Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for dynamically merging wireless service sectors in a wireless communication system. The method and system determines when certain conditions exist under which dynamically merging a plurality of wireless service sectors would advantageously yield an increased data rate for transmissions to access terminals (ATs) operating the plurality, while, at the same time, not resulting in a total traffic load that would be detrimental to system performance. The method and system also incorporate the manner and means of merging sectors so as to cause the plurality of wireless service sectors to operate as a single, dynamically-merged wireless service sector. Each access terminal operating in a dynamically-merged wireless service sector receives the full, combined power of all the sectors of the plurality during transmissions to that AT.

Abstract: A mechanism for dynamically setting paging transmission power for a given mobile station based on the mobile station's paging slot frequency. For a mobile station that is set to operate at a higher paging slot frequency (e.g., lower slot cycle index), a wireless serving network transmits a page message to the mobile station at a higher power level, in order to increase the likelihood that the mobile station will successfully receive the page message. On the other hand, for a mobile station that is set to operate at a lower paging slot frequency (e.g., a higher slot cycle index), the network transmits a page message at a lower power level.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the rate at which access terminals hand off from an IS-2000 (e.g., 1xRTT) communication system to an IS-856 (e.g., EVDO) communication system. A base station determines metric indicative of the rate at which hybrid access terminals hand off to the IS-2000 from the IS-856 system, and then based at least in part on the metric, dynamically adjusts a dormancy period that at least one hybrid access terminal must wait before entering a dormant mode in which is looks for service under IS-856. As the rate-metric indicates a higher or lower rate, the system may responsively adjust the dormancy period down or up. The rate at which hybrid access terminals operating under IS-2000 may seek service under IS-856 may thus be tuned to the rate at which they hand of form IS-856 to IS-2000.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling switching of an access terminals between wireless coverage areas such as cell sectors. A measure of actual level of service, such as throughput, provided to the access terminal across the combination of wireless coverage areas over time is determined. Further, for each wireless coverage area, a measure of predicted level of service, such as throughput, that would likely be provided to the access terminal if it operated in just that wireless coverage area is determined. If the actual level of service is greater than each predicted level of service, then the access terminal is allowed to continue switching between wireless coverage areas. On the other hand, if at least one of the predicted levels of service is greater than the actual level of service, then the access terminal is restricted to the wireless coverage area where the level of service is deemed greater.