Simulating user interference in a spread spectrum communication network

In a wireless communication system in which users communicate information signals between one another using at least one base station that includes a base station receiver and multiple access communication signals, a method for simulating interfering signals useful for simulating interference power received by said base station receiver, comprising the steps of:

• determining a first composite signal power corresponding to a sum of signal power for signals transmitted by a predetermined first set of simulated users serviced by said first base station;
• determining a first normalized data rate for said signals transmitted by said first set of simulated users;
• and
• generating a first interference signal having a signal power based on said first composite signal power and first normalized data rate.

A method of operating a wireless communication system having a plurality of cells in which remote users communicate information signals using at least one base station and code division multiple access (CDMA) spread spectrum communication signals, where one base station is located in a first cell and has a base station receiver, comprising the steps of:

• monitoring the number of said users currently communicating within said first cell;
• determining a level of signal interference power received by said base station receiver when a predetermined number of users are communicating within said first cell;
• determining an equivalent number of simulated users corresponding to a difference between said predetermined number and said number of users currently communicating within said first cell;
• and
• providing a first interference signal to said base station receiver wherein power of said interference signal depends upon said equivalent number of simulated users.

A system for simulating interfering signals useful for simulating interference between communication channels in a communication system in which users communicate information signals with other users over a plurality of such communication channels, comprising:

• means for providing an electronic noise signal;
• controller means for generating a noise intensity control signal based on a determination of signal power transmitted by simulated users located within a first region of said communication system;
• and
• means for adjusting the power of said noise signal in response to said noise intensity control signal.

A system for providing signals for simulating signal interference power received by a base station in a cellular communication system in which users within a plurality of cells communicate information signals between one another using at least one base station in a first cell that has a base station receiver, comprising:

• means for providing an electrical noise signal;
• controller means for generating a noise intensity control signal based on a determination of a first composite signal power transmitted by a first set of simulated users serviced by said base station;
• and
• means for adjusting power of said electrical noise signal in accordance with said noise intensity control signal.

Apparatus for generating an interference signal for use in simulating signal interference between communication channels in a communication system in which information signals are communicated between users over a plurality of communication channels, comprising:

• means for determining a first composite signal power corresponding to a sum of signal power for signals transmitted by a first set of a desired number of simulated users disposed within a first region of said communication system;
• means for determining a first normalized data rate for said signals transmitted by said first set of simulated users;
• and
• means for generating a first interference signal with a signal power based on said first composite signal power and first normalized data rate.

Apparatus for generating an interference signal for use in simulating signal interference between communication channels in a communication system in which information signals are communicated between users over a plurality of communication channels, comprising:

• a power selector which outputs a first composite signal power corresponding to a sum of signal power for signals transmitted by a first set of a desired number of simulated users disposed within said communication system;
• a data rate generator configured to output a first normalized data rate for said signals transmitted by said first set of simulated users;
• and
• a first interference signal generator coupled to said power selector and said data rate generator which produces a signal with a signal power based on said first composite signal power and first normalized data rate.