Dedicated high priority access channel

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for use in wireless packet data mode communications for facilitating communications between one or more remote devices and a base target device. The invention provides a high priority access channel ( 406 ) that can be utilized by specifically enabled packet data capable remote units ( 102 ), to perform random access channel request from a base station ( 106 ) when there is overloading on the standard communication channel ( 404 ).

1 . A method for use in wireless communications for reducing delay in communications between a base station and a remote unit, comprising: 
 determining the busy status of a first communication access channel;    making available on the base station, a second communication access channel;    sending from the base station, a notification of the availability of said second communication access channel on a broadcast channel; and    enabling the receipt of random access channel requests on said second communication access channel, thus limiting the communication delay for the remote unit.    
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said the busy status of the network is determined by the target device.  
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein said busy status is determined by the source device and communicated to the target device.  
   
   
       4 . A method for use in wireless communications for reducing delay in communications between a base station and a remote unit, comprising: 
 receiving on the remote unit, notification of the availability of a second communication access channel when a first communication access channel becomes busy;    switching from said first communication access channel to said second communication access channel; and    utilizing said second communication access channel to communicate random access channel request to the base station as an alternative to waiting for access to said first communication access channel.