Patent ID: 7961592

Claim:
An apparatus for transmitting a variable rate user data packet, comprising: data coding means for encoding and spreading the variable rate user data packet to produce a Walsh covered encoded variable rate user data packet; wherein the spreading is in accordance with a first Walsh code; rate indication coding means for encoding a rate indication data, wherein the rate indication data indicates the transmission rate of the variable rate user data packet, to produce an encoded rate indication data; wherein the data coding means produces the Walsh covered encoded variable rate user data packet in accordance with a rate being indicated by the rate indication data; multiplexer means for combining the encoded rate indication data and pilot data to produce a control data packet; means for spreading the control data packet in accordance with a second Walsh code to produce a Walsh covered control data packet; wherein the first Walsh code and the second Walsh code are orthogonal to each other; means for scrambling the Walsh covered control data packet and the Walsh covered encoded variable rate user data packet in accordance with a code sequence; and means for concurrently transmitting the scrambled Walsh covered control data packet and the scrambled Walsh covered encoded variable rate user data packet.