Handoff-control technique for wireless ATM

A method for mobile-communications connections and routing in a network including base stations, a mobile terminal, switches, and first and second datapath links, comprising the steps of:

• establishing a communications connection from said remote terminal to said mobile terminal via said first datapath link including a first switch and a first base station;
• signaling from said mobile terminal to said first base station when a hand-off is to occur;
• signaling from said first base station to a second base station via said second datapath links including a second switch, a request for said hand-off while establishing said second datapath link from said first base station to said second base station via said first switch and said second switch;
• signaling from said second base station to said first base station that said second datapath link is established;
• and
• signaling from said first base station to said mobile terminal to change communications from said first base station to said second base station and sending data from said first base station to said second base station via said second datapath link.

A mobile-communications connections and routing network comprising:

• a communications connection from a remote terminal to a mobile terminal via a first datapath link including a hand-off switch, a first switch, and a first base station, and mobile terminal signaling to said first base station when a hand-off is to occur;
• and
• a second base station receiving a signal from said first base station via a second datapath link, including a second switch, a request for said hand-off, said second base station signaling to said first base station when said second datapath link from said hand-off switch to said second base station via said second switch is available;
• wherein
• said hand-off switch signals said first switch and said second switch to change datapath links from said first datapath link to said second datapath link;
• and
• said first base station signaling to said mobile terminal to change communications from said first base station to said second base station.

A mobile-communications connections and routing network comprising:

• a communications connection from a remote terminal to a mobile terminal via a first datapath link including a first switch and a first base station, said mobile terminal signaling to said first base station when a hand-off is to occur;
• a second base station receiving from said first base station via a second datapath link, including a second switch, a signal requesting said hand-off while establishing said second datapath link from said first base station to said second base station via said first switch and said second switch;
• said second base station signaling to said first base station that said second datapath link is established;
• and
• said first base station signaling to said mobile terminal to change communications from said first base station to said second base station and said first base station sending data to said second base station via said second datapath link.