level information 376.

The wireless terminal data / information 352 includes data 382, terminal identification information 384, interference cost report data 386, requested uplink traffic segments 388 and

assigned segments of uplink traffic 390.

The uplink traffic channel information 354 includes a plurality of uplink traffic channel information sets, information 391 of channel 1, information 392 of channel N. Information 391

5 of channel 1 includes type 393 information, power level information 394, definition information 395 and assignment information 396. The planning module 330 controls the planning of transmission interference reports, for example, according to a By default, the BS requested interference reports in response to requests for reports and user data received.

The message received from requesting interference report information 356 includes a base station identifier 397.

Figure 4 illustrates an example system 400 implemented according to various embodiments that will be used to explain various features of the invention. System 400 includes first, second and third cells 404, 406,

15 408 that are neighbors between them. The first cell 404 includes a first base station that includes a first transmitter sector of the base station BSS0 (410) and a wireless terminal 420 that is connected to the BSS0 410. The second cell 406 includes a second base station that includes a second sector base station transmitter (BSS1) 412. The third cell 408 includes a third base station station that includes a third base station transmitter sector (BSS2) 414. As can be seen, the signals transmitted between the BSS0 and the WT 420 they are subjected to a g0 channel gain. The signals transmitted between the BSS1 and the WT 420 are subject to a gain of channel g1. The signals transmitted between BSS2 and WT 420 are subject to a g2 channel gain.

Suppose that WT 420 is connected to BSS0 (410) with BSS0 (410) as a junction point. A gain ratio Gi = Ratio of the gain of the channel from BSS1 to WT 420 to the gain of the channel from BSS0 to WT 420.

25 This is:

Assuming that the beacon signals are transmitted from the first, second and third BSS at the same power level, the received power (PB) of the beacon signals received from the base stations BSS0, BSS1, BSS2 can be used to determine the ratio of gain as follows:

The following discussion will focus on the operation of the uplink traffic channel according to various embodiments. In the example system, the traffic segments that constitute the uplink traffic channel can be defined along different frequency and time extensions in order to adapt to a wide class of wireless terminals that are operating on a set diverse of wireless channels and with different device limitations. Figure 6 is a graph 100A of the frequency on the vertical axis 102A versus time on the horizontal axis 104A. Figure 6 illustrates two types of traffic segments in the uplink traffic channel. The Traffic sector denoted A 106A occupies twice the frequency measurement of the traffic segment denoted B 108A. Traffic segments in the uplink traffic channel can

45 be dynamically shared between the wireless terminals that are communicating with the base station. A planning module that is part of the base station can quickly assign traffic channel segments to different users based on their traffic needs, device limitations and channel conditions, which can be variable along of time in general. The uplink traffic channel is thus effectively shared and dynamically distributed among different users segment by segment. The dynamic assignment of traffic segments is illustrated in Figure 6 in which segment A is assigned to user # 1 by the base station planner and segment B is assigned to user # 2.

In the example system, the traffic channel segment allocation information is carried by the allocation channel, which includes a series of allocation segments. Each traffic segment is associated with a corresponding unique allocation segment that transmits the allocation information that the wireless terminal identifier may include and also the coding and modulation scheme to be used in that traffic segment. Figure 7 is a graph of the frequency 200A on the vertical axis 202A versus the time on the horizontal axis

204A. Figure 7 shows two allocation segments, A '206A and B' 208A, which transmit information on the allocation of uplink traffic segments A 210A and B 212A, respectively. The channel assignment is a shared channel resource. The wireless terminals receive the allocation information transmitted on the allocation channel and then transmit on the uplink traffic channel segments

5 according to the assignment information.

The base station planner 230 assigns traffic segments based on a number of considerations. A limitation is that the transmission power requirement of the traffic channel must not exceed the transmission power capacity of the wireless terminal. Therefore, wireless terminals that operate through 10 weaker uplink channels can be assigned traffic segments that occupy a narrower frequency measurement in the example system in order to meet the instantaneous requirements of the power are not severely limited. Similarly, wireless terminals that generate a greater amount of interference can also be attributed to traffic segments that include a smaller frequency measure in order to reduce the impact of the instantaneous interference generated by them. Total interference is

15 controls by planning the transmission of the wireless terminals based on their interference costs in the system, which are defined hereafter.

The wireless terminals determine their interference costs with the system from the received downlink broadcast signals. In one embodiment, the wireless terminals report their interference costs to the base station, in the form of interference reports, which then makes uplink planning decisions to control uplink interference. In another embodiment, the base station transmits an interference control indicator and the wireless terminals compare their interference costs with the received indicator to determine their uplink transmission resources in an appropriate manner, for example, the mobiles that have link transmission costs

25 rising below a level indicated by the control indicator can transmit while mobile phones with interference costs that exceed the cost level indicated by the control indicator will refrain from transmitting.

The example interference costs that can be considered will now be described.

30 Consider a wireless terminal labeled m0. Assume that the wireless terminal connects to the B0 base station. Let's call G0, k the channel gain between this wireless terminal and the base station Bk, For k = 0, 1, ..., N-1, where N is the total number of base stations in the system.

In the example system, the amount of energy transmitted by the wireless terminal m0 in the uplink traffic segment is generally a function of the condition of the wireless channel from the wireless terminal m0 to the base station B0, of the measurement of the frequency and choice of the code rate in the traffic segment. The measurement of the frequency of the segment and the choice of the code rate determine the transmission power used by the mobile, which is the amount that directly causes the interference.

40 Suppose that the SNR required for the base station receiver to decode the traffic segment requires PR reception power per tone of the traffic segment (which is a function of the choice of code rate and channel conditions on the that the mobile terminal is in operation). This is related to the tone transmission power of the wireless terminal, PT, as follows:

PR = PTG0.0

The tone interference produced by this wireless terminal in the neighboring base station k can be calculated from 50 as follows:

Wireless m0 in the base station Bk is proportional to its transmission power, as well as the ratio of the 55 channel gains to the base station k and its own base station. Therefore, r0, k is called the interference cost of the wireless terminal m0 to the base station Bk.

Generalizing this concept, the total interference by tone produced by a wireless terminal to all neighboring base stations is

Therefore, {r0,1, ..., r0, N} are the interference costs of the wireless terminal m0 to the entire system.

It is useful to note that the global instantaneous interference produced by the mobile m0 to the base station Bk is actually determined by n tones r0, where n tones is the measure of the traffic segment frequency.

A procedure for determining interference costs in some embodiments will be described below. In an exemplary embodiment, each base station 102, 114 in the example system 100 transmits periodic reference signals at high power that the wireless terminals can detect and decode. Reference signals include beacons, pilots or other common control signals. The reference signals may have a unique pattern that serves to identify the cell and the sector of the base station.

In the example OFDM 100 system, a beacon or pilot signal can be used as reference signals. A beacon signal is a special OFDM symbol in which most of the transmission power is concentrated in a small number of tones. The frequency location of high power tones indicates the base station identifier. A pilot signal may have a special skip pattern, which also uniquely specifies the identifier of the base station 102. Therefore, a base station sector can be identified in the example system of pilot and / or beacon signals.

In a CDMA system, a pilot signal can be used as the reference signal. In the IS-95 system, for example, a pilot is a known broadening sequence with a particular time offset as an identifier of the base station.

While the example system 100 described above uses beacon or pilot signals to provide a reference signal for estimating path loss, the invention is applicable in a wide variety of systems that can use other techniques to provide reference signals.

Reference signals are transmitted to known powers. Different reference signals may be transmitted to different powers. Different base stations 102, 114 may use different power levels for the same type of reference signals, as long as these powers are known by the mobile terminals.

The wireless terminal 106 first receives the reference signals to obtain the base station identifier

102. Then, the wireless terminal 106 measures the power received from the reference signals, and calculates the gain of the channel from the base station 102 to the wireless terminal 106. Note that in a given place, the wireless terminal may be able to receiving the reference signals from multiple base stations 102, 114. On the other hand, the wireless terminal may not be able to receive the reference signals from all base stations throughout the system. In the example system, the wireless terminal m0 monitors G0.0 for its connected base station B0, and G0, k for the base station Bk if it can receive the corresponding reference signal. Therefore, the wireless terminal m0 maintains a series of interference costs {r0, k} for the set of base stations whose reference signals it can receive.

Note that wireless terminal 106 can derive interference costs by combining the estimate from multiple reference signals. For example, in the example OFDM system 100, wireless terminal 106 can use both beacons and pilots to arrive at the estimate of {r0, k}.

The interference cost information {r0, k} is used to control uplink interference and to increase the overall capacity of the system. The uplink traffic channels can be used in two modes and the use of interference costs in both modes is described hereinafter.

It should be noted that the wireless terminals 106, 108 measure the channel gain information of the downlink reference signals, while the interference is a measure of the costs that the interference will have in terms of impact on the uplink. The channel gains of the downlink and the uplink between a wireless terminal 106 and a base station 102 may not be the same at all times. To eliminate the effect of short-term variations, estimates of the channel gains of the reference downlink signals can, and in some embodiments are averaged, on average (using a low-pass filtering form, for example) averaged to obtain interference cost estimates {r0, k}.

The use of certain interference costs in a planned mode of operation that will now be explained. In a particular mode of operation example, each of the uplink traffic segments is explicitly assigned by the base station so that an uplink traffic segment is used only by at most one wireless terminal. In the example OFDM system, since the traffic segments are orthogonal to each other, there is usually no intracellular interference in an uplink traffic segment in this mode.

To facilitate planning at the base station 102, in accordance with the invention, each wireless terminal 106, 108 sends to the base station 102, to which the wireless terminal is connected, a sequence of interference reports. The reports, in some embodiments are indicative of the calculated interference costs {r0, k}. In an extreme case, a report is a control message that includes the complete interference cost vector {r0, x}. To reduce signaling overhead, however, in one embodiment only a quantified version of the matrix {r0, k} is transmitted. There are a number of ways to quantify {r0, k}, which are listed below.

•

 Report r0, total, which is the sum of all {r0, k}.

•

Report the maximum of {r0, k} and the index k associated with the maximum.

•

 Periodically report {r0, k} one by one and the associated k index.

•

Use a small number of levels to report r0, k. For example, two levels to indicate whether r0, k is strong or weak.

After receiving the interference report (s), the base station plans, for example, to assign the traffic segments based on the interference information. A planning policy is to restrict the total interference produced by all planned wireless terminals to a predetermined threshold. Another planning policy is to categorize the wireless terminals according to their {r0, k} reported to several groups such that the group with large interference costs is preferably assigned traffic segments that include a smaller frequency measure in order to reduce the impact of the instantaneous interference generated.

Consider an embodiment in which each base station 102 is aware of its neighboring set, that is, the set of base stations 114, etc., which are determined as neighbors from the perspective of interference. In a basic embodiment, base station 102 only attempts to control the total interference to neighboring base stations. The basic embodiment can be thick in the sense that almost all interference can be directed to a particular of the neighboring base stations (X cells), for example, because all the planned wireless terminals can be close to the cell X. In this case, the X cell experiences serious interference at this instant of time. At another time, the interference can be concentrated in a different neighboring base station, in which case the X cell experiences little interference. Therefore, in the previous embodiment of total interference control, the interference of a particular neighboring base station may have great variation. In order to avoid destabilizing interference between cells, the base station 102 may have to leave sufficient margin in the total interference generated to compensate for the large variation.

In an improved embodiment, the base station 102 transmits a message on a common control channel to instruct the wireless terminals 106, 108 to determine and report the cost of interference with respect to a particular base station Bk. Therefore, the wireless terminals, mj, j = 0, 1, 2, ... will send the reports of rj, k. Over time, the base station 102 repeats this process for each member of its neighboring set and determines the set of wireless terminals 106, 108 that interferes with each of the base stations. Once this classification is complete, the base station 102 can simultaneously assign uplink traffic segments to a subset of wireless terminals 106, 108 that interferes with different base stations, thereby reducing the variation of the interference directed to any particular base station. Advantageously, because the interference has less variation, the base station 102 can allow greater total interference that is generated without seriously affecting the stability of the system, thereby increasing the capacity of the system. The wireless terminals 106, 108 inside the cell 104 cause negligible interference to neighboring base stations 114 and therefore can be planned at any time.

The use of interference costs in an unplanned mode of operation used in some, but not necessarily in all implementations, will now be addressed.

In this unplanned mode, each of the uplink traffic segments is not explicitly assigned by the base station 102. As a result, an uplink traffic segment can be used by multiple wireless terminals 106, 108. In a system CDMA, since the uplink traffic segments are not orthogonal to each other, in general there is intracellular interference in an uplink traffic segment in this mode.

In this mode, each wireless terminal 106, 108 makes its own planning decision of whether it is to use an uplink traffic segment and if so at what data and feed rate. To help reduce excessive interference and maintain system stability, according to various embodiments, the base station transmits the interference control indicator. Each wireless terminal 106, 108 compares the reference levels with its interference costs and determines its planning decision.

In one embodiment, the interference control indicator may be a multi-level variable and each level is to indicate the severity with the base station 102 wishing to control the total interference. For example, when the lowest level is transmitted, then each of the wireless terminals 106, 108 is allowed to use each of the traffic channel segments at each of the rates. When the highest level is transmitted, then only wireless terminals 106, 108, whose interference costs are very low, can use the traffic channel segments. When a medium level is transmitted, then the wireless terminals 106, 108, whose interference costs are low, can use all traffic channel segments, preferably traffic segments that include a greater frequency extension, while the terminals Wireless 106, 108, whose interference costs are high, can only use traffic segments consisting of a lower frequency extension and a lower data rate. The base station 102 can dynamically change the transmitted interference control level to control the amount of interference that the wireless terminals 106, 108 of the cell 104 generate to other base stations.

Figure 5, comprising the combination of Figure 5A, Figure 5B and Figure 5C is a flow chart 1000 of an example method of operating a wireless terminal, for example a mobile node, according to various embodiments. Operation begins in step 1002, where the wireless terminal is turned on and initialized. The process proceeds from step 1002 to step 1004, step 1006 and, through the connection of node B 1005, to step 1008.

In step 1004, the wireless terminal is operated to receive pilot and beacon signals from the current base station sector connection. The process proceeds from step 1004 to step 1010. In step 1010, the wireless terminal measures the power of the received beacon signal (PB0) and receives channel pilot signals (PP0) for the current base station sector connection . The process proceeds from step 1010 to step 1012. In step 1012, the wireless terminal derives current connection sector transmitter information, for example, a dependent BSS and a BSS_sector_type from the received beacon signal. Step 1012 includes sub-stage 1013. In sub-stage 1013, the wireless terminal determines a level of transmission power associated with the current base station connection sector and the tone block used.

In step 1006, the wireless terminal receives a beacon signal from one or more interference sectors of the base station 1006. The process proceeds from step 1006 to step 1014. Subsequent operations 1014, 1016, 1018 are carried out. for each base station interfering sector, for example, base station interfering sector i (BSSi).

In step 1014, the wireless terminal measures the power of the received beacon signal (PBi) for the interfering base station sector. The process proceeds from step 1014 to step 1016. In step 1016, the wireless terminal derives interfering sector information from the transmitting base station, for example, a dependent BSS and a BSS_sector_type of the received beacon signal. Step 1016 includes sub-stage 1017. In sub-stage 1017, the wireless terminal determines a level of transmission power associated with an interfering base station sector and the tone block used.

