Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method of controlling a handover of a user equipment (UE) from a serving base station to a target base station in a heterogeneous network. The method includes determining, by a serving base station, a speed of the UE and a type of the handover, the type of the handover being one of macro cell to macro cell, macro cell to small cell, small cell to macro cell and small cell to small cell, and controlling, by the serving base station, the handover from the serving base station to the target base station based on the speed of the UE and the type of handover.

Abstract: A method for minimizing handoff latencies when a handoff is performed in a wireless network. An access point (AP) or base station associated to a current wireless station (STA) allows information required for a reassociation to the STA to be propagated to handoff-capable neighboring APs or base stations. When the STA moves, a neighboring AP or base station performs the reassociation to the STA on the basis of context. When a handoff procedure is performed, the time taken to receive context of a corresponding STA is reduced, such that a fast handoff can be implemented.

Abstract: When each of a plurality of base stations performs communication with a terminal using a different frequency channel, a first frequency channel for initial connection and a second frequency channel for efficiently using a frequency resource are divided, and handover from a first base station having the first frequency channel and a second base station having the second frequency channel are performed by being led by a base station based on mobility of a terminal.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for station location based neighbor determination and handover probability estimation. A serving access point determines the location and movement measurements of a station (STA). Neighboring access points report coordinates of cell fringes of the neighboring access points. The STA sends a request for system information to the current access point along with current location of the STA. The current access point provides the system information, and the STA utilizes the system information to determine best handover candidate from among neighboring access points and an estimate of the time for handover.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing efficient vertical handoffs in a wireless user device are provided. The user device can comprise a mobile phone, computer table, handheld computer, or other computer system capable of connecting to more than one mobile wireless network that use different wireless communication protocols. Various efficient scanning methods are disclosed that are efficient in terms of battery usage, thermal performance, processing power, throughput performance, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate cell search, selection, and reselection within a wireless communication network that includes a home node base station (home nodeB). A user equipment (UE) can detect a home nodeB and communicate such identification to a macro network that includes at least one node base station (nodeB). The detected home nodeB and nodeB can be hierarchically structured in order to prioritize connectivity with the home nodeB over the nodeB. Such prioritization can be implemented by broadcasting home nodeB parameters and macro nodeB parameters having identification information therewith.

Abstract: A system for restricting operation of wireless devices, for example cell phones, comprises a controller and a plurality of sensors. The system restricts device usage, while permitting emergency phone calls, for example 911 calls. The sensors receive transmissions from devices, and use the transmissions for identification and determining whether a device is within a restricted zone. One disclosed method is triangulation, using time of arrival of transmissions at the sensors. If the device is within the zone, the controller sends device identification, and possibly a customized restriction request, to a remote node, for example a control node of a cell phone network operator. The operator then uses its network resources to implement the requested restrictions. Communication between the controller and the remote node is secure, possibly encrypted, to minimize malicious interference. A wireless control can define vertices of the zone and exempt certain devices from restrictions. Jamming is not required.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes evaluating geolocation information associated with a mobile node and using the geolocation information to identify a femtocell capable of providing network access to the mobile node. A primary scrambling code is provided to the mobile node for operation in an idle mode. The method also includes communicating a secondary scrambling code to initiate access to the femtocell by the mobile node when operating in an active mode. In more particular embodiments, the secondary scrambling code is included in a broadcast message that includes a femtocell identifier associated with the femtocell. The femtocell is identified from a plurality of femtocells based on geolocation information associated with the femtocell. The primary scrambling code is part of a range of primary scrambling codes allocated to a plurality of femtocells within a macro network coverage area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for handing over of a high-speed mobile terminal or user equipment from a source network node to a target network node. Reliable methods for measuring the speed of a moving user equipment are disclosed. Parameters used in a handover procedure are also adjusted in accordance with the speed of the user equipment. For handing over a high-speed user equipment, the present application discloses that the source network node can coordinate with the target network node and other candidate network nodes in transmitting a handover command to prevent handover failures.

Abstract: A network device may include a first set of components and a second set of components. The first set of components may manage, using a first set of parameters, at least one of uplink radio resources or downlink radio resources for a group of mobile user equipment. The second set of components may manage, using a second set of parameters, at least one of uplink radio resources or downlink radio resources for a group of fixed user equipment. The second set of parameters may be different than the first set of parameters.

Abstract: Access control for an access point (e.g., a cell of the access point) may be based on an access mode associated with the access point. For example, depending on the access mode, access control may involve performing a membership check for the access point. Such a membership check may be performed at a network entity, a source access point, or some other suitable location in a network. In some aspects, access control may involve performing a membership check for an access point in conjunction with a context fetch procedure. Such a procedure may be performed, for example, when an access terminal arrives at the access point after experiencing RLF at another access point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for mobility management in a cellular communications system. A user equipment maintains (21) at least two sets of mobility trigger parameters. Each set of mobility trigger parameters corresponds to a predetermined user equipment speed range. The user equipment determines (22) a speed range that the speed of the user equipment falls into and selects (23), based on the determined speed range, at least one set of mobility trigger parameters to be used for performing mobility-based decisions. If the user equipment is in connected mode a network base station may select a set of mobility trigger parameters to be used for performing handover decisions based on a determined speed range of the user equipment. Advantages are that ping-pong mobility decisions may be avoided and it is sufficient to determine a range for the UE speed, which is less complicated than determining an accurate speed of the UE particularly in idle mode.

Abstract: A method and system for generating alerts based on predicted wireless connection losses. A message is received that includes a first position of a mobile device, an indication of a service being provided to the mobile device via a wireless connection provided by a first bearer, and an mobile device identifier. A direction and speed of the mobile device is received. An amount of time elapsing before the mobile device moves to a second position at which the mobile device experiences a loss of the wireless connection via the first bearer is predicted. An alert that indicates that the loss is occurring in the amount of time is generated. The alert is sent to the mobile device as a response to the message.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the position of a moving wireless communication device, the method comprising: recording moving path of the wireless communication device in cells of a cellular wireless communication network; recording moving path and GPS information of a GPS wireless communication device moving in the cellular wireless communication network in cells of the cellular wireless communication network; determining the GPS wireless communication device whose moving path matches with the moving path of the wireless communication device; and determining the position of the wireless communication device based on the GPS information of the matching GPS wireless communication device.

Abstract: A method for confirming identity of a user of a mobile electronic device, the method including: receiving touch data from a touch-screen of the mobile electronic device; receiving acceleration data from an accelerometer of the mobile electronic device; correlating between the touch data and the acceleration data; based on the correlating, generating a user-specific trait indicative of said user. The method further includes storing a reference value of the user-specific trait, indicative of said user; in a subsequent usage session of the mobile electronic device, generating a current value of the user-specific trait correlating between touch data and acceleration data; and based on a comparison between the current value of the user-specific trait and the reference value of the user-specific trait, determining whether or not a current user of the mobile electronic device is an authorized user of the mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A mobile station is assisted to perform a handoff from a current access point in a current extended service set (ESS) to a new access point in a target ESS. A HandOver Mediator, possibly in conjunction with a handover server, performs an authentication process and an association process with an access point in the target ESS while masquerading as the mobile station. Parameters resulting from the authentication process and the association process are then passed to the mobile station and the mobile station can perform a handoff to the new access point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a first node in a wireless communication network. The first node is arranged to communicate with at least one serving node and comprises a served antenna arrangement that is adapted to communicate with said serving node by means of at least one electrically adjustable antenna radiation lobe. The first node is arranged to evaluate communication properties for said serving node Furthermore, the first node is arranged to include antenna gain of the served antenna arrangement when performing said evaluation.

