METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING A RADIOTELEPHONE CALL FROM ONE COVERAGE AREA TO ANOTHER

摘要

Handoff between coverage areas is achieved in a radiotelephone system coupled to standard wireline switches. Upon initiation of a radiotelephone call in one radio coverage area, a directory number and radio call identifier (203) are downloaded to the subscriber unit (101) from a fixed control unit (111) associated with the coverage area. When the subscriber unit determines a handoff to a target radio coverage area is desirable, it transmits the directory number and radio call identifier to another fixed control unit (113) associated with the target radio coverage area. This fixed control unit calls the directory number and is coupled to the first fixed control unit via the standard wireline switch (115, 117). The radio call identifier is then sent to the first fixed control unit to enable the proper connection for handoff.