Mobile communication system with position detection to facilitate hard handoff

• US 20020034947A1
• Filed: 09/17/2001
• Published: 03/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Soliman, Samir S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,031,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/436
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/083 wherein at least one of the access points is a moving node
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/322 by location data

Abstract

A system for facilitating handoff adapted for use with a telecommunications network. The system includes position equipment for determining the location of a mobile transceiver within a region containing a first cell and a second cell. A comparison circuit compares the location with a predetermined handoff area within the region and provides a control signal in response thereto. A handoff initiation circuit initiates handoff of the mobile transceiver between the first cell and the second cell in response to the control signal. In a specific embodiment, the handoff is a hard handoff. The position equipment includes Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment including a mobile unit GPS receiver and signal interface. The comparison circuit includes a positional database that stores latitudinal and longitudinal information corresponding to the predetermined handoff area. The comparison circuit also includes a Code Division Multiple Access selector. The selector begins tracking the position of the mobile transceiver when it is within a predetermined range of the predetermined handoff area. In a specific embodiment, the handoff initiation circuit includes a base station controller. The position equipment includes a base station positional detection system and a mobile unit positional detection system for determining the location of the mobile transceiver. The position database has map information depicting the coverage area of the first and second cells and the predetermined handoff area. The selector runs software for comparing the location to the map information and providing the control signal when the location is within the predetermined handoff area. The base station includes and implements instructions for completing hard handoff in response to the control signal.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system, including;

(a) a position location system which determines the position of a terminal within the wireless communication system; and

(b) a central call processor, coupled to the position location system, which determines whether the terminal has moved more than a predetermined distance from a predetermined initial location and which prevents communications with the terminal if the terminal has so moved.