Network access based on control-channel status

An access terminal configured to transmit an access probe to a radio access network, the access terminal comprising:

• a communication interface configured to communicate with a radio access network, wherein time slots for receipt of communications from the radio access network are defined in control-channel periods, wherein each control-channel period comprises one or more control-channel cycles, and wherein a particular control-channel cycle is assigned to the access terminal;
• program logic stored in data storage and executable by at least one processor to:
• (a) determine a wait time until the assigned control-channel cycle;
• (b) determine whether or not the wait time is less than a predetermined maximum wait time;
• (c) if the wait time is less than the predetermined maximum wait time, then transmit an access probe to the radio access network during the assigned control-channel cycle;
• and
• (d) if the wait time is greater than the predetermined maximum wait time, then transmit the access probe to the access terminal before the assigned control-channel cycle.

In a radio access network wherein time slots available for communicating with access terminals are defined in control-channel periods, wherein each control-channel period comprises one or more control-channel cycles, a method comprising:

• during a particular control-channel period, receiving an access probe from an access terminal, wherein the access terminal is assigned a particular control-channel cycle;
• in response to receiving the access probe:
• determining a wait time until the assigned control-channel cycle;
• making a determination as to whether or not the wait time is less than a predetermined maximum wait time;
• if the wait time is less than the predetermined maximum wait time, then transmitting an acknowledgment message to the access terminal during the assigned control-channel cycle, wherein the acknowledgment message is responsive to the received access probe;
• and
• if the wait time is greater than the predetermined maximum wait time, then transmitting the acknowledgment message to the access terminal before the assigned control-channel cycle.

In a radio access network wherein time slots provided for communications with access terminals are defined in control-channel periods, wherein each control-channel period comprises one or more control-channel cycles, a system comprising:

• a communication interface configured to receive an access probe from an access terminal, wherein the access terminal is assigned a particular control-channel cycle;
• program logic stored in data storage and executable by at least one processor to, in response to receiving the access probe:
• (a) determine a wait time until the assigned control-channel cycle;
• (b) determine whether or not the wait time is less than a predetermined maximum wait time;
• (c) if the wait time is less than the predetermined maximum wait time, then transmit an acknowledgment message to the access terminal during the assigned control-channel cycle, wherein the acknowledgment message is responsive to the received access probe;
• and
• (d) if the wait time is greater than the predetermined maximum wait time, then transmit the acknowledgment message to the access terminal before the assigned control-channel cycle.