Call recovery using multiple access call recovery channel

A base station in a mobile communication network having rescue capability, comprising:

• transceivers for communicating with one or more mobile stations over forward and reverse link channels;
• a forward call recovery channel for communicating with mobile stations in need of rescue, said forward call recovery channel configured for simultaneous use by multiple mobile stations;
• and
• a control unit operatively connected to the transceivers for multiplexing rescue messages to mobile stations in need of rescue onto the forward call recovery channel.

A method of call recovery in a wireless communication network, comprising:

• monitoring a signal quality indicator at a mobile station;
• comparing the signal quality indicator to first and second thresholds;
• transmitting a first rescue message to a first base station in response to the signal quality indicator reaching a first threshold;
• and
• autonomously promoting one or more base stations into the mobile station's active set and sending a second rescue message to the first base station in response to the signal quality indicator reaching the second threshold;
• and
• transmitting signals to the newly promoted base stations.

A mobile station comprising:

• a transceiver for communicating with one or more base stations in a mobile communication network;
• and
• a control unit operatively connected to the transceiver for:
• monitoring a signal quality indicator at a mobile station;
• comparing the signal quality indicator to first and second thresholds;
• transmitting a first rescue message to a first base station in response to the signal quality indicator reaching a first threshold;
• and
• autonomously promoting one or more base stations into the mobile station's active set when the second threshold is reached and sending a second rescue message to the first base station in response to the signal quality indicator reaching the second threshold;
• and
• transmitting signals to the newly promoted base stations.

A method of call recovery comprising:

• reserving a forward link channel for use as a call recovery channel;
• configuring the call recovery channel for simultaneous rescue of multiple mobile stations;
• detecting multiple mobile stations in need of rescue;
• and
• for each mobile station:
• selecting one or more rescue base stations notifying one or more rescue base stations to listen for transmissions from the mobile station;
• receiving a pilot strength measurement message from the mobile station at a rescue base station;
• and
• sending a handoff direction message to the mobile station over the forward call recovery channel.