Handoff method in a mobile communication system supporting transmission diversity

• US 6,609,003 B1
• Filed: 05/13/1999
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: Yoon, Soon-Young, Ahn, Jae-Min, Park, Su-Won
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHARMA, SUJATHA R
• Application Number:
  US09/311,546
• Time in Patent Office: 1,559 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432, 455/436, 455/437, 455/442, 455/524, 455/525, 455/562, 455/101, 370/331, 370/332, 370/334
• US Class Current: 455/436
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/022 Site diversity; Macro-diversity using two or more spaced independent antennas H04B7/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection

Abstract

A method for performing a handoff when a mobile station receiving a transmission diversity signal travels from a first base station transmitting a signal in a transmission diversity mode of operation to a second base station transmitting a signal in the transmission diversity mode of operation. In the method, the mobile station communicates with the first base station in the transmission diversity mode of operation. Prior to performing handoff, the mobile station communicates with the first base station in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation. During the handoff, the mobile station communicates with the first and second base stations in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation. Upon completing the handoff, the mobile station communicates with the second base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation. After a predetermined time, the mobile station communicates with the second base station in the transmission diversity mode of operation. Other methods for performing the handoff are also provided where, for example, the mobile station and the base stations operate in the transmission diversity and the non-transmission diversity modes of operation.

Claims

1. A method for performing a handoff when a mobile station receiving a transmission diversity signal travels from a first base station transmitting a signal in a transmission diversity mode of operation to a second base station transmitting a signal in the transmission diversity mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in the transmission diversity mode of operation;

prior to performing the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation;

during the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first and second base stations in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation;

upon completing the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation; and

after a predetermined time, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in the transmission diversity mode of operation.

2. A method for performing a handoff when a mobile station receiving a transmission diversity signal travels from a first base station transmitting a signal in a transmission diversity mode of operation to a second base station transmitting a signal in the transmission diversity mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in the transmission diversity mode of operation;

during the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first and second base stations in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation; and

upon completing the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in the transmission diversity mode of operation.

3. A method for performing a handoff when a mobile station receiving a transmission diversity signal travels from a first base station transmitting a signal in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation to a second base station transmitting a signal in a transmission diversity mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation;

during the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first and second base stations in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation;

upon completing the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation; and

after a predetermined time, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in a micro-transmission diversity mode of operation.

4. A method for performing a handoff when a mobile station receiving a transmission diversity signal travels from a first base station transmitting a signal in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation to a second base station transmitting a signal in a transmission diversity mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation;

during the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first and second base stations in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation; and

upon completing the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in the transmission diversity mode of operation.

5. A method for performing a handoff when a mobile station receiving a transmission diversity signal travels from a first base station transmitting a signal in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation to a second base station transmitting a signal in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation;

during the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first and second base stations in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation; and

upon completing the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation.

6. A method for performing a handoff when a mobile station receiving a transmission diversity signal travels from a first base station transmitting a signal in a transmission diversity mode of operation to a second base station transmitting a signal in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in a micro-transmission diversity mode of operation;

prior to performing handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation;

during the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first and second base stations in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation; and

upon completing the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation.

7. A method for performing a handoff when a mobile station receiving a transmission diversity signal travels from a first base station transmitting a signal in a transmission diversity mode of operation to a second base station transmitting a signal in the transmission diversity mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation;

during the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first and second base stations in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation; and

upon completing the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation.

8. A method for performing a handoff when a mobile station receiving a transmission diversity signal travels from a first base station transmitting a signal in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation to a second base station transmitting a signal in a transmission diversity mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation;

during the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first and second base stations in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation; and

upon completing the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation.

9. A method for performing a handoff when a mobile station receiving a transmission diversity signal travels from a first base station transmitting a signal in a transmission diversity mode of operation to a second base station transmitting a signal in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation, the method comprising the steps of:

enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first base station in a non-transmission diversity mode of operation;

during the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the first and second base stations in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation; and

upon completing the handoff, enabling the mobile station to communicate with the second base station in the non-transmission diversity mode of operation.