Patent ID: 6339585
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: H04L,H04Q,H04W

Abstract:
A method of transmitting information between a primary node and a wireless terminal in a communications system having at least the primary node, a secondary node and the wireless terminal, the method comprising:establishing a communications link between the primary node and the secondary node; determining that a communications link between the primary node and the wireless terminal is unsatisfactory for reliable information transmission; transmitting information from the primary node to the secondary node for retransmission to the wireless terminal; transmitting information from the wireless terminal to the secondary node for retransmission to the primary node during which the primary node is attempting to establish a communications link with the wireless terminal; achieving establishment of the communications link between the primary node and the wireless terminal; and disabling the communications link between the second node and the wireless terminal; wherein the wireless terminal determines that the communications link between the wireless terminal and the primary node is unsatisfactory for reliable information transmission, the determination includes transmitting a signal to the wireless terminal from the primary node and having the wireless terminal unable to accurately receive or decode the signal; and wherein the wireless terminal carry out the steps of decoding a secondary signal from the secondary node, the secondary signal having timing information needed by the wireless terminal to transmit information to the primary node, while repeatedly attempting to reestablish a satisfactory reliable communications link with the primary node and maintaining synchronization with the secondary node.