Handover in a hybrid communications network

An apparatus for effecting hand-off of a call from a mobile station in a first wireless communication system having a first mobile switching node operable with a first base station and a second mobile switching node operable with a second base station, and a second wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving a handoff request;
• means for requesting a handoff number, the handoff number used for routing the call from the first base station to the second base station;
• means for receiving the handoff number;
• means for transmitting a prepare handoff message, the prepare handoff message comprising handoff number;
• and
• means for receiving the call.

A method of effecting hand-off of a call from a mobile station in a first wireless communication system having a first mobile switching node operable with a first base station and a second mobile switching node operable with a second base station, and a second wireless communication system, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving a handoff required message at the first mobile switching node;
• (b) sending a handoff request from the first mobile switching node to the second mobile switching node;
• (c) sending a message from the second mobile switching node to request allocation for a handoff;
• (d) in response to (c), receiving a handoff request acknowledge message;
• (e) sending the handoff request acknowledge message from the second mobile switching node to the first mobile switching node;
• (f) sending an initial address message to initiate a circuit connection between the first mobile switching node and the second mobile switching node;
• and
• (g) receiving the call from the first mobile switching node.

An apparatus for effecting hand-off of a mobile station in a first wireless communication system having a first mobile switching node operable with a first base station and a second mobile switching node operable with a second base station, and a second wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) means for receiving a handoff required message at the first mobile switching node;
• (b) means for sending a handoff request from the first mobile switching node to the second mobile switching node;
• (c) means for sending a message from the second mobile switching node to request allocation for a handoff;
• (d) in response to (c), means for receiving a handoff request acknowledge message;
• (e) means for sending the handoff request acknowledge message from the second mobile switching node to the first mobile switching node;
• (f) means for sending an initial address message to initiate a circuit connection between the first mobile switching node and the second mobile switching node;
• and
• (g) means for receiving the call from the first mobile switching node.

An apparatus for effecting hand-off of a mobile station in a first wireless communication system having a first mobile switching node operable with a first base station and a second mobile switching node operable with a second base station, and a second wireless communication system, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a first mobile switching node configured to receive a handoff required message;
• (b) a second mobile switching node coupled to the first mobile switching node and configured to receive a handoff request and to request allocation for a handoff;
• and
• (c) a circuit to couple the first mobile switching node to the second mobile switching node and configured to transfer the call from the first mobile switching node to the second mobile switching node.