TIA-856.400

Description / Abstract: General Overview

The Connection Layer controls the state of the air-link, and it prioritizes the traffic that is sent over it. This section presents the default protocols for the Connection Layer. With the exception of the Overhead Messages Protocol, each of these protocols can be independently negotiated at the beginning of the session.

The access terminal and the access network maintain a connection whose state dictates the form in which communications between these entities can take place. The connection can be either closed or open:

• Closed Connection: When a connection is closed, the access terminal is not assigned any dedicated air-link resources. Communications between the access terminal and the access network are conducted over the Access Channel and the Control Channel.

• Open Connection: When a connection is open, the access terminal can be assigned the Forward Traffic Channel, and is assigned a Reverse Power Control Channel and a Reverse Traffic Channel. Communications between the access terminal and the access network are conducted over these assigned channels, as well as over the Control Channel.

The Connection Layer provides the following connection-related functions:

• Manages initial acquisition of the network.

• Manages opening and closing of connections.

• Manages communications when connection is closed and when a connection is open.

• Maintains approximate access terminal's locationin either connection states.

• Manages radio link between the access terminal and the access network when a connection is open.

• Performs supervision both when the connection is open and when it is closed.

• Prioritizes and encapsulates transmitted data received from the Session Layer and forwards it to the Security Layer.

• De-capsulates data received from the Security Layer and forwards it to the Session Layer.

The Connection Layer performs these functions through the following protocols: