초록 ▼

A mobile communications device initiates a handoff from its current base station (BS) sector network attachment point to a new BS sector. The mobile sends a handoff request over its current wireless link to the current BS sector, which forwards the request to the new BS sector, e.g., via a network l

A mobile communications device initiates a handoff from its current base station (BS) sector network attachment point to a new BS sector. The mobile sends a handoff request over its current wireless link to the current BS sector, which forwards the request to the new BS sector, e.g., via a network link. The new BS sector processes the request assigning dedicated resources, e.g., an identifier and dedicated uplink segments. Information identifying the allocated resources is conveyed from the new BS sector via the current BS sector to the mobile. The mobile determines the time of the allocated dedicated segments based upon a received beacon signal from the new BS sector with known timing relationships to dedicated segments. The mobile breaks the original wireless link just prior to the time of the first assigned dedicated segment. The mobile communicates information on the assigned dedicated segments to perform registration operations, e.g., timing synchronization and power control, establishing a new wireless link.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A network attachment point for use in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising: means for generating a broadcast signal message having a predetermined frequency into a first frequency band on a periodic basis; andmeans, responsive to a request from a wireless terminal received from a serv

1. A network attachment point for use in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising: means for generating a broadcast signal message having a predetermined frequency into a first frequency band on a periodic basis; andmeans, responsive to a request from a wireless terminal received from a serving network attachment point, for communicating dedicated system handoff information from the network attachment point to the wireless terminal over an active communication session between the wireless terminal and the serving network attachment point without the wireless terminal establishing a communication session with the network attachment point, wherein the dedicated system handoff information identifies resources that are dedicated to the wireless terminal for use in handoff operations;wherein the active communication session is in the first frequency band, and wherein the first frequency band is different from a second frequency band associated with the network attachment point for transmitting user data. 2. The network attachment point of claim 1, further comprising means for detecting a request from the serving network attachment point to initiate a secure communication link over a network therewith. 3. The network attachment point of claim 2, further comprising means for assigning at least one of on-state identifier and hold-state identifier to wireless terminal, means for reserving resources for the wireless terminal, and means for transmitting information, including access state information in which the network attachment point has reserved dedicated tone set-up link communication segment for registration by the wireless terminal, this information being communicated to the wireless terminal via the secure communication link with the serving network attachment point. 4. The network attachment point of claim 3, further comprising, after termination by the wireless terminal of the active communication session with the serving network attachment point, means for detecting a wireless terminal registration attempt over the dedicated tone set-up link communication segment in a specified access slot. 5. The network attachment point of claim 4, further comprising means for registering the wireless terminal with the network, including means for transmitting at least one of timing synchronization and power control signaling to the wireless terminal. 6. The network attachment point of claim 5, further comprising means for detecting successful registration and means for releasing assigned identifiers and resources to establish an active communications session with the wireless terminal. 7. The network attachment point of claim 6, wherein the broadcast system message is a beacon signal having known timing offsets from uplink channel segments for use in a dedicated fashion by the wireless terminal during handoff initiation. 8. The network attachment point of claim 7, wherein the multi-carrier communication system is an OFDM system, the wireless terminal is a mobile node, and the network attachment point and the serving network attachment point are base stations. 9. The network attachment point of claim 8, wherein the network attachment point and the serving network attachment points are located in a same cell. 10. The network attachment point of claim 1, wherein the multi-carrier communication system is an OFDM system, the wireless terminal is a mobile node, and the network attachment point and the serving network attachment point are base stations. 11. The network attachment point of claim 10, wherein the network attachment point and the serving network attachment points are located in a same cell. 12. A network attachment point for use in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising: means for receiving a request from a wireless terminal to initiate handoff communications between the wireless terminal and an adjacent network attachment point; andmeans for receiving, at the network attachment point, dedicated system handoff information transmitted from the adjacent network attachment point and passing the dedicated system handoff information from the network attachment point to the wireless terminal over an active communication session between the wireless terminal and the network attachment point without the wireless terminal establishing a communication session with the adjacent network attachment point, wherein the dedicated system handoff information identifies resources that are dedicated to the wireless terminal for use in handoff operations;wherein the network attachment point uses a first frequency band to communicate with the wireless terminal, and wherein the adjacent network attachment point uses a second frequency band to communicate with the wireless terminal. 