Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are described for supporting macrocell-to-femtocell hand-ins of active macro communications for mobile access terminals. A femto-proxy system is provided including a femtocell and an out-of-band (OOB) proxy. While the femtocell may be addressed by the macro network according to a potentially non-unique identifier (e.g., its PN offset), the OOB proxy is addressable according to a unique OOB identifier (e.g., a Bluetooth device address, BD_ADDR). When the mobile access terminal is in proximity to the femto-proxy system, it detects the OOB proxy and communicates the unique OOB identifier to the core network via the macro network (e.g., as part of a measurement report). The OOB identifier is mapped (e.g., in the core network) to the femtocell, allowing the core network to uniquely identify the appropriate target femtocell for active hand-in.

Abstract: A method for reducing interference to wireless communication devices is described. It is determined that a base station is deployed with a first coverage area that overlaps a second coverage area of a femto access point. The base station uses a first carrier for wireless communications. The femto access point uses a second carrier for wireless communications. Transmissions by the femto access point interfere with transmissions by the base station. An amount of radio frequency (RF) leakage experienced by wireless communication devices communicating with the base station is estimated. Interference experienced by the wireless communication devices is minimized.

Abstract: A system for providing architecture and signaling, by which a mobile communications device—active within a WLAN environment—may be effectively and efficiently interfaced with a CDMA2000 network to provide cooperative and concurrent VoIP and over-the-air (OTA) communications, is disclosed. A wireless communications system comprises a mobile station, operating in a wireless LAN environment. The mobile station access the Internet through a wireless LAN access point. The area is also provided service by a CDMA2000-based over-the-air network. A provisioning server, within the CDMA2000-based network, is accessible via the Internet. A mobile switching center is also within the CDMA2000-based network. An interface construct is communicatively coupled to the mobile switching center and to the wireless LAN, and is adapted to facilitate call traffic between the CDMA2000 network and the mobile station over the wireless LAN.

Abstract: A PCID conflict resolution procedure is implemented with the aid of a user terminal that is capable of detecting and reporting PCID conflicts between two neighboring neighbor cells. A base station in a serving cell configures measurement reporting by user terminals within the cell capable of reporting PCID conflicts. Once measurement reporting by one or more user terminals is configured, the base station will receive measurement reports from the capable user terminals. If a capable user terminal detects a PCID conflict, the user terminal will include an indication of the PCID conflict in the measurement report. When the base station receives a measurement report with an indication of a PCID conflict, the base station implements an autonomous PCID conflict resolution to resolve the PCID conflict.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing the interference caused by a femtocell in a wireless communication system. The method comprises the steps of: measuring the intensity of a signal received from a terminal when the transmission mode is deactivated; and controlling the transmission mode to be activated according to the signal intensity, and thus has the advantage of decreasing the influence effects caused by the femtocell and reducing the power consumption in a femto base station.

Abstract: A method for supporting mobility in a user equipment by a macro cell as the user equipment moves into a coverage area of a low power node includes receiving a measurement report from the user equipment, and selecting a technique for supporting mobility according to the measurement report, and a support factor of the user equipment and of a communications system where the user equipment is operating. The method also includes operating the macro cell and the low power node according to the selected technique.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that facilitate handover related measurements and decision making in a communications system including user equipment (UE) devices, a macro base station and femto base stations (femtocells) are described. In some embodiments a UE device transmits pilots along with identification information using UE device selected transmission resources from a set of recurring UE pilot transmission resources dedicated by a macro base station for UE pilot signal and related device information transmission purposes. Femto base stations measure the UE transmitted pilot signals and report the signal strength measurement results and corresponding device identifiers to a handoff decision control entity, e.g., an eNodeB or control node, which makes handover decisions. By relying on UE transmitted pilots measured by multiple base stations, e.g., femto base stations, the need for femto cells to transmit pilots can be reduced while well informed UE handoff decisions still being possible.

