Patent Publication Number: US-7899485-B2

Title: Forward link power control of multiple data streams transmitted to a mobile station using a common power control channel

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120 
     The present Application for Patent is a continuation, of patent application Ser. No. 09/288,262 entitled “FORWARD LINK POWER CONTROL OF MULTIPLE DATA STREAMS TRANSMITTED TO A MOBILE STATION USING A COMMON POWER CONTROL CHANNEL” filed Apr. 8, 1999, now granted as U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,683, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     I. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of communications systems and, in particular, to a method for controlling the transmission power level of multiple data streams sent from one or several base stations to a mobile station in a mobile radio telecommunication system. 
     II. Prior Art 
     In a mobile telephone communication system, one or several base stations transmit information, such as voice information, or data, or both to a mobile station. Each base station supports one or several sectors. For example in EIA/TIA-95-A CDMA systems it is common that each base station supports three individual sectors, with each sector transmitting different information. Voice and data transmissions from a base station to one or more mobile stations typically occur on a forward link traffic channel. A mobile station receives the information from the forward link traffic channel, decodes the information, and determines a frame error rate associated with the decoded information. The frame error rate of the decoded information can be adversely affected by, for example, fading conditions in the forward link channel. Furthermore a traffic channel can be transmitted from several base stations or several sectors of the same base station. The mobile station will then combine the signals from the different sectors for improved decoding, in a process that is often referred to in the prior art as soft-handoff. The set of base station sectors transmitting the same data signal is usually named an “active set”. It will be understood by those skilled by the art that the term soft handoff refers to soft handoff between different base stations as well as soft handoff between different sectors of the same base station. 
     In some mobile radio communication systems such as, for example, mobile radio systems that use code division multiple access (CDMA) modulation, the frame error rate at the mobile station is used to control the transmit power level sent to the mobile on the forward link traffic signal. For example, in such systems a desired ratio of signal to noise powers is derived from the desired frame error rate. An estimate of the actual signal to noise ratio received by the mobile is then used to generate a stream of power control commands that is sent from the mobile station back to the base stations in the active set. Each power control command in the stream causes the base station to either increase (by, for example, 1 dB), decrease (by, for example, 1 dB) or hold constant the transmit power sent to the mobile station on the forward link traffic channel. 
     Using such a power control system allows the mobile station to cause the base station to increase the transmit power to compensate for conditions such as a fade. Likewise, the power control system permits the base station to save power when the channel conditions are more favorable and a predetermined error rate can be maintained using a lower transmit power. 
     In modern mobile telephone communication systems, several data streams (e.g., fax transmissions, internet transmissions, voice calls etc.) can be transmitted to a mobile station concurrently. In systems such as CDMA systems, the transmission of such data streams can occur on the same forward link traffic channel (i.e., frequency channel). In such cases, each data stream (e.g., voice, fax, internet, etc.) transmitted from a particular base station to the mobile station on a given forward link is modulated using a different spreading code often called a Walsh code that permits each data stream to be separately demodulated at the mobile station. Different base stations can transmit on the forward link with the same spreading code when they utilize a different scrambling code (often called PN code). 
     Where multiple data streams are transmitted from a one or several base stations to a mobile station on one or several forward links, the transmit power level of each of the data streams should be controlled as described above. However, sending a separate stream of power control commands on the reverse link from the mobile station back to each base station in order to control the transmit power of each data stream results in a substantial increase in system overhead. 
     Thus, it would be desirable to provide a system for forward link power control that minimized the overhead required to send power control commands from the mobile station back to a base station in cases where the base station is transmitting multiple data streams to the mobile station. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for controlling transmit power levels of a first data stream transmitted from each base station in a first active set of base stations to a mobile station in a mobile radio communication system, and for controlling transmit power levels of a second data stream transmitted from each base station in a second active set of base stations to the mobile station. 
     In a first embodiment, a stream of power control commands is formed at the mobile station for each base station in either the first or second active set in accordance with either the first and/or second received data stream from each such base station. A power control signal is formed at the mobile station by interleaving the streams of power control commands, and the interleaved stream of power control commands is then transmitted to the base stations in the first and second active set. A received stream of power control commands is formed by deinterleaving the received power control signal at a given base station in the first and second active sets, and the transmit power levels of the first and second data streams from the given base station are both controlled in accordance with the received stream of power control commands. Thus, in this embodiment, a single stream of power control commands is used to control the transmit power levels of multiple different data streams (e.g., a voice data stream and a fax data stream) transmitted to a mobile station from a common base station. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the embodiment set forth above, the second active set of base stations may be a subset of the first active set of base stations. In this case, the power control stream for each base station that is in the first active set but not in the second active set will be formed only in accordance with the first data stream from such base station. 
     In accordance with a still further embodiment, the present invention uses a single interleaved power control signal to transmit multiple power control command streams to each base station in both the first and second active sets, wherein each of the power control command streams is used to control the transmit power of a different data stream sent from each base station to the mobile station. In this embodiment, first and second data streams are transmitted from each base station in the first and second active sets and received at the mobile station. A stream of power control commands is formed at the mobile station in accordance with the first received data stream from each base station in the first active set, and a stream of power control commands is formed at mobile station in accordance with the second received data stream from each base station in the second active set. A power control signal is next formed at the mobile station by interleaving the streams of power control commands, and the interleaved power control signal is transmitted from the mobile station to each base station in the first and second active sets. First and second received streams of power control commands are formed at a given base station in the first and second active sets by deinterleaving the received power control signal at the given base station. The transmit power level of the first data stream is then controlled from the given base station in accordance with the first received stream of power control commands, and the transmit power level of the second data stream is controlled from the given base station in accordance with the second received stream of power control commands. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the embodiment set forth above, the second active set of base stations may be a subset of the first active set of base stations. In this case, the power control stream for each base station that is in the first active set but not in the second active set will be formed only in accordance with the first data stream from such base station. 
     In accordance with a still further aspect, the signal strength measurements of two corresponding data streams transmitted to a mobile station from first and second base stations are examined in order to determine the power control commands used for controlling the transmit power of one (or both) of the two corresponding data streams transmitted from the two base stations. This aspect of the invention thus uses information about the signal strength of a data stream transmitted to a mobile station from a first base station for generating power control commands used for controlling the transmit power of a corresponding data stream transmitted to the mobile station from a second (different) base station. A first data stream is transmitted from first and second base stations to the mobile station, and a second data stream is transmitted from the first base station to the mobile station. In this embodiment, the transmit power level of the first data stream from the first base station is then controlled at the mobile station by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream received from the first base station as well as the signal quality of the first data stream received from the second base station. Similarly, the transmit power level of the first data stream from the second base station is controlled at the mobile station by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream received from the second base station as well as the signal quality of the first data stream received from the first base station. 
     In accordance with yet a still further aspect, the signal strength measurements of two corresponding data streams transmitted to a mobile station from first and second base stations are examined in order to determine the power control commands used for controlling the transmit power of one (or both) of the two corresponding data streams transmitted from the two base stations. This aspect of the invention thus also uses information about the signal strength of a data stream transmitted to a mobile station from a first base station for generating power control commands used for controlling the transmit power of a corresponding data stream transmitted to the mobile station from a second (different) base station. A first data stream is transmitted from first and second base stations to the mobile station, and a second data stream is transmitted from the first base station to the mobile station. In this embodiment, the transmit power level of the first data stream from the second base station is then controlled at the mobile station by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream received from the first base station as well as the signal quality of the first data stream received from the second base station. The transmit power levels of the first and second data streams from the first base station are controlled at the mobile station by monitoring the signal quality of the second data stream received from the first base station. 
     The aspects of the invention discussed in the two paragraphs immediately above can be generalized such that the system uses different signal strengths from corresponding data streams transmitted to a mobile station from a first active set of base stations for generating power control commands used for controlling the transmit power of the corresponding data streams transmitted to the mobile station from each base station in the first active set. In this more general embodiment, the first data stream is transmitted from base stations in the first active set to the mobile station, and a second data stream is transmitted from base station(s) in a second active set of one or more base stations to the mobile station. A first set of power control command streams is then formed at the mobile station and transmitted to the base stations in the first active set, wherein each stream of power control commands in the set is determined in accordance with the first data streams received from all base stations in the first active set of base stations. The first and second base stations discussed in the two paragraphs immediately above would be included in the first active set of base stations, the second base station would be included in the second active set of base stations, and the second active set of base stations may or may not be a subset of the first active set of base stations. 