Abstract: Device, system, and method of phone call placement. A method of placing a phone call from a mobile phone includes: receiving a user command to initiate a phone call from said mobile phone using a cellular network; diverting said phone call to be carried by a detected network element of a non-cellular wireless network, instead of by said cellular network; wherein the diverting is based on at least one of: a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a detected network element of said non-cellular wireless network, an Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI) of a detected network element of said non-cellular wireless network, or a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) account configuration data of a detected network element of said non-cellular wireless network.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates handoffs for a mobile terminal in a wireless access network that is capable of supporting different types of handoffs. The different handoff types may include soft handoffs and fast base station switching (FBSS). In operation, context information associated with supporting wireless communications between the wireless access network and the mobile terminal are determined. Based on whether the context information is shared between base stations involved in the handoff or transferred from one base station to another of the base stations involved in the handoff, a particular handoff type is selected from the different handoff types that are available. Selecting the specific type of handoff to use may also be based on the level of context information that is available, the actual content of the context information, application preferences, channel conditions, base station or mobile terminal capabilities, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a base station, and a terminal for obtaining a moving speed of a mobile terminal. A moving speed of a mobile terminal is obtained by obtaining a distance estimation parameter and using the distance estimation parameter, or a moving speed of a mobile terminal is obtained according to information reported by the mobile terminal, or a moving speed of a mobile terminal is received from another base station, so as to enable a base station to learn the moving speed of the mobile terminal and therefore avoid the problem of call drop caused by slow handover because of a fast moving speed of a mobile terminal.

Abstract: An enhanced solution for controlling a handover procedure for handing a terminal device over from a source cell to a target cell in a communication network with relay nodes is provided. In the solution, the relay nodes actively assist in the handover procedure by, for instance, initiating the handover procedure, configuring a relayed link and buffering user data at the relay node.

Abstract: In a parameter storage device, an offset value corresponding to a moving state (moving speed) and a serving frequency are stored. A parameter identifier reads from the parameter storage device an offset value corresponding to a serving frequency and a moving state. A measuring unit measures a radio communication quality of an inter-frequency cell. A measurement controller adds the offset value to the radio communication quality, to generate control information. The control information is transmitted via a transmitter to a network.

Abstract: A base station includes an emulation controller (20) configured to receive signals indicating that another base station in an active mode managing a cell, having a predetermined cell identity and coverage area, will go into an idle mode and no longer manage the cell, and to determine terminal activity in the cell. A baseband processing unit (18) is connected to the emulation controller (20) and configured to emulate the active mode of the other base station by taking over management of the cell, in at least part of its coverage area, using the same cell identity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting and using multiple communications channels corresponding to different transmit technologies and/or access technologies in parallel within a cell of a wireless communications system are described. Mobile nodes support multiple technologies and can switch between the technology being used at a particular point in time, e.g., from a first channel corresponding to a first technology to a second channel corresponding to a different technology which provides better transmission characteristics, e.g., a better perceived channel quality. Mobiles maintain at least two sets of channel quality information at any one point in time. Mobiles select the better channel and communicate the channel selection to the base station or communicate channel quality information for multiple channels to the base station and allow the base station to select the channel corresponding to the technology providing the better conditions for the mobile.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for adjusting wireless-derived positions of a mobile station using a motion sensor are presented. One method includes estimating a position of a mobile station based upon wireless signal measurements and measuring a movement of the mobile station using a relative motion sensor. The method further includes detecting a displacement of the mobile station based upon the measured movement, determining that the displacement is below a threshold and then adjusting the estimated position of the mobile station using information from the relative motion sensor. An apparatus includes a wireless transceiver, a relative motion sensor, a processor coupled to the wireless transceiver and the relative motion sensor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores executable instructions and data for causing the processor to execute methods for adjusting wireless-derived positions using a motion sensor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for controlling the handover of a mobile terminal, particularly a quickly moving mobile terminal, to a small cell. In the method, the speed or the mobility state of the mobile terminal is determined. The method may also determine whether at least a predefined plurality of small cells are available in proximity to the mobile terminal. If the mobile terminal is moving with a speed that satisfies the speed threshold or the mobility state satisfies a predefined criteria, the method causes initiation of a handover of the mobile terminal to a respective small cell only in an instance in which at least the predefined plurality of small cells are determined to be available in proximity to the mobile terminal or in which a successful connection or handover was previously established with the respective small cell or its neighboring small cell(s).

