Patent ID: 7545769

Claim:
A method for using an asynchronous channel for mobile handoff in a Code Division Multiple Access communication system, the method comprising the steps of: operating a mobile unit on a forward link channel and a reverse link channel asynchronously, wherein the forward and reverse link channels are different; receiving a command to determine a pilot power level of a channel targeted for handoff; dropping the forward link from a serving base station by a decision of the mobile unit without contacting the serving base station while maintaining a connection to the reverse link channel with the serving base station; acquiring a pilot signal of a new forward link channel targeted for handoff by a decision of the mobile unit while maintaining the previous reverse link channel with the serving base station; measuring a pilot signal power level of the targeted channel; raising a forward link power control setpoint for the serving base station by the mobile unit to improve the probability of re-acquiring the previous forward link; re-acquiring the previous forward link; lowering the forward link power control setpoint for the serving base station to normal operation by the mobile unit upon re-acquisition of the previous forward link; and reporting the pilot signal power level of the targeted channel on the re-acquired forward link.