Improved
pilot signal sequences which facilitate multiple channel quality measurements, e.g., through the use of different
signal pilot transmission power levels, are described. In various implementations the transmitted
pilot sequences facilitate determining the contribution of interference from other sectors of a
cell using the same tones, e.g., in a synchronized manner, as the sector in which the
pilot signal measurements are being made. To measure
noise contributions from neighboring sectors a sector NULL pilot, e.g., a pilot with zero power, is transmitted in an adjacent sector at the same time a
pilot signal with a pre-selected, and therefore known, non-zero power is transmitted in the sector where the received
pilot signal measurement is made. To facilitate
background noise measurements, a
cell NULL is supported in some embodiments. In the case of a
cell NULL, all sectors of a cell transmit a Null pilot, on a tone that is used to measure
background noise. Since no power is transmitted in the cell on the tone during the measurement, any measured
signal on the tone is attributable to
noise, e.g.,
background noise which may include inter-cell interference.