The operation of steps 1012 and 1016 goes to step 1018. In step 1018 the wireless terminal calculates a channel gain ratio using the procedure of sub-stage 1020 or the procedure of sub-stage 1022.

In sub-stage 1020, the wireless terminal uses the beacon signal information to calculate the channel gain ratio, Gi. Sub-stage 1020 includes sub-stage 1024, where the wireless terminal calculates Gi = PBi / PB0.

In sub-stage 1022, the wireless terminal uses the beacon signal information and the pilot signal information to calculate the gain ratio of channel Gi. Sub-stage 1022 includes sub-stage 1026, in which the wireless terminal calculates Gi = PBi / (PP0 * K * Z0), where K = beacon power reference level per tone for a level tone block 0 / reference level of beacon signal per tone for a tone block of level 0 and Z0 = power scale factor associated with the transmission of power level of tone block for the current sector block of base connection station of the emitter of the tone.

The process proceeds from step 1018 through connection node A 1042 to step 1043, in which the wireless terminal generates one or more interference reports.

Returning to step 1008, in step 1008 the wireless terminal is operated so that it receives broadcast load factor information. Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment, the wireless terminal receives load factor information from the current server base station sector from the broadcast information sent by the current server base station sector transmitter. The wireless terminal may receive load factor information from the base station interfering sector of the broadcast information sent by the current or interfering server base station sector transmitter. While the load factor information is shown as being received from the current server base station sector, alternatively, the load factor information may be received from other nodes and / or be pre-stored in the wireless terminal. For each base station sector under consideration, operation proceeds to step 1028. In step 1028 the wireless terminal determines whether or not the load factor was successfully recovered from the received signal. If the load factor was successfully recovered from the received signals, operation proceeds to step 1030, in which the wireless terminal stores the load factor. For example, the load factor b0 = the load factor for the current sector of the serving base station and the load factor Bk = load factor for the section k of the interfering base station. If the load factor was not successfully recovered from the received signal, then the operation goes to step 1032, where the wireless terminal sets the load factor to 1. The load factor (b0 1032, b1 1034 , ..., bk 1038, .. bn 1040) is obtained, with each load factor obtained from one of steps 1030 and 1032.

Returning to step 1043, in step 1043 the wireless terminal generates one or more interference reports. Step 1043 includes sub-stage 1044 and sub-stage 1048. In sub-stage 1044, the wireless terminal generates a type report that includes interference by a specific interfering sector of the base station for the station sector serving base. Step 1044 includes sub-stage 1046. In sub-stage 1046, the wireless terminal calculates the report value = (b0 / Z0) / (Gk * bk / Zk), where b0 is the load factor of the BSS current server and bk is the load factor if an interfering BSS to which the report corresponds, Gk = Gi for i = k, and Z0 is the power scale factor associated with the transmission power level of the tone block of The transmission of the current BSS connection and Zk is the power scale factor associated with the transmission power level of the tone block for the interfering sector of the base station to which the report corresponds.

In sub-stage 1048, the wireless terminal generates a generic type report that includes interference information for one or more BSS interfering with the serving BSS, for example, using the information of each of the measured beacon signals of the sectors base station interference including the use of load factor information and information on the power scale factor.

In some embodiments, step 1043 includes quantization.

The process proceeds from step 1043 to step 1050, in which the wireless terminal is used to transmit the report to the current server base station sector which serves as the current junction point of the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the transmission of a report is in response to a request from the server base station sector. In some embodiments, the type of report that is transmitted, for example, specific or generic, is in response to signals received from a base station sector that identifies the type of report. In some embodiments, the transmission of a particular specific type report, which reports interference associated with a particular base station sector is in response to a signal from the received base station that identifies the particular base station sector. In various embodiments, interference reports are transmitted periodically according to a report schedule followed by the wireless terminal, for example, as part of the dedicated control channel structure. In some of such embodiments, for at least some of the transmitted interference reports, the base station does not indicate any report selection information to select the report.

In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of transmission power levels, for example, three, with a different power scale factor associated with each level. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a power scale factor of 0 dB is associated with a block of tones of level 0, while a power scale factor of 6 dB is associated with a block of tones of level 1 and a 12 dB power scale factor is associated with a level 2 tone block. In some embodiments, each junction point corresponds to a base station sector transmitter and a tone block, and each transmitter tone block BSS junction point may be associated with a transmission power level. In some embodiments, there are a plurality of downlink tones, for example, three tone blocks (tone block 0, tone block 1, tone block 2) each with 113 uniformly spaced contiguous tones. In some embodiments, the same tone block, for example, tone block 0, using different base station sector transmitters, has a different transmission power level associated with the different base station sector transmitters. A wireless terminal, the identification of a particular junction point, which corresponds to a sector base station transmitter and a tone block, for example, from the information transmitted through its location beacon signal using the tone and / or time position with a recurring transmission pattern, you can use the stored information to associate the identified junction point with a particular level power transmission and the power scale factor of a particular tone block.

In some embodiments, the load factor, for example, bk, is a value greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to one. In some embodiments, the value is communicated from a base station sector to a wireless terminal representing one of a plurality of levels, for example, 0 dB, -1 dB, -2 dB, -3 dB, -4 dB, -6 dB, -9 dB, -infinity dB.

In some embodiments, the beacon signals are transmitted at the same power of a base station sector transmitter, regardless of the level of transmission power associated with the tone block that is used, however, other downlink signals, by For example, the pilot signals are affected by the level of power transmission associated with the tone block for the base station sector transmitter. In some embodiments, parameter K is a value greater than or equal to 6 dB. For example, in an example embodiment the parameter K = 23.8 dB - 7.2 dB = 16.6 dB.

Figure 8 shows an example communication system 800 implemented according to various embodiments. The example communication system 800 includes multiple cells: cell 1 802, cell M 804. Example system 800 is, for example, an example orthogonal frequency division multiplexing spread spectrum (OFDM) wireless communications system. ) such as a multi-access OFDM system. Each cell 802, 804 of the example system 800 includes three sectors. Cells that cannot be subdivided into multiple sectors (N = 1), cells with two sectors (N = 2) and cells with more than 3 sectors (N = 3) are also possible according to various embodiments. Each sector supports one or more carriers and / or downlink tone blocks. In some embodiments, each downlink tone block has a corresponding uplink tone block. In some embodiments, at least some of the sectors support three blocks of downlink tones. Cell 802 includes a first sector, sector 1 810, a second sector, sector 2 812, and a third sector, sector 3 814. Similarly, cell M 804 includes a first sector, sector 1 822, a second sector, sector 2 824, and a third sector, sector 3 826. Cell 1 802 includes a base station (BS), base station 1 806, and a plurality of wireless terminals (WT) in each sector 810 , 812, 814. Sector 1 810 includes WT (1) 836 and WT (N) 838 coupled to BS 806 via wireless links 840, 842, respectively; sector 2 812 includes WT (1 ') 844 and WT (N') 846 coupled to BS 806 via wireless links 848, 850, respectively, sector 3 814 includes WT (1 ") 852 and WT ( N ") 854 coupled to BS 806 through wireless links 856, 858, respectively. Similarly, cell M 804 includes the base station M 808, and a plurality of wireless terminals (WT) in each sector 822, 824, 826. Sector 1 822 includes WT (1 "") 868 and WT (N " ") 870 coupled to the BS M 808 via wireless links 880, 882, respectively, sector 2 824 includes WT (1" "') 872 and WT (N" "') 874 coupled to the BS M 808 through of wireless links 884, 886, respectively, sector 3 826 includes WT (1 "" ") 876 and WT (N" "") 878 coupled to BS M 808 via wireless links 888, 890, respectively.

System 800 also includes a network node 860 that is coupled to BS1 806 and BS M 808 through network links 862, 864, respectively. The network node 860 is also coupled to other network nodes, for example, other base stations, AAA server nodes, intermediate nodes, routers, etc. and to the Internet through network link 866. Network links 862, 864, 866 maybe, for example, fiber optic cables. Each wireless terminal, for example, WT 1 836, includes a transmitter as well as a receiver. At least some of the wireless terminals, for example, WT (1) 836, are mobile nodes that can move along the 800 system and can communicate via wireless links with the base station of the cell in which the WT is currently located, for example, using a junction point of the base station sector. The wireless terminals, (WT), for example, WT (1) 836, can communicate with homologous nodes, for example, other WTs in system 800 or outside system 800 through a base station, for example, BS 806 and / or the network node 860. Each WT, for example, WT (1) 836 may be mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones, personal data assistants with wireless modems, laptops with wireless modems, data terminals with wireless modems, etc.

An example 4-bit downlink beacon rate report (DLBNR4) is described below. The beacon rate report provides information that is a function of the received broadcast downlink measurement signals, for example, beacon signals and / or pilot signals, from a sector of the serving base station and from one or more of other interfering base station sectors. Qualitatively, the beacon rate report can be used to estimate the relative proximity of the WT to other base station sectors. The beacon rate report can be used, and in some embodiments it is used in the sector of the serving BS in the control of the uplink speed of the WT to prevent excessive interference with other sectors. The beacon rate report, in some embodiments, is based on two factors: (i) estimated channel gain rates, denoted Gi and (ii) load factors, denoted bi.

Channel gain rates are defined, in some embodiments, as follows. In the tone block of the current connection, the WT, in some embodiments, determines an estimate of the uplink channel gain ratio from the WT to any base station interfering sector i (BSSi) with the channel gain from the WT to the BSS server. This reason is denoted as Gi. Typically, the uplink channel gain ratio is not directly measurable in the WT. However, since the uplink and downlink gain paths are typically symmetric, the ratio can be estimated by comparing the relative received power of the downlink signals from the server and interfering BSS. A possible option for the downlink reference signal is the downlink beacon signal, which is well suited for this purpose, since it can be detected with a very low SNR. In some embodiments, the beacon signals have a higher level of transmission power per tone than other downlink signals of a base station sector. In addition, the characteristics of the beacon signal are such that precise timing is not necessary to detect and measure the beacon signal. For example, the beacon signal is, in some embodiments, a high-power narrowband signal, for example, a signal with a single tone time period width, two periods of OFDM transmission symbol. Thus, in certain locations, a WT is capable of detecting and measuring a beacon signal from a base station sector, where detecting and / or measuring other downlink broadcast signals, for example pilot signals, may not be feasible.

Using the beacon signal, the uplink route rate would be given by Gi = PBi / PB0, where PBi and PB0 are, respectively, the measured beacon power received from the sectors of the server and interfering base station, respectively.

Since the beacon is normally transmitted infrequently, the measurement of the beacon signal power does not provide a very accurate representation of the average channel gain, especially in a fading environment in which the power changes rapidly. For example, in some embodiments a beacon signal is transmitted, which occupies 2 successive OFDM symbols successive time periods of duration transmission and corresponding to a block of downlink tones of a base station sector, for each beacon slot of the time periods of OFDM 912 transmission symbols.

Pilot signals, on the other hand, are often transmitted much more frequently than beacon signals, for example, in some embodiments the pilot signals are transmitted during 896 of the 912 time periods of OFDM 912 transmission symbols of a slot of beacon. If the WT can detect the pilot signal from the BS sector, it can estimate the intensity of the beacon signal received from the measured pilot signal received instead of using a beacon signal measurement. For example, if the WT can measure the received pilot power, PPi, of the interfering BS sector, then it can estimate the received beacon power PBi from the estimated PBi = KZiPPi, where K is a nominal ratio of the beacon power The pilot of the interfering sector that is the same for each of the BS and Zi sectors is a scale factor that is dependent on the sector. Similarly, if the pilot signal power of the serving BS is measurable in the WT, then the received beacon power PB0 can be estimated from the ratio, PB0 = KZ0PP0 estimated, where Z0 and PP0 are, respectively, the scale factor and the pilot power received measured from the server base station sector.

Note that if the intensity of the received pilot signal is measurable corresponding to the sector of the server base station, and the intensity of the received beacon signal is measurable corresponding to the interfering sector of the base station, the beacon rate can be estimated from:

Note that if pilot intensities can be measured in both the server and the interfering sector, the beacon rate can be estimated from:

The scale factors K, Zi and Z0 are either system constants, or can be deduced by the WT, from any other BS information. In some embodiments, some of the scale factors (K, Zi, Z0) are system constants and some of the scale factors (K, Zi, Z0) are inferred by the WT, from other BS information.

In some multi-carrier systems with different power levels in different companies, the scale factors, Zi and Z0, are a function of the downlink tone block. For example, an example BSS has three power level levels and one of the three power level levels is associated with each block of downlink tones corresponding to a BSS junction point. In some of such embodiments, a different one of the three power level levels is associated with each of the different tone blocks of the BSS. Continuing the example, for the given BSS, each power level is associated with a nominal bss power level (for example, one of bss Nominal Power 10, bss Nominal Power 11, and bss Power Nominal12) and the pilot channel signal is transmitted at a power level relative to a nominal bss power level for the tone block, for example, 7.2dB above the nominal bss power level being used by the tone block, however, the relative power level of beacon transmission by tone for the BSS is the same regardless of the block of tones from which the beacon is transmitted, for example, 23.8 dB above the power level bss used by the power level 0 block (bss PowerNote10). Therefore, in this example for a given BSS, the beacon transmission power would be the same in each of the tone blocks, while the pilot transmission power is different, for example, with the pilot transmission power of different blocks of tones corresponding to the different power levels. A set of scale factors for this example would be, K = 23.8 - 7.2 dB, which is the beacon to pilot power ratio for level 0, and Zi adjusts to the relative nominal power of the sector level interfering with the power of a level 0 sector.

In some embodiments, parameter Z0 is determined from information stored, for example, in table 900 of Figure 9, according to how the tone block of the current connection is used in the serving BSS as determined. by the bsstipo_de_sector of the BSS servers. For example, if the tone block of the current connection is used as a level 0 tone block by the serving BSS, the Z0 = 1; if the tone block of the current connection is used as a level 1 tone block by the serving BSS, the Z0 = bss Power Shift01; If the tone block of the current connection is used as a level 2 tone block by the BSS server, Z0 = bss Power Shift02.

Figure 9 includes a table of example power scale factors 900. The first column 902 lists the use of a tone block, either as a level 0 tone block, level 1 tone block or level 2 tone block. The second column 904 lists the scaling factor associated with each level tone block (0, 1, 2), such as (1, bss Offset Power01, bss Offset Power02), respectively. In some embodiments, bss Power Shift01 is 6dBs while bss Power Shift02 is 12 dB.

In some embodiments, the DCCH DLBNR4 report may be one of a generic beacon rate report and a special beacon rate report. In some of said embodiments, a traffic control downlink channel, for example, a DL.TCCH.FLASH channel, sends a special frame in a beacon slot, the special frame including a "DLBNR4 Report Field Request" . That field can be used by the BSS server to control the selection. For example, if the field is set to zero then, the WT delivers a generic beacon rate report, otherwise the WT delivers the special beacon rate report.

