METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INTERSWITCH HANDOVER IN PERSONAL COMMUNICATION SERVICES SYSTEMS

摘要

The system of the invention provides a method for handling interswitch handovers in a personal communication services (PCS) system. Specifically, the method of the invention designates the original switching system that hosts the radio port control unit (RPCU) that first serves the call as the anchor switch. The anchor switch maintains this status for the duration of the call and is always responsible for setting up the three-way connection to effectuate the interswitch handover regardless of how many additional new switching systems host RPCUs that serve the call as the mobile station moves through the system. The additional new switching systems hosting the new RPCUs always communicate with the anchor switch and the call is always routed from the anchor switch directly to the switching system hosting the RPCU serving the mobile station. Intermediate switches are dropped from the connection when the mobile station exits the areas they serve thereby eliminating the need to maintain connections through prior switching systems.