Methods and apparatus for enhanced power ramping via multi-threshold detection

Apparatus for detecting a random access request signal transmitted by a transmitter, comprising:

• a receiver configured for determining whether the random access request signal, received over a random access channel accessible by two or more transmitters capable of transmitting respective random access request signals, is below an initial detection threshold value, determining whether the random access request signal is greater than or equal to at least a first power threshold value when the random access request signal is below the initial detection threshold value, and informing the transmitter when the random access request signal is greater than or equal to the first power threshold value such that the transmitter can increase a signal strength of the random access request signal by a first predetermined amount and re-transmit, the first predetermined amount being relative to a difference between the initial detection threshold value and the first power threshold value.

Apparatus for detecting a random access request signal transmitted by a transmitter, comprising:

• a receiver configured for determining whether the random access request signal, received over a random access channel accessible by two or more transmitters capable of transmitting respective random access request signals, is greater than or equal to at least a first power threshold value when the random access request signal is below an initial detection threshold value, and informing the transmitter when the random access request signal is greater than or equal to the first power threshold value such that the transmitter can increase a signal strength of the random access request signal by a first predetermined amount and re-transmit;
• wherein the receiver is further configured for determining whether the random access request signal is greater than or equal to a second power threshold value when the random access request signal is below the initial detection threshold value and the first power threshold value, and informing the transmitter when the random access request signal is greater than or equal to the second power threshold value such that the transmitter can increase the signal strength of the random access request signal by a second predetermined amount and re-transmit.

A multi-threshold detection receiver for detecting a random access request signal transmitted by a transmitter, comprising:

• a multi-threshold detector for determining whether the random access request signal, received over a random access channel accessible by two or more transmitters capable of transmitting respective random access request signals, is below an initial detection threshold value, and determining whether the random access request signal is greater than or equal to a least a first power threshold value when the random access request signal is below the initial detection threshold value;
• and
• a transmission section for informing the transmitter when the random access request signal is greater than or equal to the first power threshold value such that the transmitter can increase a signal strength of the random access request signal by a first predetermined amount and re-transmit, the first predetermined amount being relative to a difference between the initial detection threshold value and the first power threshold value.

Apparatus for power ramping a random access request signal, comprising:

• a transmitter configured for transmitting the random access request signal over a random access channel accessible by two or more transmitters capable of transmitting respective random access request signals, increasing a signal strength of the random access request signal by a first predetermined amount for re-transmission when informed by an associated receiver to do so in response to the receiver receiving the random access request signal, performing a multi-threshold detection operation, and determining that the random access request signal is greater than or equal to a first power threshold value but below an initial detection threshold value, the first predetermined amount being relative to a difference between the initial detection threshold value and the first power threshold value.

Apparatus for power ramping a random access request signal, comprising:

• a transmitter configured for transmitting the random access request signal over a random access channel accessible by two or more transmitters capable of transmitting respective random access request signals, increasing a signal strength of the random access request signal by a first predetermined amount for re-transmission when informed by an associated receiver receiving the random access request signal that the random access request signal is greater than or equal to a first power threshold value but below an initial detection threshold value;
• wherein the transmitter is further configured for increasing the signal strength of the random access request signal by a second predetermined amount for re-transmission when informed by the receiver that the random access request signal is greater than or equal to a second power threshold value but below the initial detection threshold value and the first power threshold value.

Apparatus for detecting a signal transmitted by a transmitter, comprising:

• a receiver configured for determining whether the signal is greater than or equal to at least a first power threshold value when the signal is below an initial detection threshold value, and informing the transmitter when the signal is greater than or equal to the first power threshold value such that the transmitter can increase a signal strength of the signal by a first predetermined amount and re-transmit;
• wherein the receiver is further configured for determining whether the signal is greater than or equal to a second power threshold value when the signal is below the initial detection threshold value and the first power threshold value, informing the transmitter when the signal is greater than or equal to the second power threshold value such that the transmitter can increase the signal strength of the signal by a second predetermined amount and re-transmit, and providing the transmitter with no indication when the signal is not greater than or equal to the second power threshold value such that the transmitter can increase the signal strength of the signal by a third predetermined amount and re-transmit.

Apparatus for power ramping a signal, comprising:

• a transmitter configured for increasing a signal strength ofthe signal by a first predetermined amount for re-transmission when informed by an associated receiver that the signal is greater than or equal to a first power threshold value but below an initial detection threshold value;
• wherein the transmitter is further configured for increasing the signal strength of the signal by a second predetermined amount for re-transmission when informed by the receiver that the signal is greater than or equal to a second power threshold value but below the initial detection threshold value and the first power threshold value, and increasing the signal strength of the signal by a third predetermined amount for re-transmission when no indication is received from the receiver.

A method for use in a transmitter of power ramping a random access request signal, the method comprising the steps of:

• adjusting a signal strength of the random access request signal by one of one or more predetermined amounts when instructed by a receiver to do so in response to the receiver receiving the random access request and determining how the signal strength of the random access request signal compares with respect to two or more detection threshold values;
• and
• re-transmitting the random access request signal.