MXPA06008912A - Method and apparatus for sending signaling for multicast and broadcast services - Google Patents

Abstract

Signaling for each multicast/broadcast service is sent in group page messages in PCH slots assigned to the wireless devices and/or PCH slots designated for use for the service. Each group page message contains an identifier for a service. The designated PCH slots for different services may be overlapping to reduce the number of times the wireless devices need to wake up to receive page messages or staggered to reduce collision among the services. The wireless devices may be informed of a group page message being sent on the PCH for a given service by use of paging indicators that are assigned to the wireless devices and/or broadcast indicators that are assigned to the service. The paging indicators may be sent in QPCH slots assigned to the wireless devices and/or QPCH slots designated for use for the service. The BI bits are sent on the designated QPCH slots.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENDING SIGNALING FOR MULTI-DISTRIBUTION AND DISSEMINATION SERVICES Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to communication systems, and more specifically to communication systems that support multicast and broadcast services.

Background of the Invention A communication system can provide single broadcast, multicast and / or broadcast services. A single broadcast service provides point-to-point communication between at least one base station and a specific wireless device. A multicast service provides point-to-multipoint communication between at least one base station and a group of wireless devices. A broadcast service provides point-to-multipoint communication between at least one base station and all wireless devices within a designated broadcast area. Some examples of multicast and broadcast service include push to talk (PTT) services, news and data, subscription-based services, etc. Multicast and broadcast services can send data to wireless devices sporadically, periodically or continuously. A wireless device can operate in an inactive state when it is not actively exchanging data with one or more base stations in the system. In the inactive state, the wireless device typically monitors a search channel (PCH) for messages that can be applied to the wireless device. Such messages can include search messages that alert the wireless device to the presence of an incoming call, search messages that carry signaling for multicast and / or broadcast services that are received by the wireless device, and overload messages that carry the system and other information for the wireless device. To conserve battery power in idle mode, the wireless device can operate in an interval mode whereby (1) the system sends messages to the wireless device only at designated times and (2) the wireless device periodically monitors (in place of continuously) the PCH at designated times for messages. To further reduce power consumption in idle mode, a fast search channel (QPCH) is often used to indicate whether a search message can be sent on the PCH for the wireless device. The QPCH carries search indicators (or Pl bits) that are transmitted as binary On / Off bits. The wireless device is assigned certain Pl bits that are Lit if some messages are sent on the PCH for the wireless device. The wireless device is able to quickly detect the bits of Pl and immediately enter the idle state without processing the PCH if the bits of Pl indicate that no message will be sent on the PCH for the wireless device. The system may need to send many search messages in order to support multicast and broadcast services as well as for normal system operation. It is desirable to send these search messages as quickly as possible and use the least amount of system resources. It is also desirable to send these search messages so that wireless devices can receive all applicable messages without consuming excessive battery power. Therefore, there is a need in the art for techniques to efficiently send search messages for multicast and broadcast services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Techniques for transmitting signaling for multicast and broadcast services in a manner to reduce signaling and delay overload and to save battery power for reception are described herein. The signaling for each service can be sent in group search messages that contain an identifier (for example, a FLOW_ID) for the service. These group search messages can be sent to multiple wireless devices that receive the service, which can reduce the number of search messages to send. Group search messages can be sent in PCH intervals that are assigned to wireless devices and / or at PCH intervals that are designated for use for the service. PCH intervals designated for different services can (1) overlap to reduce the number of times wireless devices need to reactivate to receive search messages for these services or (2) stagger to reduce the likelihood of a collision between services, such as It is described in the following. Wireless devices may be informed of a group search message that is sent to the PCH by a given service by using search indicators (Pl bits) that are assigned to the wireless devices and / or broadcast indicators (bits of Bl) that are assigned to the service. Pl bits may be sent in QPCH intervals assigned to the wireless devices and / or QPCH intervals designated for use for the service. Pl bits are typically sent in designated QPCH intervals. Several schemes for transmitting signaling using QPCH and PCH are described in the following. These schemes transmit the bits of Pl and / or the bits of Bl in the QPCH and the group search messages in the PCH in u different ways and are suitable for different types and combinations of services. Various aspects and modalities of the invention are also described in further detail in the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 shows a communication system.

FIGURE 2A shows the QPCH and PCH of cdma2000.

FIGURE 2B shows different types of indicators sent in the QPCH.

FIGURE 3A shows the allocation of intervals overlaps for three services.

FIGURE 3B shows the allocation of intervals staggered for four services.

FIGURE 4 shows an exemplary transmission in the QPCH and PCH for scheme 0.

FIGURES 5 to 9 show transmissions copies in the QPCH and PCH for schemes IA to 1E, respectively, using the PI bits and the group search messages. FIGURES 10 to 12 show exemplary transmissions of QPCH and PCH for schemes 2 to 4, respectively, using Bl bits and group search messages. FIGS. 13A and 13B show processes for transmitting signaling using Pl bits and Bl bits, respectively, and group search messages. FIGURES 14A and 14B show processes for receiving signaling sent using Pl bits and Bl bits, respectively, and group search messages. FIGURE 15 shows a process for transmitting QPCH indicators to reduce collisions. FIGURE 16 shows a block diagram of a base station and a wireless device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The word "exemplary" is used herein to imply that "it serves as an example, case, or illustration." Any mode described herein as "exemplary" does not necessarily have to be taken as preferred or advantageous over other modalities. FIGURE 1 shows a communication system 100 capable of supporting multicast and broadcast services. The system 100 includes a number of radio access networks (RAN) 120 that support wireless communication for a number of wireless devices 110. A wireless device can be fixed or mobile and can also be called mobile station (MS), a user equipment (UE), a user terminal, a handset, a subscriber unit, or some other terminology. Each RAN 120 typically includes a number of base stations, base station controllers (BSC), and mobile switching centers (MSCs). For simplicity, only one base station 122 and one BSC / MSC 124 are shown for each RAN 120 in FIGURE 1. A base station is typically a fixed station that communicates with wireless devices and can also be called a base transceiver system (BTS) ), and node B, an access point, or some other terminology. Each base station 122 provides communication coverage for a particular geographic area. BSC / MSC 124 is coupled to the base stations and provides coordination and control for these base stations. BSC / MSC 124 for each RA? 120 can be coupled to a packet data service (PDS?) Node 126, which is further coupled to a data network 130. PDS? 126 provides packet data services for wireless devices and performs various functions for the establishment, maintenance and termination of data calls. Several network entities can be coupled to the network 130 of data such as content servers 132 and a subscription administrator 134. Content services 132 provide multicast and / or broadcast services. Subscription manager 134 performs authentication, authorization, and accounting functions (AAA) for multicast and / or broadcast services.

