Continuous verification of mobile stations for handoff operations

摘要

A method and apparatus for providing continuous verification of a mobile station for handoff operations in a cellular telecommunication system is described. In an embodiment of the present invention, a mobile station (MS) has an established wireless connection with a first base station (BS1). A second base station (BS2) receives the uplink transmissions sent to BS1 from the MS as soon as it comes into receiving range. BS2 immediately initiates a verification procedure on the MS to determine whether a satisfactory connection can be made. The verification step is initiated by the second base station before a handoff procedure is initiated thereby reducing the amount of signaling between the MSC and associated base stations. Since the verification is initiated earlier, it occurs over a relatively longer period of time resulting in improved handoff reliability.