Method and apparatus for providing a communication link quality indication

In a communication system in which system users communicate information signals between one another via at least one cell-site using code division multiple access (CDMA) spread spectrum communication signals, a method for improving quality of signals transmitted to said at least one cell-site from a portable communication unit utilized by one of said system users, said cell-site and said portable communication unit each including a transmitter and a receiver wherein said receiver of said portable communication unit is operative to provide an output signal to said one system user, said method comprising the steps of:

• measuring signal power in each CDMA communication signal directed to said cell-site from said transmitter of said portable communication unit;
• generating a first set of power adjustment commands corresponding to deviations in power measurements of said first power measurement means from a first predetermined power level, said cell-site transmitter transmitting said first set of power adjustment commands;
• generating a link quality signal at least partially in response to said first set of power adjustment commands;
• and
• combining said link quality signal with said output signal provided to said one system user;
• whereby in response to said link quality signal said one system user may adjust the position of said portable communication unit in order to improve said quality of said signals transmitted to said cell-site.

A method of providing a communication link quality indication in a communication system having a cell-site and having a set of portable units wherein at least one of said set of portable communication units has a plurality of positions in relation to said cell-site, the method comprising the steps of:

• measuring a power level of a signal received from a particular portable unit of said set of portable communication units;
• comparing said measured power level to a desired power level and producing a power adjustment indication based on a difference between said measured power level and said desired power level;
• providing to said particular portable unit said power adjustment indication;
• accumulating at said particular portable unit a set of said power adjustment indications and producing an average value thereof;
• and
• producing at said particular portable unit a communication link quality indication when said average value exceeds a predetermined threshold;
• wherein the position of said particular portable communication unit is adjusted in relation to the cell-site in response to the communication link quality indication.

A portable radio that communicates in a wireless communication environment and has a communication link quality indication capability, the radio comprising:

• a receiver section that receives signals from the wireless communication environment;
• a first processor, coupled to the receiver, for processing the received signals to generate a gain adjust signal;
• a second processor, coupled to the first processor, for generating a noise indicator signal in response to the gain adjust signal;
• a random number generator for generating a number sequence;
• and
• a first summer, coupled to the second processor and the random number generator, for generating the communication link quality indication in response to the noise indicator and the number sequence.

A method for providing a communication link quality indication in a portable radio that communicates in a wireless communication environment, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving signals from the wireless communication environment;
• generating a gain adjust signal in response to the received signals;
• generating a noise indicator signal in response to the gain adjust signal;
• generating a number sequence;
• and
• summing the noise indicator and the number sequence to generate the communication link quality indication.