Patent ID: 6108538
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
A method for optimizing hand-offs performed by a subscriber unit, wherein said subscriber unit is located at a first position and communicates with a first satellite using a current beam, said method comprising the steps of:establishing a front area, a side area, and a back area relative to said first position, wherein said establishing step further comprises the steps of: associating a first level of usability with said front area, associating a second level of usability with said side area, and associating a third level of usability with said back area;identifying a candidate beam and a position for said candidate beam, wherein said identifying step further comprises the step of associating said candidate beam with said first satellite;setting a hand-off threshold based on said position for said candidate beam relative to said front area, to said side area, and to said back area;requesting an intra-satellite hand-off when said hand-off threshold is exceeded and said candidate beam is associated with said first satellite; andrequesting an inter-satellite hand-off when said hand-off threshold is exceeded and said candidate beam is associated with a second satellite,wherein said setting step further comprises the steps of:setting a hand-off threshold to a first value when said candidate beam is positioned within said front area;setting said hand-off threshold to a second value when said candidate beam is positioned within said side area; andsetting said hand-off threshold to a third value when said candidate beams is positioned with said back area.