REDUCING LOAD IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

摘要

Apparatus and method for reducing an air interface load in a communication network. A base station is provided with a receiver adapted to receive signals from a terminal via a Dedicated Physical Control Channel (DPCCH) and a second control channel. A measuring unit measures a signal to interference ratio (SIR) of the DPCCH. An effective SIR determining unit determines an effective SIR on the basis of the measured SIR of the DPCCH and an estimate of the SIR of the second control channel. A comparison unit compares the effective SIR with a target SIR, and a power determination unit determines a power control command for controlling power usage for the DPCCH on the basis of the comparison. A transmitter sends a message to the terminal, the message including the power control command. The invention allows the DPCCH power (or DPCCH SIR) operating point to be maintained at a low level.