Abstract: Provided is a micro base station to be used in a heterogeneous cellular network. The micro base station has resources including frequency bands and time slots and being available for a user to use. The heterogeneous cellular network includes a plurality of base stations including a macro base station and the micro base station. The micro base station includes: an information acquiring part configured to acquire configuration information and load information of the micro base station, and to acquire configuration information and load information of a neighboring base station adjacent to the micro base station from the neighboring base station; and a resource selection part configured to select a part of the resources from the resources to provide the selected part of the resources to the user based on the configuration information and the load information of the micro base station and the neighboring base station.

Abstract: A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes the steps of: (A) notifying, from a first radio base station (MBS) to a second radio base station (FBS), scheduling information including information specifying a radio resource for a control channel through which a first mobile station (MUE) that is in communication in a first cell under the control of the first radio base station (MBS) transmits downlink control information or uplink control information, when the first radio base station (MBS) assigns the radio resource; and (B) assigning, at the second radio base station (FBS), a radio resource for a control channel through which a second mobile station that is in communication in a second cell under the control of the second radio base station (FBS) transmits downlink control information or uplink control information based on the scheduling information.

Abstract: When the provided large cell base station (100) is to allocate a resource block to a radio terminal (200) connected to said large cell base station (100), band-use restriction information that indicates use restrictions on the frequency band corresponding to the aforementioned resource block is transmitted to a small cell base station (300). The large cell base station (100) then allocates the resource block to the radio terminal (200) after an amount of time corresponding to the signal transmission delay from the large cell base station (100) to the small cell base station (300) has passed since the aforementioned transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method including two operations of a first operation and a second operation. The first operation may determine between a terminal located in a space including the small base station and a terminal located in a space excluding the small base station based on a value reported by a terminal. The second operation may be performed using information received from a neighboring macro base station in response to the determination failing to be performed in the first operation, thereby ultimately discriminating between an area including the small base station and an area excluding the small base station corresponding to a location of a terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communication technique using the change of type of a femto base station. The femto base station is able to change the type of CSG opening/closing depending on conditions, and broadcasts the information on the change. A terminal is able to determine the network entry/handover to a corresponding femto cell by using the broadcasted information. The change of cell type of a CSG femto cell can be used when interference adjustment is required depending on the resource conditions of a femto cell.

Abstract: A wireless communications device with a wireless module and a controller module is provided. The wireless module performs wireless transmission and reception to and from a service network comprising at least two first home base stations having the same physical cell identity (PCI) or physical scrambling code (PSC), a plurality of second home base stations neighboring the first home base stations, and a macro base station. The controller module receives a message from the macro base station via the wireless module, requests the wireless module to detect a plurality of PCIs or PSCs respectively corresponding to the first home base stations and the second home base stations in response to the message, and transmits to the macro base station via the wireless module the detected PCIs or PSCs, prior to being handed over to the one of the first home base stations from the macro base station.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method includes establishing, at a first base station, at least one interface with a second base station. The first and second base stations are associated with different network technologies, and at least one of the first and second base stations is a small cell base station. A small cell base station has a coverage area smaller than and at least partially overlapped by a coverage area of a macro base station. The method further includes one of (i) sending information from the first base station to the second base station over the interface, and (ii) receiving information at the first base station from the second base station over the interface.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for notifying update information to a Core Network (CN), the method includes: a target access network element sends Close Subscriber Group (CSG) information of a cell that a User Equipment (UE) currently accesses to the CN after the UE is handed over from a source access network element to the target access network element; or the UE sends the CSG information of the cell that the UE currently accesses to the CN after receiving an instruction from the target access network element. According to the technical solution of the disclosure, when the CN does not participate in the handover process, the CSG information of the cell that the UE currently accesses is notified to the CN.