Although not shown in FIGURE 1, BSC / MSC 124 for each RAN 120 can also be coupled to other systems and networks such as the public switched telephone network (PST?), Which is a circuit switched telephone network carrying calls from analogous voice Each RAN 120 can be a Division-by-Code Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, a Division Multiple Frequency Access network (FDMA), an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, or some other multiple access network. A CDMA network can implement one or more CDMA radio access technologies (RAT) such as cdma2000 and CDMA broadband (W-CDMA). The cdma2000 covers the IS-2000, IS-856, and IS-95 standards. A TDMA system can implement one or more TDMA RATs such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). These various RATs and standards are well known in the art. -CDMA and GSM are described in documents of the consortium named "3rd Generation Society Project" (3GPP). cdma2000 is described in documents of a consortium named "Project 2 of the 3rd Generation Society" (3GPP2). 3GPP and 3GPP2 documents are publicly available. For clarity, signaling transmission techniques are specifically described in the following for cdma2000. These techniques can also be used for Broadcast-Multicast Services (BCMCS) described in revision D of cdma2000. FIGURE 2A shows a QPCH and PCH in cdma2000. The PCH is used to send search messages to inactive wireless devices, which are wireless devices that have registered with the system and are in idle mode. The QPCH is used to send indicators for the PCH. The QPCH can also be used for a broadcast control channel (BCCH) and a common non-return control channel (FCCCH) in cdma2000. The QPCH and PCH are designated in such a way that inactive wireless devices need only activate for a small portion of time to receive search messages. In cdma2000, the PCH is divided into two PCH intervals. Each PCH interval lasts 80 milliseconds (ms) and is further divided into four 20 ms frames. Each wireless device is assigned a range of PCH in each Tsc_x interval cycle, where sc x = l • 28x2SCI-x and SCI_X is an interval cycle index (SCI) that can be applied to the wireless device. The SCI can vary from -4 to +7, and the interval cycle can vary from 80 ms to 163.84 seconds, respectively. Each interval cycle contains PCH 16x2SCI intervals that are assigned indices (or offsets) from 1 to 16x2SCI. A specific PCH interval index that is determined by the identification information for the wireless device is assigned to such wireless device. The identification information can be an International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI) that is unique to each wireless device, a Mobile Identification Number (MIN), an Electronic Serial Number (ESN), a Temporary Mobile Subscriber ID (TMSI). , etc. The interval index for each wireless device is fixed, and the wireless device processes the PCH interval with that interval index in each interval cycle. More than one wireless device can be assigned to any given interval index. On cdma2000, the QPCH is divided into QPCH intervals. Each QPCH interval allows a duration of 80 ms and is typically associated with a PCH interval starting 100 ms after the start of the QPCH interval. Each QPCH interval is further divided into four frames that are labeled A, B, A ', and B'. Each frame carries 192 indicators for speed of 9600 bits / second (bps) and 96 indicators for speed of 4800 bps. FIGURE 2B shows the different types of indicators sent in the QPCH. For the 9600 bps speed, the first 376 indicators in frames A and B are search indicators (or PI bits), the next four indicators are broadcast indicators (or Bl bits), and the last four indicators are indicators of configuration change (or CCI bits). For the 4800 bps speed, the first 188 indicators in frames A and B are bits of Pl, the next two indicators are bits of Bl, and the last two indicators are bits of CCI. The frames A 'and B' contain the same number of bits of Pl, Bl and CCI as the frames B. Each indicator is transmitted with On / Off modulation (OOK) so that a parity bit value '0' for an Off bit is transmitted with zero power and a parity bit value l 'for a Power On bit is transmitted at a designated power level. Each wireless device that has been registered with the system is assigned two bits of Pl for each assigned QPCH interval. The assigned QPCH intervals are QPCH intervals that start 100 ms before the assigned PCH intervals. The location of each assigned Pl bit within a QPCH range is determined by a calculated routing function and changes bitwise to randomize collisions with other wireless devices. The pair of PI bits allocated for each allocated QPCH is sent so that any one of (1) the first bit of Pl is sent in frame A and the second bit of Pl is sent in frame A 'or (2) the first Pl bit is sent in frame B and the second bit of Pl is sent in frame B '. This transmission scheme ensures that the two bits of Pl are separated by at least 20 ms, and that the second bit of Pl arrives at least 20 ms before the start of the associated PCH interval. The QPCH functions as a control channel for the PCH. The bits of Pl in each QPCH interval are control signals that alert wireless devices that the search messages are about to be sent in the associated PCH interval. To send a search message to a wireless device in the PCH, a base station turns on both bits of Pl in the QPCH interval assigned to the wireless device. Since more than one wireless device can be mapped to any given PI bit, detecting the PI bits assigned as On does not guarantee that the wireless device will actually receive a search message in the associated PCH interval. However, the wireless device can interpret a PI bit that is detected as Off to imply that the wireless device does not need to process the associated PCH interval for the search messages. The wireless device can then be disconnected after the processing of PI bits without processing the PCH, to save energy. The QPCH and PCH can be used to send signaling for various broadcast and multicast services. These services can be categorized into two types as follows: • Type I Services - include services (for example, a video broadcast service) that send signaling primarily to indicate signaling changes. A content server for a type I service may be able to synchronize configuration changes with interval cycle limits and may be able to use a long interval cycle. For example, configuration information for a type I service can be sent periodically in a Broadcast System Parameter Message (BSPM) with an iSCI and configuration changes can be sent periodically in a BSPM with an SCI of j, where j >i. • Type II Services - include services (for example, push to talk) that require short search delays. A short interval cycle with a small CSI can be used for type II services. Different services may have different signaling requirements that may dictate the manner in which signaling should be sent for these services. For example, a push to talk service may need to search for wireless devices within a particular group whenever a user on a wireless device wishes to speak. As another example, a broadcast service may need to send updated configuration information whenever there is a change in configuration. Each service can be associated with a particular SCI that determines the interval cycle and therefore the proportion at which signaling can be sent for the service. Each service can be identified only by an identifier, for example, a FL0 __ID. The signaling for each service can be sent to all wireless devices that receive that service using individual search messages, group search messages, or a combination of both. An individual search message is a search message that is directed to a specific wireless device using an identifier (e.g., a 24-bit mobile ID) for the wireless device. A group search message is a search message that is directed to a group of wireless devices that use a broadcast identifier. For example, the FLOW_ID for different services can be mapped to different broadcast identifiers. An individual search message can be sent using a General Search Message (GPM), a Universal Search Message (UPM), or some other message in cdma2000. A group search message can be sent using Data Burst Message (DBM) or some other message in cdma2000. The search messages can be sent in a way to achieve the following goals: 1. Minimize the number of times the wireless device needs to be reactivated to process the QPCH and the PCH for search messages. 2. Minimize the amount of system resources spent to send search messages to all wireless receiving devices for all services. 3. Minimize the search delay, especially for type II services. The first goal is to minimize the power consumption to receive search messages in such a way that battery life and standby time can be extended for wireless devices. This goal can be achieved by sending as few QPCH indicators as possible and / or sending the indicators close to each other in a single time so that wireless devices do not need to reactivate frequently to receive these indicators. The indicators can also be sent in a way to reduce the likelihood of a collision. A collision occurs, for example, when two or more services are mapped to the same indicators. When these indicators are turned on, all wireless devices that receive any of these services can process the PCH to search for search messages for these services although only one service could have caused the indicators to turn on. Collision in this way causes some wireless devices to process the PCH when no search messages are sent for these wireless devices. The second goal attempts to minimize the use of system resources to send search messages. This goal can be achieved by sending as few search messages as possible, for example, using group search messages instead of individual search messages. The search delay refers to the amount of time from when a base station has to send information to the moment when a search message containing the information is actually sent. Type I services are more tolerant to the search delay while type II services are more sensitive to the search delay. The search messages can be sent in a form to achieve the search delay requirement for each service. The three goals often have problems with each other. In general, wireless devices prefer to receive individual search messages, which can save battery life. Base stations prefer to send group search messages as long as the same search message has to be sent to at least two wireless devices in the same search area, which can save resources. Table 1 lists several schemes for sending search messages to wireless devices. The second and third columns in Table 1 summarize the way in which the indicators are sent in QPCH and the way in which the search messages are sent in the PCH, respectively. Each of these schemes is described in further detail in the following Table 1 The following terms are used in this. An "allocated" QPCH range is a QPCH interval that is assigned to a wireless device. A "designated" QPCH range is a QPCH interval that is designated for use for a given service. An "allocated" PCH interval is a range of PCH that is assigned to a wireless device. A "designated" PCH interval is a range of PCH that is designated for use for a given service. An assigned QPCH interval precedes a PCH interval assigned by 100 ms in cdma2000. A designated QPCH interval may precede a designated PCH interval for 100 ms or more or some other amount of time. In general, search messages can be sent at assigned PCH intervals for wireless devices and / or PCH intervals designated for services. The designated PCH intervals can be selected in several ways. In a first interval assignment mode, the PCH intervals designated for services are defined such that: 1. PCH intervals designated for all services with the same SCI have the same PCH interval index; and 2. For two services with different SCIs, the PCH intervals designated for service with the larger SCI coincide with the PCH intervals designated for service with the smaller SCI. Description 1 maps all services with the same SCI in the same PCH interval for each interval cycle. The description 2 overlaps the PCH intervals for services with different SCI. With both descriptions 1 and 2, each wireless device can process a range of PCHs in each interval cycle for the smallest SCI and receive search messages for all services. FIGURE 3A shows an exemplary interval allocation for three services for the first interval allocation mode. In this example, service A has an SCI of -2 and the first interval index of PCH is assigned in an interval cycle with four PCH intervals. Service B has an SCI of -1 and is assigned for the first interval index of PCH in an interval cycle with eight PCH intervals. Service C has an SCI of 0 and is assigned to the first interval index of PCH in an interval cycle with 16 PCH intervals. For this example, a wireless device can process the first interval of PCH for SCI of -2 and receive search messages for the three services. In a second interval allocation mode, different services can be assigned to different interval indices of PCH. As an example, for services with SCI = 0, there are 16 possible PCH interval indices in an interval cycle, and each service can be mapped to one of the 16 interval indices, for example, based on the FLOW_ID for the service. The mapping can be limited within a sub-scale of interval indices that is smaller than the total range of interval indices for the SCI. For example, a service can be mapped to an interval index between 1 to 4, with the interval indices 5 to 16 not being used by the service. If the service mapping for the interval indices becomes variable in time in order to minimize the probability of collision between different services, then a small sub-scale reduces the variability in the search delays. A service with an SCI of y can also be mapped at different interval indices for SCI = and that represents a fixed interval index for a smaller SCI. For example, a service with SCI = 0 can be mapped into interval indices of 1, 5, 9, and 13 in different interval cycles, which all correspond to a fixed interval index of 1 for SCI = -2. In any case, the use of different interval indices for different services can reduce the probability of collision between these services and can distribute the search load through different PCH intervals. However, a wireless device that receives multiple services may need to process multiple QPCH intervals and / or multiple PCH intervals in each interval cycle in order to distribute search messages for all of these services.

FIGURE 3B shows an exemplary slot allocation for four services for the second slot allocation mode. In this example, service A 'has an SCI of -2 and is assigned to the first PCH interval index in a 320 ms interval cycle with four PCH intervals. Service B 'also has an SCI of -2 but is assigned to the second interval index of PCH in the interval cycle of 320 ms. Service C has an SCI of -2 and is assigned to the third interval index of PCH in an interval cycle of 640 ms. Service D 'has an SCI of 0 and is assigned to the fourth interval index of PCH in an interval cycle of 1.28 seconds. In this example, the PCH intervals for the four services do not overlap each other and the collision can be avoided. For both modalities, each service can be mapped to a fixed interval index or different interval indices in different interval cycles. The mapping can be static or dynamic and can be performed based on an alghm that is known to the base stations and wireless devices. Scheme 0 in Table 1 uses QPCH and PCH to send individual search messages to wireless devices. Each wireless device forms a set of SCI containing the SCI for each service to which the wireless device is serving (SCI_i) as well as the SCI for the wireless device (SCI_x). The wireless device then selects the smallest SCI in the SCI suite (called SCI_s) and monitors the QPCH according to this SCI. A base station sends signaling for each service by sending individual search messages to all wireless devices that receive that service. The base station may send the individual search message for each wireless device in a range of PCH determined by the SCI for the service (SCI_i) or the SCI selected by the wireless device (SCI_s), where SCI_s may be smaller than SCI_i. Each wireless device processes its bits of Pl in the allocated QPCH interval corresponding to the selected SCI_s and, if these bits of Pl are turned on, it further processes the associated PCH interval to receive search messages. FIGURE 4 shows an exemplary transmission on the QPCH and PCH for scheme 0. In this example, four wireless 1 to 4 devices have SCI of -2 and interval cycles of 320 ms (or four PCH intervals). The wireless devices 1 and 2 are both assigned for the first interval index of PCH in the interval cycle, the wireless device 3 is assigned to the second interval index of PCH, and the wireless device 4 is assigned to the third range index of PCH. The base station sends the individual search messages to each wireless device at the assigned PCH intervals. The base station Lights the bits of Pl for each wireless device which is to receive a search message on the PCH. The bits of Pl for each wireless device are denoted by the vertical lines in the QPCH intervals in FIGURE 4, with the number printed on the vertical lines indicating the identifier of the wireless device. A wireless device can receive zero, one, or multiple search messages when its PI bits are turned on. A wireless device (eg, wireless device 2 in FIGURE 4) may also receive multiple messages for multiple services and / or for different types of information (e.g., search messages, overload message, etc.). Scheme 0 minimizes the number of times each wireless device needs to process QPCH and PCH, since the PI bits and search messages are sent specifically to the wireless device. However, the same search message can be sent multiple times to different wireless devices that receive the same service. Most system resources can be spent to send individual search messages, especially when a large number of users are receiving the service. Schemes ÍA to 1E use QPCH and PCH to send group search messages to wireless devices. For these schemes, the PI bits are sent individually to the wireless devices, which then receive the same group search messages sent in the PCH. The IA scheme operates in the same way as scheme 0, except that a group search message (instead of individual search messages) is sent at each PCH interval in which at least one wireless device is intended to receive the search message Each wireless device monitors its PI bits in each assigned QPCH interval in the normal way. If the PI bits are turned on, then the wireless device processes the PCH to search the group search messages sent for services received by the wireless device as well as individual search messages sent specifically for the wireless device. FIGURE 5 shows an exemplary transmission in the QPCH and PCH for scheme IA. The base station turns on the bits of Pl for the four wireless devices 1 to 4, as described above for FIGURE 4. The base station sends a group search message in each PCH interval with at least one wireless device assigned with each PCH interval. The group search messages are denoted by the letter "G" in FIGURE 5. The base station can also send individual search messages (e.g., for the wireless device 2 in the n + 4 interval in FIGURE 5) together with group search messages. Each wireless device processes the assigned PCH interval whenever its PI bits are turned on to search the individual and group search messages sent to the wireless device. Scheme IB sends individual PI bits in the QPCH in the normal way and sends the group search messages in designated PCH intervals. Each service is mapped to a specific PCH interval in each interval cycle, which is called designated PCH interval or a group search interval. In the PCH intervals designated for each service are known by the base stations and wireless devices that receive the service. The group search messages for each service are sent in the PCH intervals designated for the service, after all wireless devices receive the service they have an opportunity to receive their bits of PI.