13. The network attachment point of claim 12, wherein the dedicated system handoff information comprises information identifying registration operations to be performed by the wireless terminal after terminating the currently active communication link. 14. The network attachment point of claim 13, wherein the adjacent network attachment point generates broadcast system messages in the first frequency band, and wherein the broadcast system messages comprise a beacon signal. 15. The network attachment point of claim 12, wherein the adjacent network attachment point generates broadcast system messages in the first frequency band, and wherein the broadcast system messages comprise a beacon signal. 16. The network attachment point of claim 15, wherein the beacon signal includes at least one of a cell identifier and a sector identifier, the means for receiving a request including the at least one of a cell identifier and a sector identifier. 17. The network attachment point of claim 16, wherein the dedicated system handoff information is dedicated airlink resource assignment information associated with the adjacent network attachment point for use by the wireless terminal when performing a system handoff, the information being received in the form of a packet from the adjacent network attachment point to the wireless terminal over a currently active communication link between the wireless terminal and the network attachment point. 18. The network attachment point of claim 17, wherein the dedicated airlink resource assignment information comprises information for the wireless terminal to communicate with the adjacent network attachment point over a dedicated resource assigned to the wireless terminal, this resource including a set of tones in an uplink communications segment, the wireless terminal being adapted to identify the set of tones from information received from the adjacent network attachment point via the uplink communications segment and from the information regarding the structure of the communications segment derived from the beacon signal. 19. The network attachment point of claim 18, wherein the multi-carrier communication system is an OFDM system, the wireless terminal is a mobile node, and the network attachment point and the adjacent network attachment point are base stations. 20. The network attachment point of claim 12, wherein the multi-carrier communication system is an OFDM system, the wireless terminal is a mobile node, and the network attachment point and the adjacent network attachment point are base stations. 21. The network attachment point of claim 20, further comprising means for terminating a currently active communication link between the wireless terminal in response to a request to do so by the wireless terminal which then establishes a new communication link with the adjacent network attachment point, the new communication link being established only after the currently active communication link is terminated and on the basis of system handoff information received from the adjacent network attachment point via the network attachment point. 22. The network attachment point of claim 12, wherein the first and adjacent network attachment points are located in a same cell. 23. The network attachment point of claim 12, wherein the dedicated system handoff information comprises assigned dedicated allocated resources including at least one of an identifier and dedicated uplink segments. 24. The network attachment point of claim 23, wherein the adjacent network attachment point generates broadcast system messages in the first frequency band, and wherein the broadcast system messages comprise a beacon signal, the wireless terminal determining a timing associated with the assigned dedicated allocated resources based on the beacon signal and predefined timing relationships thereof to the dedicated uplink segments. 25. The network attachment point of claim 24, further comprising means for terminating the currently active communication link prior to a first assigned dedicated allocated resource occurrence to the wireless terminal by the adjacent network attachment point. 26. The network attachment point of claim 25, wherein the request from the wireless terminal for a handoff request wireless terminal is based on the wireless terminal detecting a weak signal strength condition with respect to the currently active communications link with the network attachment point. 27. A method of operating a network attachment point for use in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising: generating a broadcast signal message having a predetermined frequency into a first frequency band on a periodic basis; andtransmitting, responsive to a request from a wireless terminal received from a corresponding serving network attachment point, dedicated system handoff information from the network attachment point to the wireless terminal over an active communication session between the wireless terminal and the serving network attachment point without the wireless terminal establishing a communication session with the network attachment point, wherein the dedicated system handoff information identifies resources that are dedicated to the wireless terminal for use in handoff operations;wherein the active communication session is in the first frequency band, and wherein the first frequency band is different from a second frequency band associated with the network attachment point for transmitting user data. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising detecting a request from the serving network attachment point to initiate a secure communication link over a network therewith. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising assigning at least one of on-state identifier and hold-state identifier to wireless terminal, reserving resources for the wireless terminal, and transmitting information, including access state information in which the network attachment point has reserved dedicated tone set-up link communication segment for registration by the wireless terminal, this information being communicated to the wireless terminal via the secure communication link with the serving network attachment point. 