Abstract: A method for a mobile communications network where a cell is identifiable by a global identifier unique in the mobile communications network and/or a short identifier re-usable in another cell of the mobile communications network. A registry associates information representing a location within the coverage area of the mobile communications network to a defined group of short identifiers. When an access point sends a request for registration to provide services of a cell in a mobile communications network, the request includes information indicating a location of the access point. The registry is used to select a short identifier to be applied in a cell of an access point before registering the access point to provide services of a cell in the mobile communications network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and respective entities for avoiding handovers in a ping-pong manner in a communication network. The method comprises comparing, when a handover of a mobile station to a base station is intended, decision criteria of the intended handover with decision criteria of previous handovers of the mobile station to that base station, and deciding on allowing or preventing the intended handover based on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: Provided is a small base station apparatus (HeNB), wherein interference between the HeNB and an MeNB can be inhibited, without any exchange of information between the HeNB and the MeNB. In the HeNB (100), which forms a cell smaller than a cell formed by the MeNB, a pattern generation unit (101) generates an assigning pattern of subbands to be assigned to the HeNB (100), from among a plurality of subbands that can be used by the HeNB (100), wherein combinations of subbands are different for each of the frames. An assignment unit (102) assigns subbands to communication terminal apparatuses connected to the HeNB (100), on the basis of the assigning pattern.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for facilitating handing over to a hybrid femto access point that implements multiple radio access technologies (RATs), including a first RAT and a second RAT. In one embodiment, the method involves detecting a pilot from the hybrid femto access point, wherein the pilot is associated with the first RAT. The method involves registering with the hybrid femto access point on a first channel associated with the first RAT based upon the detected pilot. A system selection database is analyzed to identify a second channel associated with the second RAT, and a selection to handover to the identified second channel is effectuated.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a unified scheme for selecting an operator and a radio access technology (RAT) by a multi-mode wireless device during a power-up or a handover process. By utilizing the proposed scheme, the mobile station may switch between RATs that are associated with the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) or 3GPP2 standards.

Abstract: Aspects relate to modifications to one or more handover parameters such that spectrum efficiency and user performance can be increased by retaining a mobile device in a source cell, having a more desirable multiple-input multiple-output capability, longer before handover to a cell having a less desirable (or non-) multiple-input multiple-output capability (e.g., slower handover). Another aspect relates to modifying one or more handover parameters such that the mobile device is handed over from a source cell to a target cell quicker if the target cell has better multiple-input multiple-output performance than the source cell. The source cell and/or target cell can be macro cells and/or small cells. For example, the mobile device can hand over from a macro cell to a small cell and/or from a small cell to a macro cell. Further, the disclosed aspects can be implemented on the network and/or the mobile device.

Abstract: Disclosed are handover and connection of a terminal and control of connection of a terminal by a base station in a communication environment including a plurality of communication cells having different ranges of communication coverage. According to an exemplary embodiment, a terminal of a wireless communication system including a plurality of hierarchical cells determines whether the terminal accesses a microcell in a macrocell as the terminal moves based on whether a control signal transmitted from a micro-base station managing the microcell is detected in a communication environment including a plurality of hierarchical cells divided according to communication coverage, determines whether the terminal connects to the microcell based on a connection criteria for the microcell, and connects to the microcell when the connection criteria for the microcell are satisfied and conducts communications using the macrocell when the connection criteria for the microcell are not satisfied.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inter base station communication comprising: —receiving a first message (118) being indicative of a neighboring second base station (2) by a first base station (1), —sending a second message (120) to the second base station, —in response to the second message, receiving a third message (124) comprising information being indicative of at least a third base station (3), the third base station being a neighbor of the second base station, using the information received with the third message for enabling communication (128) between the first base station and the third base station, independently of any user equipment detection of the third base station.

Abstract: Attempting recovery from an unexpected radio link failure. A backup user context is created for a terminal device served currently by a relay base station relaying a radio connection between the terminal device and fixed cellular network infrastructure including a fixed base station communicating with the relay base station, wherein the backup user context is prepared for use in case of an unexpected radio link failure. Upon detection of the radio link failure in a primary user context being used in the communication, the backup user context is applied before the terminal device enters an idle state as a result of the radio link failure.

Abstract: A wireless communication system with femtocells and a method for mitigating inter-cell interference in the wireless communication system are provided. The interference control method includes notifying a mobile station of entry to a home cell, when the mobile station enters a macrocell including a femto base station with which the mobile station is registered, transmitting, by the mobile station, a femtocell driving control message to the femto base station at a predetermined transmission power, when the mobile station enters a femtocell of the femto base station, and switching on, by the femto base station, a transmitter, when the femtocell driving control message is received.

