초록 ▼

An emergency handoff method (50) reroutes or redirects communications from one channel in a cell (105) to another channel in the same cell (105) or a different cell (107). Handoff is initiated by a subscriber unit (SU) (100) when the SU (100) determines that an emergency handoff is needed. Once a ne

An emergency handoff method (50) reroutes or redirects communications from one channel in a cell (105) to another channel in the same cell (105) or a different cell (107). Handoff is initiated by a subscriber unit (SU) (100) when the SU (100) determines that an emergency handoff is needed. Once a new channel is needed, the SU (100) chooses a new, available channel to transfer its communication. After selecting an available channel, the SU (100) acquires the available channel. The servicing satellite which is providing the available channel then makes the constellation of satellites reroute or redirect the call data or the communication packets across the new channel to the SU (100).

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of handing-off a call from a current channel to one of a plurality of available channels in a satellite cellular communication system, the call being between a first subscriber unit (SU) and a second SU, the current channel being projected onto earth by a first s

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of handing-off a call from a current channel to one of a plurality of available channels in a satellite cellular communication system, the call being between a first subscriber unit (SU) and a second SU, the current channel being projected onto earth by a first satellite, the available channels being projected onto earth by a second satellite, a third satellite servicing the second SU, the method comprising the steps of:a) the first SU determining that an emergency handoff is needed, wherein synchronization is not lost;b) the first SU acquiring an available channel from the available channels and providing a logical channel number to the second satellite;c) the second satellite creating a new logical channel number;d) the second satellite receiving a pathend from the first satellite;e) the second satellite transmitting the new logical channel number to the pathend, the pathend being the third satellite;f) the third satellite rerouting the call from the first satellite to the second satellite; andg) the third satellite rerouting the call from the first satellite to the second satellite so that the second satellite can redirect the call to the available channel.