Abstract: A cellular communication system comprises an access point (101) which supports an underlay cell of a first cell on an underlay frequency using another frequency. A proximity detector (113) detects user equipment (109) in response to a wireless transmission therefrom, which uses a different transmission technology from a transmission of the cellular communication system. In response to the proximity detection, the access point (101) temporarily transmits a pilot signal on the first cell frequency. The user equipment (109) is then switched to the access point (109) and the underlay frequency in response to a detection indication from the user equipment (109) indicating that the pilot signal has been detected. Following the switch the access point (101) terminates the transmission of the pilot signal.

Abstract: A method includes a first step of monitoring a noise floor. A next step includes determining if the noise floor crosses a threshold level. A next step includes preventing any further increases in a Common Pilot Channel power level. A next step includes randomly selecting and performing an interference mitigation measure. A next step includes monitoring an interference level. A next step allows further increases in a Common Pilot Channel power level if the interference abates by more than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A cellular communication system comprises a base station which can to operate in a restricted mode wherein support is restricted to user equipments of a first associated set of user equipments, such as a Closed Subscriber Group. The base station comprises a profile unit which determines a first transmit power profile where the first transmit power profile is indicative of the base station operating in the restricted mode. The base station further comprises a transmitter for transmitting at least one common channel, such as a pilot signal or a broadcast signal, with a transmit power according to the first transmit power profile. User Equipments may measure the power profile to evaluate whether the base station employs restricted access. The invention may in particular reduce the number of access attempts to restricted base stations by non-eligible User Equipments.

Abstract: A network for a cellular communication system comprises access points (105-109) supporting cells within a region (113). Each access point (105-109) has an individual proxy address of a proxy address space which is a local address space of an address proxy (101) and a common network address of a network address space which is a network wide address space. A gateway access point (103) covers an entry point to the region (113) and detects a remote station entering the region. It then determines an access point (105) in the region to which the remote station is handed over and transmits a binding message to the address proxy (101) with an indication of the access point (105). In response to receiving the binding message, the address proxy (101) establishes a binding between the common network address and the proxy address of the access point (105). Data for the remote station is then forwarded to the access point (105) using the binding.

Abstract: A cellular communication system comprises an access point (101) which supports an underlay cell of a first cell on an underlay frequency using another frequency. A proximity detector (113) detects user equipment (109) in response to a wireless transmission therefrom, which uses a different transmission technology from a transmission of the cellular communication system. In response to the proximity detection, the access point (101) temporarily transmits a pilot signal on the first cell frequency. The user equipment (109) is then switched to the access point (109) and the underlay frequency in response to a detection indication from the user equipment (109) indicating that the pilot signal has been detected. Following the switch the access point (101) terminates the transmission of the pilot signal.

Abstract: A cellular communication system comprises a first base station (103) supporting user equipments (101) in a first cell. A user equipment (101) is supported in the first cell by the first base station (103) and is arranged to transmit previous cell switch candidate data to the first base station (103). The previous cell switch candidate data comprises an indication of at least one cell switch candidate for at least one base station supporting the user equipment prior to the first base station (103). The first base station is arranged to receive the previous cell switch candidate data transmitted from the user equipment (101). The previous cell switch candidate data may be used for different purposes such as synchronization of cells or generation of suitable cell switch candidate lists, such as neighbour cell lists. In particular, the approach may allow an improved automated or semi-automated generation of neighbour cell lists for a dynamically changing cell layout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing power settings in a communication system includes a first step (306) of monitoring a noise floor. A next step (308) includes determining if the noise floor crosses a threshold level. A next step (310) includes preventing any further increases in a Common Pilot Channel power level. A next step (312) includes randomly selecting and performing an interference mitigation measure. A next step (320) includes monitoring an interference level. A next step (322) and allowing further increases in a Common Pilot Channel power level if the interference abates by more than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A network for a cellular communication system comprises access points (105-109) supporting cells within a region (113). Each access point (105-109) has an individual proxy address of a proxy address space which is a local address space of an address proxy (101) and a common network address of a network address space which is a network wide address space. A gateway access point (103) covers an entry point to the region (113) and detects a remote station entering the region. It then determines an access point (105) in the region to which the remote station is handed over and transmits a binding message to the address proxy (101) with an indication of the access point (105). In response to receiving the binding message, the address proxy (101) establishes a binding between the common network address and the proxy address of the access point (105). Data for the remote station is then forwarded to the access point (105) using the binding.

Abstract: A cellular communication system includes base stations supporting macro cells and with unique cell scrambling codes within a region. The system further includes access points supporting underlay cells and with shared cell scrambling codes within the region. One or more of the access points or base stations comprise transmit means for transmitting an indication of at least a first shared scrambling code to a remote station. The shared scrambling code is shared by a plurality of access points. The remote station is arranged to receive the first shared scrambling code and to determine if a first signal using the first shared scrambling code is received. If the first signal is detected, a handover controller initiates a handover of the remote station to at least a first access point of the plurality of access points sharing the first shared scrambling code.