Method and apparatus for managing assignment during handoff in wireless communication systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus for managing assignment during a handoff in a wireless communication system is described. The method includes determining a desired forward link serving sector and receiving a valid assignment from the desired forward link serving sector. The method includes initiating a message indicating a change from a current forward link serving sector to the desired forward link serving sector and clearing forward link access terminal assignments associated with the current forward link serving sector.

1 . A method of managing assignment during a handoff in a wireless communication system, comprising:
 determining, by an access terminal, a desired forward link serving sector, the desired forward link serving sector being one of plurality of forward link serving sectors;   receiving by the access terminal a valid assignment from the desired forward link serving sector in response to a request from the access terminal for the handoff;   initiating by the access terminal a message indicating a change from a current forward link serving sector to the desired forward link serving sector; and   clearing forward link access terminal assignments associated with the current forward link serving sector.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the valid assignment includes a sticky assignment with a supplemental bit set to zero or a non-sticky assignment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein initiating the message by the access terminal comprises initiating a change forward link access command. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising updating protocols in the access terminal to reflect the handoff to the desired forward link serving sector. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 comparing signal strengths from the plurality of forward link serving sectors;   selecting the forward link serving sector providing the strongest signal strength as the desired forward link serving sector.   
     
     
         6 . A computer program product comprising computer readable media having computer executable code stored thereon, the computer executable code comprising:
 code for determining a desired forward link serving sector, the desired forward link serving sector being one of plurality of forward link serving sectors;   code for receiving an assignment from the desired forward link serving sector in response to a request from an access terminal for a handoff;   code for initiating a message indicating a change from a current forward link serving sector to the desired forward link serving sector; and   code for clearing forward link access terminal assignments associated with the current forward link serving sector.   
     
     
         7 . The computer program product of  claim 6 , wherein the initiating a message by the access terminal comprises initiating a change forward link access command. 
     
     
         8 . The computer program product of  claim 6 , further comprising code for updating protocols in the access terminal to reflect the handoff to the desired forward link serving sector.