Method and apparatus for initiating a reverse link intergenerational handoff in a CDMA communication system

A method of initiating a reverse link portion of a handoff that has previously been directed between a serving base station and a target base station in a CDMA communication system having a plurality of base stations in communication with at least one mobile station, wherein each base station transmits at least one associated and corresponding pilot channel that uniquely identifies the base station, comprising the steps of:

• a) obtaining a first parameter, Eb/Nt, associated with the serving base station;
• b) obtaining a second parameter, Eb/Nt, associated with the target base station;
• c) determining if the first parameter is less than or equal to the sum of the second parameter and an offset;
• d) returning to step (a) if the first parameter is not less than or equal to the sum of the second parameter and the offset;
• and
• e) initiating the reverse link portion of the previously directed handoff between the serving and target base stations if the first parameter is less than or equal to the sum of the second parameter and the offset,
• wherein the reverse link portion of the handoff is distinct from a forward link portion of the handoff and wherein both are comprised in a complete handoff, and wherein the reverse link portion of the handoff includes terminating transmissions from the mobile station to the serving base station and initiating transmission from the mobile station to the target base station.