Method of using uplink reference signals for access grant requests

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using uplink reference signals for access grant requests. The method includes determining that at least one mobile unit is requesting access to at least one uplink channel based on information indicative of a change in a masking sequence applied to at least one reference signal. Another embodiment of the present invention includes providing a first reference signal modulated by a first masking sequence to indicate a request for access to at least one uplink channel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.