Abstract: A code-division multiple access base station assisted quality soft handoff algorithm screens or filters out candidate pilot signals from a pilot strength measurement message generated by a mobile station and provides the revised pilot strength measurement message to the mobile switching center of the mobile communication system. The mobile switching center subsequently conducts handoff processing in accordance with the revised pilot strength measurement message. If the combined pilot signal strength of the existing mobile station active legs is less than a first threshold, the current pilot strength measurement message is maintained. If the combined pilot signal strength of the existing mobile station active legs is greater than or equal to the first threshold, all candidate pilot signals are deleted from the pilot strength measurement message such that only pilot signals of existing mobile station active legs remain.

Abstract: Call processing overload at a base station of a cellular wireless network is controlled by monitoring a level of call processing at the base station, and reducing a present handoff rate for active users when the call processing level exceeds a first threshold less than a maximum call processing capacity. When the call processing level at the base station exceeds a second threshold greater than the first threshold, a present rate of call originations or terminations is reduced while further reducing the handoff rate.