Abstract: A method and system provide a plurality of femto cells that are deployed within a macro cell of cellular network. The femto cells improve cellular service inside structures, such as residential and commercial structures. Femto base stations convert signals between an airlink-interface and core network to enable data communication between the mobile terminal and an access network to occur through the Internet and a public switched telephone network. The femto base stations are independent of each other and the macro cell. The method and system provide the femto base stations with interference awareness and mitigation techniques to minimize interference with the cellular network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided which may be implemented in various devices for to determine or assist in determining that a mobile station is at one or more particular indoor regions and to provide positioning assistance data and/or the like to the mobile station with regard to at least the one or more particular indoor regions.

Abstract: There is described a method of controlling a basestation in a cellular wireless communications network, the method comprising, within the basestation, autonomously and dynamically adapting a maximum value for a total transmit power of the basestation, such that interference between the basestation and other access points in the vicinity is minimized.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) comprising a processor configured to cause the UE to transmit an emergency calls required indicator (ECRI) to a network component responsive to the UE receiving an instruction to place an emergency call; and to receive an emergency calls supported indicator (ECSI) prior to placing an emergency call, wherein a value of the ECSI indicates a type of emergency services supported by a femtocell, where the processor is further configured to cause the UE to transmit the ECRI before receiving the ECSI.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a radio related message including derived information for a particular cell in a heterogeneous network; and changing one or more self-optimizing network parameters of a small cell in the heterogeneous network to attract user equipment, where the change can be based on the derived information. In more specific embodiments, the derived information is provided in a relocation command message. In addition, the derived information can include cell load information for a macro cell. Certain methodologies may include receiving small cell derived information for a plurality of small cells in the heterogeneous network; and increasing a plurality of self-optimizing network parameters of the plurality of small cells in the heterogeneous network to attract a plurality of instances of user equipment, the increase can be based, at least, on information within Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) messages.

Abstract: A method of controlling handover in wireless cellular networks of user equipment in a first cell unit which is to be disabled to a second cell unit which is to provide extended coverage for the, or part of the, first cell unit, where the cell unit of the first and second cell units is a cell or a cell sector, including selecting a part of the signal bandwidth or time-frequency resource units, previously designated for use in normal operation by the second cell unit, which does not overlap with that to be used by the first cell unit during the handover; and designating the selected part for use by the user equipment to be handed over from the first cell unit.

Abstract: Triggering device scanning and efficient femtocell detection in areas dominated by macro cells can be facilitated. In particular, a jamming component generates a small and measured amount of interference to user equipment or user equipments (UEs) camping on nearby macro carriers. Moreover, the power utilized to introduce the interference can be enough to cause macro signal quality around the femtocell access point (AP) to fall below a scan trigger level. The UE(s) can detect the macro signal quality decline below the scan trigger level and scan other frequency bands, including the femtocell, on which to camp. Additionally, femto pilot gating can be performed, such that the jamming component can scan the radio environment surrounding the femto AP during an off state, to determine information that facilitates jamming of a macro pilot.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method configured to implement an inter-MSC based handoff of a mobile device between a packet switched network and a mobile core network. In embodiments implementing a handoff from a femtocell to a macrocell, from the perspective of a neighboring MSC on a mobile core network, IP or VOIP information from a femtocell which is in communication with the convergence server, is perceived as having the same protocol as information which originates from a macrocell. Inversely, in embodiments implementing a hand-in to the femtocell from a macrocell, information which originates from a macrocell, which is in communication with the convergence server, would be perceived as IP or VOIP code to the femtocell. Accordingly, a target MSC in a handoff is agnostic of the fact that the mobile device entering into the macrocell was actually attached to a femtocell. Thus, embodiments of the present invention allow existing inter-MSC based handoff solutions to be leveraged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a base station, and a radio communication system for reducing inter-cell signal interference. The method for reducing inter-cell signal interference includes: sending, by a serving base station, a user identity of a served user equipment to an neighboring second base station, coordinating a radio resource with the second base station, and obtaining a coordinated radio resource for scheduling the user equipment corresponding to the user identity, so that a base station that is neighboring to a base station using the coordinated radio resource to schedule the user equipment corresponding to the user identity avoids using the coordinated radio resource; and using, by the serving base station, the coordinated radio resource to schedule the user equipment corresponding to the user identity.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for facilitating identification and/or acquisition of an access point are provided. Methods can include transmitting or receiving access point information (“API”) indicative of an identification of the access point (“AP”). The API can be provided at the AP through hardwiring or receipt of configuration information input by a user or transmitted to the AP by a network operator through Over-The-Air (“OTA”) signaling. The API can be computer-readable and, in some embodiments, the API can also be human-readable. The API can be transmitted on a paging channel from which user equipment (“UE”) can receive information. The frequency at which the API is transmitted can be fixed, dynamic and/or configurable. Upon receipt of the API, acquisition of the AP is attempted if the AP is determined to be a permitted AP.

