Separate power control for the forward voice channel and forward data channel
is provided without using additional bandwidth or decreasing the amount of pilot
signal provided from the mobile to the base station. Alternating voice and data
power control commands or information are transmitted in the pilot channel by a
mobile to a base station. In one embodiment, the power control portion of a first
pilot channel segment is used to provide power control for the forward voice channel
and then in the following pilot channel segment, the power control portion is used
to provide power control for the forward data channel. In other embodiments, other
than a 50/50 mix between voice and data power control is provided in the mobile's
pilot channel. For example, forward voice channel power control commands may be
transmitted two or more times for each transmission of forward data channel power
control commands.
