Patent ID: 6094426
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A method for performing a virtual soft handoff update comprising the steps of:prior to a mobile station receiving a traffic channel, transmitting media access control (MAC) information from each of a plurality of base stations to the mobile station, wherein the MAC information comprises a MAC control frame structure for conveying packet data transmission scheduling information for a selected base station of the plurality of base stations, the MAC control frame structure including a plurality of activity fields, one activity field for each active packet data mobile station within a cell of said selected base station, a Next MAC ID field which specifies the identification of a mobile station to be given traffic channel access in a next time slot, and a # Free Channel field which specifies a number of available traffic channels for packet data service at said selected base station;receiving the MAC information from the plurality of base stations at the mobile station;measuring a strength of pilot signals received by the mobile station from each of the plurality of base stations; andexecuting the virtual soft handoff update by selecting a base station from the plurality of base stations transmitting MAC information to the mobile station according to the measured strength of the pilot signals.