Patent ID: 6879814

Claim:
In a communication system having a sending station operable to send a burst data signal upon a communication channel during at least a selected interval, the burst data signal including an envelope varying component portion and an envelope nonvarying component portion, the communication system operable pursuant to a system operational specification that defines time-varying power-level values permitted of the burst data signal, an improvement of power control apparatus for controlling power levels at which the burst data signal is sent, said power control apparatus comprising: a comparator coupled to receive indications of actual power levels at which the burst data signal is sent, said comparator at least selectably operable for comparing values of the indications of the actual power levels with values of a power control signal, the power control signal of values corresponding to the time-varying power-level values permitted of the burst data signal, the power control signal formed of a first signal portion and a second signal portion, the first signal portion of a first range of time-varying values and the second signal portion of a second range of time-varying values, and for generating a power-level change command signal responsive thereto; and a power-change effectuator coupled to said comparator, said power change effectuator at least selectably operable to permit effectuation of change in the actual power levels at which the burst data signal is sent, said power change effectuator operable to permit effectuation of changes of the actual power levels at which the burst data signal is sent when the indications of the actual power levels at which the burst data signal is sent to which said comparator is coupled to receive are of the envelope-nonvarying portion of the burst data signal.