Abstract: When a handover apparatus of a user terminal enters a small scale cell within a macrocell area in a state that it is connected to a macrocell, the handover apparatus acquires a delay parameter of the small scale cell and delays handover for a time period of the delay parameter of the small scale cell and determines handover to the small scale cell. Thereby, handover to the small scale cell for a temporal user of the small scale cell can be reduced.

Abstract: A network for providing high speed data communications may include multiple terrestrial transmission stations that are located within overlapping communications range and a mobile receiver station. The terrestrial transmission stations provide a continuous and uninterrupted high speed data communications link with the mobile receiver station employing a wireless radio access network protocol.

Abstract: A radio site controller is configured to dynamically activate adjacent radio sites by first identifying, based at least on a current location of a subscriber unit in a currently activated first radio site, a currently de-activated second radio site located adjacent to the first radio site, and subsequent activating the identified second radio site. The identified second radio site may be a single de-activated adjacent second radio site, all de-activated adjacent second radio sites, or a subset of de-activated adjacent second radio sites based on a subscriber unit travel direction determination.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and arrangements for an event triggered DRX cycle adjustment. A user equipment located in a serving cell of a mobile communications network monitors downlink communication at predetermined time intervals when operating in discontinuous reception mode. The user equipment also performs communication parameter measurements regarding at least one of the serving cell and one or more neighbor cells. After the occurrence of a first event, the user equipment sends at least one of measurement data and a first event report to the network. The sending is triggered by the occurrence of the first event. The monitoring is caused to be performed at shortened time intervals after the occurrence of a second event, wherein the second event is defined to indicate a higher probability of receiving a handover command than the first event.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for selecting a carrier frequency mode based on wireless device mobility. In a particular embodiment, a method comprises, in a wireless access node, providing wireless communication access to a plurality of wireless communication devices over a plurality of carrier frequencies. The method further provides determining a mobility level of the plurality of wireless communication devices and selecting one of a first communication mode or a second communication mode for at least one of the plurality of carrier frequencies based on the mobility level, wherein the first communication mode allows full wireless access functionality and the second communication mode allows less than full wireless access functionality. The method further provides exchanging communications on the at least one of the plurality of carrier frequencies using the one of the first communication mode or the second communication mode that is selected.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented to allow or prohibit any or all services between a network and a node in the network based upon the geographic location and rate of travel of the node. One exemplary application is for the prevention of texting while driving. For example, in FIG. 1: Typical Wireless Communications Network, the location and rate of travel of the mobile station, (MS), 140, can be determined from the use of Global Positioning System, (GPS), information received by the MS, (140), and transmitted to the network. The MS, (140), may have any or all of its subscriber services enabled or disabled by the network based upon the speed that the MS, (140), is traveling and/or its geographical location. Other methods are possible to determine the location and rate of travel of a mobile station as well. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, it is possible for a mobile wireless network to determine the location and speed of an MS.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for multi-tier geofence detection are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can be configured to perform a task when the mobile device enters a geographic region. The mobile device can monitor a current location using a multi-tier approach. A baseband subsystem can monitor a coarse location of the mobile device using various course location parameters, such as a mobile country code (MCC), a location area code (LAC), or a cell identifier (cell ID), as the mobile device moves closer to the geographic region. Upon determining that the mobile device is in a cell that intersects the geographic region, the baseband subsystem can transfer the monitoring to the application subsystem. The task can be performed when the application subsystem determines that the mobile device is currently located in the geographic region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to restore always on connectivity to user equipment, the method having the steps of: monitoring whether the user equipment has transitioned to a network that supports concurrent voice and data; performing, upon the monitoring step detecting the transition, a routing area update; checking whether the user equipment was in a voice call at the time of the transition, and if yes, sending a data packet to the network.

