Reverse link power controlled repeater

#I. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more specifically, to a repeater for use in wireless communication systems having an embedded wireless communication device capable of interacting with base stations communicating with and through the repeater to affect control of repeater gain and output power.

#II. Related Art

#The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify the same or functionally similar elements throughout. In addition, the left-most digit of the reference number refers to the figure in which the reference number first appears in the accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a typical wireless communications system using several base stations and repeaters;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified high-level view of a repeater design;

#The present invention is a method and apparatus for controlling the gain and the transmission power of a repeater used in a wireless communication system by embedding a wireless communication device circuit within the repeater. The wireless communication device is power controlled or adjusted by base stations with which it communicates over a communication link held in common with repeater return link communication signals. One or more signals or commands generated by the wireless device interact with the repeater to cause the repeater to be gain and thus power controlled. As would be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art, the concept of the present invention can be applied to many types of communications systems where power control is used and there is a desire to reduce signal interference or degradation.

#Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. While specific steps, configurations and arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. It would be apparent to one of skill in the art that the invention may be implemented in many different embodiments of hardware, software, firmware, and/or the elements illustrated in the figures, and that other steps, configurations and arrangements can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

#Before describing embodiments of the invention in detail, it is helpful to describe an example environment in which they may be usefully implemented. The present invention is particularly useful in mobile communication system environments. FIG. 1 illustrates such an environment.