Abstract: A method for deploying a wireless network in accordance with particular embodiments includes deploying one or more base stations configured to provide wireless connections between the one or more base stations and one or more endpoints. The method also includes deploying one or more remote transceivers configured to provide wireless connections between the one or more remote transceivers and one or more endpoints. The method further includes modifying at least one base station of the one or more base stations. The modified base station is configured to control the one or more remote transceivers. The method additionally includes modifying at least one remote transceiver of the one or more remote transceivers. The modified remote transceiver is configured to control the at least one remote transceiver without receiving control information from the at least one base station.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for adjusting a transmission power at a femto node are described herein. According to the systems, devices, and methods herein, a measurement of a signal transmitted from a transmitting node may be communicated to the femto node, for example from a user equipment or a neighboring femto node, for use in adjusting the power. The transmitting node may comprise the femto node, a macro node, or a neighboring femto node. In addition, statistics regarding such measurements may be communicated to the femto node for use in adjusting the power. The femto node may also adjust the power based on unsuccessful registration attempts or interference communications received at the femto node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed whereby location based information (LBI) is used to make access and routing decisions within a network. Such LBI is sent from mobile devices to the core network when the mobile device registers with the network and is updated periodically. Over time, this collected LBI data represents the position of mobile devices over time and periodic patterns of usage in different geographic areas. When a network receives an indication that a mobile device requires registration with the network, the network determines as a function of said LBI, a desired network access technology to use to connect said mobile device with the network. Instructions are then transmitted to the mobile device to establish a connection using said desired network access technology and the device is registered with the network. Dynamically updated LBI information from mobile devices is also used for IP network routing optimization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transmitting a synchronous channel and an essential control information channel in a femto base station. The method comprises the steps of: acquiring by the femto base station segment information from a macro base station which overlays the femto base station; discriminating by the femto base station the segment or subcarrier used by the macro base station; and transmitting by the femto base station a synchronous channel and essential control information thereof on the segment or subcarrier different from the segment or subcarrier discriminated in the previous step.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method and system for identifying a terminal. The method comprises that: a source eNB that has received an RRC reestablishment message determines, according to a PCI of a cell where an RLF occurs in the massage, all target eNBs to which RLF information needs to be sent, and sends the RLF information to each determined target eNB; after receiving the RLF information, the target eNB determines the cell where the RLF occurs under the target eNB according to the PCI of the cell where the RLF occurs, and determines in each determined cell whether a C-RNTI of the terminal in the cell where the RLF occurs belongs to C-RNTIs existing in the cell; if the C-RNTI belongs to the C-RNTIs existing in the cell, then the terminal is determined to be a terminal of the cell, otherwise the terminal is determined not to be a terminal of the cell. The disclosure enables the terminal to be identified accurately and uniquely.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for determining a starting symbol of a physical downlink shared channel; wherein, a Pico base station transmits information indicating a PDSCH starting symbol of the Pico base station to a Macro base station, the Macro base station transmits the information indicating a PDSCH starting symbol to a terminal, and the terminal determines the PDSCH starting symbol in accordance with the information indicating a PDSCH starting symbol. With the embodiments of the present invention, the terminal within a serving range of the Pico base station resulted from a high offset value will not incorrectly decode a PCFICH due to interference of the Macro base station, thereby making the terminal determine a demarcation symbol between a PDCCH and a PDSCH, further increasing the coverage of the Pico base station, and realizing load balancing of the Macro base station and Pico base station.

Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards source (401A) and target (401B) base stations, and corresponding methods therein, for providing a handover for a sub-set of bearers associated with a wireless terminal (101) being served by the source base station (401A), wherein at least one bearer of the wireless terminal remains connected to the source base station. The sub-set of bearers is less than or equal to a total number of bearers associated with the wireless terminal.

Abstract: In-band provisioning enables subscribers to manually provision themselves via an access point at which the subscribers would not otherwise be allowed access. For example, a subscriber may be temporarily accepted by a restricted access point (e.g., an access point that belongs to a closed subscriber group). The subscriber is then given limited access to enable the subscriber to be provisioned at the access point. For example, the subscriber may be provisioned for full access at the access point if the subscriber presents a valid authorization credential to a provisioning entity.

Abstract: A radio base station includes a mobile communication system, a first relay node and a radio base station connected via a radio bearer, a second relay node and a radio base station connected via a radio bearer, and a mobile station configured to conduct a handover process between a first and second state. In the first state a radio bearer is established with the first relay node in order to communicate via the first relay node and the radio base station. In the second state a radio bearer is established with the second relay node in order to communicate via the second relay node and the radio base station. The mobile station is configured such that control signals are transmitted and received via the radio bearer between the first relay node and the radio base station, via the radio bearer between the second relay node and the radio base station.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for a terminal handover between systems using different Frequency Allocations (FAs) are provided. The method includes broadcasting an indication signal to inform of existence of the terminal in a coverage of a macro base station to which an indoor base station is registered; and when receiving a handover command message of the indoor base station, from the macro base station, performing a handover procedure to the indoor base station. The base station can efficiently utilize the control channel resource and the user terminal needs not to conduct the unnecessary scanning procedure. Thus, the time and the power required for the scanning can be spared.

Abstract: A system to cooperatively control inter-cell interference is provided. A first frequency allocated to a central area of a serving cell associated with a serving base station may be allocated to a central area of a neighboring cell associated with a neighboring base station. A second frequency allocated to an edge area of the serving cell may be allocated to an edge area of the neighboring cell. Where a terminal is located in the edge of the neighboring cell, scheduling information, channel information, and data may be exchanged between the terminal and the serving base station.

Abstract: A method of wireless communication includes determining at least one neighboring apparatus from which to obtain information, obtaining information related to a plurality of channels from the at least one neighboring apparatus, selecting a channel from the plurality of channels based on the obtained information, and transmitting on the selected channel.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an initial mean open loop power level of a pilot channel of a reverse traffic channel for a mobile terminal. The initial open loop power level enables handoff of an active call from a first access network to a second access network. A handoff initialization request is from the first access network. A mean received power level of the forward link of the second access network is measured and transmitted to the second access network. An open loop power adjustment factor is received from the second access network. The initial mean open loop power level is set based on the open loop power adjustment factor.

Abstract: A handover method and apparatus for facilitating a handover of a user equipment to a femto cell in a wireless communication system supporting both the femto and macro cells. When a handover condition is detected, the user equipment acquires identity information of a target femto cell base station from system information transmitted by the target femto cell base station, decides whether to handover to the target femto cell base station, based on the identity information; and transmits a measurement report message including the identity information to a serving base station of the user equipment, when the handover is to be made.

Abstract: The described implementations relate to automatic network selection in relation to wireless mobile devices. One method can be applied to a mobile device that has both Wi-Fi and cellular capabilities. The method can attempt to identify Wi-Fi network availability for the mobile device. This method also evaluates whether to configure the mobile device to accomplish data communication over an identified Wi-Fi network or a cellular network.