Using traffic channels to extend wireless coverage in poor pilot-signal conditions

A method comprising:

• an access node transmitting a standard pilot signal over a pilot channel;
• the access node initially operating in a standard transmission mode, wherein operating in the standard transmission mode comprises transmitting a standard traffic signal over a traffic channel at a first power level;
• while operating in the standard transmission mode, the access node making a determination to operate in an alternative transmission mode, wherein the determination to operate in the alternative transmission mode comprises a determination that a status message has been received at the access node from a wireless-communication device, the status message indicating that the wireless-communication device is unsynced;
• and
• responsive to making the determination to operate in the alternative transmission mode, the access node operating in the alternative transmission mode while transmitting the standard pilot signal over the pilot channel, wherein operating in the alternative transmission mode comprises:
• (A) generating a modified traffic signal comprising (i) the standard traffic signal and (ii) a modified pilot signal, and (B) transmitting the modified traffic signal over the traffic channel at a second power level, wherein the second power level is greater than the first power level.

A method comprising:

• an access node transmitting a standard pilot signal over a pilot channel;
• the access node initially operating in a standard transmission mode, wherein operating in the standard transmission mode comprises transmitting a standard traffic signal over a traffic channel at a first power level;
• while operating in the standard transmission mode, the access node making a determination to operate in an alternative transmission mode;
• and
• responsive to making the determination, the access node operating in the alternative transmission mode while transmitting the standard pilot signal over the pilot channel, wherein operating in the alternative transmission mode comprises:
• (A) generating a modified traffic signal comprising (i) the standard traffic signal and (ii) a modified pilot signal, and (B) transmitting the modified traffic signal over the traffic channel at a second power level and on a periodic basis, wherein the second power level is greater than the first power level, and wherein a period of the periodic basis is reduced in response to receiving at the access node from a wireless-communication device a status message that indicates that the wireless-communication device is unsynced.

A method comprising:

• an access node transmitting a standard pilot signal over a pilot channel;
• the access node initially operating in a standard transmission mode, wherein operating in the standard transmission mode comprises transmitting a standard traffic signal over a traffic channel at a first power level;
• while operating in the standard transmission mode, the access node making a determination to operate in an alternative transmission mode;
• and
• responsive to making the determination, the access node operating in the alternative transmission mode while transmitting the standard pilot signal over the pilot channel, wherein operating in the alternative transmission mode comprises:
• (A) generating a modified traffic signal comprising (i) the standard traffic signal and (ii) a modified pilot signal, and (B) transmitting the modified traffic signal over the traffic channel at a second power level,
• wherein the second power level is greater than the first power level, and
• wherein transmitting the modified traffic signal comprises transmitting the modified traffic signal upon receiving at the access node from a wireless-communication device a status message that indicates that the wireless-communication device is unsynced.