Test loading in OFDMA wireless networks

1. A base station for use in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, comprising:

a processor that generates outgoing data bits and outgoing test data bits;

transceiver circuitry that transmits radio frequency (RF) signals based on at least one of the outgoing data bits and outgoing test data bits; and

control circuitry configured to:

determine an actual loading value within at least a portion of a cellular service area;

determine required additional loading to comply with a test-loading value based on a difference between the actual loading value and the test-loading value;

generate transmission schedules for outgoing orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission signals that are based on the outgoing data bits;

generate transmission schedules for outgoing OFDMA test data transmission signals that are based on the outgoing test data bits to correspond with the required additional loading;

specify, in the transmission schedules for the OFDMA transmission signals and for the OFDMA test data transmission signals a sub-carrier for each of a plurality of symbols to be transmitted in a communication signal sub-frame;

generate the OFDMA transmission signals and the OFDMA test data transmission signals;

transmit the OFDMA transmission signals and the OFDMA test data transmission signals based on the transmission schedules for the outgoing OFDMA transmission signals and on the transmission schedules for the outgoing OFDMA test data transmission signals to create loading that corresponds with the test-loading value; and

transmit at least a portion of the transmission schedules using a plurality of sub-channels and a subset of symbols of the sub-frame, the subset including at least the first symbol of the sub-frame,

wherein the base station defines a specific geometric pattern in a sub-frame scheduling table for at least one of the transmission schedules for the outgoing OFDMA transmission signals and the outgoing OFDMA test data transmission signals.

2. The base station of claim 1 wherein the OFDMA test data transmission signals are orthogonal to the outgoing OFDMA transmission signals.

3. The base station of claim 1 wherein the base station determines a signal quality for a device under test.

4. The base station of claim 3 wherein the base station receives a signal quality indication from a remote wireless transceiver wherein the signal quality indication corresponds to at least one prior forward link transmission of the OFDMA transmission signals.

5. The base station of claim 1 wherein the base station varies at least one of a code rate and a modulation type for the transmission schedules for the outgoing OFDMA test data transmission signals within the communication signal sub-frame.

6. The base station of claim 1 wherein the base station generates transmission schedules for the outgoing OFDMA test data transmission signals and transmits corresponding OFDMA test data transmission signals in a plurality of adjacent cell sectors of the cellular service area of the base station transceiver system.

7. The base station of claim 1 wherein the base station specifies a communication signal sub-frame scheduling table starting burst location for at least one of the transmission schedules for the outgoing OFDMA transmission signals and the outgoing OFDMA test data transmission signals.

8. The base station of claim 1 wherein the specific geometric pattern in the sub-frame scheduling table for at least one of the transmission schedules for the outgoing OFDMA transmission signals and the outgoing OFDMA test data transmission signals simulate loading that corresponds to a defined subscriber traffic condition.

9. A method for use in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, comprising:

determining an actual loading value within one of a cell service area, a cell sector, or a portion of a cell service area or a local area network service area;

generating outgoing data bits for transmission from a radio frequency (RF) transceiver as outgoing orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission signals;

scheduling the OFDMA transmission signals for transmission from the RF transceiver, wherein scheduling the OFDMA transmission signals includes specifying a sub-carrier for a plurality of symbols to be transmitted in a communication signal sub-frame;

generating outgoing test data bits for transmission as OFDMA test data transmission signals;

generating transmission schedules for the OFDMA test data transmission signals to correspond with required additional loading wherein generating transmission schedules for the OFDMA test data transmission signals includes specifying a sub-carrier for a plurality of symbols to be transmitted in the communication signal sub-frame;

generating and transmitting the OFDMA transmission signals based on the transmission schedules for the OFDMA transmission signal

generating the OFDMA test data transmission signals based on the transmission schedules for the OFDMA test data transmission signals to create desired loading; and

transmitting at least a portion of the transmission schedules using a plurality of sub-channels and a subset of symbols of the sub-frame, the subset including at least the first symbol of the sub-frame,

wherein the network defines a specific geometric pattern in a sub-frame scheduling table for at least one of the transmission schedules for the outgoing OFDMA transmission signals and the outgoing OFDMA test data transmission signals.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the OFDMA test data transmission signals are orthogonal to the OFDMA transmission signals.

11. The method of claim 9 further including determining a signal quality for a device under test.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein generating the transmission schedules for the OFDMA test data transmission signals includes varying at least one of a code rate and modulation type of the OFDMA test data transmission signals within the communication signal sub-frame.

13. The method of claim 9 further including scheduling and transmitting OFDMA test data transmission signals in a plurality of adjacent cell sectors of a cellular service area to satisfy the test-loading value.

14. The method of claim 13 further including updating the schedules for the test data transmission signals in the plurality of adjacent cell sectors of the cellular service area as a device under test moves from one location to another within the cellular service area.

15. The method of claim 9 further including determining required additional loading to comply with a test loading value based on a difference between the actual loading value and a test loading value.

16. The method of claim 9 further including generating transmission schedules for the OFDMA test data transmission signals prior to scheduling OFDMA transmission signals wherein loading from the scheduled OFDMA test data transmission signals and OFDMA transmission signals does not exceed a specified total loading value.

17. A wireless communication device for use in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, comprising:

a radio frequency radio (RF) transceiver;

scheduling logic for generating transmission schedules for orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) RF transmissions from the RF transceiver, wherein the scheduling logic specifies a sub-carrier for a plurality of symbols to be transmitted in a communication signal sub-frame; and

a processor for generating outgoing data bits and outgoing test data bits for transmission from the RF transceiver as OFDMA transmission signals and OFDMA test data transmission signals, respectively, according to the transmission schedules;

wherein the wireless communication device schedules transmissions of the outgoing OFDMA transmission signals and the outgoing OFDMA test data transmission signals in the transmission schedules to create loading within at least a portion of a service area that corresponds with a test-loading value,

wherein the wireless communication device transmits at least a portion of the transmission schedules using a plurality of sub-channels and a subset of symbols of the sub-frame, the subset including at least the first symbol of the sub-frame, and

wherein the scheduling logic specifies, in the transmission schedules, at least one of a communication signal sub-frame scheduling table starting burst location and a geometric pattern of the communication signal sub-frame scheduling table for at least one of the OFDMA transmission signals and the OFDMA test data transmission signals.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication device determines a signal quality for a device under test.

19. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication device varies, in the transmission schedules, at least one of code rate and modulation type for the OFDMA test data transmission signals within the communication signal sub-frame.

20. The wireless communication device of claim 17 wherein the wireless communication device updates the transmission schedules and transmits the OFDMA test data transmission signals as a device under test moves locations to correspond with the test loading value.