     In a further alternate embodiment, the first stream of power control commands is formed at the mobile station in accordance with the first and second data streams received at the mobile station only from the base stations in the second active set. The second stream of power control commands is formed at the mobile station in accordance with the first data streams or second data streams or both data streams received at the mobile station from the base stations in the first active set but not in the second active set. The mobile station then forms an interleaved power control signal by interleaving the first and second streams of power control commands, and the interleaved power control signal is transmitted from the mobile station on the reverse link. The interleaved power control signal is received at both the base stations in the first and second active sets. The base stations form a first received stream of power control commands by deinterleaving the received interleaved power control signal, and a second received stream of power control commands by deinterleaving the received interleaved power control signal. The transmit power level of the first and second data streams transmitted by the base stations in the second active set is then controlled in accordance with the first received stream of power control commands, and the transmit power level of the first data stream transmitted by the base stations in the first active set but not in the second active set is controlled in accordance with the second received stream of power control commands. 
     In accordance with a still further embodiment where the communication system includes first and second active sets, the first data stream is transmitted from the base stations in the first active set to the mobile station, and the second data stream is transmitted from the base stations in the second active set to the mobile station. In this embodiment, the second active set is a subset of the first active set. A first stream of power control commands is formed at the mobile station in accordance with the first data stream received at the mobile station from the base stations in the first active set. A second stream of power control commands is formed at the mobile station in accordance with the first data stream or second data stream or both data streams received at the mobile station from the base stations in the second active set. The mobile station then forms an interleaved power control signal by interleaving the first and second streams of power control commands, and the interleaved power control signal is transmitted from the mobile station to all the base stations in both active sets. The interleaved power control signal is received at base stations in both the first and second active sets. The base stations form a first received stream of power control commands by de-interleaving the received interleaved power control signal, and a second received stream of power control commands by de-interleaving the received interleaved power control signal. The transmit power level of the first and second data streams transmitted by the base stations that are in the second active set is controlled by using the commands of the first or a combination of both streams of power control commands. The transmit power level of the first data stream transmitted by the base stations that are in the first active set but not in the second active set is controlled in accordance with the first received stream of power control commands or a combination of the first and second received streams of power control commands. 
     This previous embodiment is particularly useful when the second stream of data is intermittent and only transmitted from a subset of the base stations in the first active set. 
     In a further embodiment where the radio telephone communication system includes different first and second active sets, the first data stream is transmitted from the base stations in the first active set to the mobile station and the second data stream is transmitted from the base stations in the second active set to the mobile station. A single stream of power control commands is then formed at the mobile station in accordance with the first data stream received from the base stations in the first active set. The mobile station then forms a power control signal with the power control commands, and the power control signal is transmitted from the mobile station to all the base stations in both active sets. The power control signal is received at base stations in both the first and second active sets. The base stations in the first active set and the base stations in the second active set form a received stream of power control commands by decoding the received power control signal. The transmit power level of the first data stream transmitted by the base stations in the first active set and the transmit power level of the second data stream transmitted by the base stations in the second active set is then controlled in accordance with the received stream of power control commands. The difference in transmitted power between the first and second data stream is adjusted by means of a separate mechanism. For example a message sent time to time from the mobile station to the base stations or an outer loop based on the QoS currently measured and the desired QoS of the second data stream after decoding by the mobile station. This QoS could be a frame error rate or other. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the previous embodiment, the power control commands are generated based on both the first and second data streams received at the mobile station. 
     In the above embodiments, the mobile station preferably forms each stream of power control commands by monitoring either a frame error rate or a signal-to-noise ratio associated with a given received data stream. Furthermore, the first and second streams of power control commands are preferably generated in accordance with an interleaving pattern, and the commands from each stream are only generated and inserted when required by the interleaving pattern. This ensures that no excess commands are generated whose transmission would delay newer commands. This also ensures that the interleaving process will not delay unnecessarily the power control commands from one stream or another. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  shows a mobile radio station that generates an interleaved power control signal for controlling the transmit power levels of a plurality of different data streams transmitted to the mobile station from one or more base stations, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the mobile station from the same base station are controlled using a common stream of power control commands included in the interleaved power control signal. 
         FIG. 1B  shows an alternate preferred embodiment of the mobile radio station of  FIG. 1A . In  FIG. 1B , the mobile radio station receives a plurality of different data streams from at least one base station, and only a single data stream from at least one base station. 
         FIG. 1C  shows a mobile radio station that generates an interleaved power control signal for controlling the transmit power levels of a plurality of different data streams transmitted to the mobile station from one or more base stations, in accordance with an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1C , the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the mobile station from the same base station are controlled using different streams of power control commands included in the interleaved power control signal. 
         FIG. 1D  shows an alternate preferred embodiment of the mobile radio station of  FIG. 1C . In  FIG. 1D , the mobile radio station receives a plurality of different data streams from at least one base station, and only a single data stream from at least one base station. 
         FIG. 1E  shows an alternate embodiment of the mobile radio station of the present invention. In this embodiment, a first data stream is transmitted to the mobile station from at least first and second base stations. The transmit power level of the first data stream from the first base station is then controlled at the mobile station by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream received from the first base station as well as the signal quality of the first data stream received from the second base station. Similarly, the transmit power level of the first data stream from the second base station is controlled at the mobile station by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream received from the second base station as well as the signal quality of the first data stream received from the first base station. 
         FIG. 1F  shows a further alternate embodiment of the mobile radio station of the present invention. In this embodiment, a first data stream is transmitted to the mobile station from at least first and second base stations, and a second data stream is transmitted to the mobile station from the first base station. The transmit power level of the first data stream from the second base station is controlled at the mobile station by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream received from the first base station as well as the signal quality of the first data stream received from the second base station. The transmit power levels of the first and second data streams from the first base station are controlled at the mobile station by monitoring the signal quality of the second data stream received from the first base station. 
         FIG. 1G  shows a further alternate embodiment of the mobile radio station of the present invention. In this embodiment, a first (common) power control command stream is generated from the first data stream from each base station in the second active set and the second data stream from each base station in the second active set, and then used for controlling the transmit power level of the second data stream from each base station in the second active set and the first data stream from each base station in the second active set. A second (common) power control stream is generated from the first data stream from each base station in the first active set and not in the second active set, and then used for controlling the transmit power level of the first data stream from each base station in the first active set and not in the second active set. 
         FIG. 1H  shows a further alternate embodiment of the mobile radio station of the present invention. In this embodiment, a coarse power control command stream is generated from the first data stream from each base station in the first active set, and then used for controlling the transmit power level of the first data stream from each base station in the first active set and the transmit power level of the second data stream from each base station in the second active set. A fine power control stream is generated from the first data stream from each base station in the second active set and the second data stream from each base station in the second active set, and then used in combination with the coarse power control command stream for controlling the transmit power level of the second data stream from each base station in the second active set and the first data stream from each base station in the second active set. 
         FIG. 1I  shows a further alternate embodiment of the mobile radio station of the present invention. In this embodiment, a coarse power control command stream is generated from the first data stream from each base station in the first active set and the second data stream from each base station in the second active set, and then used for controlling the transmit power level of the first data stream from each base station in the first active set and the transmit power level of the second data stream from each base station in the second active set. A fine power control stream is also generated and used in combination with the coarse power control command stream for adjusting the transmit power level of the second data stream from each base station in the second active set that is also in the first active set. 
         FIG. 2A  shows a base station that receives a plurality of interleaved power control signals from a plurality of mobile stations, and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the mobile stations, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the same mobile station from the base station are controlled using a common stream of power control commands included in an interleaved power control signal. 
         FIG. 2B  shows an alternate preferred embodiment of the base station of  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 2B , the base station transmits a plurality of different data streams to at least one mobile station, and only a single data stream to other mobile stations on the base station&#39;s forward link. 
         FIG. 2C  shows a base station that receives a plurality of interleaved power control signals from a plurality of mobile stations, and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the mobile stations, in accordance with an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2C , the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the same mobile station from the base station are controlled using different streams of power control commands included in an interleaved power control signal. 
         FIG. 2D  shows an alternate preferred embodiment of the base station of  FIG. 2C . In  FIG. 2D , the base station transmits a plurality of different data streams to at least one mobile station, and only a single data stream to other mobile stations on the base station&#39;s forward link. 
