Raising random access channel packet payload

A method for transferring data over a random access channel in a wireless spread spectrum code division multiple access communication system, the system having a base station and a user equipment unit, communication between the base station and user equipment unit is conducted at a power level which may vary and is controlled by adaptive power control, the method comprising:

• providing data packets for transmission having a first processing gain for reception at a first power level or higher, the data packets having a duration of a set of frames;
• modifying an initial subset of frames of the set prior to transmission such that data in the subset frames has a second processing gain higher than the first processing gain for reception at a second power level lower than the first power level;
• transmitting from the user equipment unit the modified data packets over the random access channel at a power level such that the modified data packets are initially received at the base station, at least the second power level;
• and
• adaptively controlling the transmission power level while the subset frames data is transmitted such that the base station receives the data of the subset frames having the first processing gain at least the first level.

A wireless spread spectrum code division multiple access communication system, the system having a base station and a user equipment unit, communication between the base station and user equipment unit is conducted at a power level which may vary and is controlled by adaptive power control, the system comprising:

• the user equipment unit having:
• means for providing a data packet for transmission having a first processing gain for reception at a first power level or higher;
• means for modifying the data packet prior to transmission such that the data packet has a preamble wherein data in the preamble has a second processing gain higher than the first processing gain for reception at a second power level lower than the first power level;
• and
• means for transmitting the modified data packet over the random access channel at a power level such that the modified data packet is initially received at the base station, at least the second power level;
• and
• the base station having:
• means for adaptively controlling the transmission power level while the preamble data is transmitted such that the base station receives the data of the data packet having the first processing gain at least the first level.