Method of overhead channel transmission in mobile communication system and apparatus using the same

Abstract

A method of performing a reverse-link packet data service in a communication system is provided, by which a reverse packet data service is available at a high data rate in the reverse link supporting a variable data rate without additional Walsh code allocation. The method includes steps of transmitting a plurality of traffic packet frames on a first channel, each traffic packet frame having a data rate; transmitting a plurality of main pilots on a second channel; transmitting a plurality of auxiliary pilots on a third channel, each auxiliary pilot corresponding to one traffic packet frame; and transmitting data rate information on a fourth channel, the data rate information indicating the respective data rates of the traffic packet frames, wherein the transmissions on the third and fourth channels are alternated by a time division of one Walsh code. A communication system adopting the method includes a base station for transmitting a plurality of reverse activity bits for a plurality of traffic packet frames to at least one mobile terminal, each traffic packet frame having a data rate, the at least one mobile terminal determining a plurality of reverse rate indicators of the respective data rates of the traffic packet frames using the corresponding reverse activity bits, each reverse rate indicator determining the data rate of the next traffic packet frame.