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Abstract

A wireless communication system for asynchronous transfer mode includes the dynamic assignment of signalling virtual channels and/or virtual paths for communications between a mobile terminal and a controller or control function. An access point associated with the wireless mobile terminal is transparent for transmitted data and control information. The dynamic assignment of the signalling virtual channel (SVC) takes place in the event of new registration to the system and handover from one access point to another. The protocol uses finite state machines and timers at the mobile terminal and at the control function. For new registrations, an assignment channel is used on a broadcast uplink from the mobile terminal to the control function to request the SVC, while the response from the control function is transmitted on the downlink broadcast channel. The response contains the unique SVCI to be used by the mobile terminal and the control function for further signalling between them. A loss of carrier connection is detected by exchanging alive messages. If there is no response to the alive messages, pending connections are released and assigned SVCs are freed. Handover from one access point to another is initiated by the mobile terminal. A new SVCI is assigned by the control function as part of the messages exchanged during the handover protocol.

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First Claim