Method and apparatus for HS-DPCCH signalling with activity information in HSDPA

A method for use in connection with discontinuous signaling by a signal-transmitting entity (12) in communication with a signal-receiving entity (14), the method for use by the signal-transmitting entity (12) in indicating to the signal-receiving entity (14) during a current time interval a state (signaling active state, DTX state) from among a plurality of different possible states (signaling active states, DTX state) in which the signal-transmitting entity (12) occupies in a time interval in which the signal-transmitting entity (12) either signals all or part of a payload message to the signal-receiving entity (14) or exists in discontinuous mode, wherein the payload message is transmitted in a predefined offset of one or more time intervals from the current time interval and the payload message comprises a sequence of payload message symbols selected from a set of possible payload message symbols, the method characterized in that it comprises:

• a step (41) in which in order to indicate whether the payload message is being or was transmitted in a predefined positive or negative offset of one or more time intervals from the current time interval, the signal-transmitting entity (12) additionally signals in the current time interval an indication symbol providing preamble or postamble signalling;
• and further characterized in that the indication symbol differs from each of the possible payload message symbols, and in that the indication symbol is sent either in advance of or after the payload message.