Hop-limited handoff scheme for ATM-based broadband cellular networks

In the proposed handoff scheme for a cellular ATM network, if the number of successive handoffs of a mobile is less than a preset number, the traffic path is simply elongated by a PVC between the new cell and the current cell. If the number reaches the preset number, the traffic path is rerouted to a PVC between the new cell and the ATM switch. By limiting the number of successive path elongations, the path efficiency can be improved and the network's processing load can be kept light.