A generic beacon rate report, according to various embodiments, measures the cost of relative interference that the WT would generate to all interfering beacons or to the "closest" interfering beacon, if the WT transmitted to the serving BSS on the current connection. A special beacon rate report, according to some embodiments, measures the relative interference cost that the WT would generate to a specific BSS, if the WT transmitted to the serving BSS on the current connection. The specific BSS is the one indicated using the information received in the DLBNR4 Field Request of the special downlink frame. For example, in some embodiments, the specific BSS is one whose bssPendiente is equal to the value of the "DLBNR4 Report Field Request", for example, in unsigned integer format, and whose bssTypeSector is equal to mod (ull index Slot Slot, 3 ), where the Ultra Slot Slot Index is the uplink index of the beacon groove within the Ultra Slot of the current connection. In some embodiments, there are 18 beacons indexed within an Ultra Slot.

In various embodiments, both the special and generic beacon rates are determined from the channel gain by calculating the rates of G1, G2, ..., as follows. The WT receives an uplink load factor sent in a broadcast of the system downlink subchannel and determines a variable b0 from the uplink load factors table 950 of Figure 10. Table 950 includes a first column 952 that lists eight different values that can be used for the uplink load factor (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7); second column 954 lists the corresponding values for the value b in dB (0, -1, -2, -3, -4, -6, -9, -infinity), respectively. For another BSSi, the WT attempts to receive bi from the uplink load factor sent in the downstream broadcast system subchannel of the BBSi in the tone block of the current connection. If the WT cannot receive the load factor UL bi, the WT sets bi = 1.

In some embodiments, in single-carrier operation, the WT calculates the following power ratio as the generic beacon rate report: b0 / (G1b1 + G2b2 + ...) when ulluraranura Slot Slot is torque or b0 / Max (G1b1, G2b2, ...) When the Ultra Slot Slot Ultra is index, where Ultra Slot Slot Ultra is the uplink index of the beacon in the Ultra Slot of the current connection and the + operation represents a regular addition. When you have to send a specific beacon rate report, the WT, in some embodiments, calculates b0 / (GkBk), where the index k represents the specific BSS k. In some embodiments, there are 18 beacons indexed within an Ultra Slot.

Figure 11 is a table 1100 illustrating an example format of a 4-bit downlink beacon rate report (DLBNR4), according to various embodiments. The first column 1102 lists the 16 different bit patterns that the report can transmit, while the second column 1104 lists the reported power rate corresponding to each bit pattern, for example, ranging between -3dB and 26dBs . The wireless terminal presents the generic and specific beacon rate reports by selecting and communicating from the DLBNR4 table entry that is closed to the determined report value. Although in this exemplary embodiment, generic and specific beacon rate reports use the same table for DLBNR4, in some embodiments, different tables may be used.

Figure 12 is a drawing of an example orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) of the wireless communication system 8000, for example a wide-spectrum OFDM wireless multi-access communications system, implemented according to various embodiments. The example wireless communication system 800 includes a plurality of base stations coupled to each other through a return network and a plurality of wireless terminals, for example, mobile nodes. Examples of base stations (base station 1 8002, base station 2 8004, base station 3 8006, base station 4 8008) and example wireless terminal 1 (WT1) 8010 are shown in Figure 12.

The base station 1 8002 is a three sector base station that includes a base station sector 50 (BSS 0) 8012, the base station sector S1 (BSS 1) 8014 and a base station sector S2 (BSS2) 8016. Each sector of the base station (8012, 8014, 8016), but a corresponding nominal power level 0 (BSS 0 level 0 of nominal power 8018, BSS 1 level 0 of nominal power 8020, BSS 2 level 0 of nominal power 8022). The base station 2 8004 is a three sector base station that includes a base station sector 50 (BSS 0) 8024, a base station sector S1 (BSS 1) 8026 and a base station sector S2 (BSS2) 8028. Each Base station sector (8024, 8026, 8028), has a corresponding nominal power level 0 (BSS 0 level 0 of nominal power 8030, BSS 1 level 0 of nominal power 8032, BSS 2 level 0 of nominal power 8034). The base station 3 8006 is a three sector base station that includes a base station sector S0 (BSS 0) 8036, a base station sector S1 (BSS 1) 8038, and a base station sector S2 (BSS2) 8040. Each sector of the base station (8036, 8038, 8040), has a corresponding nominal power level 0 (BSS 0 level 0 of nominal power 8042, BSS 1 level 0 of nominal power 8044, BSS 2 level 0 of nominal power 8046) . The base station 4 8008 is a single sector base station that has a nominal power level 0 8048.

Each nominal power level 0 corresponds to a power level associated with one of the downlink tone blocks that are used by the corresponding base station sector transmitter. In some embodiments, each downlink tone block is associated with a corresponding uplink tone block. In this exemplary embodiment, each base station sector corresponds to one or more physical attachment points, each physical junction point corresponding to a pair of downlink / uplink tone blocks. For a base station sector transmitter that uses multiple downlink tone blocks, for example corresponding to multiple physical setpoints, to communicate the downlink user data, the nominal power level 0 is associated with the block of downlink tones that have the highest power level. In addition, the other downlink tone blocks are referenced at the nominal power level with respect to the 0 level of tone block power, with the nominal power levels of the tone blocks having a lower value. For example, for a given BSS, a level 1 tone block has a lower energy level than a level 0 tone block, and a level 2 tone block has a lower energy level than a block of level tones

one.

Figure 13 illustrates the example system 8000 of Figure 12 and provides additional details corresponding to each of the base station sectors to illustrate various features. This exemplary embodiment represents a wireless communication system with three downlink tone blocks that do not overlap (tone block 0, tone block1 and tone block 2). For example, each downlink tone block, in some embodiments, corresponds to the OFDM 113 tones and the combination of the 3 tone blocks corresponds to a 5MHz system. In this exemplary embodiment, the beacon signals are transmitted by a BSS in each tone block and the beacons are communicated at a power level relative to the power level 0, however, the pilot signals and the user data signals they may or may not be transmitted in a certain block of tones and the pilot / user data signals are transmitted by a base station sector at a power level with respect to the power level of the corresponding tone block. Each sector of the base station transmits a beacon signal per tone block per beacon slot. In this exemplary embodiment, the type of sector determines which tone block is the level 0 tone block; the level 1 tone block and the level 2 tone block, when used, and are also determined by association with a type of sector.

Block 8050 indicates that for BSS 0 8012 of base station 1 8002: (i) tone block 0 is associated with power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in the block of tones 0, (ii) tone block 1 is associated with power level 1 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1, (iii) tone block 2 is associated with power level 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 2. Block 8052 indicates that for 1 BSS 8014 of base station 1 8002: (i) tone block 0 is associated with power level 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0, (ii) tone block 1 is associated with power level 0 and beacon, pilot and of user data are communicated in tone block 1, (iii) tone block 2 is associated with power level 1 and the beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 2. Block 8054 indicates that for BSS 2 8016 of base station 1 8002: (i) tone block 0 is associated with the power level 1 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0, (ii) tone block 1 is associated with power level 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicate in tone block 1, (iii) tone block 2 is associated with power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 2.

Block 8056 indicates that for BSS 0 8024 of base station 2 8004: (i) tone block 0 is associated with power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in the block of tones 0, (ii) tone block 1 is associated with power level 1 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1, (iii) tone block 2 is associated with power level 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 2. Block 8058 indicates that for 1 BSS 8026 of base station 2 8004: (i) tone block 0 is associated with power level 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0, (ii) tone block 1 is associated with power level 0 and beacon, pilot and of user data are communicated in tone block 1, (iii) tone block 2 is associated with power level 1 and the beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 2. Block 8060 indicates that for BSS 2 8028 of base station 2 8004: (i) tone block 0 is associated with the power level 1 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0, (ii) tone block 1 is associated with power level 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicate in tone block 1, (iii) tone block 2 is associated with power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 2.

Block 8062 indicates that for BSS 0 8036 of base station 3 8006: (i) tone block 0 is associated with power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in the block of tones 0, (ii) tone block 1 is associated with power level 1 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1, (iii) the tone block is used for signaling beacon but not used for signaling user and pilot data. Block 8064 indicates that for 1 BSS 8038 of base station 3 8006: (i) tone block 0 is used for beacon signaling, but is not used for user and pilot data signaling (iii) the Tone block 1, is used for beacon signaling, but is not used for user and pilot data signaling. Block 8066 indicates that for BSS 2 8040 of base station 3 8006: (i) tone block 0 is used for beacon signaling, but is not used for user and pilot data signaling, (ii ) tone block 1 is used for signaling beacon, but is not used for signaling user and pilot data, (iii) tone block 2 is associated with power level 0 and beacon signals, Pilot and user data are communicated in tone block 2.

Block 8068 indicates that for BSS of base station 4 8008: (i) tone block 0 is associated with power level 0 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 0 , (ii) tone block 1 is associated with level 1 data signals and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 1, (iii) the tone block is associated with level of power 2 and beacon, pilot and user data signals are communicated in tone block 2.

Figure 14 is a drawing of the example system 8000, described in Figures 12 and 13, which includes the sample signaling received and processed by the WT 8010 for purposes of illustration of the example beacon rate reporting procedures according to various realizations In the example of Figure 14, the wireless terminal 8010 has a wireless connection 8070 with the BSS 8016 using tone block 1 of physical junction point. As regards a beacon rate report communicated through connection 8070, the BSS 8016 is the serving BSS, sometimes denoted BSS0. In this example from the perspective of WT 8012, BSS 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008 represent interfering sectors of base station, sometimes denoted BSSi.

From the BSS server 8016, the wireless terminal receives and processes beacon signals 8078 and the pilot tone signal 8076 communicated in the tone block 1. Note that WT 1 8010 is synchronized in time with respect to the BSS 8016 tone block junction point 1 and can therefore accurately measure the pilot channel. For each interfering BSS (8012, 8026, 8036, 8008) the 8010 wireless terminal receives and processes beacon signals (8072, 8082, 8086, 8090), respectively, communicated in the tone block 1. The beacon signals, for example , using a single tone at a relatively high tone transmission power level compared to other downlink broadcast signals such as pilot signals and having a duration of two consecutive OFDM symbol transmission time periods are more readily detectable. , for example, in larger ranges, than the pilot signals and do not require precise measurement of timing synchronization. In addition, the uplink load factor information signals (8080, 8074, 8084, 8088, 8092) are communicated from each of the BSS (8016, 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008) respectively. These uplink load factor information signals (8080, 8074, 8084, 8088, 8092) are communicated as broadcast signals, but may be

or not successfully recovered, for example, since its level of transmission power per tone is lower than that of a beacon. In the event that an uplink load factor cannot be retrieved, a default value, for example, a value of 1 is used in the calculation of the beacon rate report.

Next, the generation of the generic beacon rate report will be described, the generic beacon rate report generated by the 8070 connection being communicated through a dedicated control channel segment.

The BSS server, BSS0 is the BSS 8016. PP0 is the measured power of the wireless terminal of pilot signals received. The interfering BSS1 is the BSS 8012 and PB1 is the measured power of the received beacon signal 8072. The interfering BSS2 is the BSS 8026 and PB2 is the measured power of the received beacon signal 8082. The interfering BSS3 is the BSS 8036 and PB3 is the measured power of the received beacon signal 8086. The interfering BSS4 is the BSS 8008 and PB4 is the measured power of the received beacon signal 8090. The uplink load factors are recovered (b0, b1, b2, b3, b4), if they are successfully recovered, from the signals (8080, 8074, 8084, 8088, 8092) respectively. The value of each b is greater than or equal to zero and less than or equal to 1. If a given b cannot be recovered, a default value of 1 is used. The indicator function I1 = 1 since the tone block 1 It is used by BSS 8012 for signaling user and pilot data. The indicator function I2 = 1 since tone block 1 is used by BSS 8026 for signaling user and pilot data. The indicator function I3 = 1 since tone block 1 is used by BSS 8036 for signaling user and pilot data. The indicator function I4 = 1 since tone block 1 is used by BSS 8008 for signaling user and pilot data.

K is the rate of transmission power per tone of the beacon channel with respect to the pilot channel for a block of tones of level 0, which is a constant for the system. Z0 = bss Shift Power02 since the tone block 1 of BSS 8016 is a level 2 tone block. Z1 = bss Power shift01 since the tone block 1 of BSS 8012 is a tone block of level 1. Z2 = bss Power shift02 since the tone block 1 of BSS 8026 is a tone block of level 0. Z3 is not relevant since I3 = 0. Z4 = bss Power shift01 since tone block 1 of BSS 8008 is a tone block of level 1.

In the general case, where n sectors of interfering base station are considered, a generic report of the first type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (G1b1 / Z1I1 + G2b2 / Z2I2 + G3b3 / Z3I3 + G4b4 / Z4I4 + ... + Gnbn / ZnIn) and a generic report of the second type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (max (G1b1 / Z1I1, G2b2 / Z2I2, G3b3 / Z3I3, G4b4 / Z4I4, ..., Gnbn / ZnIn) where

G1 = PB1 / PB0 or PB1 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

G2 = PB2 / PB0 or PB2 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

G3 = PB3 / PB0 or PB3 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

G4 = PB4 / PB0 or PB4 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

.

.

.

Gn = PBn / PB0 or PBn / (PP0 * K * Z0)

For the specific case of Figure 14, in which 4 interfering base station sectors are considered, the first type of beacon rate generic report = (b0 / Z0) / (G1b1 / Z1I1 + G2b2 / Z2I2 + G3b3 / Z3I3 + G4b4 / Z4I4) and the second type of beacon rate generic report = (b0 / Z0) / (max (G1b1 / Z1I1, G2b2 / Z2I2, G3b3 / Z3I3, G4b4 / Z4I4) where

G1 = PB1 / PB0 or PB1 / (PP0 * K * Z0) G2 = PB2 / PB0 or PB2 / (PP0 * K * Z0) G3 = PB3 / PB0 or PB3 / (PP0 * K * Z0) G4 = PB4 / PB0 or PB4 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

In addition, since I1 = 1, I2 = 1, I3 = 0 and I4 = 1 the equation of the beacon rate report is reduced to: generic report of first type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (G1b1 / Z1I1 + G2b2 / Z2I2 + G4b4 / Z4I4) and a generic report of the second type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (max (G1b1 / Z1I1, G2b2 / Z2I2, G4b4 / Z4I4) where

G1 = PB1 / PB0 or PB1 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

G2 = PB2 / PB0 or PB2 / (PP0 * K * Z0) G4 = PB4 / PB0 or PB4 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

Figure 15 is a drawing of the example system 8000, written in Figures 12 and 13, which includes sample signaling received and processed by the WT 8010 with the aim of illustrating example procedures of beacon rate report in accordance with Various embodiments In the example of Figure 15, the wireless terminal 8010 has two concurrent wireless connections, a first wireless connection 8070 with BSS 8016 using the tone block 1 of physical junction point and the second physical connection is with BSS 8026 using the block of 1 tones of physical bonding point. With respect to the beacon rate report communicated by connection 8070, BSS 8016 is the serving BSS, sometimes denoted BSS0 and the BSS 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008 representing the interfering base station sectors, sometimes denoted BSSi. With respect to the beacon rate report communicated by connection 8071, BSS 8026 is the serving BSS, sometimes denoted BSS0 and the BSS 8012, 8016, 8036, 8008 representing the interfering base station sectors, sometimes denoted BSSi.

The same signals described above in relation to Figure 14 can be used by WT 8010 when generating a beacon rate report for connection 8070. In addition, pilot signals 8083 in the BSS 8026 junction point tone block. It can be used by WT 8010 to generate a beacon rate report for connection 8070.