         FIG. 2E  shows a base station that receives a plurality of power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations of the form shown in  FIG. 1F , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first and second data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2E , the base station is in both active sets of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. 
         FIG. 2F  shows a base station that receives a plurality of power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations of the form shown in  FIG. 1F , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first and second data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2F , the base station is in the first active set and not the second active set of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. 
         FIG. 2G  shows a base station that receives a plurality of power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations of the form shown in  FIG. 1G , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first and second data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2G , the base station is in both active sets of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. 
         FIG. 2H  shows a base station that receives a plurality of power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations of the form shown in  FIG. 1G , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2H , the base station is in the first active set and not the second active set of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. 
         FIG. 2I  shows a base station that receives coarse and fine power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations of the form shown in  FIG. 1H , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first and second data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2I , the base station is in both active sets of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. 
         FIG. 2J  shows a base station that receives coarse power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations of the form shown in  FIG. 1H , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2H , the base station is in the first active set and not the second active set of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. 
         FIG. 2K  shows a base station that receives coarse and fine power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations of the form shown in  FIG. 1I , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first and second data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2K , the base station is in both active sets of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. 
         FIG. 2L  shows a base station that receives coarse power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations of the form shown in  FIG. 1I , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2L , the base station is in the second active set and not the first active set of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1A  shows a mobile radio station  100   a  that generates an interleaved power control bit stream  110  for controlling the transmit power levels of a plurality of different data streams  120 ,  120   a ,  122 ,  122   a ,  124 ,  124   a  that are transmitted to the mobile radio station from one or more base stations. Data streams  120 ,  122 , . . .  124 , carry the same information (e.g., the same voice transmission) and are transmitted from a first active set of base stations (i.e., BS 1 , BS 2 , . . . BSn). Data streams  120   a ,  122   a , . . .  124   a , carry the same information (e.g., the same internet or fax transmission) and are simultaneously transmitted from a second active set of base stations (i.e., BS 1 , BS 2 , . . . BSn). As explained more fully below in connection with various alternative embodiments, the second active set of base stations may or may not be a subset of the first active set. Data streams  120 ,  120   a ,  122 ,  122   a ,  124 ,  124   a  are transmitted to the mobile radio station on, for example, a common frequency band using code division multiple access (CDMA) or time division multiple access (TDMA) modulation. Multiple data streams from different base stations are used to transmit multiple representations of the same information to the mobile radio station when, for example, the mobile radio station is in a soft handoff between two or more base stations or in cases where diversity signals are used to achieve better reception at the mobile station. The transmission of multiple versions of the same data signal to a given mobile station from different base stations to perform a soft handoff or to achieve transmit diversity is well known in the art. 
     In mobile station  100   a , the data streams  120 ,  120   a  received from BS 1  are provided to a power control command generator  130  which generates a single stream of power control commands from the received data streams. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , power control command generator  130  optionally selects either data stream  120  or data stream  120   a  (or a combination thereof) to monitor. Thereafter, the power control command generator  130  monitors either the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with the selected data stream (or the sum of the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with both data streams  120 ,  120   a  if the combination is being monitored), and generates a series of forward link power control commands  140  based on this information. Each power control command in stream  140  will, for example, represent a command to BS 1  indicating that BS 1  should either increase or decrease the transmit power level used to transmit subsequent frames of data streams  120 ,  120   a  to mobile radio station  100   a . Deriving such a stream of power control commands using either the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate of a single received signal is well known in the art. Where a combination of data streams  120 ,  120   a  is being monitored, the sum of the received signal-to-noise ratios associated with each data stream is preferably compared to a threshold representing a desired sum of signal-to-noise ratios expected from the combination of data streams  120 ,  120   a  in order to generate the stream of power control commands. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , a single, common stream of power control commands  140  is thus generated for both data streams  120 ,  120   a  using either one of the two data streams or both streams. This aspect of the invention recognizes that when multiple data streams are transmitted on a forward link traffic channel from a base station to a given mobile station, fading conditions in the traffic channel will likely impact all data streams transmitted from the base station to the mobile station in a similar manner and thus a single (or common) stream of power control commands can be used to control the transmit power of all data streams transmitted to the given mobile station from the base station. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1A , the data streams  122 ,  122   a  received from BS 2  are provided to a power control command generator  132  which generates a single stream of power control commands from the received data streams. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , power control command generator  132  optionally selects either data stream  122  or data stream  122   a  (or a combination thereof) to monitor. Thereafter, the power control command generator  132  monitors either the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with the selected data stream (or the sum of the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with both data streams  122 ,  122   a  if the combination is being monitored), and generates a series of forward link power control commands  142  based on this information. Each power control command in stream  142  will, for example, represent a command to the BS 2  indicating that the BS 2  should either increase or decrease the transmit power level used to transmit subsequent frames of data streams  122 ,  122   a  to mobile radio station  100 . Again, deriving such a stream of power control commands using either the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate of a single received signal is well known in the art. Where a combination of data streams  122 ,  122   a  is being monitored, the sum of the received signal-to-noise ratios associated with each data stream is preferably compared to a threshold representing a desired sum of signal-to-noise ratios expected from the combination of data streams  122 ,  122   a  in order to generate the stream of power control commands. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , a single, common stream of power control commands  142  is generated for both data streams  122 ,  122   a  using either one of the two data streams or both streams. 
     The data streams  124 ,  124   a  received from BSn are provided to a power control command generator  134  which generates a single stream of power control commands from the received data streams. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , power control command generator  134  optionally selects either data stream  124  or data stream  124   a  (or a combination thereof) to monitor. Thereafter, the power control command generator  134  monitors either the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with the selected data stream(or the sum of the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with both data streams  124 ,  124   a  if the combination is being monitored), and generates a series of forward link power control commands  144  based on this information. Each power control command in stream  144  will, for example, represent a command to the BSn indicating that the BSn should either increase or decrease the transmit power level used to transmit subsequent frames of data streams  124 ,  124   a  to mobile radio station  100 . Again, deriving such a stream of power control commands using either the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate of a single received signal is well known in the art. Where a combination of data streams  124 ,  124   a  is being monitored, the sum of the received signal-to-noise ratios associated with each data stream is preferably compared to a threshold representing a desired sum of signal-to-noise ratios expected from the combination of data streams  124 ,  124   a  in order to generate the stream of power control commands. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , a single, common stream of power control commands  144  is generated for both data streams  124 ,  124   a  using either one of the two data streams or both streams. 
     Although data streams from three base stations are shown as being received by mobile station  100   a , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that mobile station  100  could be configured to receive data signals from more than (or less than) three different base stations. 
     The power control command streams  140 ,  142 ,  144  are provided to a mutliplexer  146  which is controlled by an interleaver controller  148 . The mutliplexer  146  merges the separate power control command streams  140 ,  142 ,  144  into a single interleaved power control bit stream  110 . A transmitter  150  transmits the interleaved power control bit stream  110  back to the base stations (BS 1 , BS 2  . . . BSn) on a power control channel or subchannel. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each base station in a first set of active base stations simultaneously transmits a version of a first data stream (e.g., signals  120 ,  122  and  124  in  FIG. 1A ) to mobile station  100 , and each base station in a second set of active base stations simultaneously transmits a version of a second data stream (e.g., signals  120   a ,  122   a  and  124   a ) to mobile station  100 . The base stations in each active set are preferably maintained by monitoring pilot signals from base stations in the vicinity of the mobile station  100 , and then adding or deleting a base station from the active set as the pilot signal from the base station either rises above or falls below a threshold. Using pilot signals from base stations for maintaining an active set of base stations is well known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the sets of active base stations need not be identical; however, one of the sets of active base stations (e.g., the second set) will typically be a subset of the other set of active base stations (e.g., the first set). As set forth below, in some embodiments of the invention, the second active set of base stations will not be a subset of the first active set. 
