Mobile handoff functionality using asynchronous channel in a communication system
View Patent ↗A apparatus and method for using an asynchronous channel for mobile handoff in a communication system includes a first step of operating a mobile unit on a forward link channel and a reverse link channel, wherein the forward and reverse link channels are different. A next step includes dropping the forward link while maintaining a connection to the reverse link channel. A next step includes acquiring a pilot signal of a new forward link channel targeted for handoff while maintaining the previous reverse link channel. A next step includes measuring a pilot signal power level of the targeted channel. A next step includes re-acquiring the previous forward link. A next step includes reporting the pilot signal power level of the targeted channel on the re-acquired forward link.
1. A method for using an asynchronous channel for mobile handoff in a Code Division Multiple Access communication system, the method comprising the steps of:
operating a mobile unit on a forward link channel and a reverse link channel asynchronously, wherein the forward and reverse link channels are different;
receiving a command to determine a pilot power level of a channel targeted for handoff;
dropping the forward link from a serving base station by a decision of the mobile unit without contacting the serving base station while maintaining a connection to the reverse link channel with the serving base station;
acquiring a pilot signal of a new forward link channel targeted for handoff by a decision of the mobile unit while maintaining the previous reverse link channel with the serving base station;
measuring a pilot signal power level of the targeted channel;
raising a forward link power control setpoint for the serving base station by the mobile unit to improve the probability of re-acquiring the previous forward link;
re-acquiring the previous forward link;
lowering the forward link power control setpoint for the serving base station to normal operation by the mobile unit upon re-acquisition of the previous forward link; and
reporting the pilot signal power level of the targeted channel on the re-acquired forward link.
2. A mobile unit using an asynchronous channel for mobile handoff in a Code Division Multiple Access communication system, the mobile unit comprising:
a transmitter operable on a reverse link channel;
a receiver operable on a forward link channel and to receive a command to determine a pilot power level of a channel targeted for handoff; and
a processor, the processor configured to direct the receiver and transmitter to operate on different channels asynchronously, the processor further configured to direct the receiver to drop the forward link without contacting a serving base station while having the transmitter maintain a connection to the reverse link channel with the serving base station, the processor further configured to; direct the receiver to acquire a pilot signal of a new forward link channel targeted for handoff while maintaining the previous reverse link channel with the serving base station, measure a pilot signal power level of the targeted channel, raise a forward link power control setpoint for the serving base station to improve the probability of re-acquiring the previous forward link, re-acquire the previous forward link, and lower the forward link power control setpoint for the serving base station to normal operation upon re-acquisition of the previous forward link, wherein the processor is configured to direct the transmitter to report the pilot signal power level of the targeted channel on reverse link.