Systems and methods for implementing large cdma cell sizes

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided for CDMA (code division multiple access) access availability to a large cell area, and for traffic channel establishment. A group of cell site modems are configured to look for access attempts generated in respective complete and/or sectorized circular or annular shaped areas centered at the center of the cell area, the areas collectively covering the cell area. To achieve this, each cell site modem has a local clock and the local clock within the first of the cell site modems is synchronized with a standard network time, and the local clock of each of the subsequent cell site modems is offset by a respective delay with respect to the standard network time which causes the cell site modem to search within its respective annular shaped area. A cell site modem is also made available as a traffic cell site modem and is operable to have its traffic acquisition search window centered at a location of an access attempt. Alternatively, a plurality of traffic cell site modems may be provided, each having dedicated circular or annular coverage areas within the cell. The traffic cell site modems also preferably have a local clock which may be synchronized, either to a standard network time, or to a respective delay which causes it to search in its respective area. Methods and for handing off between circular and annular shaped traffic coverage areas are also provided.