     In  FIG. 1A , the first set of active base stations used to simultaneously transmit versions of the first data stream (e.g., signals  120 ,  122  and  124  in  FIG. 1A ) to the mobile station was identical to the second set of active base stations used to simultaneously transmit versions of the second data stream (e.g., signals  120   a ,  122   a  and  124   a ) to the mobile station.  FIG. 1B  shows an alternate preferred embodiment of the mobile radio station of  FIG. 1A  where different sets of active base stations are transmitting the different data streams to the mobile radio station. In  FIG. 1B , mobile radio station  100   b  is receiving different data streams  120 ,  120   a  from BS 1 , only a single data stream  122  from BS 2  and only a single data stream  124  from BSn. Thus, in  FIG. 1B , a first active set of base stations (i.e., BS 1 , BS 2  and BSn) simultaneously transmit versions of a first data stream (i.e., signals  120 ,  122  and  124  in  FIG. 1B ) to mobile station  100   b , and a second set of active base stations formed only of BS 1  transmits a second data stream (i.e., signal  120 ) to mobile station  100   a . The active sets of base stations used for transmitting the data streams to the mobile station may not be identical as shown in  FIG. 1B  when, for example, the mobile station is in a soft handoff between different base stations in the active sets. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1B , power control command generators  132   a ,  134   a , respectively monitor data streams  122 ,  124  in order to generate power control command streams  142 ,  144  as described above. 
       FIG. 1C  shows a mobile radio station  100   c  that generates an interleaved power control signal  110  for controlling the transmit power levels of a plurality of different data streams transmitted to the mobile station from one or more base stations, in accordance with an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , in the embodiment of  FIG. 1C , the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the mobile station from the same base station are controlled using different streams of power control commands included in the interleaved power control signal. 
     Thus, in mobile station  100   c , the data streams  120 ,  120   a  received from BS 1  are provided to a power control command generator  131  which generates a different stream of power control commands for each of the received data streams. Power control command generator  131  monitors the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with data stream  120 , and generates a series of forward link power control commands  140   a  based on this information. Power control command generator  131  also separately monitors the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with data stream  120   a , and generates a separate series of forward link power control commands  140   b  based on this information. Each power control command in stream  140   a  or  140   b  will, for example, represent a command to the BS 1  indicating that the BS 1  should either increase or decrease the transmit power level used to transmit subsequent frames of data streams  120 ,  120   a  to mobile radio station  100 . Deriving such a stream of power control commands using either the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate of a received signal is well known in the art. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1C , the data streams  122 ,  122   a  received from BS 2  are provided to a power control command generator  133  which generates a different stream of power control commands for each of the received data streams. Power control command generator  133  monitors the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with data stream  122 , and generates a series of forward link power control commands  142   a  based on this information. Power control command generator  133  also separately monitors the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with data stream  122   a , and generates a separate series of forward link power control commands  142   b  based on this information. Each power control command in stream  142   a  or  142   b  will, for example, represent a command to the BS 2  indicating that the BS 2  should either increase or decrease the transmit power level used to transmit subsequent frames of data streams  122 ,  122   a  to mobile radio station  100 . 
     The data streams  124 ,  124   a  received from BSn are provided to a power control command generator  135  which generates a different stream of power control commands for each of the received data streams. Power control command generator  135  monitors the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with data stream  124 , and generates a series of forward link power control commands  144   a  based on this information. Power control command generator  135  also separately monitors the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with data stream  124   a , and generates a separate series of forward link power control commands  144   b  based on this information. Each power control command in stream  144   a  or  144   b  will, for example, represent a command to the BSn indicating that the BSn should either increase or decrease the transmit power level used to transmit subsequent frames of data streams  124 ,  124   a  to mobile radio station  100 . 
     Although data streams from three base stations are shown as being received by mobile station  100   c , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that mobile station  100   c  could be configured to receive data signals from more than (or less than) three different base stations. 
     The power control command streams  140   a ,  140   b ,  142   a ,  142   b ,  144   a ,  144   b  are provided to a mutliplexer  146  which is controlled by an interleaver controller  148 . The mutliplexer  146  merges the separate power control command streams  140   a ,  140   b ,  142   a ,  142   b ,  144   a ,  144   b  into a single interleaved power control bit stream  110 . A transmitter  150  transmits the interleaved power control bit stream  110  back to the base stations (BS 1 , BS 2  . . . BSn) on a power control channel or subchannel. 
     In  FIG. 1C , the first set of active base stations used to simultaneously transmit versions of the first data stream (e.g., signals  120 ,  122  and  124  in  FIG. 1C ) to the mobile station was identical to the second set of active base stations used to simultaneously transmit versions of the second data stream (e.g., signals  120   a ,  122   a  and  124   a ) to the mobile station.  FIG. 1D  shows an alternate preferred embodiment of the mobile radio station of  FIG. 1C  where different sets of active base stations are transmitting the different data streams to the mobile radio station. In  FIG. 1D , mobile radio station  100   d  is receiving different data streams  120 ,  120   a  from BS 1 , only a single data stream  122  from BS 2  and only a single data stream  124  from BSn. Thus, in  FIG. 1D , a first active set of base stations (i.e., BS 1 , BS 2  and BSn) simultaneously transmit versions of a first data stream (i.e., signals  120 ,  122  and  124  in  FIG. 1D ) to mobile station  100   d , and a second set of active base stations formed only of BS 1  transmits a second data stream (i.e., signal  120 ) to mobile station  100   d . The active sets of base stations used for transmitting the data streams to the mobile station may not be identical as shown in  FIG. 1D  when, for example, the mobile station is in a soft handoff between different base stations in the active sets. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1D , power control command generators  133   a ,  135   a , respectively monitor data streams  122 ,  124  in order to generate power control command streams  142   a ,  144   a  as described above. 
       FIG. 1E  shows a mobile radio station  100 e that forms an interleaved power control bit stream in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a first set of active base stations (BS 1 , BS 2 , . . . BSn) simultaneously transmit versions of the first data stream (e.g., signals  120 ,  122  and  124 ) to the mobile station  100   e , and a second set of active base stations (BS 1 , BS 2 , . . . BSm) simultaneously transmit versions of the second data stream (e.g., signals  120   a ,  122   a  and  125 ) to the mobile station  100   e . Power control command generator  160  generates a separate stream of power control commands for controlling the first data stream from each base station in the first active set. Thus, power control command stream  160   a  is used for controlling the transmit power of the first data stream from BS 1 ; power control command stream  160   b  is used for controlling the transmit power of the first data stream from BS 2 ; and power control command stream  160   n  is used for controlling the transmit power of the first data stream from BSn. 
     Power control command generator  160  forms each output power control command stream (i.e., streams  160   a ,  160   b , . . .  160   n ) by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream received from multiple base stations in the first active set. Thus, for example, the power control command stream  160   b  for controlling the transmit power level of the first data stream  122  from the second base station (BS 2 ) is formed by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream  122  received from the second base station (BS 2 ) as well as the signal quality of the first data stream  120  received from the first base station (BS 1 ) and the signal quality of first data stream  124  received from base station BSn. Similarly, the power control command stream  160   a  for controlling the transmit power level of the first data stream  120  from the first base station (BS 1 ) is formed by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream  120  received from the first base station (BS 1 ) as well as the signal quality of the first data stream  122  received from the second base station (BS 2 ) and the signal quality of first data stream  124  received from base station BSn. 
     In one embodiment, the algorithm used by power control command generator  160  for generating each stream of power control commands  160   a ,  160   b , . . .  160   n , is as follows. Initially, power control command generator  160  identifies the base station (BShighest) in the first active set that is providing the highest total signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the first data stream to mobile station  100   e . Next, a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the first data stream received from each base station in the first active set is compared to a threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   e  expects to receive from all base stations in the first active set for the first data stream. Based on this comparsion, power control command generator  160  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) for the first data stream from BShighest and this power control command (PCBS-Highest) is then sent to BShighest using the power control command stream associated with BShighest, i.e., either stream  160   a ,  160   b , or . . . . ,  160   n . Next, the power control command generator  160  generates a first predicted SNR value representing the sum of the SNRs for the first data stream that mobile station  100 e expects to receive from all base stations in the first active set after PCBS-Highest is processed by BShighest. Power control command generator  160  also identifies the base station (BSsecond-highest) in the first active that is providing the second highest total SNR for the first data stream to mobile station  100   e . Thereafter, the first predicted SNR value is compared to the threshold described above, and, based on this comparision, power control command generator  160  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) for the first data stream from BSsecond-highest and this power control command (PCBS-Second-Highest) is then sent to BSsecond-highest using the power control command stream associated with BSsecond-highest, i.e., either stream  160   a ,  160   b , or . . . . ,  160   n . Next, the power control command generator  160  generates a second predicted SNR value representing the sum of the SNRs for the first data stream that mobile station  100   e  expects to receive from all base stations in the first active set after PCBS-Highest and PCBS-Second-Highest are processed by BShighest and BSsecond-highest. Power control command generator  160  also identifies the base station (BSthird-highest) in the first active that is providing the third highest total SNR for the first data stream to mobile station  100   e . Thereafter, the second predicted SNR value is compared to the threshold described above, and, based on this comparision, power control command generator  160  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) for the first data stream from BSthird-highest and this power control command (PCBS-Third-Highest) is then sent to BSthird-highest using the power control command stream associated with BSthird-highest, i.e., either stream  160   a ,  160   b , or . . . . ,  160   n . This process is then repeated as described above in an iterative manner until power control command generator  160  has generated a power control command for each base station in the first active set. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1E , power control command generator  162  generates a single (common) stream of power control commands  162   a  for controlling the second data stream from each base station in the second active set. Thus, power control command stream  162   a  is used for controlling the transmit power of the second data stream from BS 2 , the transmit power of the second data stream from BS 2 , and the transmit power of the second data stream from BSm. Power control command generator  162  forms power control command stream  162  by simultaneously monitoring the signal quality of the second data stream received from all base stations in the second active set. In one embodiment, the algorithm used by power control command generator  162  for generating the stream of power control commands  162   a  is as follows. Power control command generator  162  calculates a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the second data stream received from each base station in the second active set. This sum is compared to a threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   e  expects to receive from all base stations in the second active set for the second data stream. Based on this comparsion, power control command generator  162  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) for the second data stream and this power control command is then sent to the base stations in the second active set using stream  162   a.    