FIGURE 6 shows an exemplary transmission in the QPCH and PCH for the IB scheme. For this example, services are mapped in the last interval of PCH in each interval cycle. The base station turns on the bits of Pl for the four wireless devices 1 to 4 in their allocated QPCH intervals, as described above for FIGURE 4. The base station sends a simple group search message in the PCH interval designated for each interval cycle. Each wireless device processes its bits of Pl in each QPCH interval assigned in the normal way. If the PI bits are turned on then the wireless device further processes the designated PCH interval and searches for the group search messages sent for the services that are received by the wireless device. The base station can also send individual search messages for the wireless devices together with the group search messages in the same designated PCH range. For the example shown in FIGURE 6, the base station sends an individual search message to the wireless device 2 after the group search message in the PCH interval n + l. This minimizes the number of PCH intervals that each wireless device needs to process. Alternatively, the base station can send individual search messages to the wireless devices at their assigned PCH intervals. This distributes the search load through different intervals of PCH. For scheme IB, the longest possible search delay is two interval cycles. To see this, consider a case in which the base station at time Ta obtains information to send to wireless devices. The base station has recently lost the allocated QPCH for wireless devices 1 and 2 and may then need to wait until the QPCH interval allocated in the next interval cycle (at time Tt,) sends the bits of Pl for these wireless devices. The base station may then send a group search message in the PCH interval designated at time Tc to the wireless devices. The search delays for this worst-case scenario are from time Ta to time Tc, which is approximately two interval cycles. Sending the bits of Pl at assigned QPCH intervals and group search messages at PCH intervals designated in this way effectively doubles the worst-case search delay. Scheme 1C sends individual PI bits in the QPCH in the normal manner and sends the group search messages in more than one designated PCH interval in each interval cycle. Each service is mapped at multiple PCH intervals (for example, two) in each interval cycle. The multiple intervals of designated PCHs can be distributed (eg, uniformly) through the interval cycle. The PCH interval locations designated for each service can be determined in the manner described above for the IB scheme, although with a smaller SCI than the current SCI for the service. For each service, the same group search message is sent in all PCH intervals designated for the interval cycle. FIGURE 7 shows an exemplary transmission in the QPCH and PCH for the 1C scheme. For this example, the services are mapped in the second and last intervals of PCH in every 320 ms of interval cycle. The base station turns on the bits of Pl for the four wireless devices 1 to 4 in their assigned QPCH inputs, as described above for FIGURE 4. The base station sends the same group search message in the two intervals of PCH designated for each interval cycle. Each wireless device processes its bits of Pl in each QPCH interval assigned in the normal way. If the Pl bits are turned on, then the wireless device further processes the designated PCH interval that is closest to the assigned QPCH interval and searches for the group search messages sent for the services that are received by the wireless device. The base station may also send individual search messages for each wireless device in the designated QPCH interval that is closest to the PCH interval allocated for the wireless device. For the example shown in FIGURE 7, the base station sends an individual search message for the wireless device 2 after the group search message in the PCH interval n + 5. Alternatively, the base station may send individual search messages to the wireless devices at the assigned PCH intervals. Scheme 1C reduces the search delay by sending the same search message several times. The 1C scheme also distributes the search load on the non-return link if the individual search messages for the wireless devices are sent at the designated PCH intervals. Some search messages require responses from wireless devices, the 1C scheme can propagate the load on the return link. The ID scheme sends the individual PI bits in designated QPCH intervals that are associated with the designated PCH intervals and sends group search messages in a designated PCH interval in each interval cycle. Each service is mapped in a single PCH interval in each interval cycle, as described above for the IB scheme. However, instead of sending the bits of Pl for each wireless device in the allocated QPCH interval, the bits of Pl for all wireless devices that are sent in a single designated QPCH interval that is associated with the designated PCH interval . FIGURE 8 shows an exemplary transmission in the QPCH and PCH for the ID scheme. For this example, services are mapped in the last PCH interval in each 320 ms interval cycle. For each interval cycle, the base station turns on the bits of Pl for the four wireless devices 1 to 4 in the designated QPCH interval if a pending group search message exists. The base station then sends the group search message in the designated PCH interval. Each wireless device processes its bits of Pl in the designated QPCH interval in the normal way. If the PI bits are turned on then the wireless device further processes the designated PCH interval and searches for the group search messages sent for the services that are received by the wireless device. The base station can send the PI bits and the group search messages for the services in the designated QPCH intervals and the designated PCH intervals, respectively. The base station can also send the individual search messages for each wireless device in the designated PCH interval, as shown in FIGURE 8. In this case, the wireless devices need only process the QPCH intervals designated for the PI bits. , which minimize the number of QPCH intervals for which each wireless device needs to be reactivated. Alternatively, the base station can send individual search messages to the wireless devices and their assigned PCH entries, which distributes the search load through different PCH intervals. In this case, the wireless devices process the designated and assigned QPCH intervals for the PI bits, and further process the associated PCH intervals and the PI bits are turned on. Scheme 1E sends the individual PI bits in the designated QPCH intervals associated with the designated QPCH intervals and sends the group search messages in multiple designated PCH intervals in each interval cycle. Each service is mapped at multiple PCH intervals in each interval cycle, as described in the above for scheme 1C. These multiple designated PCH intervals are associated with multiple designated QPCH intervals. The bits of Pl for each wireless device are sent in the designated QPCH interval that is closest to the QPCH interval allocated for the wireless device. FIGURE 9 shows an exemplary transmission in the QPCH and PCH for the 1E scheme. For this example, the services are mapped in the second and last interval of PCH in each interval cycle of 320 ms. For each interval cycle, the base station turns on the bits of Pl for wireless devices 1, 2 and 3 in the first designated QPCH interval and turns on the Pl bit for the wireless device 4 for the second designated QPCH interval. The base station sends the same group search message in two designated PCH intervals. Each wireless device processes its bits of Pl in the designated QPCH range that can be applied to the wireless device. If the PI bits are turned on, then the wireless service further processes the designated PCH interval and searches for the group search messages sent for the services that are received by the wireless device. For simplicity, FIGURES 4 through 9 show the transmission of PI bits and search messages for a service. The search messages for any number of services can be sent in a similar way.

