Signal transmission pattern
An access point transmits signals (e.g., a cell reselection beacon) on a carrier frequency according to a multi-power level transmission pattern. Signals are transmitted at a high power level for a first defined period of time (e.g., between 4-7 milliseconds) and at a low power level for a second defined period of time (e.g., between 58-65 milliseconds).
1. A method of communication, comprising:
transmitting first signals from an access point on a first carrier frequency; and
alternating between transmitting second signals from the access point on at least one other carrier frequency at a first power level for a first defined period of time and a second power level for a second defined period of time, wherein:
the first defined period of time has a duration of between 4 milliseconds and 7 milliseconds,
the second defined period of time has a duration of between 58 milliseconds and 65 milliseconds, and
the first power level is higher than the second power level.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first defined period of time has a duration of 5 milliseconds.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first defined period of time plus the second defined period of time is equal to a duration of 68 milliseconds.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first defined period of time has a duration of 5 milliseconds; and
the second defined period of time has a duration of 63 milliseconds.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first signals and the second signals comprise wideband code division multiple access signals.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second signals comprise beacon signals.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alternating transmissions for the first defined period of time and the second defined period of time provide a tradeoff between a nominal amount of time it takes for an inter-frequency search to discover the access point and a nominal amount of interference the transmission of the second signals causes on the at least one other carrier frequency.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the access point sends and receives service channel information via the first carrier frequency; and
the at least one other carrier frequency is allocated for macro cell service.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the access point comprises a femto cell.
10. An apparatus for communication, comprising:
a transmitter configured to transmit first signals on a first carrier frequency; and
a controller configured to cause transmissions to alternate between transmitting second signals on at least one other carrier frequency at a first power level for a first defined period of time and a second power level for a second defined period of time, wherein:
the first defined period of time has a duration of between 4 milliseconds and 7 milliseconds,
the second defined period of time has a duration of between 58 milliseconds and 65 milliseconds, and
the first power level is higher than the second power level.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first defined period of time has a duration of 5 milliseconds.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first defined period of time plus the second defined period of time is equal to a duration of 68 milliseconds.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:
the first defined period of time has a duration of 5 milliseconds; and
the second defined period of time has a duration of 63 milliseconds.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first signals and the second signals comprise wideband code division multiple access signals.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the second signals comprise beacon signals.
16. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the controller configured to cause transmissions to alternate for the first defined period of time and the second defined period of time is further configured to provide a tradeoff between a nominal amount of time it takes for an inter-frequency search to discover the apparatus and a nominal amount of interference the transmission of the second signals causes on the at least one other carrier frequency.
17. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:
the apparatus is configured to send and receive service channel information via the first carrier frequency; and
the at least one other carrier frequency is allocated for macro cell service.
18. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the apparatus comprises a femto cell.
19. An apparatus for communication, comprising:
means for transmitting first signals on a first carrier frequency; and
means for alternating between transmitting second signals on at least one other carrier frequency at a first power level for a first defined period of time and a second power level for a second defined period of time, wherein:
the first defined period of time has a duration of between 4 milliseconds and 7 milliseconds,
the second defined period of time has a duration of between 58 milliseconds and 65 milliseconds, and
the first power level is higher than the second power level.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the first defined period of time has a duration of 5 milliseconds.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the first defined period of time plus the second defined period of time is equal to a duration of 68 milliseconds.
22. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein:
the first defined period of time has a duration of 5 milliseconds; and
the second defined period of time has a duration of 63 milliseconds.
23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to:
transmit first signals from an access point on a first carrier frequency; and
alternate between transmitting second signals from the access point on at least one other carrier frequency at a first power level for a first defined period of time and a second power level for a second defined period of time, wherein:
the first defined period of time has a duration of between 4 milliseconds and 7 milliseconds,
the second defined period of time has a duration of between 58 milliseconds and 65 milliseconds, and
the first power level is higher than the second power level.
24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the first defined period of time has a duration of 5 milliseconds.
25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the first defined period of time plus the second defined period of time is equal to a duration of 68 milliseconds.
26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 , wherein:
the first defined period of time has a duration of 5 milliseconds; and
the second defined period of time has a duration of 63 milliseconds.