A multi-link relay station and a fast inter-cell handover procedure

We introduce a multi-link relay station (MLRS) with multiple backhaul-links (B/H-links) and propose a fast inter-cell handover procedure using MLRS. It can simultaneously communicate with multiple base stations (BSs) through the corresponding independent B/H-links. By incorporating a handover decision function into MLRS, the proposed MLRS can simplify an inter-cell handover procedure. Hence, MLRS cannot only reduce significantly signaling overhead due to the fast inter-cell handover, but also can reduce the call dropping rate by fulfilling better the service continuity requirement due to multi-path or cooperative transmission through multiple B/H-links.