Analysis of an up/down power control algorithm for the CDMA reverse link under fading

We analyze the performance of a code division multiple access (CDMA) reverse link a with an up/down power control algorithm in the presence of fading. We derive a stochastic nonlinear feedback control system model for the power controlled reverse link, and study the power control performance based on the nonlinear model using the technique of statistical linearization. We provide a general analysis framework that allows us to study the effect of mobile speed, power control step size, and fading channel parameters such as correlation coefficient and rate of fading on power control errors. Numerical results show excellent accuracy of our analysis, which can be used to design and optimize the system parameters without going through lengthy simulations. For example, in the presence of shadow fading, it is seen that a power control step size in the range of 0.5-1.3 dB is sufficient to keep power control errors near a minimum. In the case of Rayleigh fading, the standard deviation of power control errors grows quickly even at moderate mobile speeds.