Abstract: Diversity and inter-frequency mobile-assisted handoff (MAHO) are achieved under continuous reception cellular access methods by using strategic timing and switching optimizations. Strategic timing is achieved by avoiding the non-reception of power control bits. For example, the mobile terminal can make measurements for diversity in the last eight bits of a sub-frame of an IS-95 downlink transmission. Switching is optimized, for example, by storing rake taps for a first antenna prior to switching to a second antenna so that the rake tap positions can be restored upon returning to the first antenna. With these and other disclosed measurement techniques, the benefits of diversity and inter-frequency MAHO can be achieved in continuous reception cellular systems.