Method of transmitting reverse link signals from multiple mobile stations to improve reception quality

摘要

A primary mobile station engaged in a communication session via a radio access network (RAN) may receive forward link communications over a forward link channel and transmit reverse link communications over a reverse link channel. If the quality of the communication session degrades, the primary mobile station may involve a secondary mobile station by establishing a short-range wireless communication link with the secondary mobile station, e.g., using Bluetooth™, IEEE 802.11, or other wireless communication protocol. The primary mobile station may then transmit reverse link communications to the RAN over the reverse link channel and also transmit the reverse link communications to the secondary mobile station, via the short-range wireless communication link, for transmission to the RAN. The RAN may receive the reverse link communications from the primary and secondary mobile stations as two distinct reverse link signals, which the RAN may combine together to achieve a diversity gain.

主权项

1. A method for a base station engaged in a communication session, said method comprising:
said base station receiving a first reverse link signal from a primary mobile station, wherein said first link signal encodes reverse link communications for said communication session; said base station receiving a second reverse link signal from a secondary mobile station, wherein said second reverse link signal encodes said reverse link communications for said communication session; said base station combining said first and second reverse link signals to obtain a combined signal; and said base station recovering said reverse link communications from said combined signal.