Abstract: A method is provided of identifying which one of a plurality of femtocell base stations neighboring a first femtocell base station is to be the target for handover of a call connection with a user terminal from the first base station. The neighbor femtocell base stations use the same primary scrambling code as each other. The femtocell base stations use code-division multiple access, CDMA. Each of the neighbor femtocell base stations transmits a respective broadcast signal that include timing information such that each neighbor femtocell base station transmits a broadcast signal having different timing information to that of the other neighbor femtocell base stations. The user terminal receives broadcast signals, determines the timing information of at least one of the received broadcast signals and reports the timing information to the first femtocell base station. The first femtocell base station identifies the target femtocell base station for handover from the timing information.

Abstract: A method of identifying femto base station handover targets for user equipment in a wireless telecommunications network, a femto gateway operable to execute that method and a computer program product. The method comprises the steps of: receiving an indication of user equipment entry into a geographical area served by a femto base station; storing user equipment entry information, generated from said received indication of user equipment entry; receiving an indicator from user equipment identifying a detected femto base station as a handover target; and correlating said indicator against said user equipment entry information to identify those femto base stations having entered user equipment as handover targets.

Abstract: A base station, a method and a computer program product are disclosed. The base station is operable, in concert with other base stations within a group, to support wireless communications with user equipment. The base station comprises: transmission logic operable to generate a cell having a coverage area supporting wireless communications with user equipment; reception logic operable to receive load information indicative of a user equipment communications load experienced by base stations within said group; and coverage area adjustment logic operable to determine changes required to said coverage area to change a user equipment communications load experienced by at least one base station within said group.

Abstract: A method is provided of radio communication in a radio communications network comprising a macrocell base station and a femtocell base station. The method comprises the femtocell base station: transmitting in a first radio frequency band that is allocated to the macrocell, and detecting that a user terminal that is connected to the macrocell base station is in the femtocell. In response to said detecting the user terminal as being in the femtocell, the femtocell base station ceases to use that frequency band at least in the region in which the user terminal is located so as to avoid unacceptable interference to the user terminal.

Abstract: A method is provided in a base station having multiple directional antenna elements each providing a corresponding radio coverage lobe to identify which subset of the lobes covers a user terminal. The base station is a picocell base station. A user terminal is positioned within the coverage area of the base station. A subset of the lobes is selected. The base station applies for a period an adjusted signal power in respect of the selected subset of the lobes. The signal power is detected and information dependent upon the detected pilot signal power is provided. The base station uses said information to determine whether or not the user terminal is located in the selected subset of lobes. A sub-group of the subset of lobes is then selected and a corresponding determination is made whether or not the user terminal is located in the selected sub-group.

Abstract: A telecommunications network node and methods are disclosed. The method is for generating, by genetic programming, evolved algorithms for adjusting base station transmission power to control coverage of a cell to assist in providing desired base station operating characteristics.

Abstract: A method is provided of adjusting transmission power of pilot signals from a picocell base station for radio communications to a user terminal in radio connection with the picocell base station. The method comprises: the base station sending a signal at a first signal power; the user terminal measuring received signal level and sending an information signal indicating received signal level; and the base station adjusting its pilot signal power dependent upon said received signal level indicated in the information signal.

Abstract: A method is provided of evolving algorithms for network node control in a telecommunications network node by updating a model of the network node, and genetic programming by (a) generating algorithms, (b) determining fitness level of the algorithms based on the model of the network node, and (c) selecting the algorithm that meet a predetermined fitness level. The steps (a), (b) and (c) are repeated automatically to provide a series of algorithms over time adapted to the changing model of the network node for possible implementation in the network node.

Abstract: A method is provided of allocating a location area identifier to a cellular base station for wireless communications. The method comprises the following steps. Information is received of geographic location of a base station. For each of a plurality of location areas, each having a location area center, a function is calculated that is dependent upon distance of the base station from location area centers. The location area giving the lowest function value is selected as the location area for the base station.

