Method and apparatus for performing inter-frequency handoff in a wireless communication network

摘要

Techniques for performing inter-frequency handoff in a wireless communication network are described. An access terminal may acquire a first sector on a first frequency (e.g., at power up), receive an overhead message from the first sector, obtain neighbor list information from the overhead message, and store this information. The access terminal may be directed from the first frequency to a second frequency, e.g., to balance network load. The access terminal may perform handoff to a second sector on the second frequency. This handoff may be unsuccessful if the access terminal is within the coverage of the first sector but outside the coverage of the second sector, even though the two sectors may be co-located. If the handoff is unsuccessful, then the access terminal may determine a neighbor sector based on the stored neighbor list information, then attempt acquisition of the neighbor sector, and perform handoff to the neighbor sector if acquired.

主权项

1. An access terminal, comprising:
at least one processor configured to acquire a first sector on a first frequency in a wireless communication network, to receive an overhead message from the first sector, to obtain neighbor list information from the overhead message that includes information related to a second sector on a second frequency, to perform handoff to the second sector on the second frequency, the first and second sectors being geographically co-located sectors that are each operated by a given access point that is configured to serve access terminals within a single cell of the wireless communication network via direct wireless communication between the given access point and the served access terminals, the overhead message being a periodically broadcasted overhead message that is configured to convey sector information to the served access terminals, to determine a neighbor sector based on the neighbor list information if the handoff to the second sector is unsuccessful, and to attempt acquisition of the neighbor sector if determined; and a memory coupled to the at least one processor.