In the general case, where n sectors of interfering base station are considered, a generic report of the first type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (G1b1 / Z1I1 + G2b2 / Z2I2 + G3b3 / Z3I3 + G4b4 / Z4I4 + ... + Gnbn / ZnIn) and a generic report of the second type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (max (G1b1 / Z1I1, G2b2 / Z2I2, G3b3 / Z3I3, G4b4 / Z4I4, ..., Gnbn / ZnIn) where

G1 = PB1 / PB0 or PB1 / (PP0 * K * Z0) or (PP1 * Z1) / (PP0 * Z0)

G2 = PB2 / PB0 or PB2 / (PP0 * K * Z0) or (PP2 * Z2) / (PP0 * Z0)

G3 = PB3 / PB0 or PB3 / (PP0 * K * Z0) or (PP3 * Z3) / (PP0 * Z0)

G4 = PB4 / PB0 or PB4 / (PP0 * K * Z0) or (PP4 * Z4) / (PP0 * Z0)

.

.

.

Gn = PBn / PB0 or PBn / (PP0 * K * Z0) or (PP4 * Z4) / (PP4 * Z4)

For the specific case of Figure 15, in which 4 sectors of interfering base station with Regarding connection 1 8070, the generic report of the first type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (G1b1 / Z1I1 + G2b2 / Z2I2 + G3b3 / Z3I3 + G4b4 / Z4I4) and the generic report of the second type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (max (G1b1 / Z1I1, G2b2 / Z2I2, G3b3 / Z3I3, G4b4 / Z4I4) where where BSS 8016 is BSS0, BSS 8012 is BSS1, BSS 8026 is BSS2, BSS 8036 is BSS3 and BSS 8008 is BSS4 and taking into account the availability of pilot signal information,

G1 = PB1 / PB0 or PB1 / (PP0 * K * Z0) G2 = PB2 / PB0 or PB2 / (PP0 * K * Z0) or (PP2 * Z2) / (PP0 * Z0) G3 = PB3 / PB0 or PB3 / (PP0 * K * Z0) G4 = PB4 / PB0 or PB4 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

In addition, since I1 = 1, I2 = 1, I3 = 0 and I4 = 1 the equation of the beacon rate report is reduced to: generic report of first type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (G1b1 / Z1I1 + G2b2 / Z2I2 + G4b4 / Z4I4) and a generic report of the second type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (max (G1b1 / Z1I1, G2b2 / Z2I2, G4b4 / Z4I4) where

G1 = PB1 / PB0 or PB1 / (PP0 * K * Z0) G2 = PB2 / PB0 or PB2 / (PP0 * K * Z0) or (PP2 * Z2) / (PP0 * Z0) G4 = PB4 / PB0 or PB4 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

For the specific case of Figure 15, in which 4 interfering base station sectors are considered with respect to connection 2 8071, the generic report of the first type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (G1b1 / Z1I1 + G2b2 / Z2I2

+ G3b3 / Z3I3 + G4b4 / Z4I4) and the generic report of second type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (max (G1b1 / Z1I1, G2b2 / Z2I2, G3b3 / Z3I3, G4b4 / Z4I4) where where BSS 8016 is BSS0, BSS 8012 is BSS1, BSS 8026 is BSS2, BSS 8036 is BSS3 and BSS 8008 is BSS4 and taking into account the availability of pilot signal information,

G1 = PB1 / PB0 or PB1 / (PP0 * K * Z0) G2 = PB2 / PB0 or PB2 / (PP0 * K * Z0) or (PP2 * Z2) / (PP0 * Z0) G3 = PB3 / PB0 or PB3 / (PP0 * K * Z0) G4 = PB4 / PB0 or PB4 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

In addition, since I1 = 1, I2 = 1, I3 = 0 and I4 = 1 the equation of the beacon rate report is reduced to: generic report of first type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (G1b1 / Z1I1 + G2b2 / Z2I2 + G4b4 / Z4I4) and a generic report of the second type of beacon rate = (b0 / Z0) / (max (G1b1 / Z1I1, G2b2 / Z2I2, G4b4 / Z4I4) where

G1 = PB1 / PB0 or PB1 / (PP0 * K * Z0) G2 = PB2 / PB0 or PB2 / (PP0 * K * Z0) or (PP2 * Z2) / (PP0 * Z0) G4 = PB4 / PB0 or PB4 / (PP0 * K * Z0)

In some embodiments, a wireless terminal attempts to obtain a channel gain rate, for example Gi, using pilot signals if reliable pilot signal information can be retrieved from the two sources. If that is not possible, the wireless terminal attempts to obtain a channel gain rate using pilot signals from the server base station sector and beacon signals from the other base station sector.

Figure 16 is a drawing of the example system 8000, described in Figures 12 and 13, which includes the sample signaling received and processed by the WT 8010 for purposes of illustration of the example beacon rate reporting procedures according to various realizations In the example of Figure 16, the wireless terminal 8010 has a first wireless connection 8001 with the BSS 8016 using the tone block 1 of physical junction point and a second concurrent wireless connection 8003 with the BSS 8026 using the tone block 3 of point of physical union. As regards a beacon rate report communicated through connection 8001, the BSS 8016 is the serving BSS, sometimes denoted BSS0 and BSS 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008 represent the interfering base station sectors sometimes denominated BSSi, for example, BSS1, BSS2, BSS3, BSS4. As regards a beacon rate report communicated through connection 8003, the BSS 8026 is the serving BSS, sometimes denoted BSS0 and BSS 8012, 8016, 8036, 8008 represent the interfering base station sectors sometimes denominated BSSi, for example, BSS1, BSS2, BSS3, BSS4.

From the BSS 8016, the wireless terminal receives and processes the beacon signals 8011 communicated both in the tone block 1 and in the tone block 2 and the pilot tone signal 8009 communicated in the tone block

1. Note that the WT 1 8012 is temporarily synchronized with respect to the tone block 1 of the BSS 8016 junction point and therefore the pilot channel can be accurately measured. From the BSS 8026, the wireless terminal receives and processes the beacon signals 8017 in both tone block 1 and tone block 2

and the pilot tone signal 8015 communicated in the tone block 2. Note that the WT 1 8010 is temporarily synchronized with respect to the tone block 2 of the BSS 8026 junction point and therefore the channel can be accurately measured pilot. From each interfering BSS (8012, 8036, 8008), the wireless terminal 8010 receives and processes beacon signals (8005, 8021, 8025), respectively, communicated in tone block 1 and tone block 2. In addition to the signals Information of uplink load factors (8013, 8007, 8019, 8023, 8027) are communicated respectively for each BSS (8016, 8012, 8026, 8036, 8008). These information signals of the uplink load factors (8013, 8007, 8019, 8023, 8027) are communicated as an emission signal, but may or may not be successfully recovered, for example, since their transmission power level per tone is lower than that of a beacon. When an uplink load factor cannot be successfully recovered, a predetermined value, for example, a value of 1, is used in the calculation of the beacon rate report. In the example in Figure 16, the two connections use different tone blocks. The gain coefficients calculated for the beacon rate reports to be communicated via connection 1 8001 can use the received pilot tone signal 8009 from the tone block 1 to the base station sector 8016 and receive beacon signals from the other sectors of the base station. The gain coefficients calculated for the beacon rate reports are communicated through the connection 2 8003 can use the pilot tone signals receive 8015 from the tone block 2 of the base station sector 8026 and the beacon signals received from other sectors of base station.

In some exemplary embodiments, with respect to a base station sector, the OFDM signals of a tone block are precisely synchronized with respect to the OFDM symbols of another tone block. Consider that the BSS uses a common transmitter and generates a single OFDM symbol corresponding to the three tone blocks, for example, a single OFDM symbol that includes 339 tones comprising three tone blocks of 113 tones each. In some of these embodiments, the gain rates calculated for the beacon rate reports are communicated via connection 1 8001 pilot tone signals received from the tone block 1 of the base station sector 8016, the signal of pilot tone received from tone block 1 of BSS 8026 and beacon signals received from other base station sectors; The gain coefficients calculated for the beacon rate reports that are communicated through connection 2 8003 can use pilot tone signals received from tone block 2 of the base station sector 8026, the pilot tone signal from the block tones 2 of the BSS 8016 and received the beacon signals received from the other sectors of the base station.

Figure 17, comprising the combination of Figure 17A, Figure 17B, Figure 17C, and Figure 17D is a flow chart 5500 of an example method of operating a wireless terminal, for example a mobile node, according to various embodiments . Operation begins at step 5502, where the wireless terminal is turned on and initialized. The process proceeds from step 5502 to step 5504, step 5506 and, through connection node A 5505, to step 5508.

In step 5504, the wireless terminal is operated to receive beacon and pilot signals corresponding to a first connection of the current base station. The process proceeds from step 5504 to step 5510. In step 5510, the wireless terminal measures the power of the received beacon signal (PB0) and the received channel pilot signals (PP0) for the first sector connection of the Current base station. The process proceeds from step 5510 to step 5512. In step 5512, the wireless terminal derives a first current base station sector transmitter information, for example, BSS_dependent and BSS_type of the received beacon signal. Step 5512 includes sub-stage 5513. In sub-stage 5513, the wireless terminal determines a power level transmission level associated with the first sector of the current connection base station and the tone block being used. .

In step 5506, the wireless terminal receives beacon signals from one or more base station interfering sectors with which the wireless terminal does not have a current connection and / or receives pilot and beacon signals from one or more base station interference sectors with which the wireless terminal has a current connection. The process proceeds from step 5506 to step 5514 for each base station interfering sector (BSSi) with which the wireless terminal has a current connection. Subsequent operations 5514, 5518, 5520 are carried out for each of such base station interfering sectors, for example, base station interfering sector i (BSSi). The process proceeds from step 5506 to step 5516 for each base station interfering sector (BSSi) with which the wireless terminal does not have a current connection. Subsequent operations 5516, 5522, 5524 are carried out for each of such base station interfering sectors, for example, base station interfering sector i (BSSi).

In step 5514, the wireless terminal measures the received beacon signal power (PBi) and the received channel pilot signals (PPi) for the connection of the current base station interfering sector. The process proceeds from step 5514 to step 5518. In step 5518, the wireless terminal derives the current connection base station sector information, for example, a dependent BSS and a BSS_type of the received beacon signal. Step 5518 includes sub-stage 5519. In sub-stage 5519, the wireless terminal determines a level of transmission power associated with the sector and the tone block of the interfering base station of the current connection.

The operation of steps 5512 and 5518 passes to step 5520 through the connection of node B 5521. In step 5520 the wireless terminal calculates a channel gain ratio using the procedure of sub-stage 5538 or the procedure of sub-stage 5540 or the procedure of sub-stage 5541. In sub-stage 5538, the wireless terminal uses the beacon signal information to calculate the channel gain ratio, Gi. Sub-stage 5538 includes sub-stage 5542, in which the wireless terminal calculates Gi = PBi / PB0.

In sub-step 5540, the wireless terminal uses the beacon signal information and the pilot signal information to calculate the gain ratio of channel Gi. Sub-stage 5540 includes sub-stage 5544. In sub-stage 5544, the wireless terminal calculates Gi = PBi / (PP0 * K * Z0), where K = reference level of transmitter beacon power per tone for a level 0 tone block / tone transmitter pilot power reference level for a level block 0 and Z0 = Power scale factor associated with the transmission power level of the tone block for the first transmitter tone block of the current connection base station sector.

In sub-step 5541, the wireless terminal uses information from the pilot signal to calculate the gain ratio of the Gi channel. Sub-stage 5541 includes sub-stage 5546. In sub-stage 5546, the wireless terminal calculates Gi = (PPi * Zi) / (PP0 * Z0), where Z0 = Power scale factor associated with the level of transmission power of the tone block for the first transmitter tone block of the current connection base station sector and Zi = Power scale factor associated with the transmission power level of the tone block for the transmission tone block of the BSSi. The process proceeds from step 5520 through the connection of node D 5534 to step 5536, in which the wireless terminal generates one or more interference reports.

In step 5516, the wireless terminal measures the power of the received beacon signal (PBi) for the interfering base station sector. The process proceeds from step 5516 to step 5522. In step 5522, the wireless terminal derives interfering sector information from transmitter base station, for example, BSS_dependent and BSS_type sensor of the received beacon signal. Step 5522 includes sub-stage 5523. In sub-stage 5523, the wireless terminal determines a level of transmission power associated with an interfering base station sector and the tone block used.

The operation of steps 5512 and 5522 goes to step 5524 through the connection of node C 5525. In step 5524 the wireless terminal calculates a channel gain ratio using the procedure of sub-step 5526 or the procedure of sub-stage 5528.

In sub-step 5526, the wireless terminal uses the beacon signal information to calculate the channel gain ratio, Gi. Sub-stage 5526 includes sub-stage 5530, in which the wireless terminal calculates Gi = PBi / PB0.

In sub-step 5528, the wireless terminal uses the beacon signal information and the pilot signal information to calculate the gain ratio of channel Gi. Sub-stage 5528 includes sub-stage 5532, in which the wireless terminal calculates Gi = PBi / (PP0 * K * Z0), where K = reference level of transmitter beacon power per tone for a tone block of level 0 / reference level of pilot transmitter power per tone for a tone block of level 0 and Z0 = Power scale factor associated with the transmission power level of the tone block for the first tone block of transmitter of the current connection base station sector.

The process proceeds from step 5524 through the connection of node D 5534 to step 5536, where the wireless terminal generates one or more interference reports.

Returning to step 5508, in step 5508 the wireless terminal is operated to receive broadcast load factor information signals from the first current sector transmitter of the serving base station and transmitters of interfering sectors of the base station. For each base station sector under consideration, operation proceeds to step 5548. In step 5548 the wireless terminal determines whether or not the load factor recovered successfully from the received signal. If the load factor was successfully recovered from the received signals, operation proceeds to step 5550, in which the wireless terminal stores the load factor. For example, the load factor b0 = The load factor for the first current sector of the serving base station and the load factor bk = The load factor for section k of the interfering base station. If the load factor was not successfully recovered from the received signal, then operation proceeds to step 5552, in which the wireless terminal sets the load factor to 1. Load factors are obtained (b0 5554, b1 5556, ..., bk 5558, .. bn 5560), each load factor being the result of one of steps 5550 and 5552.

Returning to step 5536, at step 5536 the wireless terminal generates one or more interference reports. Step 5536 includes sub-stage 5562 and sub-stage 5564. In sub-stage 5562, the wireless terminal generates a specific type report that includes interference by a specific interfering sector from the base station to the first station sector serving base. Step 5562 includes sub-stage 5566. In sub-stage 5566, the wireless terminal calculates the report value = (b0 / Z0) / (Gk * Bk / Zk), where b0 is the load factor of the BSS current server and bk is the load factor of an interfering BSS to which the report corresponds, Gk = Gi for i = k, and Z0 is the associated power scale factor transmission power level of the tone block for the first Current transmitter tone block BSS and Zk is the power scale factor associated with the transmission power level of the tone block for the base station interfering sector to which the report corresponds.