     The power control command streams  160   a ,  160   b , . . .  160   n  and  162   a  are provided to a mutliplexer  146  which is controlled by an interleaver controller  148 . The mutliplexer  146  merges the separate power control command streams into a single interleaved power control bit stream  110 . A transmitter  150  transmits the interleaved power control bit stream  110  back to the base stations in the first and second active sets on a power control channel or subchannel. 
       FIG. 1F  shows a mobile radio station  100   f  that forms an interleaved power control bit stream in accordance with a further alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a first set of active base stations (BS 1 , BS 2 ) simultaneously transmit versions of the first data stream (e.g., signals  120 ,  122 ) to the mobile station  100   f , and a second set of active base stations (BS 1 ) transmit the second data stream (signal  120   a ) to the mobile station  100   f . In this embodiment, the transmit power level of the first data stream  122  from the second base station (BS 2 ) is controlled at the mobile station  100   f  by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream  120  received from the first base station as well as the signal quality of the first data stream  122  received from the second base station. However, in contrast to the embodiment of  FIG. 1E , in this embodiment the transmit power levels of the first and second data streams ( 120 ,  120   a ) from the first base station are controlled at the mobile station by monitoring the signal quality of only the second data stream  120   a  received from the first base station. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1F , power control command generator  170  forms output power control command stream  170   a  by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream received from multiple base stations in the first active set. Thus, for example, the power control command stream  170   a  for controlling the transmit power level of the first data stream  122  from the second base station (BS 2 ) is formed by monitoring the signal quality of the first data stream  122  received from the second base station (BS 2 ) as well as the signal quality of the first data stream  120  received from the first base station (BS 1 ). In one embodiment, the algorithm used by power control command generator  170  for generating the stream of power control commands  170   a  is as follows. Power control command generator  170  calculates a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the first data stream received from each base station in the first active set. This sum is compared to a threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   f  expects to receive from all base stations in the first active set for the first data stream. Based on this comparsion, power control command generator  170  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) that is then sent using stream  170   a.    
     Power control command generator  172  monitors either the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate associated with the second data stream  120   a  from the first base station, and generates a stream of forward link power control commands  172   a  based on this information. As set forth above, deriving such a stream of power control commands using either the received signal-to-noise ratio or the frame error rate of a received signal is well known in the art. 
     The power control command streams  170   a  and  172   a  are provided to a mutliplexer  146  which is controlled by an interleaver controller  148 . The mutliplexer  146  merges the separate power control command streams into a single interleaved power control bit stream  110 . A transmitter  150  transmits the interleaved power control bit stream  110  back to the base stations in the first and second active sets on a power control channel or subchannel. 
       FIG. 1G  shows a mobile radio station  100   g  that forms an interleaved power control bit stream in accordance with a further alternate embodiment of the present invention. Again, in this embodiment, a first set of active base stations (BS 1 , BS 2 , . . . BSn) simultaneously transmit versions of a first data stream to the mobile station  100   g , and a second set of active base stations (BS 1 , BS 2 , . . . BSm) simultaneously transmit versions of a second data stream to the mobile station  100   g . In this embodiment, a first (common) power control command stream  180   a  is generated from the versions of the first data stream transmitted from each base station in the second active set (collectively labeled  121 ) and from the versions of the second data stream transmitted from each base station in the second active set (collectively labeled  123 ). Power control command stream  180   a  is then used for controlling the transmit power level of the second data stream from each base station in the second active set (collectively labeled  121 ) and the first data stream from each base station in the second active set (collectively labeled  123 ). A second (common) power control stream  182   a  is generated from the first data stream from each base station in the first active set and not in the second active set (collectively labeled  125 ), and then used for controlling the transmit power level of the first data stream from each base station in the first active set and not in the second active set. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1G , power control command generator  180  forms a single (common) output power control command stream  180   a  by simultaneously monitoring the signal quality of traffic signals  121  and  123  which respectively represent the first data stream transmitted from each base station in the second active set and the second data stream transmitted from each base station in the second active set. In one embodiment, the algorithm used by power control command generator  180  for generating the stream of power control commands  180   a  is as follows. Power control command generator  180  calculates a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the first data stream received from each base station in the second active set (i.e., streams  121 ). This sum is compared to a first threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   g  expects to receive from all base stations in the second active set for the first data stream. Power control command generator  180  also calculates a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the second data stream received from each base station in the second active set (i.e., streams  123 ). This sum is compared to a second threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   g  expects to receive from all base stations in the second active set for the second data stream. If, in either of the above comparsions the threshold has not been exceeded, power control command generator  180  generates a power-up that is then sent using stream  180   a ; alternatively, if in either of the above comparsions the threshold has been exceeded, power control command generator  180  generates a power-down that is then sent using stream  180   a.    
     Power control command generator  182  forms a single (common) output power control command stream  182   a  by simultaneously monitoring the signal quality of traffic signals  125  which respectively represent the first data stream transmitted from each base station in the first active set and not in the second active set. In one embodiment, the algorithm used by power control command generator  182  for generating the stream of power control commands  182   a  is as follows. Power control command generator  182  calculates a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the first data stream received from each base station in the first active set and not in the second active set. This sum is compared to a threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   g  expects to receive from all base stations in the first active set and not in the second active set for the first data stream. Based on this comparsion, power control command generator  182  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) that is then sent using stream  182   a . The power control command streams  180   a  and  182   a  are provided to a mutliplexer  146  which is controlled by an interleaver controller  148 . The mutliplexer  146  merges the separate power control command streams into a single interleaved power control bit stream  110 . A transmitter  150  transmits the interleaved power control bit stream  110  back to the base stations in the first and second active sets on a power control channel or subchannel. 
       FIG. 1H  shows a mobile radio station  100   h  that forms an interleaved power control bit stream in accordance with a still alternate embodiment of the present invention. Again, in this embodiment, a first set of active base stations (BS 1 , BS 2 , . . . BSn) simultaneously transmit versions of a first data stream to the mobile station  100   h , and a second set of active base stations (BS 1 , BS 2 , . . . BSm) simultaneously transmit versions of a second data stream to the mobile station  100   h . In this embodiment, a first (common) power control command stream  184   a  is generated from the versions of the first data stream transmitted from each base station in the first active set (collectively labeled  177 ). Power control command stream  184   a  contains coarse power control commands. As explained more fully below, the coarse power control command stream  184   a  is used for controlling the transmit power level of the first and second data streams from each base station in the first and second active sets (collectively labeled  177 ,  178 ). A second (common) power control stream  186   a  is generated from the first data stream from each base station in the second active set (collectively labeled  177   a ). Signals  177   a  represent a subset of signals  170 . Power control command stream  186   a  contains fine power control commands. As explained more fully below, the fine power control command stream  186   a  is used, in combination with the coarse power control command stream  184   a , for controlling the transmit power level of the second data stream transmitted from each base station in the second active set (signals  178 ) and for controlling the transmit power level of the first data stream transmitted from each base station in the second active set (signals  177   a ). 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1H , power control command generator  184  forms a single (common) coarse power control command stream  184   a  by simultaneously monitoring the signal quality of traffic signals  177  which represent the first data stream transmitted from each base station in the first active set. In one embodiment, the algorithm used by power control command generator  184  for generating the stream of power control commands  184   a  is as follows. Power control command generator  184  calculates a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the first data stream received from each base station in the first active set. This sum is compared to a threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   h  expects to receive from all base stations in the first active set for the first data stream. Based on this comparsion, power control command generator  184  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) that is then sent using stream  184   a.    
