Method and apparatus for provision of non-power control information through a power control channel to a mobile station

In a wireless communication system of the type comprising at least one base station in wireless communication with at least one mobile station, a method for a mobile station of the at least one mobile station to receive information from a base station of the at least one base station, the method comprising:

• receiving, on a common power control channel from the base station, information used by the mobile station for purposes other than power control operation of the mobile station.

A base station for use in a wireless communication system, wherein the base station wirelessly communicates with at least one mobile station, the base station comprising:

• a wireless transmitter;
• and
• a controller, coupled to the wireless transmitter, that instructs the wireless transmitter to transmit, via a common power control channel to a mobile station of the at least one mobile station, information used by the mobile station for purposes other than power control operation of the mobile station.

A mobile station for use in a wireless communication system, wherein the mobile station wirelessly communicates with at least one base station, the mobile station comprising:

• a wireless receiver;
• a controller, coupled to the wireless receiver, that instruct the wireless receiver to receive, via a common power control channel from a base station of the at least one base station, information used by the mobile station for purposes other than power control operation of the mobile station.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing steps of:

• causing a wireless transmitter to transmit, via a common power control channel to the mobile station, information used by the mobile station for purposes other than power control operation of the mobile station.

A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing steps of:

• causing a receiver to receive, on a common power control channel from the base station, information used by the mobile station for purposes other than power control operation of the mobile station.