In sub-stage 5564, the wireless terminal generates a generic type report that includes interference information by one or more BSS to the first current BSS, for example, using the information of each of the measured beacon signals of the sectors base station interferers that include the use of load factor information and power scale factor information. Four alternative example calculations for a generic type report are included as sub-stages 5570, 5572, 5574, 5576. An example of a generic type report, for example, in an exemplary embodiment of carrier operation unique, is b0 / (ΣkGk * bk). The sum extends to each of the interfering BBS k that the wireless terminal can detect by the beacon or pilot signal. Another exemplary embodiment of a generic type report, for example, in a single carrier operation embodiment, is b0 / (maxk (Gk * bk)). Another exemplary embodiment of a generic type report, for example, in an example of multiple carriers, for example, three carriers, operation realization, is (b0 / Z0) / (Σk (Ik * Gk * bk / Zk) ), where k is an indicator function of whether the BSS uplink k is active in the current tone block: Ik = 1 if the BSS uplink k is active; Ik = 0 if the BSS k is inactive in the current tone block. The sum extends to each of the interfering BBS k that the wireless terminal can detect by means of the beacon or pilot signal. Another exemplary embodiment of a generic type report, for example, in an example of multiple carrier operation, for example, three carriers, is (b0 / Z0) / (maxk (Ik * Gk * bk / Zk)) , where k is an indicator function of whether the uplink of the BSS k is active in the current tone block: Ik = 1 if the uplink of the BSS k is active; Ik = 0 if the BSS k is inactive in the current tone block.

In some embodiments, step 5536 includes quantization. For example, an example beacon rate report transmits 4 bits of information representing one of the 16 levels ranging from - 4 dB to 28 dB. Table 1100 of Figure 11 for an example 4-bit downlink beacon rate (DLBNR4) report is a representation of this.

The process proceeds from step 5536 to step 5568, in which the wireless terminal is operated to transmit the report to the first current sector of the serving base station that serves as the current junction point for the wireless terminal. In some embodiments, the transmission of a report is in response to a request from the base station server sector. In some embodiments, the type of report that is transmitted, for example, specific or generic, is in response to signals received from a base station sector that identifies the type of report. In some embodiments, the transmission of a particular specific type report, the reporting of interference associated with a particular base station sector is in response to a signal from the received base station that identifies the particular base station sector. . In various embodiments, interference reports are transmitted periodically according to a report schedule followed by the wireless terminal, for example, as part of the dedicated control channel structure. In some of such embodiments, for at least some of the transmitted interference reports, the base station does not indicate any report selection information to select the report. In some embodiments, the base station alternates between the calculation of two types of generic beacon rate reports, for example, a first type by adding the information received from each of the interfering BSSs, and a second type based on BSS interference that causes more interference, as a function of the current position in a recurring timing structure. For example, the first generic beacon rate type report is calculated when the beacon groove index is even within an ultra slot, and the second type of beacon rate generic report is calculated when the beacon groove index is odd inside the ultraranura. In some embodiments, the WT only sends generic beacon rate reports by default and only a specific beacon rate report is sent when requested by the base station.

In some embodiments, the system includes a plurality of transmission power levels, for example, three, with a different power scale factor associated with each level. For example, in an example embodiment a power scale factor of 0 dB is associated with a block of tones of level 0, while a power scale factor of 6 dB is associated with a block of tones of level 1, and a 12 dB power scale factor is associated with a level 2 tone block. In some embodiments, each junction point corresponds to a base station sector transmitter and a tone block, and each tone block of BSS junction point transmitter can be associated with a transmission power level. In some embodiments, there are a plurality of downlink tone blocks, for example, three tone blocks (tone block 0, tone block 1, tone block 2) each with 113 uniformly spaced contiguous tones. In some embodiments, the same tone block, for example, tone block 0, used different base station sector transmitters, has a different transmission power level associated with the different base station sector transmitters. A wireless terminal identifies a particular junction point, which corresponds to a sector base station transmitter and tone block, for example, from the information transmitted through its beacon signal using tone location and / or the time position with a recurring transmission pattern, the stored information can be used to associate the identified junction point with a power transmission of a particular level and the power scale factor of a particular tone block.

In some embodiments, the load factor, for example, bk, is a value greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to one. In some embodiments, the value is communicated from a base station sector to a wireless terminal representing one of a plurality of levels, for example, 0 dB, -1dB, -2dB, -3dB, -4dB, -6, -9, - infinite dB. Table 950 of Figure 10 illustrates an example of uplink load factor information that can be communicated by a base station sector through a downlink broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the beacon signals are transmitted at the same power of a base station sector transmitter, regardless of the level of power transmission associated with the tone block that uses, however, other downlink signals, for example , pilot signals, are affected by the level of power transmission associated with the tone block for the base station sector transmitter. In some embodiments, parameter K is a value greater than or equal to 6 dB. For example, in an example embodiment the parameter K = 23.8dB - 7.2dB = 16.6dB.

Figure 18 is a drawing 1800 of example timing structure information and the corresponding interference report information, for example, beacon rate report information, for an exemplary embodiment. The example temporal structure includes uplink ultraranuras as indicated by row 1802 showing uplink ultraranuras with index = 0 followed by uplink ultraranuras with index = 1. In the exemplary embodiment, each ultraranura includes 18 indexed beacon slots as indicated in row 1804. Each beacon includes, for example, 912 instant periods of transmission of consecutive OFDM symbols. In this exemplary embodiment, a wireless terminal may report two different types of beacon rate reports to a base station sector that serves, for example, through dedicated control channel segments, the first type of rate report of beacon being a generic beacon rate report and the second type of beacon rate report is a specific beacon rate report, sometimes known as a special beacon rate report. The first type of beacon rate report is a generic beacon rate report and two sub-types of generic beacon rate reports are used. A first sub-type of generic beacon rate report determines a report value as a function of the sum of one or more sectors of interfering base stations. A second subtype of generic beacon rate report determines a report value based on a maximum, for example, the worst base station sector of individual cases in terms of the interference value. As indicated in row 1806, the generic type of beacon rate report to be used is a function of the beacon index. For even values of the beacon groove index (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16) a wireless terminal, when transmitting a generic beacon rate report uses a sum function to determine the report. For odd values of the beacon groove index (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17), when a wireless terminal transmits a generic beacon rate report it uses a maximum function to determine the report . Row 1808 indicates that a wireless terminal, when transmitting a specific beacon rate report, communicates a report corresponding to a base station sector identified in a request and that has a type of sector that is a function of the slot index value of beacon. For example, consider that three different types of sectors have been used (type of sector 0, type of sector 1 and type of sector 2). A request signal from the server base station sector requesting a report of a specific type of beacon rate may include a cell identifier value, for example, a slope value and the uplink timing structure in which it is communicated The report can determine the type of sector. For example, for the beacon with index = (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15), a wireless terminal, when reporting a specific beacon rate report, reports a specific beacon rate report in relation to the server base station sector to another base station sector identified by a communicated cell identifier value and with sector type = 0. For beacon grooves with index = (1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16) a terminal wireless, when reporting a specific beacon rate report, reports a specific beacon rate report in relation to the server base station sector to another base station sector identified by a communicated value of cell identifier and with sector type = 1. For a beacon with index = (2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17) a wireless terminal, when reporting a specific beacon rate report, reports a specific beacon rate report in relation to the sector from server base station to another sector of this Basis identified by a communicating cell identifier value and with sector type = 2.

It should be noted that by implementing this default report format based on timing structure, understood by both the base station and the wireless terminal, the system supports a variety of reporting formats while limiting the amount of overhead Signaling. In addition, it should be noted that for the specific beacon rate report, the identification of a base station sector of interest is obtained in part by the information included in a request signal and partly by the position in the link timing structure ascending, so fewer bits are needed for signaling overhead to identify a base station sector of interest.

Figure 19 illustrates in drawing 1900, for an exemplary embodiment, example downlink signaling of signaling beacon rate report request and example signaling of uplink beacon rate reporting. In Figure 1900, the base station of sector 1902, a current wireless terminal junction point 1904, sends a downlink traffic channel control signal 1906 that includes information in a beacon rate report request field 1908 , for example, as part of the downlink traffic channel control flash signal. In some embodiments, the signal that includes the beacon rate report field request is a broadcast signal, for example, intended for use by multiple wireless terminals. Therefore, an individual control signal is emitted for multiple connected wireless terminals, which reduces the level of control signaling overhead that would otherwise be necessary if each wireless terminal is individually controlled with respect to the type of report interference to send. In some embodiments, a single single downlink beacon rate report request may correspond to multiple uplink interference reports reported by a wireless terminal. In some embodiments, a single downlink signal beacon rate report request corresponds to a single uplink interference report for an individual wireless terminal. In some embodiments, a single downlink signal beacon rate report request corresponds to a single uplink interference report for each of a plurality of different wireless terminals. The request for the beacon rate report field includes a value that indicates the request. Table 1901 is an example request for a beacon rate report field that can be used by BSS 1902 and WT 1904. The first column 1918 of table 1901 indicates values included in the report; the second column 1920 includes information transmitted by the corresponding value. If the value is zero, the wireless terminal presents a generic beacon rate report. If the value is a nonzero positive integer, the wireless terminal presents a specific beacon rate report, and the value corresponds to a cell identifier parameter, for example, a slope value, used by the base station sector of interest. The slope value is, in some embodiments, a value that corresponds to the slope of the pilot tone signals. However, in some embodiments, multiple sectors of the base station within the same cell use the same value for the slope, and therefore the uplink timing information is also used to determine the particular sector of the base station. of interest to be used for a specific beacon rate report in particular, for example, timing information indicated by rows 1808. In other embodiments, a wireless terminal transmits a first type of default report, and a second type of report if the beacon rate report signal request is communicated. For example, generic beacon rate reports can be communicated by default, and if a base station wants beacon rate reports of a specific type to be transmitted, then the base station communicates the request for a beacon rate signal report. including cell identifier information.

The dedicated control channel segment signal 1910 includes a beacon rate report 1912 in accordance with the request information and the uplink timing structure information. The dedicated control channel segment signal 1914 includes a beacon rate report 1916 in accordance with the request for information and uplink timing structure information. For example, consider that request field 1908 transmits a value of 0, report 1912 corresponds to a beacon rate report communicated during a beacon with index = 0, and report 1916 corresponds to a beacon rate report communicated during a beacon with index = 1. The 1912 beacon rate report is a generic beacon rate report that uses a sum function to calculate the report value, the report relating base station sectors detected from the same block of tones for the sector of server base station; the beacon rate report1916 is a generic beacon rate report that uses a maximum function to calculate the report value, the report relating sectors of the detected base station of the same block of tones for the serving base station sector. Now, consider that application field 1908 has a value of 1, report 1912 corresponds to a beacon rate report communicated during a beacon with index = 0, and that report 1916 corresponds to a beacon rate report communicated during a beacon with index = 1. The 1912 beacon rate report is a specific beacon rate report that relates the junction point of the current serving base station sector to a local base station sector, identified by the slope value = 1 and which has a sector type = 0 and uses the same block of tones as the sector of the server base station; the beacon rate report 1916 is a specific beacon rate report that relates the junction point of the current server base station sector to a local base station sector, identified by the slope value = 1 and that has type of sector = 1 and uses the same block of tones as the server base station sector.

Figure 20 is a drawing of an example communication system 2000 implemented according to various embodiments. The example communication system 2000 includes a plurality of base stations (BS 12001, BS 2002 2, 3 BS 2003, BS 2004 4, 5 BS 2005, BS 2006 6, 7 BS 2007, BS 2008 8, 9 BS 2009, BS 10 2010) coupled to each other through a return network. The BS (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) are base stations in three sectors. BS 2001 1 includes: a first 2012 sector with a slope value = 2 and a sector type value = 0, a second 2014 sector with a slope value = 2 and a sector type value = 1, and a third sector 2016 with a slope value = 2 and a sector type value = 2. BS 2002 2 includes: a first sector 2018 with a slope value = 1 and a sector type value = 0, a second sector 2020 with a pending value = 1 and a sector type value = 1, and a third sector 2022 with a slope value = 1 and a sector type value = 2. BS 2003 3 includes: a first sector 2024 with a slope value = 1 and a sector type value = 0, a second sector 2026 with a slope value = 1 and a sector type value = 1, and a third sector 2028 with a slope value = 1 and a sector type value = 2. BS 2004 4 includes: a first sector 2030 with a slope value = 2 and a sector type value = 0, a second sector 2032 with a slope value te = 2 and a sector type value = 1, and a third sector 2034 with a slope value = 2 and a sector type value = 2. BS 2005 5 includes: a first sector 2036 with a slope value = 3 and a sector type value = 0, a second sector 2038 with a slope value = 3 and a sector type value = 1, and a third sector 2040 with a slope value = 3 and a type value of sector = 2. BS 2006 6 includes: a first 2042 sector with a slope value = 4 and a sector type value = 0, a second sector of 2044 with a slope value = 4 and a type value of sector = 1, and a third sector 2046 with a slope value = 4 and a sector type value =

2. BS 2007 7 includes: a first 2048 sector with a slope value = 5 and a sector type value = 0, a second 2050 sector with a slope value = 5 and a sector type value = 1, and a third sector 2052 with a slope value = 5 and a sector type value = 2. BS 2008 8 includes: a first sector 2054 with a slope value = 6 and a sector type value = 0, a second sector 2056 with a slope value = 6 and a sector type value = 1, and a third sector 2058 with a slope value = 6 and a sector type value = 2. BS 2009 9 includes: a first sector 2060 with a slope value = 7 and a sector type value = 0, a second sector of 2062 with a slope value = 7 and a sector type value = 1, and a third sector 2064 with a value of slope = 7 and a sector type value = 2. BS 2010 10 includes: a first 2066 sector with a slope value = 8 and a sector type value = 0, a second 2068 sector with a value of slope = 8 and a sector type value = 1, and a third 2070 sector with a slope value = 8 and a sector type value = 2.

The example 2000 communication system also includes a plurality of wireless terminals. The example WT 2072 A and WT 2072 B are shown connected to the base station 2005 5 second sector 2038 via the wireless links (2076, 2078), respectively. The base station sector junction point 2005 5 second sector 2038 sends traffic channel downlink broadcast control signals including a request for a beacon rate field value, for example, as indicated in Figure 19. WT 2072 A is in an ON state of operation, and it has been assigned uplink dedicated control channel segments for communication of uplink control reports, some of the uplink reports being reports of interference, for example, beacon rate reports. Similarly, WT B 2074 is in an ON state of operation, and it has been assigned uplink dedicated control channel segments to communicate uplink control reports, some of the uplink reports being reports of interference, for example, beacon rate reports. The WTs (2072, 2074) receive the request for dissemination of beacon rate report information to determine the type of beacon rate report to be communicated. In some embodiments, the information is used together with timing structure information in determining the information to be included in an uplink interference report.

It should be noted that the slope value used as the base station identifier is unique locally, but is not unique in the 2000 system. For example, the slope value = 1 is used as a cell identifier, both for BS 2001 1 and by BS 2003 3. However, there is no ambiguity between the WT and the base station junction point as to which base station is the intended objective. By using a locally unique base station identifier, as opposed to a unique base station identifier system, in the control signaling, the number of bits needed to represent the base station is reduced thereby reducing the signaling overhead of control in a system that uses a large number of base stations. The same principle can, and in various embodiments is used, for base stations that include a large number of sectors. For example, an example base station of five sectors can use three different types of sector with two of the sector type values being used twice.