Schematics 0 and 1A through 1E Turn on the bits of Pl for individual wireless devices to notify these wireless devices of pending search messages on the PCH. The base station thus needs a mapping between the services and the wireless devices that receive these services. To send a search message for a given service, the base station first identifies the wireless devices that receive the service. The base station then determines the locations of the bits of Pl for these wireless devices and turns on these bits of Pl. The RAN may not have access to this mapping between services and wireless devices (for example, this mapping can be located in the subscription manager 134). In this case, the base station can not know which of the PI bits to turn on when there are search messages to send for the services. Bl bits can be used to notify wireless devices of pending search messages on the PCH. Each service can be mapped into bits of Bl, with the mapping being known by the base station and the wireless devices that receive the service. The base station Lights the bits of Bl whenever there are pending search messages for the service. The use of Bl bits can (1) eliminate the need for mapping between wireless services and devices and (2) reduce the number of QPCH flags to send for search messages. Scheme 2 sends bits of Bl for notification of group search messages and sends group search messages at designated PCH intervals. For scheme 2, the bits of Bl for the services and the bits of Pl for the wireless devices are sent in different bit locations within the range of QPCH and do not overlap. Each service is mapped in a single interval of PCH in each interval cycle. Different services can be mapped to overlap the PCH ranges to minimize the number of intervals each wireless device needs to process, as described above for the first interval allocation mode. However, since the number of Bl bits defined by revision D of cdma2000 is limited (for example, eight bits for 9600 bps and four bits for 4800 bps), different services can be mapped at different PCH intervals (for example, based on its FLOW_ID) to reduce the probability of collision, as described above for the second mode of interval assignment. Each service is also mapped into a pair of Bl bits defined by revision D of cdma2000. This material can be used in a calculated routing function (for example, using FLOW_ID) so that each service is mapped into different bit pairs of Bl at different interval cycles to reduce the probability of collision with other services. For each service, the bits of Bl for the service are turned on if there is a group search message to send for the service, and the group search message is sent in the designated PCH interval. FIGURE 10 shows an exemplary transmission in the QPCH and PCH for scheme 2. In this example, two services labeled as Gl and G2 have SCI of -2 and interval cycles of 320 ms. These services are mapped both in the first PCH interval in each interval cycle and are also mapped in the same bit pair of Bl. The same station Turns the bits of Bl into each designated QPCH entry if there is any group search message to send for any service in the corresponding designated PCH interval. For the example shown in FIGURE 10, the base station turns on the bits of Bl for each interval of PCH n and sends a group search message for the service Gl in this range of PCH. The base station Turns the bits of Bl for each interval of PCH rt + 4 and sends the group search messages for the services Gl and G2 in this interval of PCH. The base station also turns on the bits of Pl and sends the individual search messages in the assigned PCH intervals for the wireless devices in the normal way. Each wireless device processes the bits of Bl for all services that are received by the wireless device. Whenever Bits of Bl are Lit, the wireless device processes the PCH and searches for the group search messages sent for the services that are received by the wireless device. Each wireless device also processes its PI bits in the normal way and, whenever these PI bits are turned on, it processes the PCH to search for individual search messages sent to the wireless device. For the example shown in FIGURE 10, the wireless device 1 receives an individual search message in the PCH interval n, and the wireless device 4 receives an individual search message in the PCH interval n + 6. Scheme 3 sends the "virtual" Bl bits for the notification of group search messages and sends the group search messages at designated PCH intervals. The bits of virtual Bl can be sent in locations used for the bits of Pl. Each service is mapped in a single PCH interval in each interval cycle and is also mapped to a pair of virtual Bl bits. The bits of virtual Bl for each service can be directed by calculation to different bit-by-bit locations and also from interval to interval (for example, based on the FLOW_ID) in a similar way as the bits of Pl for each wireless device. The bits of virtual Bl for different services in this way propagate through the QPCH interval. The mapping of Bl and virtual bits for each service is known by the base stations and wireless devices that receive that service. For each service, the virtual Bl bits for the service are turned on if there is a group search message to send for the service, and the group search messages are sent in the designated PCH interval. FIGURE 11 shows an exemplary transmission in the QPCH and PCH for scheme 3. In this example, the two services Gl and G2 are mapped in the first and second PCH intervals in each interval cycle, respectively. The base station Turns the bits of Bl for each service if there is a group search message to send for the service. For the example shown in FIGURE 11, the base station turns on the bits of Bl for the service Gl in the PCH interval n and sends a group search message for this service in this PCH interval. The base station Lights the bits of Bl for service G2 in the PCH interval n + l and sends a group search message for service G2 in this PCH interval. The base station also turns on the bits of Pl and sends the individual search messages in the assigned PCH intervals for the wireless devices. The number of virtual Bl bits is much greater than the number of Bl bits defined by revision D of cdma2000. The use of virtual Bl bits reduces the probability of collision between different services. The calculated routing of the virtual Bl bits for each service randomizes the conditions with the bits of Pl for the wireless devices and the bits of Bl for other services. The lower probability of collision reduces false reactivations for PCH due to the conditions. However, each wireless device may need to process the virtual Bl bits for each service that is received by the wireless device. Since the virtual Bl bits for all services can propagate through a given QPCH interval, the wireless device may not be able to be inactivated between virtual Bl bits. Scheme 4 is similar to Scheme 2, except that (1) the number of bits of Bl available is increased to reduce the probability of collision and (2) these bits of Bl are located close to each other in a single time to allow the wireless devices receive all applicable Bl bits without having to reactivate multiple times in a given QPCH interval. For scheme 4, the bits of Bl for the services and the bits of Pl for the wireless devices are sent in different bit locations within a range of QPCH and do not overlap. Each service is mapped in a single PCH interval in each interval cycle and is also mapped in a pair of bits of Bl. If the number of services is equal to or less than the number of Bl bits available, then each service can be mapped into a different single pair of Bl bits and the collision can be avoided. If the number of services is greater than the number of bits of Bl available, then each service can be addressed by calculation in different bits of Bl at different intervals (where the calculated addressing is different for the two bits of Bl in a given QPCH interval). ) to randomize collisions with other services. In any case, having more Bl bits available reduces the probability of collision between services. The bits of Bl for each service are turned on if there is a group search message to send for the service, and the group search message is sent in the designated PCH interval.