     In one embodiment, the algorithm used by power control command generator  184  for generating the stream of power control commands  184   a  is as follows. Power control command generator  184  calculates a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the first data stream received from each base station in the first active set. This sum is compared to a threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   h  expects to receive from all base stations in the first active set for the first data stream. Based on this comparsion, power control command generator  184  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) that is then sent using stream  184   a.    
     Power control command generator  186  forms a single (common) fine power control command stream  186   a  by simultaneously monitoring the signal quality of traffic signals  177   a  and  178  which respectively represent the first data stream transmitted from each base station in the second active set and the second data stream transmitted from each base station in the second active set. In one embodiment, the algorithm used by power control command generator  186  for generating the stream of power control commands  186   a  is as follows. Power control command generator  186  calculates a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the first data stream received from each base station in the second active set (i.e., streams  177   a  only). This sum is compared to a threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   h  expects to receive from all base stations in the second active set for the first data stream. Based on this comparsion, power control command generator  186  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) that is then sent using stream  186   a.    
     In an alternate embodiment, a different algorithm is used by power control command generator  186  for generating the stream of power control commands  186   a . In this alternate embodiment, power control command generator  186  calculates a total value representing the scaled sum of the SNRs for the first data stream received from each base station in the second active set and the SNRs for the second data stream from each base station in the second active set (i.e., streams  177   a  and  178 ). This sum is compared to a threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   h  expects to receive from base stations in the second active set for the first data stream and from base stations in the second active set for the second data stream. Based on this comparsion, power control command generator  186  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) that is then sent using stream  186   a.    
     The power control command streams  184   a  and  186   a  are provided to a mutliplexer  146  which is controlled by an interleaver controller  148 . The mutliplexer  146  merges the separate power control command streams into a single interleaved power control bit stream  110 . A transmitter  150  transmits the interleaved power control bit stream  110  back to the base stations in the first and second active sets on a power control channel or subchannel. 
       FIG. 1I  shows a mobile radio station  100   i  that forms an interleaved power control bit stream in accordance with a still alternate embodiment of the present invention. Again, in this embodiment, a first set of active base stations (BS 1 , BS 2 , . . . BSn) simultaneously transmit versions of a first data stream to the mobile station  100   i , and a second set of active base stations (BS 1 , BS 2 , . . . BSm) simultaneously transmit versions of a second data stream to the mobile station  100   i . In this embodiment, a first (common) power control command stream  188   a  is generated from the versions of the first data stream transmitted from each base station in the first active set (collectively labeled  177 ) and from the versions of the second data stream transmitted from each base station in the second active set (collectively labeled  178 ). Power control command stream  188   a  contains coarse power control commands. As explained more fully below, the coarse power control command stream  188   a  is used for controlling the transmit power level of the first and second data streams from each base station in the first and second active sets (collectively labeled  177 ,  178 ). A second (common) power control stream  188   b  is generated from the first data stream from each base station in the first active set (signals  177 ) and from the second data stream from each base station in the second active set (signals  178 .) Power control command stream  186   b  contains fine power control commands. As explained more fully below, the fine power control command stream  188   b  is used, in combination with the coarse power control command stream  188   a , for controlling the transmit power level of the second data stream transmitted from each base station in the second active set and not in the first active set. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 1I , power control command generator  188  forms the single (common) coarse power control command stream  188   a  and the single (common) fine power control command stream  188   b  by simultaneously monitoring the signal quality of traffic signals  177 ,  178  which respectively represent the first data stream transmitted from each base station in the first active set and the second data stream from each base station in the second active set. In one embodiment, the algorithm used by power control command generator  188  for generating the stream of power control commands  188   a  is as follows. Power control command generator  188  calculates a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the first data stream received from each base station in the first active set (i.e., streams  177  only). This sum is compared to a threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   i  expects to receive from all base stations in the first active set for the first data stream. Based on this comparsion, power control command generator  188  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) that is then sent using stream  188   a.    
     In one embodiment, the algorithm used by power control command generator  188  for generating power control command stream  188   b  is as follows. First, power control command generator  188  calculates a total value representing the sum of the SNRs for the second data stream received from each base station in the second active set (i.e., streams  178  only). Next, this sum is adjusted based on the last power control command sent using stream  188   a . More particularly, the power control command generator  180  generates a predicted SNR value representing the sum of the SNRs for the second data stream that mobile station  100   i  expects to receive from all base stations in the second active after the previous power control command sent on stream  188   a  is processed by such base stations. The predicted SNR value is then compared to a threshold that represents a desired total SNR value that mobile station  100   i  expects to receive from all base stations in the second active set for the second data stream. Based on this comparsion, power control command generator  188  generates a power control command (i.e., a power up, power down or power hold command) for the second data stream from each base station in the second active set, and this power control command is sent using power control command stream  188   b.    
     The power control command streams  188   a  and  188   b  are provided to a mutliplexer  146  which is controlled by an interleaver controller  148 . The mutliplexer  146  merges the separate power control command streams into a single interleaved power control bit stream  110 . A transmitter  150  transmits the interleaved power control bit stream  110  back to the base stations in the first and second active sets on a power control channel or subchannel. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the mobile station shown in  FIG. 1I , power control command stream  188   a  is used for controlling the first and second data streams from base stations that are in the first active set and not in the second active set. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , there is shown the components of a base station  200   a  that receives a plurality of interleaved power control signals from a plurality of mobile stations (MS 1 , MS 2  . . . MSm), and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the mobile stations, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to a mobile station  100   a  (as shown in  FIG. 1A ) from base station  200   a  are controlled using a common stream of power control commands included in an interleaved power control signal received at base station  200   a . Interleaved power control signals  110  received from the mobile stations (MS 1 , MS 2 , . . . MSm) are provided to power control signal demodulation units  210 ,  212 ,  214 . Demodulation unit  210  demodulates an interleaved power control signal  110  transmitted to base station  200  from a first mobile station (MS 1 ), demodulation unit  212  demodulates an interleaved power control signal  110  transmitted to base station  200  from a second mobile station (MS 2 ), and demodulation unit  214  demodulates an interleaved power control signal transmitted to base station  200  from a further mobile station (MSn). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , each interleaved power stream  110  is formed using a mobile station such as mobile station  100   a  wherein a common stream of power control commands are included in an interleaved power control signal  110  in order to control the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the mobile station from the same base station. 
     The output of demodulation unit  210  is provided to a demultiplexer  220  which deinterleaves the power control signal from the first mobile station (MS 1 ) in order to extract a power control bit stream  230  representative of the stream of power control commands  140  transmitted to base station  200  from the first mobile station (MS 1 ). The power control bit stream  230  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  240 ,  242 , which respectively transmit first and second different data streams  120 ,  120   a  back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). The output of demodulation unit  212  is provided to a demultiplexer  222  which deinterleaves the power control signal from a second mobile station (MS 2 ) in order to extract a power control bit stream  232  representative of a stream of power control commands transmitted to base station  200  from the second mobile station (MS 2 ). The power control bit stream  232  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  244 ,  246 , which respectively transmit different data streams back to the second mobile station (MS 2 ). Similarly, the output of demodulation unit  214  is provided to a demultiplexer  224  which deinterleaves the power control signal from a further mobile station (MSm) in order to extract a power control bit stream  234  representative of a stream of power control commands transmitted to base station  200  from the further mobile station (MSm). The power control bit stream  234  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  248 ,  250 , which respectively transmit different data streams back to the further mobile station (MSm). In one embodiment, each of the demodulation units  210 ,  212 ,  214  is configured to receive an interleaved power control signal on a different one of a plurality of power control subchannels, wherein each of the plurality of power control subchannels is associated with a different mobile station in the mobile radio communication system. 
     Although power control signals from three mobile stations  100   a  are shown as being received by base station  200   a , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that base station  200   a  could be configured to receive power control signals from more than (or less than) three different mobile stations. 
