Patent ID: 7830854
Filing Date: 2010-11-09
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. In an access terminal operating in a wireless communication system that includes a base station, a method comprising: on an air interface communication link from the access terminal to the base station, transmitting a primary beacon signal at a first power level to the base station, wherein the primary beacon signal is used by the base station to maintain a common timing reference between the access terminal and the base station, the common timing reference facilitating decoding by the base station of other signals received from the access terminal; setting a second power level: (i) by adjusting the second power level independently of the first power level according to power-control commands received at the access terminal from the base station, and (ii) to a value selected from a plurality of different, non-zero power levels, and a zero power level; and on the air interface communication link from the access terminal to the base station, and concurrent with transmission of the primary beacon signal at the first power level, transmitting a secondary beacon signal to the base station at the second power level, wherein the secondary beacon signal is used by the base station to enhance reliability of the common timing reference.