The cdma2000 System for Mobile Communications: 3G Wireless Evolution

Chapter 7 Handoffs

Handoffs are those procedures designed to maintain continuity of the connection between the access network and mobile station while the latter moves from one cell to another. Although several handoff types exist, the key one that has contributed much to the success of CDMA is the soft handoff. Soft handoff allows the mobile station (MS) to commence communication with a new base station without interrupting communication with the current serving one. This make-before-drop technique differs drastically from those employed by earlier technologies, in which a connection with the target base station can be established only after releasing the connection with the serving one. Soft handoff allows for universal frequency reuse, which ...