       FIG. 2B  shows an alternate preferred embodiment of the base station of  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 2B , base station  200   b  transmits a plurality of different data streams  120 ,  120   a  to a first mobile station (MS 1 ), and only a single data stream to other mobile stations (MS 2 , MSm) on the base station&#39;s forward link. Thus, in base station  200   b , the power control bit stream  232  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of a single transmitter  244  which transmits one data stream back to the second mobile station (MS 2 ), and power control bit stream  234  is used to control the gain of a single transmitter  248  which transmits one data stream back to the further mobile station (MSm). The signal output by transmitter  244  in  FIG. 2B  may correspond, for example, to the first data stream  122  from BS 2  that is provided to the power control command generator  132   a  in  FIG. 1B , because in the mobile station of  FIG. 1B  only the first data stream (and not the second stream) is provided to mobile station  100   b  from BS 2 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2C , there is shown the components of a base station  200   c  that receives a plurality of interleaved power control signals from a plurality of mobile stations (MS 1 , MS 2  . . . MSm), and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the mobile stations, in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2C , the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to a mobile station  100   c  (as shown in  FIG. 1C ) from base station  200   c  are controlled using different streams of power control commands included in an interleaved power control signal received at base station  200   c . Interleaved power control signals  110  received from the mobile stations (MS 1 , MS 2 , . . . MSm) are provided to power control signal demodulation units  210 ,  212 ,  214 . Demodulation unit  210  demodulates an interleaved power control signal  110  transmitted to base station  200   c  from a first mobile station (MS 1 ), demodulation unit  212  demodulates an interleaved power control signal  110  transmitted to base station  200  from a second mobile station (MS 2 ), and demodulation unit  214  demodulates an interleaved power control signal transmitted to base station  200  from a further mobile station (MSn). In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2C , each interleaved power stream  110  is formed using a mobile station such as mobile station  100   c  wherein different streams of power control commands are included in an interleaved power control signal  110  in order to control the transmit power levels of different data streams transmitted to the mobile station from the same base station. 
     In  FIG. 2C , the output of demodulation unit  210  is provided to a demultiplexer  220  which deinterleaves the power control signal from the first mobile station (MS 1 ) in order to extract power control bit streams  230   a ,  230   b  which are respectively representative of the streams of power control commands  140   a ,  140   b  transmitted to base station  200   c  from the first mobile station (MS 1 ). The power control bit streams  230   a ,  230   b  are used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  240 ,  242 , which respectively transmit first and second different data streams  120 ,  120   a  back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). The output of demodulation unit  212  is provided to a demultiplexer  222  which deinterleaves the power control signal from a second mobile station (MS 2 ) in order to extract power control bit streams  232   a ,  232   b  which are respectively representative of streams of power control commands transmitted to base station  200   b  from the second mobile station (MS 2 ). The power control bit streams  232   a ,  232   b  are used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  244 ,  246 , which respectively transmit different data streams back to the second mobile station (MS 2 ). Similarly, the output of demodulation unit  214  is provided to a demultiplexer  224  which deinterleaves the power control signal from a further mobile station (MSm) in order to extract power control bit streams  234   a ,  234   b  representative of streams of power control commands transmitted to base station  200   c  from the further mobile station (MSm). The power control bit streams  234   a ,  234   b  are used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  248 ,  250 , which respectively transmit different data streams back to the further mobile station (MSm). 
       FIG. 2D  shows an alternate preferred embodiment of the base station of  FIG. 2C . In  FIG. 2D , base station  200   d  transmits a plurality of different data streams  120 ,  120   a  to a first mobile station (MS 1 ), and only a single data stream to other mobile stations (MS 2 , MSm) on the base station&#39;s forward link.). The signal output by transmitter  244  in  FIG. 2D  may correspond, for example, to the first data stream  122  from BS 2  that is provided to the power control command generator  133   a  in  FIG. 1D , because in the mobile station of  FIG. 1D  only the first data stream (and not the second stream) is provided to mobile station  100   d  from BS 2 . 
     A communication system operating in accordance with the present invention may be formed of one or more mobile stations configured in accordance with mobile stations  100   a  or  100   b  that receive data traffic signals from and transmit interleaved power control signals to a plurality of different base stations configured in accordance with base stations  200   a  or  200   b . Alternatively, a communication system operating in accordance with the present invention is formed of one or more mobile stations configured in accordance with mobile stations  100   c  or  100   d  that receive data traffic signals from and transmit interleaved power control signals to a plurality of different base stations configured in accordance with base stations  200   c  or  200   d . 
     In a still further alternative, a communication system operating in accordance with the present invention is formed of one or more mobile stations configured in accordance with mobile station  100   e  that receive data traffic signals from and transmit interleaved power control signals to a plurality of different base stations configured substantially in accordance with base stations  200   d  except, in this embodiment  230 ,  232   a ,  234   a  and  230   b  shown in  FIG. 2D  would correspond to signals  160   a ,  160   b ,  160   c  and  162  produced from a mobile station of the form shown in  FIG. 1E . 
       FIG. 2E  shows a base station  200   e  that receives a plurality of power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations  100   f  of the form shown in  FIG. 1F , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first and second data streams transmitted to the mobile stations  100   f . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2E , base station  200   e  is in the both active sets of the two mobile stations  100   f  shown as being serviced by the base station. Power control signals received from the mobile stations (MS 1 , . . . MSx) are provided to power control signal demodulation units  210 ,  214 . Demodulation unit  210  demodulates an interleaved power control signal transmitted to base station  200   e  from a first mobile station (MS 1 ), demodulation unit  214  demodulates an interleaved power control signal  110  transmitted to base station  200   e  from a second mobile station (MSx). 
     The output of demodulation unit  210  is provided to a demultiplexer  221  which deinterleaves the power control signal from the first mobile station (MS 1 ) in order to extract a power control bit stream  250  representative of the stream of power control commands  172   a  transmitted to base station  200   e  from a first mobile station of the form  100   f  (as shown in  FIG. 1F ). The power control bit stream  250  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  240 ,  242 , which respectively transmit first and second different data streams  120 ,  120   a  back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). The output of demodulation unit  214  is provided to a demultiplexer  225  which deinterleaves the power control signal from a second mobile station of the form  100   f  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) in order to extract a power control bit stream  252  representative of a further stream of power control commands  172   a  transmitted to base station  200   e  from the second mobile station (MS 2 ). The power control bit stream  252  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  248 ,  249 , which respectively transmit first and second different data streams back to the second mobile station (MS 2 ). In one embodiment, each of the demodulation units  210 , 214  is configured to receive an interleaved power control signal on a different one of a plurality of power control subchannels, wherein each of the plurality of power control subchannels is associated with a different mobile station in the mobile radio communication system. 
       FIG. 2F  shows a base station  200   f  that receives a plurality of power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations  100   f  of the form shown in  FIG. 1F , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first and second data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2F , the base station  200   f  is in the first active set and not the second active set of the two mobile stations  100   f  shown as being serviced by the base station. Demodulation units  210 ,  214  and demutiplexers  221 ,  225  function substantially as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 2E . However, power control bit stream  260  output by demultiplexer  221  is representative of the stream of power control commands  170   a  transmitted to base station  200   e  from a first mobile station of the form  100   f  (as shown in  FIG. 1F ). The power control bit stream  260  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  240 , which transmits the first data stream  122  back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). Similarly, power control bit stream  262  output by demultiplexer  225  is representative of a further stream of power control commands  172   a  transmitted to base station  200   e  from a second mobile station of the form  100   f  (as shown in  FIG. 1F ). The power control bit stream  262  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  242 , which transmits a first data stream back to a further mobile station (MSx). 
     Although power control signals from two mobile stations  100   f  are shown as being received by base stations  200   e , 200   f  it will be understood by those skilled in the art that base stations  200   e ,  200   f  could be configured to receive power control signals from more than (or less than) two different mobile stations. 