Abstract: A method for determining the speed of a wireless device includes the steps of receiving channel quality indicator data, determining the fast fading characteristics of the received channel quality indicator data, comparing the fast fading characteristics of the received channel quality indicator data against benchmark channel quality indicator data, and determining the speed of the wireless device based on the comparison. The channel quality indicator data is indicative of the signal quality at a wireless device. The benchmark data includes fast fading characteristics.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system, a mobility factor is used to influence handoff. If a subscriber station has been in a low mobility state for some period of time, the system may handoff operation from a first service type to a second service type. If the mobility factor indicates that the subscriber station is moving, the system may handoff operation from the second service type back to the first service type.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for improving the handoff of wireless mobile devices according to geographic information, including: a first station and a wireless mobile device transmitting first geographic information to the first station and receiving from the first station a first scanning-station period, a first threshold velocity, and a first threshold steering angle corresponding to the first geographic information. When the motion speed of the wireless mobile device is greater than the first threshold velocity or the angle at which the wireless mobile device changes its direction of motion is greater than the first threshold steering angle, the wireless mobile device transmits the second geographic information to the first station and receives from the first station a second scanning-station period, a second threshold velocity, and a second threshold steering angle corresponding to the second geographic information.

Abstract: In a first embodiment a user equipment (UE) applies a temporary offset to a cell selection and/or a cell re-selection criterion or criteria in response to determining that a condition is satisfied for the UE. Thereafter, the cell is evaluated for selection or re-selection according to the respective cell selection or cell re-selection criterion or criteria with the applied offset. In a second embodiment, a restriction is imposed for evaluating a cell for selection or re-selection in response to determining that a condition is satisfied for the UE; and the restriction is removed in response to determining that the UE is non-stationary. Examples for the condition include the UE speed being less than a threshold, an indication of the offset being in system information, or a failed number of consecutive random access attempts. Examples of the restriction are the first embodiment's offset and barring the cell for selection/re-selection purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for avoiding a short stay problem in a wireless communication system is provided. An eNodeB (eNB) may determine a ratio of a number of short stay user equipments (UEs), which stay at a cell shorter than specific threshold time, to total number of UEs staying at the cell, and transmit the ratio of the number of short stay UEs to the total number of UEs to a previous eNB. Or, the eNB may receive measurement information of at least one second cell from a UE, determine whether the UE can be connected to the at least one second cell, and notify a second eNB whether the UE can be connected to the at least one second cell or not.

Abstract: A method for reducing a delay in a wireless communications system resulting from a handoff while mitigating a risk of premature termination of wireless communications, the method includes comparing data indicative of actual use of the wireless communications systems to at least one predetermined criteria. If the comparing determines a sector pairing in the wireless communications system to be statistically significant for purposes of recommending at least one search window setting, at least one value related with a distance associated with the sector pairing may be used to automatically determine a corresponding signal delay. If the corresponding signal delay exceeds a prior determined signal delay, a recommended search window setting may be determined using the corresponding signal delay.

Abstract: A wireless base station in a wireless communication system includes a memory that stores a plurality of timing patterns that are set such that timings of using the resource are distributed for each of the mobile stations when the mobile stations change a timing of using the resource in accordance with a traveling speed and control unit that allocates one of the timing pattern to the mobile stations.

Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a receiving unit that is configured to enable reception of a wireless signal by concurrently using a first cell of a first frequency bandwidth and a second cell of a second frequency bandwidth that is different from the first frequency bandwidth, the second cell having a range that is smaller than the first cell; and a processor that is configured to detect a movement speed of the mobile terminal, and shift the receiving unit to a second state when the detected movement speed falls below a predetermined speed during a first state in which the receiving unit receives the wireless signal by using at least the first cell, the second state being a state in which the receiving unit receives the wireless signal by using the second cell without using the first cell.

