Method for improving communication coverage in multi-cell communication systems using location information
First Claim
1. In a multi-cell communication system, a method of improving communication coverage, comprising:
- providing a first neighbor cell list to a communication unit wherein the communication unit is engaged in a comnmunication on a channel in a first cell;
determining periodically a geographical location of the communication unit to a greater specificity than that of a cell site service coverage area;
determining that the first neighbor cell list no longer relates to a current geographical location of the communication unit that is determined to a greater specificity than that of a cell site service coverage area;
repeatedly determining that the communication unit needs to hand-off from the channel in the first cell to a channel in a second cell;
repeatedly denying the communication unit access to the channel in the second cell to produce a quantity of hand-off denials; and
providing the communication unit with a second neighbor cell list related to the current geographical location of the communication unit, wherein the step of providing the communication unit with a second neighbor cell list comprises the step of providing the communication unit with a second neighbor cell list when the first neighbor cell list no longer relates to a current geographical location of the communication unit and the quantity of hand-off denials reaches a threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method for improving the communication coverage in a multi-cell communication system (100) which employs neighbor cell lists. A cell site (114) provides a communication unit (128) within its cell (112) with communication and a neighbor cell list. The neighbor cell list (200) informs the communication unit of other cells which are possible hand-off targets. When the fixed network equipment (FNE) detects that a particular communication unit (128) has entered another cell and/or needs to hand-off its communication to another cell site but has been denied, the cell site (114) sends the communication unit the neighbor cell list related to the new cell. With a new neighbor cell list (300), the communication unit (128) can now attempt to maintain its communication by handing-off to cells unknown before. In this manner the effective communication coverage of the system is improved.
46 Citations
8 Claims
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1. In a multi-cell communication system, a method of improving communication coverage, comprising:
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providing a first neighbor cell list to a communication unit wherein the communication unit is engaged in a comnmunication on a channel in a first cell; determining periodically a geographical location of the communication unit to a greater specificity than that of a cell site service coverage area; determining that the first neighbor cell list no longer relates to a current geographical location of the communication unit that is determined to a greater specificity than that of a cell site service coverage area; repeatedly determining that the communication unit needs to hand-off from the channel in the first cell to a channel in a second cell; repeatedly denying the communication unit access to the channel in the second cell to produce a quantity of hand-off denials; and providing the communication unit with a second neighbor cell list related to the current geographical location of the communication unit, wherein the step of providing the communication unit with a second neighbor cell list comprises the step of providing the communication unit with a second neighbor cell list when the first neighbor cell list no longer relates to a current geographical location of the communication unit and the quantity of hand-off denials reaches a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a multi-cell communication system having a plurality of communication units, a method of improving communication coverage, comprising the steps performed in at least one of the plurality of communication units:
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receiving a first neighbor cell list; requesting a hand-off from a serving cell to another cell; receiving a denial to hand-off to another cell; determining a new neighbor cell list is needed; requesting a neighbor cell list update; and receiving a second neighbor cell list; wherein the step of requesting a hand-off to another cell comprises the step of repeatedly requesting to be handed-off;
wherein the step of receiving a denial to hand-off to another cell comprises the step of repeatedly receiving denials to hand-off producing a quantity of hand-off denials; and
wherein the step of determining comprises the step of reaching a threshold in the quantity of hand-off denials. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification