Method and apparatus for distributing data to a mobile device using plural access points
A system and method for providing connectivity between mobile devices and access points of a network without redundant solicitation of communication by the mobile device at each access point is described. The method involves receiving a data packet at a first access point in a control group; transmitting the data packet from the first access point to the mobile device; determining if the mobile device acknowledges receipt of the data packet; responsive to determining that the mobile device failed to acknowledge receipt of the data packet, forwarding the data packet to a second access point; and transmitting the data packet from the second access point to the mobile device.
1. A method for enabling communications with a mobile device, the method comprising:
establishing a communication link between the mobile device and a first access point, the first access point included in a coverage group;
entering a standby mode at the mobile device;
receiving control channel information indicating communication information about a second access point, the second access point included in the coverage group; and
responsive to the mobile device moving from a coverage area associated with the first access point to a coverage area associated with the second access point, the mobile device passively establishing communication synchronization with the second access point using the received control channel information without the second access point transmitting identification information to the mobile device.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting a request to the first access point to be placed in the standby mode.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising maintaining the mobile device in the standby mode when moving the mobile device from the coverage area associated with the first access point to the coverage area associated with the second access point.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising maintaining the mobile device in the standby mode when passively establishing communication synchronization with the second access point.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein communication synchronization is established with the second access point without two-way communication of data with the second access point.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving control channel information further comprises receiving timing information from the first access point for passively establishing communication synchronization with the second access point.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising, while positioned in the coverage area associated with the first access point, storing the timing information for passively establishing communication synchronization with the second access point.
8. A system for wireless communications, comprising:
a first access point and a second access point in a coverage group of access points; and
a mobile device that:
establishes a communication link between the mobile device and the first access point in a first coverage area associated with the first access point;
enters a standby mode of operation in the first coverage area;
receives control channel information indicating communication information about the second access point; and
in response to moving from the first coverage area to a second coverage area associated with the second access point, maintains the mobile device in the standby mode when passively establishing communication synchronization with the second access point using the received control channel information.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the mobile device further maintains the standby mode of operation when moving from the first coverage area to the second coverage area.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the mobile device passively establishes communication synchronization with the second access point without the second access point transmitting identification information to the mobile device.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the mobile device passively establishes communication synchronization with the second access point without two-way communication of data with the second access point.
12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the mobile device further receives timing information from the first access point for passively establishing communication synchronization with the second access point.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the mobile device further stores the timing information for passively establishing communication synchronization with the second access point, when positioned in the coverage area associated with the first access point.
14. A method for enabling communications with a mobile device, the method comprising:
establishing a communication link between the mobile device and a first access point, the first access point included in a coverage group;
entering a standby mode at the mobile device;
receiving control channel information indicating communication information about a second access point, the second access point included in the coverage group; and
responsive to the mobile device moving from a coverage area associated with the first access point to a coverage area associated with the second access point, the mobile device maintaining the standby mode when passively establishing communication synchronization with the second access point using the received control channel information.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising transmitting a request to the first access point to be placed in the standby mode.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein communication synchronization with the second access point is passively established without the second access point transmitting identification information to the mobile device.
17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising maintaining the mobile device in the standby mode when moving the mobile device from the coverage area associated with the first access point to the coverage area associated with the second access point.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein communication synchronization is established with the second access point without two-way communication of data with the second access point.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein receiving control channel information further comprises receiving timing information from the first access point for passively establishing communication synchronization with the second access point.
20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising, while positioned in the coverage area associated with the first access point, storing the timing information for passively establishing communication synchronization with the second access point.