Abstract: A method for minimizing handoff latencies when a handoff is performed in a wireless network. An access point (AP) or base station associated to a current wireless station (STA) allows information required for a reassociation to the STA to be propagated to handoff-capable neighboring APs or base stations. When the STA moves, a neighboring AP or base station performs the reassociation to the STA on the basis of context. When a handoff procedure is performed, the time taken to receive context of a corresponding STA is reduced, such that a fast handoff can be implemented.

Abstract: A network controller including processing circuitry may be configured to receive dynamic position information indicative of a three dimensional position of at least one mobile communication node, compare fixed position information indicative of fixed geographic locations of respective access points of a network to the dynamic position information to determine a relative position of the at least one mobile communication node relative to at least one of the access points based on the fixed position information and the dynamic position information, and provide network control instructions to at least one network asset based on the relative position.

Abstract: An electronic tracking device includes a processor in communication with a global positioning system (GPS) device, a motion tracking unit, a data storage unit, and one or more communication devices. The GPS device receives GPS signals, if available, and generates GPS data corresponding to a location of the electronic device. The motion tracking unit generates motion data based on movement of the electronic device. The data storage device stores the GPS data and the motion data at a plurality of different times. The processor generates a data packet including the GPS data and the motion data stored in the data storage device at the plurality of different times. The one or more communication devices transmit the data packet to a remote server for monitoring the location of the electronic device based on at least one of the GPS data and the motion data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for providing multiple communication paths. According to embodiments, a method for providing multiple communication paths is provided. According to the method, a plurality of cellular towers within a given range from a cellular device is determined. A first quality rating is determined for each of the plurality of cellular towers. A first group of cellular towers is selected from the plurality of cellular towers based on the first quality rating. A first plurality of communication paths is established between the cellular device and the first group of cellular towers. Each of the first plurality of communication paths may correspond to one of the cellular towers in the first group. At least one quality factor associated with each of the first plurality of communication paths is adjusted based on the first quality rating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in a cluster of cells in a communications network comprising switching between a first state, in which a first number of radio stations is active and a second state in which a second, different number of radio stations is active, wherein the second state is intended to provide the same geographic coverage as the first state but a different capacity, and in which the transition between states is carried out using transmission parameter adjustment, which take place in a plurality of radio stations and are co-ordinated in time for these radio stations.

Abstract: A radio terminal (10) includes an MIH user (14) configured to manage mobility from the first network to the second network; and an MIH function unit (13) configured to control a handover from the first network to the second network. The MIH user (14) notifies a link controller (12) via the MIH function unit (13) of a condition setting request including a first judgment logical formula being a condition to start an establishment of a radio link with the second network and a second judgment logical formula being a condition to execute a handover from the first network to the second network. The first judgment logical formula and the second judgment logical formula each indicate a combination of thresholds to be satisfied by a plurality of respective link is parameters in the radio link established with the first network.

Abstract: One or more short-range base stations in a network environment provide a substantially smaller coverage area than a long-range base station. The coverage area provided by each of the short-range base stations fully resides within or at least partially overlaps with the coverage provided by the long-range base station. Handoffs from the long-range base station to a respective short range base station, and vise versa, can be conditional on any number of one or more factors such as a speed of a mobile device through the network environment, a type of application and/or type of data transmitted over a respective communication link between the mobile device and the long-range base station, presence of one or more radio frequency layers in the network environment, mapping of a location of the mobile device to a speed limit value derived from a geographical map, etc.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products perform signal quality measurements for signals from a plurality of cells served by an apparatus, and transmit indications of the signal quality measurements to the apparatus. The signal quality measurements may include CQI measurements. Transmitting may include transmitting indications of the signal quality measurements to a source cell of the apparatus. Other methods, apparatus and computer program products perform signal quality measurements for signals from a plurality of cells served by an apparatus, determine, using at least the signal quality measurements, a frequency band to be used by each of the plurality of cells to transmit a command, and transmit an indication of the frequency band to the apparatus. Variants may include receiving over the frequency band the command from each of the plurality of cells.