       FIG. 2G  shows a base station  200   g  that receives a plurality of power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations  200   g  of the form shown in  FIG. 1G , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first and second data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2G , the base station  200   g  is in both active sets of the two mobile stations  100   g  shown as being serviced by the base station. Demodulation units  210 ,  214  and demutiplexers  221 ,  225  function substantially as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 2E . However, power control bit stream  270  output by demultiplexer  221  is representative of the stream of power control commands  180   a  transmitted to base station  200   g  from a first mobile station of the form  100   g  (as shown in  FIG. 1G ). The power control bit stream  270  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  240 ,  242  which transmits the first and second data streams back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). Similarly, power control bit stream  272  output by demultiplexer  225  is representative of a further stream of power control commands  180   a  transmitted to base station  200   g  from a second mobile station of the form  100   g  (as shown in  FIG. 1G ). The power control bit stream  272  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  248 ,  249 , which transmit first and second data streams back to a further mobile station (MSx). 
       FIG. 2H  shows a base station  200   h  that receives a plurality of power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations  100   g  of the form shown in  FIG. 1G , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2H , the base station  200   h  is in the first active set and not the second active set of the two mobile stations  100   g  shown as being serviced by the base station. Demodulation units  210 ,  214  and demutiplexers  221 ,  225  function substantially as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 2E . However, power control bit stream  280  output by demultiplexer  221  is representative of the stream of power control commands  182   a  transmitted to base station  200   h  from a first mobile station of the form  100   g  (as shown in  FIG. 1G ). The power control bit stream  280  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  240 , which transmits the first data stream back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). Similarly, power control bit stream  282  output by demultiplexer  225  is representative of a further stream of power control commands  182   a  transmitted to base station  200   h  from a second mobile station of the form  100   g  (as shown in  FIG. 1G ). The power control bit stream  282  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  248 , which transmits a first data stream back to a further mobile station (MSx). 
     Although power control signals from two mobile stations  100   g  are shown as being received by base stations  200   g , 200   h , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that base stations  200   g ,  200   h  could be configured to receive power control signals from more than (or less than) two different mobile stations. 
       FIG. 21  shows a base station  200   i  that receives coarse and fine power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations  100   h  of the form shown in  FIG. 1H , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first and second data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 21 , the base station  2001  is in both active sets of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. Demodulation units  210 ,  214  and demutiplexers  221 ,  225  function substantially as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 2E . However, coarse power control bit stream  290  output by demultiplexer  221  is representative of the stream of coarse power control commands  184   a  transmitted to base station  200   i  from a first mobile station of the form  100   h  (as shown in  FIG. 1H ), and fine power control bit stream  292  output by demultiplexer  221  is representative of the stream of fine power control commands  186   a  transmitted to base station  200   i  from a first mobile station of the form  100   h  (as shown in  FIG. 1H ). The coarse and fine power control bit streams  290 ,  292  are used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  240 ,  242  which transmit the first and second data streams back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). Similarly, coarse power control bit stream  291  output by demultiplexer  225  is representative of a further stream of coarse power control commands  184   a  transmitted to base station  200   i  from a second mobile station of the form  100   h  (as shown in  FIG. 1H ), and fine power control bit stream  293  output by demultiplexer  221  is representative of a further stream of fine power control commands  186   a  transmitted to base station  200   i  from a second mobile station of the form  100   h  (as shown in  FIG. 1H ). The coarse and fine power control bit streams  291 ,  293  are used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitters  248 ,  249  which transmit first and second data streams back to a further mobile station (MSx). 
       FIG. 2J  shows a base station  200 j that receives coarse power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations  100   h  of the form shown in  FIG. 1H , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2H , the base station  200   j  is in the first active set and not the second active set of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. Demodulation units  210 ,  214  and demutiplexers  221 ,  225  function substantially as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 2E . However, coarse power control bit stream  294  output by demultiplexer  221  is representative of the stream of coarse power control commands  184   a  transmitted to base station  200   j  from a first mobile station of the form  100   h  (as shown in  FIG. 1H ), Only the coarse (and not the fine) power control bit stream  294  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  240 , which transmits the first data stream back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). Similarly, coarse power control bit stream  295  output by demultiplexer  225  is representative of a further stream of coarse power control commands  184   a  transmitted to base station  200   j  from a second mobile station of the form  100   h  (as shown in  FIG. 1H ). Only the coarse (and not the fine) power control bit stream  295  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  248 , which transmit a first data stream back to a further mobile station (MSx). 
     Although power control signals from two mobile stations  100   h  are shown as being received by base stations  200   i ,  200   j , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that base stations  200   i ,  200   j  could be configured to receive power control signals from more than (or less than) two different mobile stations. 
       FIG. 2K  shows a base station  200   k  that receives coarse and fine power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations  100   i  of the form shown in  FIG. 1I , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first and second data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2K , the base station  200   k  is in both active sets of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. Demodulation units  210 ,  214  and demutiplexers  221 ,  225  function substantially as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 2E . However, coarse power control bit stream  296  output by demultiplexer  221  is representative of the stream of coarse power control commands  188   a  transmitted to base station  200   k  from a first mobile station of the form  100   i  (as shown in  FIG. 1I ), and fine power control bit stream  298  output by demultiplexer  221  is representative of the stream of fine power control commands  188   b  transmitted to base station  200   k  from a first mobile station of the form  100   i  (as shown in  FIG. 1H ). Only the coarse power control bit stream  296  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  240 , which transmits the first data stream back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). The coarse and fine power control bit streams  296 ,  298  are used in combination to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  242 , which transmits the second data stream back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). Coarse power control bit stream  297  output by demultiplexer  225  is representative of the stream of coarse power control commands  188   a  transmitted to base station  200   k  from a further mobile station of the form  100   i  (as shown in  FIG. 1I ), and fine power control bit stream  299  output by demultiplexer  225  is representative of the stream of fine power control commands  188   b  transmitted to base station  200   k  from a further mobile station of the form  100   i  (as shown in  FIG. 1H ). Only the coarse power control bit stream  297  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  248 , which transmits a first data stream back to the further mobile station (MSx). The coarse and fine power control bit streams  297 ,  299  are used in combination to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  249 , which transmits a second data stream back to the further mobile station (MSx). 
       FIG. 2L  shows a base station  2001  that receives coarse power control signals formed from a plurality of mobile stations  200   i  of the form shown in  FIG. 1I , and uses the power control signals to control the transmit power levels of first data streams transmitted to the mobile stations. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2L , the base station  2001  is in the second active set and not the first active set of the two mobile stations shown as being serviced by the base station. Demodulation units  210 ,  214  and demutiplexers  221 ,  225  function substantially as discussed above in connection with  FIG. 2E . However, coarse power control bit stream  300  output by demultiplexer  221  is representative of the stream of coarse power control commands  188   a  transmitted to base station  2001  from a first mobile station of the form  100   i  (as shown in  FIG. 1I ). Only the coarse power control bit stream  300  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  242 , which transmits the second data stream back to the first mobile station (MS 1 ). Coarse power control bit stream  301  output by demultiplexer  225  is representative of the stream of coarse power control commands  188   a  transmitted to base station  2001  from a further mobile station of the form  100   i  (as shown in  FIG. 1I ). Only the coarse power control bit stream  301  is used to control the gain (or transmit power level) of transmitter  249 , which transmits a second data stream back to the further mobile station (MSx). 
     Although power control signals from two mobile stations  100   i  are shown as being received by base stations  200   k ,  200   l , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that base stations  200   k ,  200   l  could be configured to receive power control signals from more than (or less than) two different mobile stations. 
     Transmission of the interleaved power control signals  110  from a mobile station to base stations operating in accordance with the present invention can be performed by way of a power control channel or a power control subchannel as described above. Each interleaved power control signal  110  transmitted to a base station by way of a power control subchannel can, for example, be a conventional 800 bits per second closed loop power control signal. The interleaving performed by units  146 ,  148  can be performed by a puncturing method well understood by those skill in the art. In one example, an interleaved power control signal  110  is formed using mobile station  100  ( FIG. 1A ) by interleaving two bits of power control information for each of signals  120 ,  122  and  124  with four bits of power control information for each of signals  120   a ,  122   a  and  124   a . This is followed by another two bits of power control information for each of signals  120 ,  122  and  124  and another four bits of power control information for each of signals  120   a ,  122   a  and  124   a , and so on. By varying the number of power control bits allocated to each signal during the interleaving process, the bit rate within interleaved signal  110  of the power control bit streams corresponding to the signals  120 ,  122 ,  124  can be made smaller than that of the power control bit streams corresponding to signals  120   a ,  122   a ,  124   a . The bit rates of the power control bit streams included in the interleaved signal  110  can also be shifted dynamically based on fading conditions. 
     The previous description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. The various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without the use of the inventive faculty. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed.