Title of Invention

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING HANDOFF IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM.

Abstract TITLE: DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING HANDOFF IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM. A mobile communication system transmitting data in frame unit includes a base station apparatus and a terminal apparatus. The transmitter comprises a controller having consecutive first and second frames each divided into a first interval and a second interval following the first interval. In a handoff mode, the controller transmits respective frame data int he first interval of the first frame and the second interval of the second frame and stops transmisstion of the data int he second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame. Further the terminal apparatus comprises a receiver for processing received data, a handoff determiner for determining a handoff target base station by analizing a strength of the received signal, and a controller applying to the receiver a signal transmitted from a apresent base station in the first interval of the first frame and the second interval of the second frame and applying to the handoff determiner signals transmitted from other base stations in the second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame.
Full Text BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication system, and in
particular, to a device and method for performing handoff in a mobile
communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a mobile communication system, there are several handoff methods for
maintaining a call when a terminal (or mobile station) moves from a present cell (or
base station) area to an adjacent cell area. One is a soft handoff method and another
is a hard handoff method. In the soft handoff, the terminal communicates by using
a channel allocated from a handoff target base station to which the terminal is to be
handed off as well as a channel allocated from the present base station which
presently services the terminal, and then disconnects one of the channels, whose
channel quality is lower than a threshold value. In the hard handoff, when a call
quality is lower than a threshold level, the terminal first disconnects the channel
allocated from the present base station and then attempts to connect with the
adjacent base station. Furthermore, there is another handoff method in which upon
receipt of a handoff request message, the base station transmits data for an interval
shorter than a predetermined interval by increasing a data rate based on an
engagement made between the base station and the terminal, and the terminal then
receives the data for the above short interval and searches for an adjacent base
station for the remaining interval. This handoff method is illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 shows a state where a terminal moves from a present base station
BS#0 to an adjacent base station BS#1 (i.e., handoff target base station BS#1 to
which the terminal is to be handed off). In this situation, the terminal perceives that
the strength of a signal received from the present base statio BS#0 is getting lower,
while the strength of a signal received from the adjacent base station BS# 1 is getting
higher. In the meantime, when the strength of the signal received from the base
station BS#0 is lower than a threshold level, the terminal transmits a handoff request
message or a detected signal strength value to the current base station BS#0, and the
base station BS#0 then divides a transmission frame cycle into a transmission
interval Ton and a non-transmission interval Toff to transmits the entire frame data
for a transmission interval Ton. Then, the terminal receives the signal from the base
station BS#0 for the transmission interval Ton and receives the signal received from
the adjacent base station BS#1 for the non-transmission interval Toff, thereby to
perform handoff.
The technical terminologies used in the specification will be defined
hereinbelow. A term "mode 0" (e.g., a base station transmission mode 0 or a
terminal reception mode 0) refers to a mode in which the base station normally
transmits the data for the entire frame cycle and the terminal receives the
transmitted data correspondingly. A term "mode 1" (e.g., a base station
transmission mode 1 or a terminal reception mode 1) refers to a mode in which the
base station transmits the entire data for a predetermined interval of the frame cycle
and the terminal receives the transmitted data for the corresponding interval (i.e.,
the above predetermined interval). A term "mode 2" (e.g., a base station
transmission mode 2 or a terminal reception mode 2) refers to a mode in which the
base station does not transmit the data for a predetermined interval of the frame
cycle and the terminal searches for an adjacent base station for the predetermined
interval. Here, a guard time required in switching from the mode 1 to the mode 2
is represented by "a", and a guard time required in switching from the mode 2 to
the mode 1 or mode 0 is represented by "b". Moreover, in dividing the frame cycle,
reference character Dl denotes a leading interval of the frame and reference
character D2 denotes a following interval of the frame. Besides, reference character
Ton denotes a data transmission interval for which the base station transmits the
data to the terminal, and reference character Toff denotes a data non-transmission
interval for which the base station stops transmission of the data to the terminal.
Further, a term "first frame" refers to a frame transmitted primarily from the base
station to the terminal at the handoff request, and a term "second frame" refers to
a frame transmitted from the base station to the terminal in succession to the first
frame.
Now, reference will be made to a conventional handoff method with
reference to FIGs. 2 and 3.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the frame cycles and
the base station transmission powers (or the terminal reception powers) during
handoff in a conventional mobile communication system. In FIG. 2, reference
character T denotes one frame cycle, reference character "a" denotes a guard time
required in switching from the base station transmission mode 1 (or terminal
reception mode 1) to the base station transmission mode 2 (or terminal reception
mode 2, reference character "b" denotes a guard time required in switching from
the base station transmission mode 2 (or terminal reception mode 2) to the base
station transmission mode 1 (or terminal reception mode 1), and reference character
"S" (i.e., S/2+S/2) denotes an actual search time for which the terminal searches for
the adjacent base station over two frame cycles 2T. In FIG. 2, the time S can be
expressed by S=2x(Toff-a-b)=2Toff-2a-2b. As illustrated, in the conventional
handoff method, the base station transmits the data for the transmission interval
Ton=T/2 out of one frame cycle and stops transmission of the data for the non-
transmission interval Toff=T/2.
When the base station transmits the data as shown in FIG. 2 in a handoff
mode, the terminal performs handoff according to the procedure shown in FIG. 3.
Referring to FIG. 3, the terminal receives and processes the frame data
transmitted normally from the base station in step 310. In this state, the terminal
transmits a handoff request message to the base station, if it is judged that the
handoff is required, for example, due to the reduced strength of the signal received
from the base station. The base station then informs the terminal of the handoff,
successively transmits the data at a double data rate for the leading half cycle 172
of the frame cycle T, and stops transmitting the data for the following half cycle
T/2. Then, the terminal senses in step 312 that the handoff is initiated, and receives
the data of double data rate for the leading half cycle T/2 of the frame cycle T in
step 314. The relation between the leading half cycle T/2, for which the terminal
receives the data, and the base station transmission power is represented by
reference numeral 200 in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the terminal searches in step 316 for
the adjacent base station, to which the terminal is to be handed off, for the following
half cycle T/2. Actually, however, the terminal does not search for the adjacent base
station for the whole remaining half cycle T/2, but for the time obtained by
subtracting a guard time "a" and a guard time "b" from the following half cycle
T/2, wherein the guard time "a" is a time required in switching from the base state
transmission mode 1 (or terminal reception mode 1) to the base station transmission
mode 2 (or the terminal reception mode 2) and the guard time "b" is a time required
in switching from the base station transmission mode 2 (or terminal reception mode
2) to the base station transmission mode 1 (or terminal reception mode 1).
Accordingly, the actual time for which the base station searches for the adjacent
base station is S/2=T/2-a-b. The relation between the actual search cycle and the
base station transmission power is represented by reference numeral 210 m FIG. 2.
In the meantime, the cellular terminal judges in step 318 whether the adjacent
base station is detected (i.e., whether a signal is detected from the adjacent base
station). When the signal is detected from the adjacent base station, the cellular
terminal is handed off to the adjacent base station in step 320. After completion of
the handoff, the terminal returns to step 310 and continues to normally receive the
data. However, upon failure to detect the signal transmitted from the adjacent base
station in step 318, the terminal returns to step 314 to receive the data for the
following half cycle T/2 of the next frame cycle. Here, the relations between the
respective half cycles for the next frame and the transmission powers are
represented by reference numerals 220 and 230 in FIG. 2.
As stated above, although a theoretical time available for the adjacent base
station search is 2Toff, the actual time S available for the adjacent base station
search is S=2Toff-2a-2b. That is to say, as can be appreciated from FIG. 2, the
reception mode 2 follows the reception mode 1 with a time delay "a", and the
reception mode 1 or 0 also follows the reception mode 2 with a time delay "b",
thereby reducing the actual search time by the guard time required in switching the
modes.
That is, in the conventional handoff method, operations of transmitting the
data and searching for the adjacent base station are repeated until the adjacent base
station to which the terminal is to be handed off is detected, which wastes the guard
time required in switching the transmission/reception modes. The waste of the guard
time will reduce the actual search time for which the terminal searches for the
adjacent base station. Furthermore, the frequency mode switching overloads both
the base station and the terminal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a handoff device
and method capable of effectively allocating a transmission interval and a non-
transmission interval of a transmission frame at the handoff request, to increase an
actual search time for which a terminal searches for an adjacent base station.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a handoff device and
method capable of effectively allocating a transmission interval and a non-
transmission interval of a transmission frame at the handoff request, to prevent the
waste of a guard time due to the frequency mode switching.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a handoff device
and method capable of effectively allocating a transmission interval and a non-
transmission interval of a transmission frame at the handoff request, to reduce an
overload due to the frequent mode switching.
It is further another object of the present invention to provide a handoff
device and method got variably allocating a transmission interval and a non-
transmission interval of a transmission frame at the handoff request.
To achieve the above object, there is provided a mobile communication
system transmitting data in frame unit, including a base station apparatus and a
terminal apparatus. The transmitter comprises a controller having consecutive first
and second frames each divided into a first interval and a second interval following
the first interval. In a handoff mode, the controller transmits respective frame data
in the first interval of the first frame and the second interval of the second frame and
stops transmission of the data in the second interval of the first frame and the first
interval of the second frame. Further, the terminal apparatus comprises a receiver
for processing received data, a handoff determiner for determining a handoff target
base station by analyzing a strength of the received signal, and a controller applying
to the receiver a signal transmitted from a present base station in the first interval
of the first frame and the second interval of the second frame and applying to the
handoff determiner signals transmitted from other base stations in the second
interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals
indicate like parts. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a handoff procedure in a mobile
communication system;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the relationships between transmission frames
and base station transmission powers in a conventional mobile communication
system;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a handoff procedure performed in a terminal
of the conventional mobile communication system;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationships between transmission frames
and base station transmission powers in a mobile communication system according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a handoff scheme for a base station
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a handoff scheme for a terminal
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a handoff procedure between the base
station and the terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a handoff procedure performed in the
terminal;
FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a handoff scheme for the base station
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a handoff scheme for the terminal
according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a handoff procedure between the base
station and the terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described
hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following
description, well known functions or constructions are not described in detail since
they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.
In a mobile communication system according to the present invention, a base
station apparatus has consecutive first and second frames each divided into a first
interval and a second interval following the first interval, transmits frame data in the
first interval of the first frame and the second interval of the second frame, and
stops transmission of the frame data in the second interval of the first frame and the
first interval of the second frame. Further, a terminal apparatus receives and
processes the transmitted frame data in the first interval of the first frame and the
second interval of the second frame, and receives signals from other base stations
in the second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame,
to search for a handoff target base state to which the terminal is to be handed off.
That is, the first interval of the first frame and the second interval of the
second frame are data transmission intervals, and the second interval of the first
frame and the first interval of the second frame are data non-transmission intervals.
Furthermore, the first and second intervals for which communication parameters are
interchanged between the base station and the terminal, can be controlled variably.
In the following description, it is assumed that the first and second intervals each
are a half cycle of one frame cycle. Besides, the first interval refers to a leading
interval and the second interval refers to a following interval.
In addition, a term "handoff mode" refers to a mode where the terminal
searches for the handoff target base station and is then handed off to the searched
target base station, at a handoff request from the base station or the terminal itself.
A term "normal mode" refers to a mode where the base station normally transmits
the data for the entire frame cycle.
FIG. 4 illustrates the relationships between frame cycles and base station
transmission powers (or terminal reception powers) in a mobile communication
system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference
characters T", "S", "a" and "b" are identical to those used in FIG. 2. In the
handoff method according to the present invention, when the mobile communication
system fails to end the handoff procedure in the following non-transmission interval
of the first frame, it continues to perform the handoff procedure in the leading
interval of the succeeding second frame, instead of transmitting the data. Therefore,
as illustrated in FIG. 4, the actual search time available for the adjacent base station
search is S=2Toff-a-b.
Therefore, in the novel handoff method, at the handoff request, the cellular
terminal receives the data for the leading half cycle of one frame and then primarily
searches for the adjacent base station for the following half cycle from which the
necessary guard time "a" is subtracted. When the cellular terminal fails to search
for the adjacent base station in the primary search, it continues to secondarily search
for the adjacent base station for the leading half cycle of the next frame, from which
the necessary guard time "b" is subtracted.
The handoff method of the cellular terminal includes the steps of:
determining whether the handoff request is made or not; receiving the data for the
leading half cycle of one frame in response to the handoff request; switching a mode
for a first guard time, after completion of the data reception; searching for an
adjacent base station for the following half cycle of a first frame from which the
first guard time is subtracted and the leading half cycle of a second frame from
which a second guard time is subtracted; and switching the mode for the second
guard time and receiving the data, after searching for the adjacent base station.
In the embodiment, the data transmission interval Ton and the data non-
transmission interval Toff of the base station shall not be limited to the half cycle
of the frame, rather, they may be variable.
FIGs. 5 and 6 illustrate a handoff scheme for the base station and a handoff
scheme for the terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention,
respectively.
Referring to FIG. 5, a channel encoder 511 encodes input data into symbol
data at a coding rate R=Rc. An interleaver 512 interleaves the symbol data output
from the channel encoder 511. A rate converter 513 converts (or increases) a data
rate of the symbol data output from the interleaver 512 by T/Ton times. A first
amplifier 514 amplifies the symbol data output from the interleaver 512 with a
specific gam, and a second amplifier 515 amplifies the symbol data output from the
rate converter 513 with a specific gain. Here, the symbol data input to the first
amplifier 514 is the normal frame data for the mode 0, and the symbol data input
to the second amplifier 515 is the rate converted frame data for handoff.
Accordingly, in order to compensate for a bit error rate (BER) which increases with
the data rate, the gain of the second amplifier 515 is set higher than that of the first
amplifier 514, in proportion to the converted data rate.
A first switch 516 is switched to the first amplifier 514 in a normal mode and
to the second amplifier 515 in a handoff mode, under the control of a undepicted
controller. That is, the first switch 516 transfers an output of the first amplifier 514
to a second switch 517 in the normal mode and an output of the second amplifier
515 to the second switch 517 in the handoff mode. The second switch 517 is turned
on (or closed) in the normal operation mode. However, in the handoff mode, the
second switch 517 is turned on in the transmission interval and turned off (or
opened) in the non-transmission interval. That is, under the control of the
undepicted controller, the second switch 517 switches between the transmission
interval and the non-transmission interval of the frame, during data transmission in
the handoff mode, and is turned on only in the transmission interval to transfer the
data from the first switch 516 to a modulator 518. The modulator 518 modulates the
data from the second switch 517 by using a earner wave fO of the base station itself,
generated from an oscillator 519, and radiates the modulated signal through a
undepicted antenna.
Here, the undepicted controller and the first switch 516 and the second
switch 517 correspond to a controller for controlling a transmission operation of the
base station.
In the case that the mobile communication system is a CDMA (Code
Division Multiple Access) communication system, a transmitter in the base station
apparatus is composed of the channel encoder 511, the interleaver 512, the rate
converter 513, the amplifier 515, and the modulator 518. Here, the rate converter
513 may include orthogonal modulation and PN (Pseudo Noise) sequence
spreading, and the amplifier 515 may be a gain controller. Further, the undepicted
controller controls the rate converter 513 and the amplifier 515, in the handoff
mode. That is, in the handoff mode, the controller uses a fast data transmission
clock by controlling the rate converter 513, and controls the orthogonal modulation
by using orthogonal codes of short length. In addition, the controller increases the
gain of the amplifier 515 in the data transmission interval (i.e., the first interval of
the first frame and the second interval of the second frame) to provide a
transmission power higher than that in the normal mode, and disables the amplifier
515 in the data non-transmission interval (i.e., the second interval of the first frame
and the first interval of the second frame).
Next, referring to FIG. 6, a mixer (or demodulator) 612 demodulates a signal
received via a undepicted antenna by using a carrier wave f0 or fi (where i?0) of a
corresponding base station, generated from an oscillator 611. Specifically, when the
signal is received from the present base station, the mixer 612 demodulates the
received signal using the carrier wave fO, and when the signal is received from the
adjacent base station, the mixer 612 demodulates the received signal using the
carner wave fi for the adjacent base station. A third switch 613 switches an output
signal of the mixer 612 to a fourth switch 614 in a data reception interval Ton (or
data transmission interval in the base station) and to a signal strength measuring part
615 in a data non-reception interval Toff (or non-transmission interval in the base
station). The signal strength measuring part 615 detects the strength of the signal
received from the adjacent base station in the non-transmission interval Toff. A
handoff determiner 616 determines whether to perform the handoff operation
depending upon the detected signal strength value of the adjacent base station,
output from the signal strength measuring part 615. The fourth switch 614 switches
to the mode 0 or the mode 1. Specifically, the fourth switch 614 switches the data
received from the third switch 613 to a deinterleaver 618 in a normal data reception
mode (i.e., mode 0) and to a rate deconverter 617 in a data reception mode (i.e.,
mode 1) for handoff. Here, the data switched to the deinterleaver 618 has a normal
data rate and the data switched to the rate deconverter 617 has a data rate higher
than that of the original data. The rate deconverter 617 deconverts the data rate of
the received data from the fourth switch 614 to the original data rate. The
deinterleaver 618 deinterleaves the data received from the fourth switch 614 and the
rate deconverted data received from the rate deconverter 617. A channel decoder
619 decodes an output of the deinterleaver 618 at a decoding rate R=Rc.
In the case that the terminal apparatus of FIG. 6 is a CDMA terminal
apparatus, a receiver in the terminal apparatus is composed of the demodulator 612,
the switch 613, the rate deconverter 617, the deinterleaver 618, the channel decoder
619, the signal strength measuring part 615 and the handoff determiner 616. The
undepicted controller in the terminal controls the rate deconverter 617 and the
switch 613. Here, the rate deconverter 617 may include orthogonal modulation and
PN sequence spreading. Further, the undepicted controller controls the switch 613
in the handoff mode to connect the output of the demodulator 612 to the rate
deconverter 617 in the data transmission interval (i.e., the first interval of the first
frame and the second interval of the second frame) and to the signal strength
measuring part 615 in the data non-transmission interval (i.e., the second interval
of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame). The rate deconverter
617 orthogonally despreads the data from the demodulator 612 by using the fast
clock and the short orthogonal codes which are used in the base station apparatus,
and stores the despread data in the deinterleaver 618. By reading the data stored in
the deinterleaver 618 in frame unit, it is possible, to obtain the data deconverted to
the original data rate.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a handoff procedure between the base
station and the terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 7, the base station transmits the data for the whole frame cycle T
in step 711, and the terminal receives the transmitted data for the whole frame cycle
T in step 713. This operation corresponds to the mode 0 in which Ton=T and
Toff=0. In step 715, the terminal measures the signal strength of the present base
station and informs the base station of the detected signal strength value when it is
lower than a threshold level. Based on the detected signal strength value, the base
station judges in step 717 whether to perform the handoff. When it is not necessary
to perform the handoff, the base station returns to step 711 and continues to transmit
the data in the mode 0.
However, if it is necessary to perform the handoff, the base station proceeds
to step 719 to transmit the handoff parameters of Ton=Tl, Toff=T2 and T1+T2=T.
The terminal then receives the handoff parameters in step 721 and transmits an
acknowledge signal ACK. The base station checks in step 723 whether the
acknowledge signal ACK is received from the terminal. When the acknowledge
signal ACK is not received for a predetermined time, the base station returns to step
719 to transmit again the handoff parameters.
However, when the acknowledge signal ACK is received in step 723, the
base station goes to step 725 to transmit the frame data, whose data rate is increased
by T/Ton times, for the Ton time in the leading interval D1 [0, Ton) of the frame
and, the terminal receives the frame data in the leading interval Dl of the first frame
in step 727. The relation between the data transmission interval Ton and the base
station transmission power (or terminal reception power) is represented by reference
numeral 400 in FIG. 4, in which the transmission power is, as illustrated, increased
by T/Ton times as compared with the case where the data is normally transmitted.
Subsequently, the terminal measures the signal strength of the adjacent base station
for the Toff time in the following interval D2 [Ton, T) of the first frame in step 729,
to determine whether the handoff target base station is detected. Here, the terminal
searches for the adjacent base station not for the whole Toff interval, but for an
interval S=Toff-a, where "a" is the guard time required in switching from the mode
1 to the mode 2.
Here, if the handoff target base station is detected, the terminal sends a base
station detection message to the base station and is handed off to the detected base
station in step 737. However, when the target base station is not detected, the
4
terminal proceeds to step 733. In the meantime, when the base station does not
receive the base sation detection message for a predetermined time after
transmission of the first frame data, it stops transmitting the data for the time Toff
in the leading interval Dl [T, T+Toff) of the second frame succeeding the first
frame and instead, transmits the data of the increased data rate for the time Ton in
the following interval D2 [T+Toff, 2T) of the second frame, in step 731. The
terminal then receives the frame data in step 733, and checks in step 735 whether
the handoff target base station is detected by measuring the signal strength of the
adjacent base station for the Toff time in the leading interval Dl of the second
frame.
Upon detection of the handoff target base station, the terminal sends the base
station detection message to the base station and is handed off to the detected base
station in step 737. However, when the terminal fails to search for the handoff target
base station, it returns to step 727 to receive the next (i.e., second) frame data. After
sending the base station detection message, the terminal resets in step 739 the
parameters for the normal mode, in such a manner that Ton=T, Toff=0 and R=Rc,
and communicates with the new base station in step 741.
The relation between the transmission intervals and the associated
transmission powers are represented by reference numerals 400 and 420, in which
the transmission powers are, as illustrated, increased by T/Ton times as compared
with the case where the data is normally transmitted. In result, as illustrated in FIG.
4, the actual search time available for the adjacent base station search is 2Toff-a-b
which is shorter by a+b than the conventional search time S=2Toff-2a-2b. That is
to say, the terminal searches for the adjacent base station for the consecutive
intervals between Ton and T of the present (i.e., first) frame and between T and
T+Toff of the next (i.e., second) frame. Accordingly, it is possible for the terminal
to reduce, by half, the frequency of switching between the mode 2 (in which the
terminal searches for the adjacent base station) and the mode 1 (in which the
terminal receives the data), which increases the search time available for the base
station search and decreases the load of the frequent mode switching.
In FIG. 7, a description is made of a case where the terminal measures the
strength of the received signal and sends the signal strength value to the bases
station when the measured signal strength value is lower than the threshold level,
and then the base station analyzes the signal strength value and sends the handoff
request message to the terminal according to the analysis. However, it is also
possible that the terminal analyzes the received signal strength and sends the
handoff request message to the base station according to the analysis. That is, when
the received signal strength becomes lower than the threshold level during the
normal communication, the terminal sends the handoff request message to the base
station and then performs the handoff operation, as illustrated in FIG. 4, according
to the handoff parameters that the base station sends in answer to the handoff
request message.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the handoff procedure performed in the
terminal, in the case where the data transmission and reception intervals for handoff
are a half cycle T/2 of one frame.
Referring to FIG. 8, in steps 810 to 814, the terminal sends the handoff
request message to the base station when the handoff operation is necessary during
the normal data reception. In answer to the handoff request message, the base
station then transmits the data for the leading half interval of the first frame at the
double data rate. The base station transmission power during the leading half
interval of the first frame is represented by reference numeral 400 in FIG. 4. The
terminal receives the data in the leading interval of the first frame in step 814, and
searches for the adjacent base station for the following half cycle of the first frame
in step 816. Here, the terminal searches for the adjacent base station not for the
whole following half cycle, but for the following half cycle from which the guard
time "a" required in switching from the transmission mode to the reception mode
is subtracted. Therefore, an actual time available for the adjacent base station search
is S/2=Toff-a.
In the meantime, the terminal judges in step 818 whether a signal is detected
from the adjacent base station (i.e., whether the adjacent base station is detected).
If it is judged that the adjacent base station is detected, the terminal is handed off
in step 826 to the new base station after delay of the guard time b required in
switching from the reception mode to the transmission mode. After being handed
off, the terminal returns to step 810 and continues to perform the normal data
reception.
However, when the signal is not detected from the adjacent base station in
step 818, the terminal goes to step 820 and searches for the adjacent base station for
the leading half cycle of the next frame from which the guard time "b" required in
switching from the base station transmission mode 2 (or terminal reception mode
2) to the base station reception mode 1 (or terminal reception mode 1) is subtracted.
That is, in step 820, the actual time available for the adjacent base station search is
S/2=T/2-b. After passage of the cycle S/2 for the adjacent base station search, the
terminal receives the data for the following T/2 cycle after delay of the guard time
"b" required in switching from the base station transmission mode 2 (or terminal
reception mode 2) to the base station reception mode 1 (or terminal reception mode
1), in step 822. Here, the above-mentioned T/2 cycle corresponds to one frame
cycle from which the cycle wasted in searching for the adjacent base station and the
guard time "b" are subtracted. After completion of the data reception, the cellular
terminal judges in step 824 whether the adjacent base station is detected during step
820. If it is judge in step 824 that the adjacent base station is detected, the terminal
is handed off to the searched adjacent base station in step 826 and then returns to
step 810 to perform the normal data reception.
Now, reference will be made to a handoff procedure according to an another
embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGs. 9 to 11.
FIGs. 9 and 10 illustrate a handoff scheme for the base station and a handoff
scheme for the terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention,
respectively.
Referring to FIG. 9, channel encoders 911 and 912 encode input data into
symbol data at corresponding coding rates R=Rc and R=Rc*T/Ton, respectively.
Interleaves 913 and 914 interleave the symbol data output from the channel
encoders 911 and 912, respectively. A rate converter 915 converts (or increases) a
data rate of the symbol data output from the inter leaver 914 by T/Ton times. A first
amplifier 916 amplifies the symbol data output from the interleaver 913 with a
specific gain, and a second amplifier 917 amplifies the symbol data output from the
rate converter 915 with a specific gain. Here, the gain of the second amplifier 917
is set higher than the gain of the first amplifier 916, in proportional to the converted
data rate. This is to compensate for the bit error rate (BER) which may be caused
by the increased data rate.
A first switch 918 is switched to the first amplifier 916 in the normal mode
and to the second amplifier 917 in the handoff mode, under the control of a
undepicted controller. That is, the first switch 918 transfers an output of the first
amplifier 916 to a second switch 919 in the normal mode and an output of the
second amplifier 917 to the second switch 919 in the handoff mode. In the normal
operation mode, the second switch 919 is turned on (or closed) in the leading
interval of the first frame and the following interval of the second frame. However,
in the handoff mode, the second switch 919 is turned off (or opened) in the
following interval of the first frame and the leading interval of the second frame.
That is, under the control of the undepicted controller, the second switch 919
switches between the transmission interval and the non-transmission interval of the
frame, during data transmission in the handoff mode, and is turned on only in the
transmission interval to transfer the data from the first switch 918 to a modulator
920. The modulator 920 modulates the data from the second switch 919 by using
a carrier wave fO of the base station itself, generated from an oscillator 921, and
radiates the modulated signal through a undepicted antenna. Here, the undepicted
controller, the first switch 918 and the second switch 919 correspond to a controller
for controlling a transmission operation of the base station.
In the case that the mobile communication system is a CDMA
communication system, a transmitter in the base station apparatus is composed of
the channel encoder 912, the interleaver 914, the rate converter 915, the amplifier
917, and the modulator 920. Here, the rate converter 915 may include orthogonal
modulation and PN sequence spreading, and the amplifier 917 may be a gain
controller. Further, the undepicted controller controls the channel encoder 912, the
interleaver 914, the rate converter 915 and the amplifier 917, in the handoff mode.
When the mobile communication system switches from the normal mode to the
handoff mode, the controller decreases the coding rate of the channel encoder 912
to be lower than that in the normal mode to decrease the number of the coded data
symbols, and controls the interleaver 914 to interleave the decreased data symbols.
Here, if the coding rate is decreased by 1/2, the symbol number of the frame data
is also decreased by half, so that separate rate conversion is not required. When the
rate conversion is required, the controller uses a fast data transmission clock by
controlling the rate converter 915, and controls the orthogonal modulation by using
orthogonal codes of short length. In addition, the controller increases the gain of the
amplifier 917 in the data transmission interval (i.e., the first interval of the first
frame and the second interval of the second frame) to provide a transmission power
higher than that in the normal mode, and disables the amplifier 917 in the data non-
transmission interval (i.e., the second interval of the first frame and the first interval
of the second frame).
As can be appreciated from the foregoing descriptions, a method for
converting a rate of the data transmitted in the first interval of the first frame and the
second interval of the second frame can be divided into two methods. One is to
perform the rate conversion as shown in FIG. 5 to transmit the frame data in the
data transmission data, and another is to decrease the number of data symbols by
decreasing the coding rate of the channel encoder as shown in FIG. 9. Further, it is
also possible to use both of the two methods in order to set the data transmission
interval to be longer than the data non-transmission interval.
Next, referring to FIG. 10, a mixer (or demodulator) 1012 demodulates a
signal received via a undepicted antenna by using a carrier wave f0 or fi (where i?0)
of a corresponding base station, generated from an oscillator 1011. Specifically,
when the signal is received from the present base station, the mixer 1012
demodulates the received signal using the carrier wave fO, and when the signal is
received from the adjacent base station, the mixer 1012 demodulates the received
signal using the carrier wave fi for the adjacent base station. A third switch 1013
switches, in sync with the second switch 919, an output signal of the mixer 1012 to
a fourth switch 1014 in a frame data reception interval Ton (or transmission interval
of the base station) and to a signal strength measuring part. 1015 in a frame data
non-reception interval Toff (or non-transmission interval of the base station). The
signal strength measuring part 1015 measures the strength of the signal received
from the adjacent base station in the non-transmission interval. A handoff
determiner 1016 determines whether to perform the handoff operation depending
upon the detected signal strength value of the adjacent base station, output from the
signal strength measuring part 1015.
The fourth switch 1014 switches to the mode 0 or the mode 1 in sync with
the first switch 918. Specifically, the fourth switch 1014 switches the data received
from the third switch 1013 to a deinterleaver 1018 in a normal data reception mode
(i.e., mode 0) and to a rate deconverter 1017 in a data reception mode (i.e., mode
1) for handoff. Here, the data switched to the deinterleaver 1018 has a normal data
rate and the data switched to the rate deconverter 1017 has a data rate higher than
that of the original data. The rate deconverter 1017 deconverts the data rate of the
received data from the fourth switch 1014 to the original data rate. The deinterleaver
1018 deinterleaves the data received from the fourth switch 1014 and a
deinterleaver 1019 deinterleaves the rate deconverted data output from the rate
deconverter 1017. A channel decoder 1030 decodes an output of the deinterleaver
1018 at a decoding rate R=Rc and a channel decoder 1031 decodes an output of the
deinterleaver 1019 at a decoding rate R=Rc*T/Ton.
In the case that the terminal apparatus of FIG. 10 is a CDMA terminal
apparatus, a receiver in the terminal apparatus is composed of the demodulator
1012, the switch 1013, the rate deconverter 1017, the deinterleaver 1019, the
channel decoder 1031, the signal strength measuring part 1015 and the handoff
determiner 1016. The undepicted controller in the terminal controls the rate
deconverter 1017, the switch 1013, the deinterleaver 1019 and the channel decoder
1031.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a handoff procedure between the base
station and the terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 11, the base station transmits the data for the whole frame cycle
T in step 1011, and then the terminal receives the transmitted data for the whole
frame cycle in step 1113. This operation corresponds to the mode 0 in which
Ton=T, Toff=0 and R=Rc. In step 1115, the terminal measures the signal strength
of the present base station and informs the base station of the measured signal
strength value when it is lower than a threshold level. Depending on the detected
signal strength value, the base station judges in step 1117 whether to perform the
handoff. When it is not necessary to perform the handoff, the base station returns
to step 1111 and continues to transmit the data in the mode 0. Here, it is also
possible that the terminal sends a handoff request message to the base station by
measuring the strength of the received signal.
However, if it is necessary to perform the handoff, the base station proceeds
to step 1119 to send the handoff parameters of Ton=T1, Toff=T2 and T1+T2=T to
the terminal. The terminal then receives the handoff parameters in step 1121 and
sends an acknowledge signal ACK. The base station checks in step 1123 whether
the acknowledge signal ACK is received from the terminal. When the acknowledge
signal ACK is not received for a predetermined time, the base station returns to step
1119 to send again the handoff parameters. However, when the acknowledge signal
ACK is received in step 1123, the base station goes to step 1125 to reset the channel
coding rate R to Rc*T/Ton for handoff, where Rc is the coding rate for the mode
0, T is the frame cycle and Ton is the transmission time.
Thereafter, the base station transmits in step 1127 the rate converted first
frame data for the leading interval Dl [0, Ton) of the first frame and, the terminal
receives the frame data in the leading interval Dl of the first frame in step 1129.
The relation between the data transmission interval Ton and the base station
transmission power (or terminal reception power) is represented by reference
numeral 400 in FIG. 4, in which the transmission power is, as illustrated, increased
by T/Ton times as compared with the case where the data is normally transmitted.
In this case, although thenumber data symbols in the leading interval Dl [0,Ton)
of the first frame is constant without regard to a change of the channel coding rate,
the number of the data symbols available for the channel decoding and the
interleaving effect are reduced. After receiving the data at the changed channel
coding rate, the terminal measures the signal strength of the adjacent base station
for the Toff period in the following interval D2 [Ton, T) of the first frame in step
1131, to determine whether the handoff target base station is detected. Here, the
terminal searches for the adjacent base station not for the whole Toff interval, but
for an interval S=Toff-a, where "a" is the guard time required in switching from the
mode 1 to the mode 2.
Here, if the handoff target base station is detected, the terminal sends a base
station detection message to the base station and is handed off to the detected base
station in step 1139. However, when the handoff target base station is not detected,
the terminal proceeds to step 1135. In the meantime, when the base station does not
receive the base sation detection message for a predetermined time after
transmission of the first frame data, it stops transmitting the data for the time Toff
in the leading interval Dl [T, T+Toff) of the second frame succeeding to the first
frame and instead, transmits the second frame data for the time Ton in the following
interval D2 [T+Toff, 2T), in step 1133. The terminal then receives the second frame
data in step 1 135, and checks in step 1137 whether the handoff target base station
is detected by measuring the signal strength of the adjacent base station for the Toff
time in the leading interval D1, being the non-transmission interval [T, T+Toff), of
the second frame. Here, the terminal searches for the adjacent base station not for
the whole Toff time, but for the time Toff-b, where "b" denotes the guard time
required in switching from the mode 2 to the mode 1. That is, in step 1137, the
actual time available for the adjacent base station search is Toff-b. In the meantime,
when the terminal detects the handoff target base station, it sends the base station
detection message to the base station and is handed off to the adjacent base station
in step 1139. However, when the terminal fails to detect the handoff target base
station, it returns to step 1 129 to receive the next (i.e., second) frame data. After
sending the base station detection message, the terminal resets in step 1141 the
parameters to Ton=T and Toff=0 for the normal mode and communicates with the
new base station in step 1 143.
As described above, the actual search time available for the adjacent base
station search and the relation between the base station transmission power (or
terminal reception power) and the channel coding rates in respective modes are well
illustrated in FIG. 4. In result, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the actual search time
available for the adjacent base station search is 2Toff-a-b which is shorter by a+b
than the conventional search time 2Toff-2a-2b. That is to say, the terminal searches
for the adjacent base station for the consecutive intervals between Ton and T of the
present (i.e., first) frame and between T and T+Toff of the next (i.e., second) frame.
Accordingly, it is possible for the terminal to reduce, by half, the frequency of
switching between the mode 2 (in which the terminal searches for the adjacent base
station) and the mode 1 (in which the terminal receives the data), which increases
the search time available for the base station search and decreases the load of the
frequent mode switching.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, a symbol rate of the frame data is primarily
reduced and the data rate is adjusted by using the reduced symbol rate, which
decreases a load of adjusting the data rate. For example, if the data rate of the
original data is 25bps and the original channel coding rate is 1/4, the symbol rate
is 100bps. Here, to increase the data rate by 2(T/Ton) times, the 100bps data should
be transmitted at a data rate of 200bps, which causes a heavy load. However, if the
channel coding rate is first adjusted to 1/2(1/4*T/Ton) so as to provide the symbol
rate 50bps, the data rate of the transmission data is adjusted from 50bps to 100bps,
so that the load may be reduced as compared with the above method.
As described above, in the novel handoff method, the data reception interval
(or data transmission interval of the base station) changes with the search interval
(or data non-transmission interval of the base station) during the handoff mode.
Therefore, it is possible to increase the actual search time available for the adjacent
base station search by the guard time required in switching the modes, thereby
decreasing the mode switching load.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain
preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
WE CLAIM :
1. A base station apparatus in a mobile communication system
comprising :
a transmitter for generating transmission data for a period of
consecutive first and second frames; and
a controller for dividing each of said first and second frames
into a first interval and a second interval following the first
interval, and controlling the transmitter to transmit respective
frame data in the first interval of the first frame and the
second interval of the second frame and to stop transmission of
the data in the second interval of the first frame and the first
interval of the second frame.
2. The base station apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
transmitter comprises a rate converter for converting a data rate
of the frame data transmitted in the first interval of the first
frame and the second interval of the second frame, so as to
increase the data rate of the frame data.
3. The base station apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
transmitter comprises a channel encoder for encoding the
transmission data in frame unit by decreasing a coding rate in
the first interval of the first frame and the second interval of
the second frame.
4. The base station apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said
transmitter further comprises a rate converter for converting a
data rate of the coded frame data to increase the data rate of
the coded frame data.
5. The base station apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein
said transmitter comprises an amplifier for increasing a
transmission power of a transmisison signal.
6. The base station apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein each
of the second interval of the first frame and the first interval
of the second frame is a half cycle of one frame cycle.
7. The base station apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
transmitter comprises :
a channel encoder for encoding the frame data;
an interleaver for interleaving an output of the channel encoder;
a rate converter for increasing a data rate of data output from
the interleaver; and
an amplifier for amplifying a transmission power of a signal
output from the rate converter with a gain higher than a gain for
another mode.
8. The base station apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said
channel encoder decreases the number of data symbols of the frame
by decreasing a coding rate.
9. A terminal apparatus in a mobile communication system
comprising :
a receiver for receiving data for a period of consecutive first
and second frames each divided into a first interval and a second
interval following the first interval;
a handoff determiner for determining a handoff target base
station by analyzing a strength of the received signal; and
a controller for applying to the receiver a signal transmitted
from a base station presently in communication with the terminal
in the first interval of the -first frame and the second interval
of the second frame and for applying to the handoff determiner
signals transmitted from other base stations in the second
interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second
frame, in a handoff mode.
10. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
receiver comprises a rate deconverter for deconverting a data
rate of the frame data received in the first interval of the
first frame and the second interval of the second frame, so as to
decrease the data rate of the frame data to a normal date rate.
11. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
receiver comprises a channel decoder for decoding coded data
received in the first interval of the first frame and the second
interval of the second frame at a decoding rate corresponding to
a coding rate for the coded data.
12. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
receiver comprises :
a rate deconverter for deconverting a data rate of the data
received in the first interval of the first frame and the second
interval of the second frame to a normal data rate; and
a channel decoder for decoding the rate deconverted data at a
decoding rate corresponding to a coding rate of a transmitter.
13. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein
each of the second interval of the first frame and the first
interval of the second frame is a half cycle of one frame cycle.
14. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said
receiver comprises :
a rate deconverter for deconverting the frame data to a normal
data rate;
a deinterleaver for deinterleaving the rate deconverter signal;
and
a decoder for decoding the deinterleaved signal at a decoding
rate corresponding to a coding rate.
15. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said
channel decoder decodes the received data at a decoding rate
corresponding to a coding rate decreased by a channel encoder in
the transmitter of the base station.
16. The terminal apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein
said handoff determiner comprises :
a signal strength measuring part for measuring a strength of the
received signal to generate a signal strength value; and
a handoff determining part for determining whether to perform a
handoff operation in response to the signal strength value.
17. A handoff device of a mobile communication system comprising:
a base station apparatus including :
a transmitter for generating transmission data for a period of
consecutive first and second frames;
a controller for dividing each of said first and second frames
into a first interval and a second interval following the first
interval, and controlling the transmitter to transmit respective
frame data in the first interval of the first frame and the
second interval of the second frame and to stop transmission of
the data in the second interval of the first frame and the first
interval of the second frame;
a terminal apparatus including :
a receiver for receiving data for a period of the consecutive
first and second frames;
a handoff determiner for determining a handoff target base
station by analyzing a strength of the received signal; and
a controller for applying to the receiver a signal transmitted
from a base station presently in communication with the terminal
in the first interval of the first frame and the second interval
of the second frame, and applying to the handoff determiner
signals transmitted from other base stations in the second
interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second
frame, in a handoff mode.
18. The handoff device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said base
station apparatus comprises a rate converter for converting a
data rate of the frame data in the first interval of the first
frame and a second interval of the second frame so as to increase
the data rate, wherein said terminal apparatus comprises a rate
deconverter for deconverting the data rate of the received data
in the first interval of the first frame and the second interval
of the second frame.
19. The handoff device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said base
station apparatus comprises a channel encoder for decreasing a
coding rate of the frame data to decrease the number of data
symbols in the first interval of the first frame and the second
interval of the second frame, wherein said terminal apparatus
comprises a channel decoder for decoding the coded data received
in the first interval of the first frame and the second interval
of the second frame at a decoding rate corresponding to the
coding rate of the channel decoder.
20. The handoff device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said base
station apparatus comprises a channel encoder for decreasing a
coding rate of the frame data to decrease the number of data
symbols and a rate converter for converting the .....
data rate of the coded data to increase the data rate, in the first interval of the first
frame and the second interval of the second frame; wherein said terminal apparatus
comprises a rate deconverter for deconverting the data rate of the received data and
a channel decoder for decoding the rate deconverted data at a decoding rate
corresponding to the coding rate of the channel encoder, in the first interval of the
first frame and the second interval of the second frame.
21. The handoff device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said base station
apparatus comprises an amplifier for amplifying a transmission power of the signal
transmitted in the first interval of the first frame and the second interval of the
second frame.
22. The handoff device as claimed in claim 18, wherein each of the
second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame is a half
cycle of one frame cycle.
23. A transmission method during a handoff mode in a base station of a
mobile communication system which transmits data in frame unit, the transmission
method comprising the steps of:
preparing consecutive first and second frames;
dividing each of the first and second frames into a first interval and a second
interval following the first interval; and
transmitting respective frame data in the first interval of the first frame and
the second interval of the second frame and stopping transmission of the data in the
second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame.
24. The transmission method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the frame
data transmitted in the first interval of the first frame and the second interval of the
second frame is converted to data having a data rate higher than a data rate in a
normal mode.
25. The transmission method as claimed in claim 23, wherein in the first
interval of the first frame and the second interval of the second frame, the frame
data is encoded at a coding rate lower than a coding rate in a normal mode, so as to
decrease the number of data symbols.
26. The transmission method as claimed in claim 23, wherein in the first
interval of the first frame and the second interval of the second frame, the frame
data is encoded at a coding rate lower than a coding rate in a normal mode, so as to
decrease the number of data symbols and transmitted at a data rate higher than a
data rate in a normal mode.
27. The transmission method as claimed in claim 25 or 26, wherein a
transmission power of the transmission data is higher than a data transmission
power in the normal mode.
28. The transmission method as claimed in claim 27, wherein each of the
second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame is a half
cycle of one frame cycle.
29. The transmission method as claimed in claim 23, wherein if it is
necessary to perform a handoff operation during communication with a terminal,
34. The receiving method as claimed in claim 33, wherein said terminal
deconverts the data received in the first interval of the first frame and the second
interval of the second frame to a data rate in a normal mode.
35. The receiving method as claimed in claim 33, wherein said terminal
decodes the coded data received in the first interval of the first frame and the second
interval of the second frame at a decoding rate corresponding to a coding rate of the
coded data.
36. The receiving method as claimed in claim 33, wherein said terminal
deconverts a data rate of the data received in the first interval of the first frame and
the second interval of the second frame to a normal data rate, and decodes the rate
deconverted data at a decoding rate corresponding to a coding rate of a transmitter.
37. The receiving method as claimed in claim 34 or 35, wherein each of
the second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame is a
half cycle of one frame cycle.
38. The receiving method as claimed in claim 33, wherein if it is
necessary to perform a handoff operation during communication with the base
station, said terminal receives, from the base station, handoff parameters for setting
the first interval of the first frame and the second interval of the second frame to a
data transmission interval and setting the second interval of the first frame and the
first interval of the second frame to a data non-transmission interval.
39. The receiving method as claimed in claim 33 or 38, wherein said
terminal transmits a handoff target base station detection message to the base station
upon detection of a handoff target base station after passage of the first and second
frames.
40. The receiving method as claimed in claim 39, wherein said terminal
analyzes a strength of the signal received from the base station to inform the base
station of the signal strength if the signal strength is lower than a threshold level
and switches to a handoff mode in response to a handoff request message from the
base station.
41. The receiving method as claimed in claim 39, wherein said terminal
analyzes a strength of the signal received from the base station to transmit a handoff
request message to the base station if the signal strength is lower than a threshold
level, and switches to a handoff mode upon reception of a response from the base
station.
42. A handoff method in a mobile communication system preparing
consecutive first and second frames each divided into a first interval and a second
interval succeeding the first interval and transmitting data in frame unit, the handoff
method comprising the steps of:
transmitting frame data in the first interval of the first frame from a base
station to a terminal;
stopping, in the base station, transmission of the frame data in the second
interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame and receiving,
in the terminal, signals transmitted from other base stations to search for a base
station to which the terminal is to be handed off; and
transmitting frame data in the second interval of the second frame from the
base station to the terminal.
43. The handoff method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said base station
converts a data rate of the data transmitted in the first interval of the first frame and
the second interval of the second frame to increase the data rate, wherein said
terminal deconverts a rate converted data received in the first interval of the first
frame and the second interval of the second frame.
44. The handoff method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said base station
decreases a coding rate of the frame data transmitted in the first interval of the first
frame and the second interval of the second frame to crease the number of data
symbols, wherein said terminal decodes the data received in the first interval of the
first frame and the second interval of the second frame at a decoding rate
corresponding to a coding rate of the received data.
45. The handoff method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said base station
decreases a coding rate of the frame data transmitted in the first interval of the first
frame and the second interval of the second frame to decrease the number of data
symbols and converting a data rate of the coded data to increase the data rate,
wherein said terminal deconverts the rate converted data received in the first
interval of the first frame and the second interval of the second frame and decoding
the received data at a decoding rate corresponding to the coding rate of the coded
data.
46. The handoff method as claimed in claim 43 or 44, wherein said base
station increases a transmission power of a signal in the first interval of the first
frame and the second interval of the second frame.
47. The handoff method as claimed in claim 46, wherein each of the
second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame is a half
cycle of one frame cycle.
48. The handoff method as claimed in claim 42, wherein if it is necessary
to perform a handoff operation during communication with the terminal, said base
station transmits, to the terminal, handoff parameters for setting the first interval of
the first frame and the second interval of the second frame to a data transmission
interval and setting the second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the
second frame to a data non-transmission interval.
49. The handoff method as claimed in claim 42 or 48, wherein upon
reception of a handoff target base station after passage of the first and second
frames, said terminal informs the base station of the detection of the handoff target
base station and otherwise, repeats the transmission and non-transmission intervals
of the first and second frames.
50. The handoff method as claimed in claim 49, wherein said terminal
analyzes a strength of the received signal and switches to a handoff mode when the
signal strength is lower than a threshold level.
51. The handoff method as claimed in claim 49, wherein said terminal
measures a strength of a received signal and transmits a received signal strength
value to the base station when the measured signal strength is lower than a threshold
level, wherein said base station sets a handoff mode in response to the received
signal strength value from the terminal.
52. A handoff method in a mobile communication system preparing
consecutive first and second frames each divided into a first interval and a second
interval succeeding the first interval and transmitting data in frame unit, the handoff
method comprising the steps of:
if it is necessary to perform a handoff operation while a base station
communicates with a terminal, transmitting, to the terminal, handoff parameters for
setting the first interval of the first frame and the second interval of the second
frame to a data transmission interval and setting the second interval of the first
frame and the first interval of the second frame to a data non-transmission interval;
transmitting frame data in the first interval of the first frame from a base
station to a terminal; stopping, in the base station, transmission of the frame data in
the second interval of the first frame; receiving, in the terminal, signals transmitted
from other base stations in the second interval of the first frame to search for a
handoff target base station; and transmitting a handoff target base station detection
message from the terminal to the base station upon detection of a handoff target
base station; and
when the handoff target base station is not detected, stopping, in the base
station, transmission of the frame data in the first interval of the second frame;
receiving, in the terminal, signals transmitted from other base stations to search for
a base station to which the terminal is to be handed off; transmitting frame data in
the second interval of the second frame from the base station to the terminal; upon
detection of the handoff target base station, transmitting a handoff target base
station detection message to the base station and performing a handoff procedure;
and repeating the handoff procedure of the first and second frames when the
handoff target base station is not detected.
53. A handoff device in a mobile communication system, comprising:
a base station apparatus including;
a first transmitter for transmitting frame data in a normal mode;
a second transmitter having a rate converter for converting a data rate
to increase the data rate, for transmitting frame data in a handoff mode;
a controller for transmitting the frame data of the first transmitter in
the normal mode, having consecutive first and second frames each divided into a
first interval and a second interval following the first interval, said controller
transmitting respective frame data in the first interval of the first frame and the
second interval of the second frame and stopping transmission of the data in the
second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame;
a terminal apparatus including;
a receiver for processing received data;
a handoff determiner for analyzing a strength of the received signal
to determine a handoff target base station; and
a controller for applying, to the receiver, a signal transmitted from the
present base station in the first interval of the first frame and the second interval of
the second frame and applying, to the handoff determiner, a signal transmitted from
other base stations in the second interval of the first frame and the first interval of
the second frame.
A mobile communication system transmitting data in frame unit includes a
base station apparatus and a terminal apparatus. The transmitter comprises a
controller having consecutive first and second frames each divided into a first
interval and a second interval following the first interval. In a handoff mode, the
controller transmits respective frame data in the first interval of the first frame and
the second interval of the second frame and stops transmission of the data in the
second interval of the first frame and the first interval of the second frame Further,
the terminal apparatus comprises a receiver for processing received data, a handoff
determiner for determining a handoff target base station by analyzing a strength of
the received signal, and a controller applying to the receiver a signal transmitted
from a present base station in the first interval of the first frame and the second
interval of the second frame and applying to the handoff determiner signals
transmitted from other base stations in the second interval of the first frame and the
first interval of the second frame.

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/documentkol/2134-CAL-1998/2134-CAL-1998-FORM-27.pdf


Patent Number 216323
Indian Patent Application Number 2134/CAL/1998
PG Journal Number 11/2008
Publication Date 14-Mar-2008
Grant Date 12-Mar-2008
Date of Filing 04-Dec-1998
Name of Patentee SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.,
Applicant Address 426, MAETAN-DONG, PALDAL-GU, SUWON-SHI, KYUNGKI-DO, KOREA,
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 SU-WON PARK 1662-9, SHILLIM 8-DONG, KWANAK-GU, SEOUL, KOREA.
2 HYUN-JUNG MUN TONONG-DONG, NAMYANGJU-SHI, KYONGGI-DO, KOREA.
PCT International Classification Number N04Q 7/38.
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 11996/1998 1998-04-04 Republic of Korea
2 51889 1998-11-30 Republic of Korea
3 65962/1997 1997-12-04 Republic of Korea