FIGURE 12 shows an exemplary transmission in the QPCH and PCH for scheme 4. In this example, the two services Gl and G2 are as described above for scheme 2. The base station Turns the bits of Bl for each service if there is a group search message to send for the service. For the example shown in FIGURE 12, the base station turns on the bits of Bl for service G2 in the PCH n interval and sends a group search message for this service in this PCH interval. The base station turns off the bits of Bl for the service Gl in the interval PCH n, and the wireless devices that receive this service do not need to process the PCH for this service. The base station Lights the bits of Bl for the services Gl and G2 in the interval of PCH n + 4 and sends the group search messages for these services in this interval of PCH. The base station also turns on the bits of Pl and sends the individual search messages in the assigned PCH intervals for the wireless devices. Each wireless device can process the bits of Bl for all the services that are received in a reactivation because these bits of Bl are very close together. Each wireless device processes only the PCH if the bits of Bl for any of the services received by that wireless device are turned on.

The number of bits of Bl available can be fixed and selected based on the expected number of services, the desired probability of collision and / or other factors. For example, 10, 20 or some other number of bits of Bl can be defined for each designated QPCH interval. The number of bits of Bl available can also be based on the current number of services and / or other factors in an adjustable manner. In any case, the wireless devices are aware of the number of bits of Bl available, the locations for these bits of Bl, and the specific Bl bits for which each service maps. Bits of Bl for services may be more likely to turn on than bits of Pl for wireless devices. To avoid collision between the bits of Pl and the bits of Bl, the bits of Pl for the wireless devices can be mapped to locations that are not used for the bits of Bl to which each service maps. For example, the calculated addressing function used to map the bits of Pl may be modified to avoid selecting the bit locations of Bl. Scheme 5 is a generalization of schemes IA, ID and 1E. For scheme 5, a relative interval cycle index (SCIre?) Is defined as the difference between the SCI of QPCH and the SCI of effective PCH. The SCI of QPCH is the SCI to send the bits of Pl for a given wireless device. The effective PCH SCI is the SCI to send group search messages for a service. For the example shown in FIGURE 4, the SCI and relative for scheme A is SCIrel = SCI + 2 since the bits of Pl for each wireless device are sent with a SCI of QPCH of -2 (or every four intervals of QPCH ), and group search messages are sent a PCH SCI of -4 (or each PCH interval). For the example shown in FIGURE 8, the relative SCI for the ID scheme is SCIrel = 0. For the example shown in FIGURE 9, the relative SCI for scheme 1E is SCI + 2 = SCIre? = 0. Other examples may have different relative SCIs. A good choice of relative SCI is dependent on several factors such as, for example, the difference between the interval cycles for the multicast / broadcast services and the voice services, the relative search load associated with the multicast / broadcast and the services of voice, etc. FIGURE 13A shows a process 1300 for transmitting signaling for multicast and broadcast services using PI bits and group search messages. Process 1300 can be used for schemes IA to 1E. Initially, a base station receives signaling to send a service (block 1312). The base station identifies all wireless devices that receive the service and determines the locations of the PI bits for these wireless devices (block 1314). The base station Turns these bits of Pl into the assigned QPCH intervals for these wireless devices (for schemes 1A, IB and 1C) and / or QPCH intervals designated for the service (for ID and 1E schemes) (block 1316). The base station then transmits a group search message in the assigned PCH intervals for these wireless devices (for scheme 1A) and / or the PCH intervals designated for the service (for schemes IB, 1C, ID and 1E) (block 1318). FIGURE 13B shows a 1350 process for transmitting signaling for multicast and broadcast services using Bl bits and group search messages. The process 1350 can be used for schemes 2 to 4. Initially, a base station receives signaling to send for a service (block 1352). The base station then determines the locations of the Bl bits for this service (block 1354). The service can be mapped to different bit locations of Bl for different schemes, as described in the above. The base station Lights these bits of Bl in the QPCH interval for the service (block 1356) and then transmits a group search message in the PCH interval designated for the service (block 1358). FIGURE 14A shows a process 1400 for receiving signaling for multicast and broadcast services sent using the PI bits and group search messages. The process 1400 can be used for schemes 1A to 1E. Initially, a wireless device determines the bit locations of Pl (block 1412). The wireless device then reactivates and processes these bits of Pl in the allocated QPCH interval (for schemes 1A, IB and 1C) and / or the QPCH interval designated for the service that is received (for the ID and 1E schemes) (block 1414). A determination is then made if the PI bits are turned on (block 1416). If the answer is "Yes", then the wireless device processes the PCH at the assigned PCH intervals for the wireless device (for scheme IA) and / or the PCH interval designated for the services received (for IB schemes) , 1C, ID and 1E) (block 1418). The wireless device searches for the group search messages sent for the services as well as the individual search messages for the wireless device. If the answer is "No", for block 1416 and also after block 1418, the wireless device determines when it must be reactivated afterwards to process the QPCH (block 1420). The wireless device will then be inactivated until now (block 1422). FIGURE 14B shows a process 1450 for receiving signaling for multicast and broadcast services sent using Bl bits and group search messages. The process 1450 can be used for schemes 2 to 4. Initially, a wireless device determines the locations of the Bl bits for the services that are received by the wireless device (block 1452). The wireless device then reactivates and processes these bits of Bl in the next QPCH interval designated for these services (block 1454). A determination is then made as to whether the Bl bits are Lit (block 1456). If the answer is Yes', then the wireless device processes the PCH in the designated PCH interval and searches for the group search messages sent for the services that are received by the wireless device (block 1458). If the answer is 'o' for block 1456 and also after block 1458, the wireless device determines when it must be reactivated afterwards to process the QPCH (block 1460). The wireless device will then be inactivated until now (block 1462). The wireless device can also process its PI bits in the designated and / or assigned QPCH intervals and can process the PCH for designated and / or assigned PCH intervals to search the individual search messages sent to the wireless device. Several schemes have been written in the above to send QPCH indicators and to send the search messages for the broadcast and multicast services. The particular scheme to be used should be selected based on several factors such as for example, the number of services that are supported, the search requirements for these services, the number of wireless devices that receive these services, the distribution of these wireless devices, the search area, the information available to send the search messages for the services, the search load for the system, the system capabilities, etc. For example, scheme 5 can provide good performance and can be used if the system has the mapping between the services and the wireless devices that receive these services. To send a search message for a given service, the mapping is used to determine which of the wireless devices sends the search message. The bits of Pl for these wireless devices are determined and turned on, and the search message is sent as described above based on the relative SCI selected for the service. Scheme 5 has the following desirable characteristics: 1. Where a new structure of PCH / QPCH is needed but the mapping of the QPCH intervals for the PCH intervals is changed. 2. There is no significant impact on wireless devices that do not receive services, since their PI bits are not turned on by the service. 3. A wireless device may receive its bits of Pl in a designated QPCH interval when it receives at least one service, or a QPCH interval assigned when it receives no service, or in both of the designated and assigned QPCH intervals. 4. The implementation cost for the wireless device is little. Schema 4 can provide good performance and can be used if the system does not map between the services and the wireless devices that receive these services. To send a search message for a given service, the bits of Bl for the service are determined and turned on, and the search message is sent at the PCH intervals designated for the service. Scheme 4 has the following characteristics: 1. A moving structure of QPCH is used but is completely and irreversibly compatible. 