Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a virtual macro cell in a heterogeneous cellular communications network are disclosed. In general, micro cells served by multiple micro base stations are aggregated to provide a virtual macro cell. Each micro base station provides service to one or more low mobility user equipments (LMUs) located within the micro cell of the micro base station using one or more first resources (e.g., a first carrier) that are allocated to LMUs. In addition, each micro base station cooperates with the other micro base station(s) in the virtual macro cell to provide service to one or more high mobility user equipments (HMUs) located within the virtual macro cell using one or more second resources (e.g., a second carrier) that are allocated to HMUs. By utilizing the virtual macro cell for HMUs, handover and paging overhead are reduced for the heterogeneous cellular communications network.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a virtual macro cell in a heterogeneous cellular communications network are disclosed. In general, micro cells served by multiple micro base stations are aggregated to provide a virtual macro cell. Each micro base station provides service to one or more low mobility user equipments (LMUs) located within the micro cell of the micro base station using one or more first resources (e.g., a first carrier) that are allocated to LMUs. In addition, each micro base station cooperates with the other micro base station(s) in the virtual macro cell to provide service to one or more high mobility user equipments (HMUs) located within the virtual macro cell using one or more second resources (e.g., a second carrier) that are allocated to HMUs. By utilizing the virtual macro cell for HMUs, handover and paging overhead are reduced for the heterogeneous cellular communications network.

Abstract: A wireless terminal monitors its communications with a wireless network in order to provide the network with performance information. The terminal monitors its own operations and messages, or expected messages from the network, and stores information as to the success or failure of these various events. Performance information, for example, bit error rate and receive signal strength is also stored. The terminal is also capable of performing transmission path quality tests, for example, loop backs. The terminal can transmit information to a network at regular time periods or as a response to a request from the network.

Abstract: A system and method for a fixed wireless access terminal to determine and display to a user forward link and reverse link RSSI and BER signal quality information. The reverse link information is measured by a basestation and transmitted to the terminal in a message. The quality information is displayed to the user with sufficient resolution to allow the user to adjust the location of the fixed wireless access terminal to optimize the quality of the link. The reverse link information may also be used as a basis for performing transmit switch diversity.