Patent ID: 8229433

Claim:
A method for seamless inter-frequency handoff in a wireless network, comprising: reporting to an access network a sector pilot strength information for a first frequency member in a message specified in an active set management protocol; receiving pilot timing information for a second frequency member in a message specified in the active set management protocol, wherein the first frequency member is operating at a different frequency than the second frequency member; generating a tune-away schedule for a first frequency member based on a frame boundary timing for the first frequency member and the pilot timing information for the second frequency member; periodically tuning to the second frequency member based on the generated tune-away schedule to perform pilot strength measurements for the second frequency member; if the measured pilot strength for the second frequency member exceeds a threshold, adding to the second frequency member to a same active set as the first frequency member and establishing a radio link with the access network for the second frequency member; ascertaining whether to handoff from the first frequency member to the second frequency member, wherein both the first and the second frequency members are included in the same active set; and seamlessly handing off to the second frequency member.