2. The mapping of QPCH / PCH is changed and the designated PCH intervals used for group search messages can be fixed or selected based on the FLOW_IDs. 3. The number of bits of Bl and the mapping of the services for the bits of Bl are known for the wireless devices, (for example, by signaling) and may be adjustable. 4. Base stations do not need to know which of the wireless devices (if any) are receiving a given service. Multiple services can map the same QPCH indicator for many of the schemes described in the above. When such a collision occurs and the indicator is turned on it is desirable to know which of the services turned on the indicator and have pending search messages in the PCH. If this information is available, then only the wireless devices that receive the services that turned on the indicator may need to process the PCH. All other wireless devices can bypass PCH processing and be inactivated directly. The QPCH indicators are sent using On / Off modulation in cdma2000. Additional information (such as which services turned on a given indicator) can be transported using a coding / modulation scheme of higher order than the On / Off modulation. In cdma2000, each QPCH indicator is composed of two symbols for 9600 bps speed and four symbols for 4800 bps speed. Typically, all symbols for a given QPCH indicator are turned on or off. An On indicator can be represented as "++" for 9600 bps speed and as "++++" for 4800 bps speed, where each "+" represents a symbol that is transmitted at the appropriate power level. Additional information can be conveyed by transmitting each symbol with normal polarity ("+") or inverted polarity ("-"), if the symbol is transmitted. Multiple indicator values can be defined with different sequences of symbol values. The services can then be mapped to different values of the indicator. Some exemplary coding / modulation schemes are described in the following. For a speed of 9600 bps, services can be accommodated in three groups that are labeled as groups A, B and C. Group A can be represented by a signaling sequence "+ -", group B can be represented by a sequence of "- + ", group C can be represented by a sequence of" - ", and a combination of more than one group A, B and C can be represented by a sequence" ++ ". The base station transmits the sequence "+ -" for the QPCH indicator to send a search message for services of only group A, transmits the sequence "- +" to send the search messages for the services of only group B, transmits the sequence "-" to send a search message for services of only group C, and transmits the sequence "++" to send a search message for services in any combination of groups A, B, and C. Wireless devices that are aware of this coding / modulation scheme can properly invert the symbols before combining and may be able to correctly detect the QPCH indicator. Legacy wireless devices that are not aware of this modulation scheme can simply combine the two received symbols and can probably detect an indicator of Off for the sequence "+ -", "- +", and "-" and an indicator On for the sequence "++". If the search messages are sent infrequently for the services, then the sequence "++" is a low probability event, and the false detection speed is also low for the legacy wireless devices. For 4800 bps speed, services can be accommodated in seven groups. Eight different signaling sequences can be defined as follows: "++++", "+ -", "+ - + -", "+ - +", "", "- ++", "- + - +", and "- ++ -". The last seven sequences can be assigned to the seven groups and sent to the QPCH indicator wherever a search message for a single group is being sent. In the first sequence "++++" can be sent whenever the search messages for more than one group are being sent. Alternatively, 16 different signaling sequences can be defined for the 16 possible combinations of values for the four symbols. Fifteen sequences can be assigned to fifteen groups and sent to the QPCH indicator whenever a search message is being sent for a single group. The first "++++" sequence can be sent whenever search messages are being sent to more than one group. Some exemplary coding / modulation schemes for the QPCH indicators are described in the above. Other coding / modulation schemes can also be used for the QPCH indicators. Wireless devices use detection thresholds to determine which of the possible values was sent for a given indicator. Detection thresholds can be established to achieve good detection performance in terms of loss detection and false alarm. FIGURE 15 shows a process 1500 for sending QPCH indicators in a way to reduce the probability of collisions. Initially, at least one service for which at least one search message is to be sent is identified (block 1512). An indicator value corresponding to at least one service is selected from among multiple possible indicator values (block 1514). This selection can be made based on a table that can be formed as described in the above. The selected indicator value is then transmitted in the QPCH to indicate at least one search message that is being sent for at least one service (block 1516). FIGURE 16 shows a block diagram of a mode of a base station 122x and a wireless device 110x. The base station 122x, and an encoder 1610 receives data for the search messages and other messages and processes (eg, encodes, interleaves and maps by symbols) the received data. A modulator 1612 performs channeling, spectral propagation, scrambling, etc., for various traffic and control channels (eg, QPCH and PCH) provides a stream of data chips. A transmitting unit 1614 (TMTR) conditions (e.g., converts to analog, amplifies, filters and up-converts by frequency) the data chips and generates a non-return link signal, which is transmitted by an antenna 1616. In the device Wirelessly, a 1652 antenna receives the non-return link signal from the base station 122x and provides a received signal to a receiving unit 1654 (RCVR). The receiving unit 1654 conditions (for example, filters, amplifies and down-converts by frequency) the received signal, digitizes the conditioned signal and provides the data samples. A demodulator 1656 (Demod) processes the databases and provides symbol estimates. The demodulator 1656 further performs detection for QPCH indicators as directed by a controller 1660. The decoder 1658 processes (e.g., desmaps, deinterleaves, and decodes) the symbol estimates that provide the decoded data for the search and other messages. The controllers 1620 and 1660 direct the operation on the base station 122x and the wireless device 110x, respectively. The controllers 1620 and 1660 can also perform various functions for the signaling and reception transmission, respectively. The memory units 1622 and 1662 store data and programming codes for the controllers 1620 and 1660, respectively. A timer 1664 provides the timing information, which is used for the 1660 controller to determine when to reactivate to process the QPCH and PCH. Those of skill in the art can understand that information and signals can be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols and chips that can be referenced through the above description can be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination of the same . Those of skill in the art may further appreciate that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and stages of algorithms described in conjunction with the embodiments described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this hardware and software exchange capability, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits and steps have been described in the foregoing generally in terms of their functionality. Whether functionality such as hardware or software is implemented depends on the particular application and design restrictions imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing the present invention to be severable from scope. The various illustrative logic blocks, modules and circuits described in conjunction with the embodiments described herein may be implemented or implemented with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a specific application integrated circuit (ASIC), and a field programmable gate arrangement (EPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors together with a DSP core or any other configuration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in conjunction with the embodiments described herein may be represented directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of the two. A software module may reside in a RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium can be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a wireless device or in a base station. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a wireless device or in a base station. The prior description of the described embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but should be in accordance with the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features described herein.

