Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving information in a time slot

A method for transmitting information in a time slot at a reduced level of power consumption by the transmitting communication device, the method comprising:

• generating a plurality of user information symbols;
• generating a plurality of channel-related information symbols, the plurality of channel-related information symbols being used at least to determine effects of the radio communication channel on transmission of the plurality of user information symbols;
• positioning the plurality of user information symbols in a first portion of the time slot,
• positioning the plurality of channel-related information symbols in predetermined locations within a second portion of the time slot, the first portion and the second portion collectively occupying less time than the time slot;
• transmitting the first portion of the time slot and the second portion of the time slot;
• and
• ceasing to transmit information in a remaining portion of the time slot, wherein the plurality of user information symbols includes information symbols that are indicative of background noise detected by the communication device during a time period when a user of the communication device is silent.

A method of receiving information in a time slot, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving a time slot to produce a received time slot;
• decoding the received time slot presuming that the time slot is not a truncated time slot, wherein a truncated time slot includes user information symbols in a first portion of the truncated time slot, the first portion of the truncated time slot occupying less time than the time slot, to produce a decoded time slot;
• encoding the decoded time slot presuming that the time slot is not a truncated time slot to produce an encoded time slot;
• determining an error metric of the encoded time slot;
• determining whether the encoded time slot is a truncated time slot based on the error metric;
• and
• when the encoded slot is determined to be a truncated time slot, processing the user information symbols in the received time slot presuming the received time slot is a truncated time slot.

A communication device comprising:

• an information source that generates user information symbols;
• a processing unit, coupled to the information source, that receives the user information symbols, that positions the user information symbols within a first portion of a time slot, the first portion of the time slot occupying less time than the time slot;
• and
• a transmitter, coupled to the processing unit, that transmits the first portion of the time slot and ceases transmitting information in a remaining portion of the time slot, wherein the user information symbols include information symbols that are indicative of background noise detected by the communication device during a time period when a user of the communication device is silent.