Packet data communications scheduling in a spread spectrum communications system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Responsive to a mobile station request to make an uplink data packet transmission, a telecommunications system grants the mobile station transmission access.
A schedule for authorized mobile station access to make an uplink data packet transmission in a next frame is then determined by the system, with that schedule transmitted from the base station to plural mobile stations, including the requesting mobile station, in a current frame.
Each mobile station scheduled with authorization to make an access in the next frame then transmits its data packet (or a portion thereof) to the base station during that next frame.
The system, in selectively organizing the access schedule for mobile station data packet transmissions on a per frame basis, effectively exercises control over when mobile stations may make uplink communications and thus controls the level of interference generated by multiple mobile station transmissions.
With respect to the downlink, the telecommunications system determines a schedule for the transmission of data packets by a base station to served mobile stations.
In accordance with this schedule, the base station transmits a notification in a current frame to a destination mobile station that a data packet is about to be delivered in a next frame.
Responsive thereto, the mobile station access the appropriate code channel and receives the message in the next frame.