Method and apparatus in a radio communication system for implementing a frequency reuse plan

A controller in a radio communication system for implementing a frequency reuse plan, the controller comprising:

• an input interface for receiving a message from a message originator;
• a processor coupled to the input interface for processing the message;
• an output interface coupled to the processor for controlling a radio transmitter to send the message;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor for storing the message along with software elements for programming the processor, the software elements comprising:
• a message transmission element for controlling the processor to send the message simultaneously with other messages in a plurality of cell clusters utilizing the frequency reuse plan, which provides a message carrier-to-interference ratio large enough for reception of the message by a receiver when the receiver is adjusted in accordance with a periodically transmitted pilot symbol, wherein the message carrier-to-interference ratio is smaller than preferred for reception of the pilot symbol;
• and
• a multi-slot pilot symbol transmitter coupled to the processor for controlling the processor to periodically transmit the pilot symbol simultaneously with other pilot symbols in the plurality of cell clusters in a time diverse manner such that pilot symbol transmissions for adjacent ones of the plurality of cell clusters occur in non-overlapping time slots, thereby generating a larger carrier-to-interference ratio, as preferred for reception of the pilot symbol.

A receiver in a radio communication system for implementing a frequency reuse plan, the receiver comprising:

• a receiver element for receiving a message and for receiving a periodically transmitted pilot symbol;
• a processor coupled to the receiver element for processing the message;
• a user interface coupled to the processor for conveying the message to a user and for providing control of the receiver by the user;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor for storing the message along with software elements for programming the processor, the software elements comprising:
• a receiver controller for programming the processor to control the receiver element to receive a message sent simultaneously with other messages in a plurality of cell clusters utilizing the frequency reuse plan, which provides a message carrier-to-interference ratio large enough for reception of the message by a receiver when the receiver is adjusted in accordance with a periodically transmitted pilot symbol, wherein the message carrier-to-interference ratio is smaller than preferred for reception of the pilot symbol;
• a pilot reception element coupled to the receiver controller for programming the processor to control the receiver element to receive the pilot symbol periodically transmitted simultaneously with other pilot symbols in the plurality of cell clusters in a time diverse manner such that pilot symbol transmissions for adjacent ones of the plurality of cell clusters occur in non-overlapping time slots, thereby generating a larger carrier-to-interference ratio, as preferred for reception of the pilot symbol;
• and
• an adjuster coupled to the pilot reception element for programming the processor to make adjustments in accordance with the pilot symbol to demodulate the message.