METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOFT HANDOFF COMMUNICATIONS IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM OPERATING ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION STANDARDS

摘要

A soft handoff operation is provided for a first signal transmitted according to a first communication standard (IS-95B) and a second signal transmitted according to a second communication standard (IS-95C). A mobile station (MS) (204) receives the first signal, detects a pilot signal, measures pilot signal strength, and transmits a pilot strength measurement message. When the MS fails to receive a handoff direction message after transmitting the pilot strength message, the MS searches for a detecting presence of a broadcast control channel (BCCH) associated with a type IS-95C cell site (202) and measures a carrier-to-interference ratio of the BCCH. The MS compares the carrier-to-interference ratio to a threshold, and when the ratio is above the threshold, initiates a second communication according to the IS-95C standard, thus initiating a soft handoff operation and allowing cell sites (202, 203) to transmit information according to the IS-95C and IS-95B standards, respectively.