Abstract: A wireless communication network updates packet zone tracking variables for mobile stations having packet data connections with the network in a manner consistent with that used by the mobile stations for their locally stored packet zone tracking variables. The network consequently reduces the incidence of unnecessary link renegotiations by reducing mismatches between network-stored and mobile-stored packet zone tracking information. A network routing entity may be configured to update a stored packet zone tracking variable for a mobile station if that mobile's link is renegotiated in dormant handoff of the mobile station but not for hard handoff renegotiations. The entity may maintain two or more tracking variables for the mobile station, one that is updated for hard and dormant handoff renegotiations, and one that is updated for dormant handoff renegotiations so as to better match the mobile-stored variable. A third tracking variable may be passed by base stations during hard handoff.

Abstract: Frame quality information is transmitted and updated within a core network (CN) and a RAN downlink to UE. In the CN, CRC checks are done and the FQC field is set according to the results of the CRC check and the received FQC field's value, and transferred to the next node in the communication path. A server, or servers, instruct(s) MGWs and RNCs within the communications path to apply CRC checks and generate the FQC field according to the received FQC field and the applied CRC check. The lu framing protocol is used to transfer the FQC between the CN and RNC. A radio protocol, such as RRC protocol, is used between the RNC and the mobile to transport the FQC field in the downlink to the UE.