Patent ID: 6018662
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A progressive soft handoff method for use in a CDMA telecommunications system having a plurality of basestations and a mobile unit in 2-way soft handoff communication with two of the basestations over first and second respective communications links, the first and second communications links carrying digital signals at respective data rates, the soft handoff method comprising the steps of:1) at an initial time during 2-way soft handoff, maintaining a full data rate between the mobile unit and the first basestation,2) at the initial time, establishing the second communications link at a data rate lower than the full data rate,3) after the initial time and during 2-way soft handoff, progressively decreasing the data rate between the mobile unit and the first basestation,4) after the initial time and during 2-way soft handoff, progressively increasing the data rate between the mobile unit and the second basestation,5) at a termination time defining a termination of 2-way soft handoff, terminating communications between the mobile unit and the first basestation,6) at the termination time, providing communications between the mobile unit and the second basestation at the full data rate,7) thereby progressively transferring communications with the mobile unit to the second basestation.