SATELLITE-BASED PAGER RECEIVER SIGNAL QUALITY ESTIMATES

摘要

A receive signal quality estimate is produced in a subscriber unit (SU) located in a given geographic area (26) covered by a wireless communication system (10) wherein a base station (12) transmits downlink signals in a group of successive time frames to a set of geographic areas (24) including the area (26) in which the SU is located, and each of the time frames has signals aimed at a corresponding one of the areas (26). A receiver in the SU is activated to listen over a determined listening interval that at least partly coincides with the group of successive time frames. A signal strength of at least one downlink signal received by the SU receiver during the listening interval is measured, and a receive signal quality estimate is indicated at the SU based on a result of the measuring step. In one embodiment, during a signal strength measurement, received data bits are reproduced as audible clicks the volume of which varies in proportion to received signal quality conditions.