Method and apparatus for reducing power of a CDMA mobile station by controlled transition from control hold to active state

A method of transitioning from a control hold state to an active state in a cellular communications system mobile station (“MS”), the method comprising:

• a) suspending attention to content of a first channel during a control hold state;
• b) processing a transition signal packet received by the MS during the control hold state on a different second channel;
• c) determining that the transition signal packet contains information directing termination of the control hold state;
• and
• d) transitioning to an active state, including resuming attention to content of the first channel by the MS, at the end of a predetermined time period subsequent to receipt of an entirety of the transition signal packet.

A method of reducing power consumption by a mobile station during an active CDMA data-voice connection, the method comprising:

• a) establishing a CDMA data-voice connection between a mobile station (“MS”) and a base station (“BS”) employing active levels of receive processing on a plurality of physical channels;
• b) a step for entering a limited data communication state;
• c) a step for reducing received signal processing during the limited data communication state;
• and
• d) a step for identifying a received instruction to restore received signal processing to the active levels by returning from the limited communication state.

Mobile apparatus for receiving cellular telecommunication signals, comprising:

• a) a receiver unit configured to concurrently receive a plurality of physical communication channels, including a packet signaling channel and a packet data channel, the receiver unit having processing facilities for the packet data channel including
• i) raw signal processing blocks configured to derive and store symbols conveyed on the packet data channel, and
• ii) symbol processing blocks configured to demodulate and decode the stored symbols;
• and
• b) a control unit configured to
• i) temporarily place the mobile apparatus into a reduced receive processing state upon appropriate entry conditions, and to
• ii) cause the mobile apparatus to exit the reduced receive processing state upon receiving a transmission instructing such exit;
• c) wherein the processing facilities for the packet data channel are configured to suspend receive processing of the packet data channel while the mobile apparatus is in the reduced receive processing state.