Method and apparatus for providing a communication link quality indication

• Main Author: CHARLES E. WHEATLEY III
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.08.1995
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; TRANSMISSION; TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION

A link quality improvement system for a cellular communication system in which portable units are used to facilitate communication of information signals between system users, via at least one cell-site, using code division multiple access spread spectrum communication signals. The system enables users to improve the quality of reverse communication links from the portable units to the cell-site by providing to each system user a link quality signal indicative of power received at the cell-site relative to an optimum level of received power. At a cell-site communicating with a portable unit associated with a particular system user, the portable unit transmitted power is measured as received at the cell-site. A command signal is generated at the cell-site and transmitted to the portable unit for adjusting portable unit transmitter power. The command signals are also accumulated in order to enable generation of a link quality signal in response thereto. In a preferred implementation the link quality signal is an audible interference signal inducing the system user to adjust orientation of the portable communication unit so as to improve signal quality on the reverse link.