Method and apparatus for time-sharing channelization code in a CDMA communication system

An apparatus for transmitting data to a plurality of terminals in a W-CDMA communication system, comprising:

• means for assigning each of the plurality of terminals a respective channelization code used to channelize data transmitted in non-compressed frames for the terminal, wherein the data for each non-compressed frame is transmitted within a frame of a defined time duration;
• means for selecting a common channelization code used to channelize data transmitted in compressed frames for the plurality of terminals, wherein each compressed frame includes one or more compressed transmissions and a transmission gap, and wherein the common channelization code is orthogonal to the channelization codes assigned to the plurality of terminals and has a length that is half of the length of a shortest channelization code assigned to the terminals;
• means for scheduling transmission of compressed frames for the plurality of terminals such that the compressed transmissions for the compressed frames are non-overlapping;
• means for channelizing non-compressed frames for each terminal with the channelization code assigned to the terminal;
• and
• means for channelizing compressed frames for the plurality of terminals with the common channelization code.

An apparatus for transmitting data to a plurality of terminals in a wireless communication system, comprising:

• means for assigning each of the plurality of terminals a respective channelization code used for a first type of data transmission to the terminal;
• means for selecting a common channelization code used for a second type of data transmission to the plurality of terminals;
• means for scheduling the second type of data transmission for the plurality of terminals such that data transmitted for the second type is non-overlapping;
• means for channelizing the first type of data transmission for each terminal with the channelization code assigned to the terminal;
• and
• means for channelizing the second type of data transmission for the plurality of terminals with the common channelization code.

A method for transmitting data to a plurality of terminals in a wireless communication system, comprising:

• assigning each of the plurality of terminals a respective channelization code used to channelize data transmitted in non-compressed frames for the terminal, wherein the data for each non-compressed frame is transmitted within a defined time period;
• selecting a common channelization code used to channelize data transmitted in compressed frames for the plurality of terminals, wherein the data for each compressed frame is transmitted within a shortened time period compared to the defined time period for a non-compressed frame;
• scheduling transmission of compressed frames for the plurality of terminals such that compressed transmissions are non-overlapping;
• channelizing non-compressed frames for each terminal with the channelization code assigned to the terminal;
• and
• channelizing compressed frames for the plurality of terminals with the common channelization code.

A base station for transmitting data to a plurality of terminals in a wireless communication system, comprising:

• a controller operative to:
• assign each of the plurality of terminals a respective channelization code used for a first type of data transmission to the terminal;
• select a common channelization code used for a second type of data transmission to the plurality of terminals;
• schedule the second type of data transmission for the plurality of terminals such that data transmitted for the second type is non-overlapping;
• channelize the first type of data transmission for each terminal with the channelization code assigned to the terminal;
• and
• channelize the second type of data transmission for the plurality of terminals with the common channelization code.