Method and apparatus for efficient use of communication resources in a CDMA communication system

In a communication system, an apparatus comprising:

• means for selecting, at a time slot “n−3”, where “n” is a time slot index, a first mobile station to receive transmission during time slots “n through n+2” on a downlink shared channel;
• means for selecting, at said time slot “n−3”, a second mobile station to receive transmission during time slots “n+3 through n+5” on said downlink shared channel;
• means for determining transmission power level of a downlink shared control channel for transmission to said second mobile station during time slots “n+1 through n+2”;
• and
• means for determining transmission power level of said downlink shared channel for transmission during said time slots “n through n+2” based on at least said determined transmission power level of said downlink shared control channel during said time slots “n+1 through n+2”.

In a communication system, a method comprising:

• selecting, at a time prior to a first time period, a first mobile station to receive transmission during said first time period, on a downlink shared channel;
• selecting, at a time prior to said first time period, a second mobile station to receive transmission during a second time period, on said downlink shared channel;
• determining transmission power level of a downlink shared control channel for transmission to said second mobile station during an overlapping time period with said first time period;
• and
• determining transmission power level of said downlink shared channel for transmission during said first time period based on at least said determined transmission power level of said downlink shared control channel during said overlapping time period with said first time period.