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising, after termination by the wireless terminal of the active communication session with the serving network attachment point, detecting a wireless terminal registration attempt over the dedicated tone set-up link communication segment in a specified access slot. 31. The method of claim 30, further comprising registering the wireless terminal with the network, including transmitting at least one of timing synchronization and power control signaling to the wireless terminal. 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising detecting successful registration and releasing assigned identifiers and resources to establish an active communications session with the wireless terminal. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the broadcast system message is a beacon signal having known timing offsets from uplink channel segments for use in a dedicated fashion by the wireless terminal during handoff initiation. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the multi-carrier communication system is an OFDM system, the wireless terminal is a mobile node, and the network attachment point and the serving network attachment point are base stations. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the network attachment point and the serving network attachment points are located in a same cell. 36. The method of claim 27, wherein the multi-carrier communication system is an OFDM system, the wireless terminal is a mobile node, and the network attachment point and the serving network attachment point are base stations. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the network attachment point and the serving network attachment points are located in a same cell. 38. A method of operating a network attachment point for use in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising: receiving a request from a wireless terminal to initiate handoff communications between the wireless terminal and an adjacent network attachment point; andreceiving, at the network attachment point, dedicated system handoff information transmitted from the adjacent network attachment point and passing the dedicated system handoff information from the network attachment point to the wireless terminal over an active communication session between the wireless terminal and the network attachment point without the wireless terminal establishing a communication session with the adjacent network attachment point, wherein the dedicated system handoff information identifies resources that are dedicated to the wireless terminal for use in handoff operations;wherein the network attachment point uses a first frequency band to communicate with the wireless terminal, and wherein the adjacent network attachment point uses a second frequency band to communicate with the wireless terminal. 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the dedicated system handoff information comprises information identifying registration operations to be performed by the wireless terminal after terminating the currently active communication link. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the adjacent network attachment point generates broadcast system messages in the first frequency band, and wherein the broadcast system messages comprise a beacon signal. 41. The method of claim 38, wherein the adjacent network attachment point generates broadcast system messages in the first frequency band, and wherein the broadcast system messages comprise a beacon signal. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein the beacon signal includes at least one of a cell identifier and a sector identifier, the receiving a request including the at least one of a cell identifier and a sector identifier. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the dedicated system handoff information is dedicated airlink resource assignment information associated with the adjacent network attachment point for use by the wireless terminal when performing a system handoff, the information being received in the form of a packet from the adjacent network attachment point to the wireless terminal over a currently active communication link between the wireless terminal and the network attachment point. 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the dedicated airlink resource assignment information comprises information for the wireless terminal to communicate with the adjacent network attachment point over a dedicated resource assigned to the wireless terminal, this resource including a set of tones in an uplink communications segment, the wireless terminal being adapted to identify the set of tones from information received from the adjacent network attachment point via the uplink communications segment and from the information regarding the structure of the communications segment derived from the beacon signal. 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the multi-carrier communication system is an OFDM system, the wireless terminal is a mobile node, and the network attachment point and the adjacent network attachment point are base stations. 46. The method of claim 38, wherein the multi-carrier communication system is an OFDM system, the wireless terminal is a mobile node, and the network attachment point and the adjacent network attachment point are base stations. 47. The method of claim 46, further comprising terminating a currently active communication link between the wireless terminal in response to a request to do so by the wireless terminal which then establishes a new communication link with the adjacent network attachment point, the new communication link being established only after the currently active communication link is terminated and on the basis of system handoff information received from the adjacent network attachment point via the network attachment point. 48. The method of claim 38, wherein the first and adjacent network attachment points are located in a same cell. 49. The method of claim 38, wherein the dedicated system handoff information comprises assigned dedicated allocated resources including at least one of an identifier and dedicated uplink segments. 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the adjacent network attachment point generates broadcast system messages in the first frequency band, and wherein the broadcast system messages comprise a beacon signal, the wireless terminal determining a timing associated with the assigned dedicated allocated resources based on the beacon signal and predefined timing relationships thereof to the dedicated uplink segments. 51. The method of claim 50, further comprising terminating the currently active communication link prior to a first assigned dedicated allocated resource occurrence to the wireless terminal by the adjacent network attachment point. 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the request from the wireless terminal for a handoff is based on the wireless terminal detecting a weak signal strength condition with respect to the currently active communications link with the network attachment point. 53. A non-transitory machine-readable medium for use in a network attachment point to be employed in a multi-carrier communication system, the non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable to: generate a beacon signal having a predetermined frequency into a first frequency band on a periodic basis; andtransmit, responsive to a request from a wireless terminal received from a serving network attachment point, dedicated system handoff information from the network attachment point to the wireless terminal over an active communication session between the wireless terminal the serving network attachment point without the wireless terminal establishing a communication session with the network attachment point, wherein the dedicated system handoff information identifies resources that are dedicated to the wireless terminal for use in handoff operations;wherein the active communication session is in the first frequency band, and wherein the first frequency band is different from a second frequency band associated with the network attachment point for transmitting user data. 54. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 53, further comprising an instruction to request the serving network attachment point to initiate a secure communication link over a network. 55. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 54, further comprising instructions to assign at least one of on-state identifier and hold-state identifier to the wireless terminal, reserve resources for the wireless terminal, and transmit information, including access state information in which the network attachment point has reserved dedicated tone set-up link communication segment for registration by the wireless terminal, this information being communicated to the wireless terminal via the secure communication link with the serving network attachment point. 56. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 55, further comprising, after termination by the wireless terminal of the active communication session with the serving network attachment point, an instruction to detect a wireless terminal registration attempt over the dedicated tone set-up link communication segment in a specified access slot. 57. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 53, further comprising an instruction to register the wireless terminal with the network, including an instruction to transmit at least one of timing synchronization and power control signaling to the wireless terminal. 58. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions to detect successful registration and release assigned identifiers and resources to establish an active communications session with the wireless terminal. 59. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 58, wherein the beacon signal has known timing offsets from uplink channel segments for use in a dedicated fashion by the wireless terminal during handoff initiation. 60. A non-transitory machine-readable medium for use in a network attachment point to be employed in a multi-carrier communication system, the non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable to: receive a request from a wireless terminal to initiate handoff communications between the wireless terminal and an adjacent network attachment point; andreceive, at the network attachment point, dedicated system handoff information transmitted from the adjacent network attachment point and pass the dedicated system handoff information from the network attachment point to the wireless terminal over an active communication session between the wireless terminal and the network attachment point without the wireless terminal establishing a communication session with the adjacent network attachment point, wherein the dedicated system handoff information identifies resources that are dedicated to the wireless terminal for use in handoff operations;wherein the network attachment point uses a first frequency band to communicate with the wireless terminal, and wherein the adjacent network attachment point uses a second frequency band to communicate with the wireless terminal. 61. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 60, wherein the dedicated system handoff information comprises information identifying registration operations to be performed by the wireless terminal after terminating the currently active communication link. 62. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the adjacent network attachment point generates broadcast system messages in the first frequency and, wherein the broadcast system messages comprise a beacon signal, wherein the beacon signal includes at least one of a cell identifier and a sector identifier, and wherein the request to initiate handoff includes the at least one of a cell identifier and a sector identifier. 63. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the dedicated system handoff information is dedicated airlink resource assignment information associated with the adjacent network attachment point for use by the wireless terminal when performing a system handoff, the information being received in the form of a packet from the adjacent network attachment point to the wireless terminal over a currently active communication link between the wireless terminal and the network attachment point. 64. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 63, wherein the dedicated airlink resource assignment information comprises information for the wireless terminal to communicate with the adjacent network attachment point over a dedicated resource assigned to the wireless terminal, this resource including a set of tones in an uplink communications segment, the wireless terminal being adapted to identify the set of tones from information received from the adjacent network attachment point via the uplink communications segment and from the information regarding the structure of the communications segment derived from the beacon signal. 65. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 64, further comprising instructions to terminate a currently active communication link between the wireless terminal in response to a request to do so by the wireless terminal which then establishes a new communication link with the adjacent network attachment point, the new communication link being established only after the currently active communication link is terminated and on the basis of system handoff information received from the adjacent network attachment point via the network attachment point. 66. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 65, wherein the network attachment point and adjacent network attachment point are located in a same cell. 67. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 60, wherein the dedicated system handoff information comprises assigned dedicated allocated resources including at least one of an identifier and dedicated uplink segments. 68. The non-transitory machine-readable medium int of claim 67, wherein the wireless terminal determines a timing associated with the assigned dedicated allocated resources based on the beacon signal and predefined timing relationships thereof to the dedicated uplink segments, the machine-readable medium further comprising instructions to terminate the currently active communication link prior to a first assigned dedicated allocated resource occurrence to the wireless terminal by the adjacent network attachment point. 69. A network attachment point for use in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising: circuitry configured to generate a broadcast signal message having a predetermined frequency into a first frequency band on a periodic basis, and transmit, responsive to a request from a wireless terminal received from a corresponding serving network attachment point, dedicated system handoff information from the network attachment point to the wireless terminal over an active communication session between the wireless terminal and the serving network attachment point without the wireless terminal establishing a communication session with the network attachment point, wherein the dedicated system handoff information identifies resources that are dedicated to the wireless terminal for use in handoff operations;wherein the active communication session is in the first frequency band, and wherein the first frequency band is different from a second frequency band associated with the network attachment point for transmitting user data. 70. The network attachment point of claim 69, wherein the circuitry is also configured to detect a request from the serving network attachment point to initiate a secure communication link over a network therewith. 71. The network attachment point of claim 70, wherein the circuitry is also configured to: assign at least one of an on-state identifier and a hold-state identifier to the wireless terminal;reserve resources for the wireless terminal; andtransmit information, including access state information in which the network attachment point has reserved a dedicated tone set-up link communication segment for registration by the wireless terminal, this information being communicated to the wireless terminal via the secure communication link with the serving network attachment point. 72. The network attachment point of claim 71, wherein the circuitry is also configured to, after termination by the wireless terminal of the active communication session with the serving network attachment point, detect a wireless terminal registration attempt over the dedicated tone set-up link communication segment in a specified access slot. 73. A network attachment point for use in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising: circuitry configured to receive a request from a wireless terminal to initiate handoff communications between the wireless terminal and an adjacent network attachment point, to receive, at the network attachment point, dedicated system handoff information transmitted from the adjacent network attachment point, and to pass the dedicated system handoff information from the network attachment point to the wireless terminal over an active communication session between the wireless terminal and the network attachment point without the wireless terminal establishing a communication session with the adjacent network attachment point, wherein the dedicated system handoff information identifies resources that are dedicated to the wireless terminal for use in handoff operations;wherein the network attachment point uses a first frequency band to communicate with the wireless terminal, and wherein the adjacent network attachment point uses a second frequency band to communicate with the wireless terminal. 74. The network attachment point of claim 73, wherein the dedicated system handoff information is dedicated airlink resource assignment information associated with the adjacent network attachment point for use by the wireless terminal when performing a system handoff, the information being received in the form of a packet from the adjacent network attachment point to the wireless terminal over a currently active communication link between the wireless terminal and the network attachment point. 75. The network attachment point of claim 74, wherein the dedicated airlink resource assignment information comprises information for the wireless terminal to communicate with the adjacent network attachment point over a dedicated resource assigned to the wireless terminal, this resource including a set of tones in an uplink communications segment.