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: 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 femtocell base station is provided. The base station is switchable in use between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. In the first mode of operation only user terminals that are registered with the femtocell base station are connectable to the femtocell base station. In the second mode of operation a user terminal that is not registered with the femtocell base station is connectable to the femtocell base station.

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 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 centre, a function is calculated that is dependent upon distance of the base station from location area centres. The location area giving the lowest function value is selected as the location area for the base station.

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: 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: 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: The invention relates to a method of automatically allocating an area code to a first femtocell (f7). The first femtocell (f7) is surrounded by a plurality of second femtocells (f1-f6). A plurality of area codes (C1-C4) is already allocated to the plurality of second femtocells (f1-f6). According to the method, an area code (C1) of the plurality of area codes (C1-C4) is determined which is used furthest away from the first femtocell (f7) by a second femtocell (f2), without being used by a closer second femtocell. The determined area code (C1) is allocated to the first femtocell (f7).

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: The present invention provides a method of automatically configuring a base station router. The method includes modifying a transmission power for a pilot signal transmitted by the base station router. The modification of the transmission power is determined based upon a frequency of mobility-related procedure requests received by the base station router.

Abstract: A wireless communication server device facilitates overlay network communications in an underlay network environment. A database portion is configured to store information regarding overlay network devices within the underlay network environment. An overlay device management portion is configured to communicate with overlay devices and to provide operation information to the overlay devices. An underlay network communication portion is configured to communicate with at least one underlay network device at least to facilitate communications between a mobile station and a selected overlay device.

Abstract: An exemplary method of communicating includes storing a locating neighbor list that corresponds to a mobile station being in a communication range of a selected picocell. Upon receiving a current neighbor list, a determination is made whether the current neighbor list corresponds to the stored, locating neighbor list. If there is sufficient correspondence, that indicates that the mobile station is in a communication range of the picocell.

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 method of communicating in a picocell within a macrocell includes automatically setting an uplink transmit power of a mobile station to avoid uplink interference between the picocell and the macrocell. A disclosed example includes determining an allowable interference from the picocell to the macrocell. A path-loss between a mobile station and a macrocell is determined. An uplink transmit power of the mobile station for communicating in the picocell is determined based upon the determined allowable interference and the determined path-loss.

Abstract: A wireless communication technique provides mobility for a mobile station (52) to communicate with an overlay network device (40), which is within a coverage area (34) of an underlay network device (24), when the mobile station (52) is within a coverage area (42) of both devices. The overlay network device (40) broadcasts at least two downlink channels. A cell code (e.g., a scrambling code or pseudo noise offset) of a first one of the downlink channels identifies an overlay network device (40) exclusively. The mobile station (52) can detect the first downlink channel responsive to an indication of the exclusive cell code from the underlay network device. A second one of the downlink channels allows for subsequent, ongoing communications between the mobile station and the overlay network device.

Abstract: A communications system 1 includes an underlay network 2, which a cellular communications network implemented using UMTS technology, and an overlay home cell 8 set up by a user using a base station router 7, or other similar access device. A call may be transferred from the home cell 8 to a cell of the underlay network 2 and vice versa. If these operate at different tariffs, the user may find that handover between them results in extra charges for an on-going call. The user terminal 10 is enabled so as to allow the user to determine if handover should be performed, and thus retain control of costs incurred in making a call. The user terminal 10 may give an alert if there is a risk of imminent handover, allowing the user to take avoiding action if desired, or the user may configure preferences to control under what conditions handover may be performed.

Abstract: A transmit power control technique within a wireless communication system includes adjusting a transmit power used by a picocell base station unit based upon a position of the picocell within a macrocell. When a picocell base station unit is located relatively close to a macrocell base station or center of the macrocell, the transmit power of the picocell base station unit is increased to avoid downlink interference from the macrocell base station for mobile stations communicating within the picocell. When a picocell base station unit is located relatively close to an edge of a macrocell, the transmit power of the picocell base station is decreased to avoid interference caused by the picocell base station unit for mobile stations communicating within the macrocell in the vicinity of the picocell.

Abstract: The state of a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of nodes is monitored. Each node is at a time in one of a number of node states dependent upon a predetermined set of rules and local conditions at that node. The value of a parameter is determined where the value of the parameter is dependent upon the entropy of the node states in the network.

Abstract: A maximum transmission power level to be used by a radio telecommunications base station in communicating with a mobile user terminal is selected. The base station communicates with neighboring base stations to determine distances to the neighboring base stations, and sets the maximum transmission power level at a level such as to enable communications with mobile user terminals located at most a fraction of the distance from the base station towards the nearest neighboring base station.