Patent ID: 8019348

Claim:
A method for a soft handoff utilizing a Radio Access Network (RAN), comprising: receiving a Pilot Strength Measurement Message (PSMM) to request a handoff by a selector distribution unit (SDU); relaying via a Packet Control Function (PCF) call processing functionality between the SDU and a main call control (MCC) to provide internal signaling and packet delivery; receiving a soft handoff request message by the main call control (MCC); receiving the soft handoff request message by a radio call control (RCC) from the MCC, wherein the MCC interfaces with the RCC to request a radio resource and the SDU to allocate a selector resource, wherein the SDU determines the soft handoff and initiates a message to the MCC; receiving the traffic channel assignment message by a channel element control (CEC); and receiving an indication of soft handoff by the CEC from the SDU, wherein the SDU and the CEC are co-located in a first module, and the RCC and the MCC are co-located in a second module, wherein the first module and the second module are integrated into a single compact platform that is modular and stackable for providing wireless coverage.