Figure 21 is a drawing 2100 illustrating examples of downlink control signaling and uplink interference information, for example, beacon rate reports, corresponding to the 2000 system of Figure 20. The first row 2104 includes a line The timeframe that indicates when to specifically report the beacon rate reports is possible corresponding to different types of base station sector. In this example, there are three different types of sectors (type of sector 0, type of sector 1 and type of sector 2). According to this embodiment, the reporting alternates the structure between the three types, for example, with each block representing the time interval of a beacon slot (see Figure 18). Second row 2106 indicates the beacon rate report value request included in a downlink broadcast traffic channel control signal (see Figure 19). The third row 2108 indicates the type of report communicated by the WT, where G = generic report and S = specific report. The fourth row 2110 indicates, for specific WT A reports, the base station and the type of base station sector to be used in the calculation of the specific report. Fifth row 2112 indicates the type of report B reported by the WT, where G = generic report and S = specific report. The sixth row 2114 indicates, for the WT B specific reports, the base station and the type of base station sector to be used in the calculation of the specific report.

The first value of row 2106 is a 0, which indicates that the corresponding interference reports must be generic type reports. Therefore both WT A and WT B transmit generic uplink beacon rate reports. The second value of row 2096 is a 4, which indicates that the corresponding reports must be specific type reports corresponding to a local base station sector with slope value = 4. The time for the link beacon rate reports corresponding upstream is within the beacon slot used for sector type 0. Therefore, the WT transmits specific beacon rate reports to sector 2038 of BS 5 relating the base station 6 type of sector 0 with the base station 5 type of sector 1 sector of 2038. The third and fourth values of row 2106 are 0 and therefore the corresponding beacon rate reports are generic beacon rate reports. The fifth value of row 2106 is a 1, which indicates that the corresponding reports must be the specific type reports corresponding to a local base station sector with slope value = 1. The time for the beacon rate reports of corresponding uplink is within the beacon slot used for type of sector 2. Therefore, the WT transmits specific beacon rate reports from BS 5 sector 2038 relating the base station 3 type of sector 2 sector 2028 to the station base 5 sector 1 2038. The sixth value of row 2106 is 0, so the corresponding beacon rate reports are generic beacon rate reports. The seventh value of row 2106 is a 2, which indicates that the reports must be specific type reports corresponding to a local base station sector with slope value = 2. The time for uplink beacon rate reports corresponding is within the beacon slot used for type of sector 0. Therefore the WT transmits specific beacon rate reports of BS 5 sector 2038 relating the base station 4 type of sector 0 sector 2030 with the base station 5 sector 1 2038. The eight values, ninth and tenth of row 2106 are 0 and therefore the corresponding beacon rate reports are generic beacon rate reports. The value of the eleventh row 2106 is a 2, which indicates that the reports must be specific type reports corresponding to a local base station sector with a slope value = 2. The time for uplink beacon rate reports corresponding is within the beacon slot used for the type of sector 2. Therefore the WT transmits specific beacon reports of the BS 5 sector 2038 relating the base station 4 type of sector 2 sector 2038 with the base station 5 sector 1 2038. The twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth values of row 2096 are 0 and therefore the corresponding beacon rate reports are generic beacon rate reports.

In this exemplary embodiment, there is a fixed relationship in the timing structure between downlink control channel signals that include requesting beacon rate reports and opportunities to report the corresponding uplink interference for WTs, for example , as indicated by the dotted line arrows. This linking of the temporary structure, understood by both the base station and the wireless terminal, reduces signaling overhead. In this exemplary embodiment, WT A and WT B transmit their uplink beacon rate reports, which correspond to the same request, at different times in the uplink timing structure. For other embodiments and / or for other wireless terminals the reports may be communicated at the same time, for example, the use of different tones in the tone block. In addition, in some embodiments, the reporting frequency by a WT may be different from the reporting frequency by a different wireless terminal, for example, during a given time interval since a wireless terminal may be in a mode. operating reports different from the other wireless terminal.

Although illustrated for two example wireless terminals, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the same request for the broadcast control signal of the beacon rate report may be, and is sometimes used by many additional wireless terminals using the Base station sector junction point. For example, consider an embodiment in which a base station sector junction point can have a maximum of 31 simultaneous users in the ON state, and each of the users in the ON state receives a dedicated uplink control channel For the transmission of control channel reports, including beacon rate reports, each user in the ON state can receive and use the same broadcast request for the downlink beacon rate report signal.

Figure 22 is a drawing of a flow chart 2200 of an example method of operating a wireless terminal according to various embodiments. The example procedure begins at step 2202, in which the wireless terminal is turned on and initialized. The process proceeds from the start stage 2202 to stages 2204, 2206, 2208, and in some embodiments to step 2210. In step 2204, the wireless terminal monitors for detected broadcast signals that communicate uplink load factors. , each diffusion of the uplink load factors corresponding to a junction point. In step 2206, the wireless terminal is operated to receive a first signal, for example a beacon or pilot signal, from a first junction point. In step 2208, the wireless terminal is operated to receive a second signal, for example a beacon or pilot signal, from a second junction point. In step 2210, when performed, the wireless terminal is operated to receive a third signal, for example, a beacon or pilot signal, from a third junction point.

The process proceeds from step 2206 to step 2226, in which the wireless terminal performs a first measurement, for example a signal power measurement, on the first received signal. The process proceeds from step 2208 to step 2228, in which the wireless terminal performs a second measurement, for example a signal power measurement, on the second received signal. The process proceeds from step 2210 to step 2230, in which the wireless terminal performs a third measurement, for example a signal power measurement, on the third received signal. The operation goes from stages 2226, 2228 and 2230 to step 2232.

Returning to step 2204, in step 2204 the uplink wireless outputs received load factor information that is sent for use in step 2232. In correspondence with the first junction point, in which the wireless terminal has a connection, the wireless terminal outputs receive a first load factor information 2212. In correspondence with the second junction point, the wireless terminal may or may not have been able to detect and recover an uplink load factor. In step 2214, if the wireless terminal has detected and retrieved an uplink load factor corresponding to the second junction point, the wireless terminal sends the second received uplink load factor information 2216 for use in step 2232. Without However, if the wireless terminal has not detected and retrieved an uplink load factor corresponding to the second junction point, the wireless terminal sets the second uplink load factor to a predetermined value, for example a value 1, in the step 2218, the default value being used in step 2232. Corresponding to the third junction point, the wireless terminal may or may not have been able to detect and recover an uplink load factor. In step 2220, if the wireless terminal has detected and retrieved an uplink load factor corresponding to the third junction point, the third wireless terminal receives a third uplink load factor information 2222 for use in step 2232. Without However, if the wireless terminal has not detected and retrieved an uplink load factor corresponding to the third junction point, the wireless terminal sets the third uplink load factor to a predetermined value, for example a value 1, in the step 2224, the default value for use in step 2232.

In step 2232, the wireless terminal generates an uplink interference report based on the measurement of the first signal, a first uplink load factor received corresponding to the first junction point and using the results of the second measurement. Step 2232 includes step 2234, in which the wireless terminal determines a ratio between the first and second values, said first value being a function of a product of the first load factor and the result of the first measurement of the signal and in that the second value is a function of the second result of the second measurement. In some embodiments, the second value is also a function of a product of a second load factor corresponding to the second junction point and the result of the second signal measurement.

In some embodiments, for example, some embodiments in which three or more signals received from three different set points are used in generating an interference report, step 2234 includes step 2236. In step 2236 the wireless terminal uses the result of the third measurement to generate the second value. Step 2236 includes sub-stage 2238 and sub-stage 2240, one of which is carried out to generate an interference report. In some embodiments, at different times different sub-stages 2238 and 2240 are used to generate the interference report. In sub-stage 2238, the wireless terminal adds the third and fourth values, said third value being a function of the result of the second signal measurement, said fourth value being a function of the result of the third signal measurement. In sub-stage 2240, the wireless terminal sets the second value to be the maximum of the third and fourth values, said third value being a function of the result of the second signal measurement, said fourth value being a function of the result of the third measurement signal.

The process proceeds from step 2232 to step 2242. In step 2242, the wireless terminal transmits the uplink interference report generated in step 2232.

In some embodiments, the first and second signals are OFDM signals. In some other embodiments, the first and second signals are CDMA signals.

In some embodiments, for at least some interference reports, the first value is generated according to the following equation: b0PB0, and the second value is generated according to the following equation: b1PB1 + B2PB2; in which b0 is the load factor corresponding to the first junction point, in which PB0 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the first junction point, in which b1 is a load factor corresponding to the second point of Union; wherein PB1 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the second junction point, where b2 is a load factor corresponding to the third junction point and where PB2 is the measured power of a received beacon signal from the third point of attachment.

In some embodiments, for at least some interference reports, the first value is generated according to the following equation: b0PB0, and the second value is generated according to the following equation: MAX (b1PB1, b2PB2); where b0 is the load factor corresponding to the first junction point, in which PB0 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the first junction point, in which b1 is a load factor corresponding to the second junction point ; wherein PB1 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the second junction point, where b2 is a load factor corresponding to the third junction point and where PB2 is the measured power of a received beacon signal from the third point of attachment.

Figure 23 is a drawing of an example wireless terminal 2300 implemented according to various embodiments. The example wireless terminal 2300 includes a receiver module 2302, a transmitter module 2304, a processor 2306, user devices I / O 2308 and a memory 2310 coupled to each other via a bus 2312 through which the various elements can exchange data and information. Memory 2310 includes routines 2318 and data / information 2320. Processor 2306, for example, a CPU, executes routines 2318 and uses data / information 2320 in memory 2310 to control the operation of wireless terminal 2300 and implement procedures.

The receiving module 2302, for example, an OFDM receiver, is coupled to a receiving antenna 2314 through which the wireless terminal 2300 receives downlink signals from the base station fixing points, said downlink signals including uplink binding point load factors, beacon signals and pilot signals. The transmitter module 2304, for example, an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to a transmission antenna 2316 through which the wireless terminal 2300 transmits uplink signals to the base station fixing points, said uplink signals including the interference reports generated, for example, beacon rate reports communicated through dedicated control channel segments. In some embodiments, the same antenna is used for the receiver and the transmitter, for example, in conjunction with a duplex module. In some other embodiments, the transmitter module 2304 is a CDMA transmitter and the receiver module 2302 is a CDMA receiver. In some embodiments, the transmitter module 2304 and / or the receiver module 2302 support both OFDM and CDMA signaling.

2308 I / O devices include, for example, a microphone, keyboard, keyboard, switches, camera, speaker, screen, etc. I / O 2308 devices allow a WT 2300 user to enter data / information, access data / output information, control applications and control at least some functions of the WT 2300, for example, initiate a communications session.

The routines 2318 include communication routines 2322 and wireless terminal control routines 2324. The communication routines 2322 implement various communication protocols used by the wireless terminal 2300. The wireless terminal control routines 2324 include a signal monitoring module of uplink load factor 2326, a load factor signal determination module 2328, a first measurement module 2330, a second measurement module 2332 and an interference report generation module 2334.

The uplink load factor signal signal monitoring module 2326 detects the received broadcast signals that communicate at least one uplink load factor, each uplink load factor transmission corresponding to a junction point. The first measurement module 2330 measures the received signals of a first type, for example, the first measurement module 2330 is a beacon signal measurement module that measures received beacon signals. The first signal measurement module 2330 includes a signal power measurement module 2331 that measures the power of the received beacon signals. The second measurement module 2332 measures the signals received of a second type, for example, the second measurement module 2332 is a pilot signal measurement module that measures the received pilot signals. The second measurement module 2332 includes a signal power measurement module 2333 that measures the power of the received pilot signals.

The interference report generation module 2334 generates an uplink interference report based on a measurement of a first received signal, for example, a beacon or pilot signal received and a first received uplink load factor corresponding to a First point of attachment. In various embodiments, the interference reporting module uses the measurement of a second signal, for example, a beacon or pilot signal received, from a second junction point to generate an uplink interference report. The interference report generation module includes a first value generation module 2336, a second value generation module 2338, an adder module 2342 and a maximum value selector module 2344. The second value generation module 2338 includes a 2340 multiplier module.

The first value generation module 2336 generates a first value 2384 as a function of a product of a first load factor and the result of a first measurement of the signal. For example, the first load factor may correspond to the current connection point that is being used by the wireless terminal as a junction point and the first signal may be a beacon or pilot signal received from the current connection junction point.

The second value generation module 2338 generates a second value 2386 as a function of a result of a second measurement, for example, the result of a measurement of a beacon or pilot signal received from a junction point different from that used by the first value generation module. For example, the second signal may come from a junction point in an adjacent sector and / or from cells adjacent to the current service link point.

The multiplier module 2340 is used to generate a product of a second load factor corresponding to a second junction point and the result of the second signal measurement.

In some embodiments, the interference report generation module 2334 generates at least one uplink interference report using the result of a third measurement of a third signal from a third junction point to generate said second value.

The adder module 2342 adds the third and fourth values (2388, 2390), said third value being a function of the result of the second measurement of the signal, said fourth value being a function of the result of the third measurement of the signal. In some embodiments, for at least some interference reports, the first value is generated according to the following equation: b0PB0; the second value generated according to the following equation: b1PB1 + n2PB2; in which b0 is the load factor corresponding to the first junction point, in which PB0 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the first junction point, in which b1 is a load factor corresponding to the second point of Union; wherein PB1 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the second junction point, where b2 is a load factor corresponding to the third junction point and where PB2 is the measured power of a received beacon signal from the third point of attachment.

The maximum value sector module 2344, when used, sets the second value to be the maximum of the third and fourth values (2388, 2390), said third value being a function of the result of the second signal measurement, said fourth value being a function of the result of the third measurement of the signal. In some embodiments, for at least some interference reports, the first value is generated according to the following equation: b0PB0, and the second value is generated according to the following equation: MAX (b1PB1, b2PB2); in which b0 is the load factor corresponding to the first junction point, in which PB0 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the first junction point, in which b1 is a load factor corresponding to the second point of Union; in which PB1 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the second junction point, in which b2 is a load factor corresponding to the third junction point, and in which PB2 is the measured power of a signal from beacon received from the third point of attachment.

In some embodiments, for at least some of the interference reports generated, at least some of said first, second and third signal measurements are channel pilot signal measurements. In some embodiments, the scaling factors are used to relate transmitting powers of pilot signals with transmitting powers of beacon signals and / or transmitting powers of pilot signals from a junction point with transmitting powers of pilot signals from a point of different union.

In some embodiments, the interference report generation module 2344 supports the generation of a variety of different types of reports, for example, specific reports relating to a current server base station junction point, to a single junction point of another identified base station, a generic report of a first sub-type that relates a current server base station with one or more, for example a plurality, of other sectors of the base station from which the signals are received, for example, beacons and / or pilots and uses a sum-type function in the generation of the report, and a generic report of a second sub-type that relates a current server base station junction point with one or more, for example a plurality, of other sectors of the base station from which the signals are received, for example, beacons and / or pilots and uses a sum-type function in the generation of the report.

The load factor determination module 2328 sets a load factor to a predetermined value in the absence of a successfully received load factor corresponding to a point of interest. For example, the 2328 load factor determination module sets a second load factor to a predetermined value in the absence of a second load factor successfully received from a second junction point.