Claims (45)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore the property described in the following claims is claimed as property. CLAIMS 1. A method for transmitting signaling in a communication system, characterized in that it comprises: determining locations of search indicators for a plurality of wireless devices that receive a service; transmit the search indicators to indicate a search message that is sent for the service; and transmitting the search message for the service to the plurality of wireless devices. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises: forming the search message with an identifier for the service. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission of the search indicators comprises transmitting the search indicators for each of the plurality of wireless devices in a range assigned to the wireless device. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission of the search indicators comprises transmitting the search indicators for all the plurality of wireless devices in a range designated for the service. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the service is associated with multiple designated intervals in each interval cycle, and where the transmission of the search indicators comprises transmitting the search indicators for each of the plurality of devices wireless in a designated range that more closely follows a range assigned for the wireless device. 6. The method of compliance with the claim 1, characterized in that the transmission of the search message comprises transmitting the search message to each of the plurality of wireless devices in a range assigned to the wireless device. 7. The method of compliance with the claim 1, characterized in that the transmission of the search message comprises transmitting the search message to all the plurality of wireless devices in a range designated for service. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission of the search message comprises transmitting the search message in multiple intervals designated for the service. 9. An apparatus of a communication system, characterized in that it comprises an operating controller for determining the locations of the search indicators for a plurality of wireless devices that receive a service; and a transmitting unit operative to transmit the search indicators to indicate the search message that is sent for the service and to transmit the search message for the service to the plurality of wireless devices. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the transmitting unit is operative to transmit the search indicators for each of the plurality of wireless devices in a range assigned for the wireless device. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the transmitting unit is operable to transmit the search indicators for the plurality of wireless devices in at least one interval allocated for the service. 12. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the transmitting unit is operative to transmit the search message to each of the plurality of wireless devices in a range assigned to the wireless device. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the transmitting unit is operative to transmit the search message to each of the plurality of wireless devices in at least one interval designated for service. 14. An apparatus in a communication system, characterized in that it comprises: means for determining the locations of search indicators for a plurality of wireless devices that receive a service; means for transmitting search indicators to indicate a search message that is sent for the service; and means for transmitting a search message for the service to the plurality of wireless devices. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the means for transmitting the search indicators comprises means for transmitting the search indicators for each of the plurality of wireless devices in a range assigned for the wireless device. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the means for transmitting the search indicators comprises means for transmitting the search indicators for the plurality of wireless devices in at least one interval designated for service. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the means for transmitting the search message comprises means for transmitting the search message to each of the plurality of wireless devices in a range assigned to the wireless device. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the means for transmitting the search message comprises means for transmitting the search message to the plurality of wireless devices in at least one interval designated for service. 19. A method for transmitting signaling in a communication system, characterized in that it comprises: determining the locations of the broadcast indicators for a service, where the number of broadcast indicators available for use in the system is greater than the number of indicators of diffusion specified by revision D of cdma2000; transmit the broadcast indicators to indicate a search message that is sent for the service; and transmitting the search message for the service to a plurality of wireless devices. 20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the determination of the locations of the broadcast indicators for the service comprises mapping the service in pseudo-random locations among a predetermined number of available locations for the broadcast indicators. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the determination of the locations of the broadcast indicators for the service comprises mapping the service in fixed locations among a predetermined number of available locations for the broadcast indicators. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the determination of the locations of the diffusion indicators for the service comprises macerating the service in pseudo-random locations among all the available locations for the search indicators and the diffusion indicators. . 23. The method according to claim 19, further characterized in that it comprises: selecting the number of broadcast indicators available for use based on at least one criterion. 24. The method according to claim 19, further characterized in that it comprises: assigning a plurality of services at overlapping intervals to reduce the number of intervals to process the search messages for the plurality of services. 25. The method according to claim 19, further characterized in that it comprises: assigning a plurality of services at different intervals to reduce the collision between the plurality of services. 26. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the transmission of the broadcast indicators comprises transmitting the broadcast indicators in a range designated for the service. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the transmission of the search message comprises transmitting the search message in a range designated for the service. 28. A hutch in a communication system, characterized in that it comprises: means for determining locations of diffusion indicators for a service, where the number of diffusion indicators available for use in the system is greater than the number of broadcast indicators specified by revision D of cdma2000; means for transmitting broadcast indicators to indicate a search message that is sent for the service; and means for transmitting the search message for the service to a plurality of wireless devices. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that the means for determining the locations of the broadcast indicators for the service comprises means for mapping the service in pseudo-random or fixed locations among a predetermined number of available locations for indicators of diffusion. 30. The apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that the means for determining the locations of the broadcast indicators for the service comprises mapping the service in pseudo-random locations among all available locations for the search indicators and the broadcast indicators. 31. The apparatus according to claim 28, further characterized in that it comprises: means for assigning a plurality of services at overlapping intervals to reduce the number of slots for processing the search messages for the plurality of services. 32. The apparatus according to claim 28, further characterized in that it comprises: means for assigning a plurality of services of different intervals to reduce the collision between the plurality of services. 33. A method for receiving signaling in a communication system, characterized in that it comprises: determining the locations of the search indicators for a wireless device, - processing the search indicators in certain locations to ensure if a search message is being sent potentially for a service that is received by the wireless device and at least one other wireless device; and if the search indicators indicate that a search message is potentially being sent, process a search channel to search for the search message for the service. 34. The method according to claim 33, further characterized in that it comprises: receiving the search indicators in a range assigned to the wireless device. 35. The method according to claim 33, further characterized in that it comprises: receiving the search indicators in a range designated for the service. 36. The method according to claim 33, further characterized in that it comprises: processing the search channel in a range assigned for wireless devices. 37. The method according to claim 33, further characterized in that it comprises: processing the search channel in a range designated for the service. 38. A method for receiving signals from a communication system, characterized in that it comprises: determining the locations of the broadcast indicators for a service that is received by a plurality of wireless devices, where the number of broadcast indicators available for use in the system is greater than the number of broadcast indicators specified by revision D of cdma2000; process the broadcast indicators in the determined locations to ensure that the search message is potentially being sent to the service; And if the search indicators indicate that a search message is potentially being sent, process a search channel to search the search message for the service. 39. The method according to claim 38, further characterized in that it comprises: receiving the broadcast indicators in a range designated for service. 40. The method according to claim 38, further characterized in that it comprises: processing the search channel in a range designated for the service. 41. A method for transmitting indicators in a communication system, characterized in that it comprises: identifying at least one service for which at least one search message is being sent; selecting an indicator value from among a plurality of possible indicator values and corresponding to at least one service; and transmitting the selected indicator value to indicate that at least one search message is being sent for at least one service. 42. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that one of the plurality of possible indicator values corresponds to a search message that is sent to multiple service groups, and where each remaining of the plurality of possible indicator values corresponds to at least one search message that is sent to a respective service group. 43. The method according to claim 41, further characterized in that it comprises: forming the plurality of possible indicator values so that an indicator value can be detected with a search indicator that is turned on and each of the remaining indicator values can be detect as a search indicator that goes off. 44. An apparatus in a communication system, characterized in that it comprises: means for identifying at least one service for which at least one search message is being sent; means for selecting an indicator value from among a plurality of possible indicator values and corresponding to at least one service; and means for transmitting the selected indicator value to indicate that at least one search message is being sent for at least one service. 45. The apparatus according to claim 44, further characterized in that it comprises: means for forming the plurality of possible indicator values so that an indicator value can be detected as a search indicator that is Turn on and each of the remaining indicator values can be detected as a search indicator that turns off.