Abstract: A communication unit comprises receiver circuitry for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals from at least one wireless serving communication unit, and a signal processing logic module. The signal processing logic module is arranged to decode system information within received RF signals transmitted by the at least one wireless serving communication unit, determine whether the wireless serving communication unit supports a restricted access communication cell based on the decoded system information, and decide whether RF signals received from that at least one wireless serving communication unit are suitable as a timing signal source when synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit based at least partly on the determination.

Abstract: A communication unit comprises a receiver for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals from at least one wireless serving communication unit, and signal processing logic module arranged to decode information within the received RF signals is the at least one wireless serving communication unit. The signal processing logic module is further arranged to decode transmit power information in a received RF signal from the at least one wireless serving communication unit, and determine from the decoded transmit power information whether a transmission from the at least one wireless serving communication unit is suitable for use as a timing reference. If it is determined that the transmission from the at least one wireless serving communication unit is suitable for use as a timing reference, the communication unit synchronizes an operating frequency to the received RF signal of the at least one wireless serving communication unit.

Abstract: An access point for supporting communication in a femto cell of a cellular communication network. The access point comprises transceiver circuitry arranged to enable communication with at least one cell subscribed wireless communication unit located within the femto cell, and signal processing logic module. The signal processing logic is arranged to configure a transmit power level of a Common Pilot CHannel (CPICH) for transmission based at least on cell subscribed wireless communication unit information.

Abstract: A network element (130, 330), for providing access control to a core network (120) of a cellular communication network (100) for a wireless communication unit (150) operating within a communication cell supported by the network element (130, 330), comprises a receiver for receiving a message (425) from the wireless communication unit (150) comprising identity information. The network element further comprises logic (160), operably coupled to the receiver, for determining whether to permit the mobile communication unit (150) access to the core network (120), based at least in part on the received identity information.

Abstract: A cellular radio telecommunication handover system and method for enabling the handover of a mobile telecommunications device between a licensed (cellular) network and an unlicensed mobile network comprising a plurality of low power access points having all of them the same common cell identity (GGI) is disclosed. The mobile telecommunications device establishes a handover between one access point of the licensed network and another access point of the unlicensed network by communication of handover resources therebetween.

Abstract: A network element (130, 330), for providing access control to a core network (120) of a cellular communication network (100) for a wireless communication unit (150) operating within a communication cell supported by the network element (130, 330), comprises a receiver for receiving a message (425) from the wireless communication unit (150) comprising identity information. The network element further comprises logic (160), operably coupled to the receiver, for determining whether to permit the mobile communication unit (150) access to the core network (120), based at least in part on the received identity information.

Abstract: A network element (130, 330), for providing access control to a core network (120) of a cellular communication network (100) for a wireless communication unit (150) operating within a communication cell supported by the network element (130, 330), comprises a receiver for receiving a message (425) from the wireless communication unit (150) comprising identity information. The network element further comprises logic (160), operably coupled to the receiver, for determining whether to permit the mobile communication unit (150) access to the core network (120), based at least in part on the received identity information.

Abstract: A network element (230) for communicating with a wireless communication unit (214) in a communication cell (200) of a communication system (200) comprises a receiver arranged to perform a frequency sweep across a plurality of operational frequencies. Signal processing logic (255), operably coupled to the receiver, processes the received signals from the frequency sweep and providing an estimate of a level of interference at a number of frequency carriers of the swept frequencies. The signal processing logic (255) is capable of determining whether a transmit power level at a frequency selected from the processed frequency sweep satisfies at least one predetermined quality criterion of the communication system (200). A transmitter (270) is arranged, upon initial activation of the network element (230), to transmit to a wireless communication unit at the determined transmit power level.

Abstract: A communication unit is capable of communicating in a wireless communication network. The communication unit comprises a receiver for receiving timing signals from a plurality of serving wireless communication units; a frequency synchronizing circuit operably coupled to the receiver for synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit to a serving wireless communication unit of the plurality of serving wireless communication units Control logic is capable of controlling the frequency synchronizing circuit to adjust an operating frequency of the communication unit. The control logic is arranged to distinguish between macro cell transmissions and femto cell transmissions and in response thereto selectively use or reject timing signals from the plurality of serving wireless communication units in adjusting the operating frequency of the wireless communication unit.

Abstract: A communication unit comprises receiver circuitry for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals from at least one wireless serving communication unit, and a signal processing logic module. The signal processing logic module is arranged to decode system information within received RF signals transmitted by the at least one wireless serving communication unit, determine whether the wireless serving communication unit supports a restricted access communication cell based on the decoded system information, and decide whether RF signals received from that at least one wireless serving communication unit are suitable as a timing signal source when synchronising an operating frequency of the communication unit based at least partly on the determination.

Abstract: A cellular radio telecommunication handover system and method for enabling the handover of a mobile telecommunications device between a licensed (cellular) network and an unlicensed mobile network comprising a plurality of low power access points having all of them the same common cell identity (GGI) is disclosed. The mobile telecommunications device establishes a handover between one access point of the licensed network and another access point of the unlicensed network by communication of handover resources therebetween.

Abstract: A network management system for managing communications in a cellular communication network comprising an access point operably coupled to an access controller. The network management system comprises an access controller configuration logic module arranged to configure the access controller with configuration information. The network management system further comprises an access point configuration logic module arranged to configure the access point with configuration information comprising, at least in part, configuration information intended for the access controller.

Abstract: A network element (110) for supporting communications in a communication cell of a cellular communication network (100) can comprise transceiver circuitry arranged to enable communication with one or more wireless communication units (114) located within the general vicinity of the communication cell, and signal processing logic. The signal processing logic is arranged to read (220) system information broadcast within a neighbouring cell, construct (230) a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) using the read system information, and to obtain (240) an address associated with the constructed FQDN.