Abstract: A method is provided of evolving algorithms for network node control in a telecommunications network by genetic programming to (a) generate algorithms (b) determining fitness level of the algorithms based on a model of the telecommunications network and (c) select the algorithm that meet a predetermined fitness level or number of generations of evolution. The model is updated and the steps (a), (b) and (c) are repeated automatically to provide a series of algorithms over time adapted to the changing model of the network for possible implementation in the network.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (20) allows for using base station router devices (30, 32) for in building communications using a mobile station (22). Automatically configuring a definition code such as primary scrambling codes or pseudo random noise offsets of the base station router devices (30, 32) facilitates minimizing or avoiding false handovers between a macrocell base station (24) and one of the base station router devices (30, 32). In a disclosed example, a controller (26) such as a radio network controller communicates with at least one of the base station router devices (30, 32) for automatically changing a definition code used by such a device to avoid correspondence between definition codes within a selected range.

Abstract: A method for automatically configuring a neighbor cell list, NCL, for a base station in a cellular wireless network, comprises receiving measurement reports for neighbor cells from a plurality of mobile stations. The reports are grouped by the neighbor cell with which each is associated. Neighbor cells are selected for inclusion in the NCL depending on the number of reports in their respective group.

Abstract: A method of providing location information to a network application, a location server, a method of providing a trigger notification, a femto base station and a computer program product are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to allow a mobile communications device to identify and store the locations of femtocells which are not contained on a preferred femtocell list of the mobile communications device. Upon identifying a specific femtocell, an authorized mobile communications device may register with the specific femtocell to initiate and receive calls. Furthermore, the present invention allows the mobile communications device to employ the stored location information to automatically identify the specific femtocell whenever the mobile communications device is in a vicinity of the specific femtocell.

Abstract: An automated technique for configuring a neighbor set for a base station (32) includes initializing the neighbor set based upon reported measurements from a mobile station (22). In a disclosed example, a newly installed base station (32) transmits a cell information list to a mobile station (22) requesting measurement reports regarding a plurality of candidate base station identifiers. Based upon the reported measurements, a determination is made regarding which of the base stations should be included in the neighbor set for the base station (32). A disclosed example includes the capability of automatically initializing the neighbor set and automatically updating the set. Disclosed examples include utilizing information from a plurality of mobile stations.

Abstract: A wireless communication system has at least one picocell within a macrocell. A method of communicating in that system includes using a set of predefined cell codes for respectively identifying macrocells. At least one predefined cell code is used for identifying all picocells within a macrocell to the macrocell. A picocell code distinct from the predefined cell codes is used for uniquely identifying a picocell to a mobile station with the macrocell. The mobile station is able to translate between the predefined cell code used by the macrocell to identify all picocells and the picocell code used to uniquely identify the picocell to the mobile station.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (20) allows for using base station router devices (30, 32) for in building communications using a mobile station (22). Automatically registering a base station router device and automatically configuring at least an initial parameter for a frequency, transmit power and definition code of the base station router device facilitates easy installation of such devices. In one example, the initial parameters are determined by a communication server associated with a wireless communication network. In another disclosed example, at least one of the initial parameters is automatically determined by the base station router device.

Abstract: A method is provided of identifying which one of a plurality of femtocell base stations neighbouring a first femtocell base station is to be the target for handover of a call connection with a user terminal from the first base station. The neighbour femtocell base stations use the same primary scrambling code as each other. The femtocell base stations use code-division multiple access, CDMA. Each of the neighbour femtocell base stations transmits a respective broadcast signal that include timing information such that each neighbour femtocell base station transmits a broadcast signal having different timing information to that of the other neighbour femtocell base stations. The user terminal receives broadcast signals, determines the timing information of at least one of the received broadcast signals and reports the timing information to the first femtocell base station. The first femtocell base station identifies the target femtocell base station for handover from the timing information.

Abstract: A method is provided of radio communication in a radio communications network comprising a macrocell base station and a femtocell base station. The method comprises the femtocell base station: transmitting in a first radio frequency band that is allocated to the macrocell, and detecting that a user terminal that is connected to the macrocell base station is in the femtocell. In response to said detecting the user terminal as being in the femtocell, the femtocell base station ceases to use that frequency band at least in the region in which the user terminal is located so as to avoid unacceptable interference to the user terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to allow a mobile communications device to identify and store the locations of femtocells which are not contained on a preferred femtocell list of the mobile communications device. Upon identifying a specific femtocell, an authorized mobile communications device may register with the specific femtocell to initiate and receive calls. Furthermore, the present invention allows the mobile communications device to employ the stored location information to automatically identify the specific femtocell whenever the mobile communications device is in a vicinity of the specific femtocell.