Abstract: A mobile communication network comprises a plurality of access nodes, each of which includes a transceiver system for communicating with mobile stations and a control circuit for controlling operation of said access node. A group of access nodes defines a subnet. Each access node in a subnet stores state information for the other access nodes in the subnet in a subnet information table (SIT) and sends a periodic broadcast message to the other access nodes at a periodic interval. The periodic broadcast message may indicate a change in the state or configuration of an access node. Access nodes may also send an information request to another access node in response to a periodic broadcast message when the periodic broadcast message indicates that the sending access node has changed state or configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a cellular telephone system that supports performing an inter-system soft handoff is described. A subscriber unit generates a pilot strength measurement report when the pilot channel from a base station is detected. When a base station controller receiving the pilot strength measurement report determines that the base station is part of a second cellular telephone system, a inter-system soft handoff request is generated. An admission control subsystem receives the inter-system soft handoff and either grants or denies the request base on the traffic level with the second cellular telephone system. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the traffic level is determined based on link load messages received periodically by the admission control subsystem that are generated by an interface port coupled to an interconnect between the first cellular telephone system and the second cellular telephone system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a cellular telephone system that supports performing an inter-system soft handoff is described. A subscriber unit generates a pilot strength measurement report when the pilot channel from a base station is detected. When a base station controller receiving the pilot strength measurement report determines that the base station is part of a second cellular telephone system, a inter-system soft handoff request is generated. An admission control subsystem receives the inter-system soft handoff and either grants or denies the request base on the traffic level with the second cellular telephone system. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the traffic level is determined based on link load messages received periodically by the admission control subsystem that are generated by an interface port coupled to an interconnect between the first cellular telephone system and the second cellular telephone system.