System and method for CDMA handoff using telemetry to determine the need for handoff and to select the destination cell site

A method for providing a telemetry assisted blind handoff in wireless system, said wireless system including a plurality of cell sites serving a mobile station, said method comprising the steps of:

• said mobile station measuring signal strength and time offset of signals from each of a plurality of neighboring cells;
• said mobile station sending a message to one of said cell sites said message including said signal strength and said time offsets;
• determining an approximate distance of said mobile station from said neighboring cells based on said time offsets;
• determining whether said approximate distance is indicative of said mobile station being in a predetermined zone;
• and
• responsive to determining that said mobile station is in said predetermined zone, said one base station initiating a handoff by consulting a record of available handoff destinations associated with said zone, said record including information about success or failure of prior handoff attempts to said destinations, and causing said mobile to execute a handoff to one of said available handoff destinations selected at least in part based on said information.

A method for providing a telemetry assisted handoff in a wireless system, said wireless system including a plurality of cell sites serving a mobile station, said method comprising the steps of:

• said mobile station measuring signal time offset of signals from at least two neighboring cells;
• said mobile station sending a message to one of said cell sites, said message including said time offsets;
• determining an approximate position of said mobile station by measuring said time offsets of signals from said at least two neighboring cells;
• consulting a record of available handoff destinations associated with said approximate position of said mobile station, said record including information about success or failure of prior handoff attempts to said destinations, and determining whether a handoff is appropriate to one of said available handoff destinations selected at least in part based on said information;
• responsive to determining that a handoff is appropriate to one of said available handoff destinations, initiating a handoff;
• and, responsive to determining that a handoff is appropriate to one of said available handoff destinations, refraining from initiating a handoff, thus preventing premature handoff and potential loss of said call.