The data / information 2320 includes beacon signal information received 2346, information received from pilot signal 2348, information received from uplink load factor 2350, beacon information measured 2352, pilot information measured 2354, default factor information uplink load 2356 and interference report information 2358. The received beacon signal information 2346 may include received beacon signal information corresponding to various fixation points (junction point 1 information 2360, ..., junction point N information 2362). The received pilot signal information 2348 may include received pilot signal information corresponding to various fixation points (junction point 1 information 2364, ..., junction point N information 2366). The information received from uplink load factor 2350 may include information received from uplink load factor corresponding to various fixing points (junction point 1 information 2368, ..., junction point N information 2370). The measured beacon signal information 2352 may include measured beacon signal information corresponding to various fixing points (junction point 1 information 2372, ..., junction point N information 2374). The measured pilot signal information 2354 may include measured pilot signal information corresponding to various fixation points (junction point 1 information 2376, ..., junction point N information 2378). The default information of the uplink load factor 2356 may include default information of the uplink load factor corresponding to several fixing points (junction point 1 information 2380, ..., junction point N information 2382).

At any given time, the mixture of the information stored and used in the generation of an uplink interference report may vary with respect to the mixture of the information stored at another point in time. For example, at a given time, the wireless terminal may include the pilot signal received and the beacon signal information corresponding to the junction point 1, beacon signal information received corresponding to the junction point 2, beacon signal information received. corresponding to junction point 3, information received from uplink load factor corresponding to junction point 1, information received from uplink load factor corresponding to junction point 2, measured pilot signal information corresponding to junction point 1 , measured beacon signal information corresponding to junction point 1, measured beacon signal information corresponding to junction point 2, measured beacon signal information corresponding to junction point 3 and default information of the uplink load factor corresponding to junction point 3. Continuing the example at another time, the ter Wireless minal may include the received pilot signal and beacon signal information corresponding to junction point 1, received beacon signal information corresponding to junction point 2, the received pilot signal and received beacon signal information corresponding to the junction point 3, information received from uplink load factor corresponding to junction point 1, information received from uplink load factor corresponding to junction point 3, measured pilot signal information corresponding to junction point 1, signal signal information measured beacon corresponding to junction point 1, measured beacon signal information corresponding to junction point 2, measured pilot signal information corresponding to junction point 3, measured beacon signal information corresponding to junction point 3 and information by uplink load factor defect corresponding to the point of union 2.

The interference report information 2358 includes a first value 2384, a second value 2386, a third value 2388, a fourth value 2,390, a sum value 2392, a maximum value 2394, a determined rate 2396 and a quantized report value 2398. The first value 2384 is the result of the operations of the first value generation module 2366, while the second value 2386 is the result of the operations of the second module of value generation 2338. The third and fourth values (2388, 2390) they are the intermediate processing values used in the generation of at least some interference reports, for example, interference reports based on the information from three or more different fixation points. The sum value 2392 is the result of an operation by means of the module sum 2342. The maximum value 2394 is the result of a sector operation of maximum value module 2344. The determined rate is a given rate of first and second determined values. by the interference reporting module. The quantized report value 2398 is a value that is one of a plurality of quantized levels to be reported in an interference report to communicate a given rate 2396.

Figure 24 comprising the combination of Figure 24A and Figure 24B is a flow chart 2400 of an example method of operating a wireless terminal. The example procedure begins at step 2402, where the wireless terminal is turned on and initialized. The process proceeds from the start stage 2402 to steps 2404, 2406 and 2408.

In step 2404, the wireless terminal receives base station identification information that includes a control signal that communicates a locally unique base station identifier at which a second junction point is located. In step 2406, the wireless terminal receives a first signal, for example, a beacon signal

or a pilot signal, from a first junction point with which said wireless terminal has a connection. In step 2408, the wireless terminal receives signals, for example, beacon and / or pilot signals, from one or more fixing points in addition to said first junction point. Step 2406 includes sub-stage 2412, in which the wireless terminal receives a second signal, for example, a beacon or pilot signal, from the second junction point, said received base station identification information, from the stage 2404, corresponding to the second junction point. Step 2406, at various times includes one or more additional sub-stages, corresponding to the signals received, for example, beacon and / or pilot signals received, from additional fixation points. For example, in sub-step 2414, the wireless terminal receives an N-th signal, for example, a beacon or pilot signal, from an N-th junction point.

The process proceeds from step 2406 to step 2410. In step 2410 the wireless terminal performs a first measurement of the first received signal, for example, a power measurement of the first received signal. The process proceeds from sub-stage 2412 to step 2416. In step 2416 the wireless terminal performs a second measurement on the second received signal, for example, a power measurement of the first received signal. The process proceeds from sub-stage 2414 to step 2418. In step 2418 the wireless terminal performs a measurement of N-th on the N-th signal received, for example, a measurement of N signal power -th received.

In some embodiments, for example, some embodiments using multi-sector base stations, operation proceeds from step 2416 to step 2420. In other embodiments, for example, some embodiments with a single base station sector per cell, the operation advances from step 2416 to step 2422.

In step 2420, the wireless terminal determines a sector identifier that corresponds to the base station identifier received from the moment said control signal is received, said sector identifier that identifies a sector that serves as a second junction point. In some embodiments, the sector identifier is determined as a function of the stored timing structure information and a time slot in the recurring structure to which said instant of received signal corresponds.

The process proceeds from step 2420 to step 2422. In step 2422, the wireless terminal identifies the second signal, from among the one or more signals received from step 2408 that correspond to different fixing points, as a function of the Base station identification information received. The process proceeds from step 2422 to step 2424.

In step 2424, the wireless terminal generates a report, for example, an interference report, such as a specific interference report, based on the measurement of the first and second signals. In some embodiments, the report is an interference report that is a ratio of a first value to a second value, the first value being a function of measured power of the first signal and the second value is a function of the measured power of The second signal. The process proceeds from step 2424 to step 2426. In step 2426, the wireless terminal determines a transmission instant in which the generated report is to be transmitted in accordance with a predetermined function that uses the moment the reception is received. control signal as a transmission instant control input. In some embodiments, the predetermined function determines the transmission instant to be at a time corresponding to a predetermined fixed displacement from the moment the control signal is received.

The process proceeds from step 2426 to step 2428, in which the generated report is transmitted, for example, the specific type interference report generated in relation to two fixing points. The process proceeds from step 2428 by connecting node A 2430 to step 2432. In step 2432, the wireless terminal receives a control signal indicating that an interference report is to be based on signals received from a plurality of transmitters. different in addition to said first junction point. The process proceeds from step 2432 to step 2434. In step 2434, the wireless terminal performs measurements on the plurality of signals received from the plurality of different transmitters and from the first junction point. The process proceeds from step 2434 to step 2436.

In step 2436, the wireless terminal generates a report, for example, an interference report that is based on one of the sum and maximum of the values derived from the results of said signals from different transmitters. For example, the generated interference report may be a generic type interference report of a first sub-type using a sum function in the generation of the report. On the other hand, the generated interference report can be a generic interference report of a second subtype using a maximum function in generating the report. In some embodiments, step 2436 includes sub-stage 2438. In sub-stage 2438, the wireless terminal determines whether the interference report is to be based on the sum function

or maximum of the timing structure information. The process proceeds from step 2436 to step 2440, in which the wireless terminal transmits the report generated in step 2436.

In some embodiments, the step of receiving base station identification information, step 2404, includes receiving a broadcast signal from the first junction point, said transmission signal being used to control multiple wireless terminals. In this way the signaling overhead is reduced from the amount that would otherwise be necessary to individually signal such base station identification information for each of the wireless terminals that are being managed by the first junction point.

Figure 25, comprising the combination of Figure 25A and Figure 25B is a flow chart 2500 of an example method of operating a wireless terminal according to various embodiments. Operation begins in step 2502, in which the wireless terminal is turned on and initialized. The process proceeds from the start stage 2502 to step 2504: stage 2506, stage 2508, stage 2533 through connection node A 2532, stage 2535 through connection node B 2534, stage 2544 a through connection node C 2536 and in some embodiments step 2546 through connection node D 2538.

In step 2504, the wireless terminal permanently receives broadcast control signals that include the request for interface report information from the current connection junction point. In order to obtain a received request, operation proceeds from step 2504 to step 2510. In step 2510, the wireless terminal determines from the request received for interference report information the type of interference report required, specific or generic. , and for a specific type of report a locally unique cell identifier corresponding to a junction point. Step 2510 includes sub-stage 2512. In sub-stage 2512, if the request value received is zero, the wireless terminal determines that the type of report requested is a generic report as indicated by the type of report = generic output 2514. In sub-stage 2512, if the value received is non-zero, the wireless terminal determines that the type of report requested is a specific report as indicated by type of incident = specific output 2516. In addition, if the received value is not zero, the wireless terminal sets the cell identifier equal to the received request value, for example, the positive request value being one of a potential set of positive integers of each potential different positive integer corresponding to a different slope value of the pilot channel. The output cell identifier value is represented by output 2518.

In step 2506, the wireless terminal continuously receives the beacon pilot signals and / or from the current junction point. The process proceeds from step 2506 to step 2520. In step 2520, the wireless terminal measures the beacon forces received and / or pilot signals from the current junction point of the current junction point output received signal information 2526

In step 2508, the wireless terminal permanently receives the beacon and / or pilot signals from an additional point (s). The process proceeds from step 2508 to step 2522 and sometimes to step 2524. In step 2522, the wireless terminal measures the power of pilot and / or beacon signals received from an additional junction point that delivers a first information received from signal strength 2528 of the first junction point. In step 2524, the wireless terminal measures the power of pilot and / or beacon signals received from a different additional junction point that delivers the received signal strength information 2530 from the Nth additional junction point.

Returning to step 2533, in step 2533 the wireless terminal receives status identification information ON wireless terminal with a dedicated control channel structure, said dedicated control channel structure including the instants in the recurring structure of interference reports to transmit via the wireless terminal to the current junction point. Step 2533 provides information that identifies the segments that will be used for 2540 interference reports.

Returning to step 2535, in step 2535, the wireless terminal continuously monitors the instant in a recurring timing structure that is being used by the current connection and the output of current timing information 2542, for example, the information index in a OFDM recurring timing structure.

Returning to step 2544, in step 2544, the wireless terminal continuously determines an interference report to be communicated. Step 2544 uses the current timing information 2542 and the segment identification information for the interference reports 2540 as input, as well as the timing information structure relative to the current connection. If it is determined in step 2544 that an interference report must be communicated, operation proceeds from step 2544 to step 2552, step 2558 and step 2566.

In step 2552, the wireless terminal determines whether the instant corresponds to the first or second generic report. If the time corresponds to a first type of generic report, generic report sub-type = sum-type function as indicated in output 2554, however, if the time corresponds to a second type of generic report, sub-generic report type = maximum type function as indicated in output 2556.

In step 2558, the wireless terminal determines to which type of sector the instant corresponds with respect to the junction point for a specific type report. For example, in an exemplary embodiment, a recurring timing structure is subdivided into beacon slots, there are three different types of sector and the type of sector associated with an index two alternates beacon slots of the three different types of sector. (See Figure 18). The output of step 2558 is one of type sector = type of sector 0 2560, type of sector = type of sector 1 2562 and type of sector = type of sector 2 2564.

In some embodiments, the wireless terminal uses uplink load factor information in the calculation of an interference report and includes steps 2546 and 2548. In step 2546, the wireless terminal continuously controls and receives uplink the factor information corresponding to the fixing points. The process proceeds from step 2546 to step 2548, in which the wireless terminal applies default uplink load factor values to the fixation points for which no information has been received on the uplink load factor. . The uplink load factor information 2550, information received and / or by default, is the output of steps 2546 and / or 2548.

Returning to step 2556, in step 2556, the wireless terminal generates an interference report according to the type of report required (specific or general), in the case of a generic report the report also agrees with the subtype of the report (type of function sum or maximum type of function) and in the case of a specific report, the report refers to a specific junction point identified, for example, identified by a combination of cell identifier / sector type identifier and for the current junction point. The entries available to step 2566 include at least some of: report type information 2568, generic report subtype information 2570, cell identification information 2518, sector type information 2574, information related to transmission power levels pilot beacon, power information received from current junction point 2526, power information received from first additional junction point 2528, power information received from N-th additional junction point 2530 and uplink load factor information 2550 The 2568 type information report identifies whether the report is a generic or specific report and is one of the results of 2514 and 2516. The 2570 generic report sub-type information identifies whether the report is a generic report that use a sum function to generate the report or a maximum function to generate the report. The generic report sub-type information 2570 is one of the outputs of 2554 and 2556. The cell ID information 2518 is the value received from the report request control signal received. The sector type information 2574 is one of the outputs of 2560, 2562 and 2564. The information relating to pilot / beacon transmission power levels includes power level information and other relative gain level information of the power of transmission of a beacon signal with respect to the transmission power of a pilot signal for a junction point in question, as well as relative levels of information transmission power between different fixing points.

To obtain a generic report, the wireless terminal uses the received power information 2526, 2528, ..., 2530 to generate an interference report, determining the sub-type of sum of function type report or a maximum function type comes determined by the information 2570. For a specific type report the wireless terminal generates a report that relates the power information received from the current junction point 2526 power information received from the first additional junction point 2528, ..., power information received from N-th additional junction point 2530, which is being determined by the identity of the additional junction point corresponding to the combination of cell identifier 2518 and sector type 2574.

The process proceeds from step 2566 to step 2584, in which the wireless terminal transmits the interference report generated for the current junction point.

Figure 26 is a drawing of a table 2600 illustrating the use of the example interference report signal and the report calculations according to various embodiments. The first column 2602 lists descriptive information pertaining to an interference report that communicates a reason between a first and a second value. Second column 2504 lists the first value; the third column 2606 lists the second value, the fourth column 2,608 lists the third value, the fifth column 2510 lists the fourth value, the sixth column 2612 lists the first type of signal, the seventh column 2614 lists the second type of signal, the 8th column 2616 lists the third type of signal.

Each row (2618, 2620, 2622, 2624, 2626, 2628, 2630, 2632, 2632 describes a different report. Row 2618 refers to a specific interference report by power measurements of the received beacon signal. Row 2620 refers to a specific interference report by means of measurements of received pilot signal power. Row 2622 refers to a report of specific interference with received pilot and beacon signal power measurements. Row 2624 refers to a first generic interference report sub-type using power measurements of the received beacon signal Row 2626 refers to a second interference report sub-type using power measurements of the received beacon signal Row 2628 refers to a first sub-type of generic interference report that uses measurements of received pilot signal power. Row 2630 refers to a second sub-type of interference report which uses measurements of received pilot signal power. Row 2632 refers to a first sub-type of generic interference report that uses the received pilot and the beacon signal power measurements. Row 2630 refers to a second sub-type of interference report that uses the pilot and beacon received signal power measurements.

