Method and apparatus for improved link layer handoff
US7567535B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 28, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/324
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Various embodiments are described to address the need for an apparatus and method that improves link layer handoff by addressing the packet-loss problem existing today. An intermediate buffer management layer (IBML) (201, 211) is introduced below layer 3 of an OSI-based communications interface. The IBML buffers copies of OSI layer 3 packets being transmitted via lower layers (205, 215) of the interface and manages the buffer contents using indications the IBML receives from one or more of the lower layers. When the IBML receives an indication that a link layer hard handoff is proceeding, the IBML transfers the presently buffered packets to a corresponding IBML (202, 212) in the target communications interface. This sub-layer 3 buffer transfer enables the target communications interface to reduce packet-loss associated with the hard handoff.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.