On-demand reverse link pilot transmission

摘要

An apparatus in a communication system includes means for selecting at least one terminal for pilot transmission on a reverse link. The terminals are candidates for data transmission on a forward link. The apparatus also includes means for processing pilot transmission from each of the terminals; means for deriving a channel estimate for each of the terminals based on the pilot transmission from the terminal; and means for transmitting data on the forward link to each terminal scheduled for data transmission using the channel estimate for the terminal. A terminal for use with the above described apparatus includes a controller operative to receive a request for pilot transmission on a reverse link and to determine a time-frequency allocation for the pilot transmission; and a processor operative to generate a pilot for transmission on the reverse link on the time-frequency allocation. The pilot transmission on the reverse link is used for scheduling the terminal for data transmission on a forward link, for spatial processing of data transmission to the terminal, or for both scheduling and spatial processing.