In table 2600, b0 is the load factor corresponding to the first junction point; PB0 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the first junction point, PP0 is the measured power of a pilot signal received from the first junction point; b1 is the load factor corresponding to the second junction point; PB1 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the second junction point, PP1 is the measured power of a pilot signal received from the second junction point; b2 is the load factor corresponding to the third junction point; PB2 is the measured power of a beacon signal received from the second junction point, PP2 is the measured power of a pilot signal received from the second junction point. For example, the first junction point may correspond to the current service junction point to which the interference report is communicated and the second and third fixation points may correspond to other local fixation points in the system. K is a scale factor that relates the degree of transmission power of a beacon signal to the transmission power of a pilot signal.

In this example, it can be assumed that the beacon signal is transmitted at the same level of transmission power from the fixing points 1, 2, and 3, it can also be assumed that the pilot signal is transmitted at the same power level of transmission from fixing points 1, 2, and 3.

In some embodiments, the beacon signals are transmitted at the same transmission power regardless of the junction point, while the level of transmission power of the pilot signal varies as a function of the junction point. In some of such embodiments, different power level levels are used for different fixing points and the scale factors relative to the power level levels of the different fixing points can be used in the calculations of the interference report.

Table 2600 describes the generic example reports with information from three different fixing points, the formulas used that can be extended to include the use of power measurements received from additional fixing points.

Figure 27 is a drawing of an example wireless terminal 2700 implemented according to various embodiments. The example wireless terminal 2700 includes a receiver module 2702, a transmitter module 2704, a processor 2706, I / O devices 2708 and memory 2710 coupled to each other via a bus 2712 through which the various elements can exchange data and information . Memory 2710 includes routines 2718 and data / information 2720. Processor 2706, for example a CPU, executes routines 2718 and uses data / information 2720 in memory 2710 to control the operation of wireless terminal 2700 and implement the procedures of the invention.

The receiver module 2702, for example an OFDM receiver, is coupled to a receiving antenna 2714 through which the wireless terminal receives downlink signals from the base station fixing points. Downlink signals include various broadcast signals, including beacon signals, pilot signals and base station identification information, for example a locally unique cell identifier corresponding to a junction point to be used in a specific type report and request interference report type information, for example, information to distinguish between a specific type interference report and a generic type interference report. In some embodiments, the locally unique identifier of the base station is a sectorized base station in which the second junction point is located. Receiver module 2702 receives a plurality of signals from multiple fixing points, said plurality of signals including a second signal, for example, said second signal being a beacon or pilot signal from a second junction point, said second junction point being additional to the first junction point, for example, a current connection junction point.

The transmitter module 2704, for example, an OFDM transmitter, is coupled to a transmission antenna 2716 through which the wireless terminal transmits uplink signals, including interference reports generated, for example, a reported beacon rate report through a dedicated control channel. In various embodiments, the receiver module 2702 and the transmitter module 2704 use the same antenna, for example, in conjunction with a duplex module.

Routines 2718 include communication routines 2722 and wireless terminal control routines 2724. Wireless terminal control routines 2724 include a control module 2726, a first measurement module 2728, for example, a beacon signal measurement module , a second measurement module 2732, for example, a pilot signal measurement module, an interference report generation module 2734, a signal identification module 2736, a transmission instant determination module 2738, a transmission module sector type determination 2740 and a control module 2742. The first measurement module 2728 includes a signal power measurement module 2331. The second measurement module 2732 includes a signal power measurement module 2333.

The communication module 2722 implements several communication protocols used by the wireless terminal 2700. The control module 2726 detects transmitted base station identification information, for example, a locally unique base station identifier such as a corresponding cell slope value to a base station junction point from which it received the signal strength measurements of the beacons and / or pilots obtained and used in a specific interference report that is being requested to communicate through the uplink. The first measurement module 2728 measures the signals received of a first type, for example, beacon signals. The second signal measurement module 2732 measures signals of a second type, for example, pilot signals. The interference reporting module 2732 generates a report based on a measurement of a first received signal and a measurement of a second received signal, said signal being first received from a first junction point with which said wireless terminal has a connection , said second signal being received from a second junction point corresponding to the base station identification information detected by said control module 2726.

The signal identification module 2736 identifies the second signal from a plurality of signals as a function of broadcast base station identification information detected. Thus, the signal identification uses the information of the control module 2726 in the identification of the second signal. In some embodiments, the broadcast base station identification information detected is detected in a broadcast signal from the first junction point, said transmission signal being used to control multiple wireless terminals.

The transmission instant determination module 2738 determines a transmission instant in which an interference report generated in accordance with a predetermined function is to be transmitted which uses the instant a control signal is received that includes identification information of base station as a transmission instant control input. In some embodiments, the predetermined function determines the transmission instant to be at a time corresponding to a predetermined fixed displacement from the moment the control signal is received.

The sector type determination module 2740 determines a sector identifier that corresponds to a base station identifier received from the moment the control signal is received, said identification sector identifier being a sector that serves as a second point of Union. In some embodiments, the sector identifier is determined as a function of the stored timing structure information and a time slot in a recurring structure corresponding to said instant of received signal.

Control module 2742 controls the interference report generation module 2734 to generate reports of different types in response to different control signals received, according to the different types of reports that include at least a first type of report and a second type of report. report, said first type of report communicating a ratio between first and second values, one of said first and second values corresponding to a measurement of a signal from a current connection junction point and the other of said specified first and second values to a connection point to the wireless terminal by the current connection connection point, for example, the current connection connection point selects which of the other possible connection point signals to be used in the calculation of the interference report. For example, the first type of report may be a specific beacon rate report and the second type of report could be a generic beacon rate report. A control signal received, for example, a value 0 in an interference report request emission signal may be a signal from which a generic report to be communicated is requested, to another control signal received, for example, a value Positive integer in an interference report request broadcast signal may mean that a specific type of beacon rate report is being requested, with the positive integer value being used to identify the second junction point.

In some embodiments, the second type of report, for example a generic beacon rate report, is generated using a maximum or sum function in the signal processing measurement information corresponding to one or more signals.

In various embodiments, the interference report is an interference report that is a ratio between a first value and a second value, the first value being a function of the measured power of a first signal, for example, a beacon or pilot signal. of a first junction point of which is the current connection, and the second value is a function of the measured power of a second signal, for example, a beacon or pilot signal from another junction point of the base station, for example , an adjacent cell and / or junction point sector that uses the same carrier and / or tone block.

The stored data / information 2720 includes stored timing structure information 2744, broadcast base station identification information 2746, first received signal measurement information 2748, second received signal measurement information 2750, generated interference report information 2752 , current junction point identifier information 2754, the junction point corresponding to the base station identification information detected 2756, instant control signal reception information 2758, locally received unique identification of base station 2760, sector type identified from second junction point 2762, determined time slot information 2764, first type interference report, for example, specific interference report information 2766 and second type interference report, for example, a generic report, information 2768.

While the procedures and apparatus of various embodiments have been described in the context of an OFDM system, they are applicable to a wide range of communication systems including many non-cellular and / or non-OFDM systems.

In various embodiments the nodes described in this document are implemented using one or more modules to perform the steps corresponding to one or more procedures, for example, signal processing, beacon generation, beacon detection, beacon measurement, connection comparisons , connection implementations. In some embodiments, various features are implemented using modules. Such modules can be implemented using software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware. Many of the procedures described above or procedural steps can be implemented using machine-executable instructions, such as software, included in a machine-readable medium such as a memory device, for example, RAM, floppy disk, etc., to control a machine, for example, a general purpose computer with or without additional hardware, to implement all or parts of the procedures described above, for example, on one or more nodes. Accordingly, among other things, several embodiments are directed to a machine-readable medium that includes machine-executable instructions to cause a machine, for example, the processor and associated hardware, to perform one or more of the steps of the ( of the) procedure (s) described above.

Numerous additional variations on the procedures and apparatus described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above descriptions. Such variations should be considered within the scope. The methods and apparatus of various embodiments can be used and in various embodiments CDMA, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and / or various other types of communication techniques that can be used to provide wireless communication links between the access nodes are used. and mobile nodes. In some embodiments, access nodes are implemented as base stations that establish communication links with mobile nodes using OFDM and / or CDMA. In various embodiments of the mobile nodes they are implemented as laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other portable devices, including receiver / transmitter and logic circuits and / or routines for the application of the procedures of various embodiments.

Claims (27)

1. A procedure for operating a wireless terminal (106, 108, 118, 120, 300, 420, 836, 838, 844, 846, 852, 854, 868, 870, 872, 874, 876, 878, 8010, 2072 , 2074, 2700) comprising: monitor (2204) to detect received broadcast signals that communicate at least one uplink load factor, each uplink load factor transmission corresponding to a junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); receiving (1004, 2206, 2406, 2506) a first signal from a first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); perform (2226, 2410) a first measurement on the first received signal; generate (1043, 2232, 2424, 2566, 5536) an uplink interference report based on the measurement of the first signal and a first received uplink load factor corresponding to said first junction point (410, 412, 414 , 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); determine (2426) a transmission instant in which the generated uplink interference report is to be transmitted; Y transmit (1050, 2242, 2428, 2440, 2584) said uplink interference report generated.

2.

The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving (1006, 2208, 2412, 2508), a second signal from a second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036), leading to out (2228, 2416), a second measurement on the second received signal; and generating (1043, 2232, 2424, 2566, 5536) an uplink interference report that also includes the use of the results of the second measurement to generate (1043, 2232, 2424, 2566, 5536) said interference interference report. uplink

3.

The method according to claim 2, wherein said first and second measurements are signal power measurements.

Four.

The method according to claim 3, wherein said first signal is a beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) or pilot (8009, 8015, 8076, 8083) , and wherein said second signal is a beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) or pilot (8009, 8015, 8076, 8083).

5.

The method according to claim 3, wherein said uplink interference report communicates a ratio between the first and second values, said first value being a function of a product of said first load factor and the result of said first measurement of the signal and in which said second value is a function of the second result of the second measurement.

6.

The method according to claim 5 wherein the first and second signals are OFDM signals.

7.

The method according to claim 5, wherein said second value is also a function of a product of a second load factor corresponding to said second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036) and the result of said second signal measurement.

8.

The method according to claim 7, further comprising: receiving (1006, 2208, 2412, 2508) said second load factor before generating said uplink interference report.

9.

The method according to claim 7, further comprising: adjusting (1032, 2218, 2224, 5552) said second load factor to the predetermined value.

10.

The method according to claim 5, receiving (2210) a third signal from a third junction point (410, 412, 414,8008,8012,8016,8026,8036); performing (2320) a third measurement of the third received signal, and in which to generate (1043, 2232, 2424, 2566, 5536) an uplink interference report also includes using the result of the third measurement to generate said second value

eleven.

The method according to claim 10, wherein using the result of the third measurement to generate said second value includes: adding (2238) the third and fourth values, said third value being a function of the result of the second

measurement of the signal, said fourth value being a function of the result of the third measurement of the signal.

12.

The method according to claim 11,

Y wherein said second value is generated according to the following equation: where b0 is the load factor corresponding to the first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); in which PB0 is a signal of the measured power of a received beacon (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 15 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); wherein b1 is a load factor corresponding to the second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); wherein PB1 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); wherein b2 is a load factor corresponding to the third junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); and in which PB2 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the third junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008 , 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036). The method according to claim 10, wherein using the result of the third measurement to generate said second value includes: configuring (2240) the second value to be the maximum of the third and fourth values, said third value being a function of the result of the second measurement of the signal, said fourth value being a function of the result of the third measurement of the signal. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said first value is generated according to the following equation: 35 and wherein said second value is generated according to the following equation:

where b0 is the load factor corresponding to the first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016,

8026, 8036);

in which PB0 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072,

8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036);

where b1 is a load factor corresponding to the second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012,

8016, 8026, 8036);

Four. Five

in which PB1 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072,

8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); in

which b2 is a load factor corresponding to the third junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016,

8026, 8036); Y

in which PB2 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072,

8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the third junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036).

fifteen.

A wireless terminal comprising:

means for detecting received broadcast signals that communicate at least one link load factor

uplink, each uplink load factor transmission corresponding to a junction point

55

(410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036);

means for receiving a first signal from a first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016,

8026, 8036)

means for performing a first measurement on the received signal;

means for generating an uplink interference report based on the measurement of the first received signal and a first received uplink load factor corresponding to a first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026 , 8036); means for determining a transmission instant in which the generated uplink interference report is to be transmitted; and means for transmitting uplink interference reports generated.

16.

The wireless terminal according to claim 15, means for receiving a second signal from a second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); means for performing a second measurement on the second received signal; wherein said means for generating an uplink interference report uses the measurement of the second signal from the second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036) to generate said interference report of uplink

17.

The wireless terminal according to claim 16, wherein said means for performing the first measurement and said means for performing the second measurement each include a signal power measurement module (2330, 2332).

18.

The wireless terminal according to claim 17, wherein said first signal is a beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) or pilot (8009, 8015, 8076, 8083 ), and wherein said second signal is a beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) or pilot (8009, 8015, 8076, 8083).

19.

The wireless terminal according to claim 17, wherein said uplink interference report communicates a ratio between the first and second values, said means for generating an uplink interference report, including:

i) means for generating said first value as a function of a product of said first load factor and the result of said first signal measurement; and ii) means for generating said second value as a function of the second result of the second measurement.

twenty.

The wireless terminal according to claim 19, wherein the first and second signals are CDMA signals.

twenty-one.

The wireless terminal according to claim 19, wherein the first and second signals are OFDM signals.

22

The wireless terminal according to claim 19, wherein said means for generating said second value includes means for generating a product of a second load factor corresponding to said second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036) and the result of said second measurement signal.

2. 3.

The wireless terminal according to claim 22, further comprising: means for adjusting said second load factor to a predetermined value in the absence of a second load factor successfully received from said second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008 , 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036).

24.

The wireless terminal according to claim 19, wherein said means for generating an uplink interference report generates at least one uplink interference report using the result of a third measurement of a third junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036) to generate said second value.

25.

The wireless connection according to claim 24, wherein said means for generating an uplink interference report includes: means for adding the third and fourth values, said third value being a function of the result of the second signal measurement, said fourth value being a function of the result of the third signal measurement.

26.

The wireless terminal according to claim 25, wherein said first value is generated according to the following equation:

Y wherein said second value is generated according to the following equation: 5 in which b0 is the load factor corresponding to the first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); where PB0 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); wherein b1 is a load factor corresponding to the second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); wherein PB1 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); where b2 is a load factor corresponding to the third junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 15 8026, 8036); and in which PB2 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the third junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036). 27. The wireless terminal according to claim 24, wherein said means for generating an uplink interference report includes: means for setting the second value to be the maximum of the third and fourth values, said third value being a function of the result of the second measurement of the signal, said fourth value being a function of the result of the third measurement of the signal. The wireless terminal according to claim 27, Y wherein said second value is generated according to the following equation: where b0 is the load factor corresponding to the first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); in which PB0 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 35 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the first junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); wherein b1 is a load factor corresponding to the second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); wherein PB1 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from the second junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); wherein b2 is a load factor corresponding to the third junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036); and in which PB2 is the measured power of a received beacon signal (8005, 8011, 8017, 8021, 8025, 8072, 8078, 8082, 8086, 8088) from third junction point (410, 412, 414, 8008, 8012, 8016, 8026, 8036). 29 29. A computer-readable medium incorporating machine-executable instructions for implementing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 for the operation of a wireless terminal. 30. An apparatus operable in a communication system, the apparatus comprising: a processor configured to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 14. Figure 4 Figure 20