System and method for allocating a channel quality information channel in a communication system

A method for allocating a Channel Quality Information Channel (CQICH) in a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving, from a mobile station (MS), a CQICH allocation request for fast switching;
• and
• upon receiving the CQICH allocation request, detecting a need to allocate a CQICH to the MS.

A system for allocating a channel quality information channel (CQICH) in a communication system, the system comprising:

• a mobile station (MS) for, switching from a serving anchor base station (BS) to a target anchor BS and thereafter transmitting a request for allocating a CQICH to the target anchor BS upon detecting that an CQICH has not been allocated from the target anchor BS;
• and
• the target anchor BS for detecting a need to allocate a CQICH to the MS upon receiving the request for allocating a CQICH.

A method for fast base station switching (FBSS) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• switching, by a mobile station (MS), from a serving anchor base station(BS) to a target anchor BS,
• monitoring a MAP, by the MS, from the target anchor BS and waiting for a Channel Quality Information Channel (CQICH) allocation after the switch,
• requesting, by the MS, the target anchor BS to allocate the CQICH channel.