Data rate allocation decisions are made for a communications channel, such as a
wireless reverse link connection. A first parameter used in this determination is a
path loss, which is determined by the following process. First, a message is sent from a first
station to a second
station, such as on a
paging channel. The message indicates a forward
Effective Radiated Power (ERP) of a
pilot signal transmitted by the first
station. The second station then determines the received
signal strength of this
pilot signal, taking into account
receiver gains. The
path loss can then be estimated by the second station as the difference between the forward ERP
data value that it received and the detected received
pilot power. The second station also then preferably determines a transmit
power level when transmitting a message back to the first station. This transmit
power level information is encoded as a
digital data word together with the forward
path loss information as calculated by the first station. Upon
receipt of these two pieces of information by the first station, the forward path loss estimate as calculated by the second station, and the output power value of the second station, the first station can then determine the amount of excess power available at the field unit. This excess
power difference is indicative of the amount of
dynamic range available in the transmit power
amplifier in the particular second station. With this information, the first station can then make a determination as to whether coding rates which require a higher
dynamic range will be acceptable for use by the particular second station.