Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090285113 | AUTONOMOUS CARRIER SELECTION FOR FEMTOCELLS - A carrier for a femtocell is selected from a set of carriers available to femtocells. The femto node determines a preference order for the set and measures received signal strength (RSS) for each carrier. The femto node determines a least interference carrier from the set based on the RSS for each carrier, then defines a selected carrier for the femtocell by comparing the RSS of the least interference carrier to the RSS of other carriers in the set. The selected carrier may have a RSS larger than or equal to the RSS of the least interference carrier offset by a predefined margin. The comparisons may be performed in the preference order. The set available to femto nodes may be a subset of all carriers available to a combination of femtocells and macrocells and one or more of the carriers available to femtocells also may be a carrier available to macrocells. | 11-19-2009 |
20090286496 | SELF CALIBRATION OF DOWNLINK TRANSMIT POWER - Transmit power (e.g., maximum transmit power) may be defined based on the maximum received signal strength allowed by a receiver and a total received signal strength from transmitting nodes at the receiver. Transmit power may be defined for an access node (e.g., a femto node) such that a corresponding outage created in a cell (e.g., a macro cell) is limited while still providing an acceptable level of coverage for access terminals associated with the access node. An access node may autonomously adjust its transmit power based on channel measurement and a defined coverage hole to mitigate interference and perform a self-calibration process. | 11-19-2009 |
20100035647 | AUTOMATED PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT TO COMPENSATE SELF ADJUSTING TRANSMIT POWER AND SENSITIVITY LEVEL AT THE NODE B - A small base node such as a Home Base Node (HNB), or femto cell, may reduce its transmit power in order to prevent co-channel or adjacent channel interference, or to limit its coverage area. Once the power is set, the HNB signal to a served Home User Equipment (HUE) its transmit Common Pilot Channel (CPICH) transmit power for accurate path loss estimation. When this power is outside of the permissible range, the HNB adjusts other parameters (such as Random Access Channel (RACH) constant value) to compensate for the error in signaled CPICH power, and thus compensate in that process the error in determining path loss. Similarly, if the uplink sensitivity is adjusted, to prevent interference, parameters would also be adjusted and signaled to the HUE to reflect the link imbalance. | 02-11-2010 |
20100203890 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING A BEACON-ASSISTED HANDOVER TO A HOME NODE-B FOR USERS ON AN ACTIVE CALL - Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed for facilitating a beacon-assisted handover from a macro network to a femto cell during an active call. A femto cell management system assigns a unique identifier to a femto cell, which the femto cell utilizes to broadcast a beacon at a frequency different than the operating frequency of the femto cell. A wireless terminal receives a control message from the macro network directing the wireless terminal to scan particular frequencies. The wireless terminal subsequently provides a report to the macro network identifying attributes ascertained from the scan, which includes attributes associated with the beacon. The macro network then performs a handover from the macro network to the femto cell as a function of the attributes. | 08-12-2010 |
20100203892 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFERENCE BEACON TRANSMISSION - Various systems and methods for interference beacon transmission are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for initiating cell reselection in a wireless communication device, such as a HNB, comprises a processor configured to determine a first frequency at which one or more wireless communication devices communicate with a first cell and a transceiver configured to transmit an interference beacon at the first frequency configured to at least partially interfere with communications at the first frequency and initiate a cell reselection process by at least one of the wireless communication devices. | 08-12-2010 |
20100273432 | MEASUREMENT AGGREGATION IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS - 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. | 10-28-2010 |
20100273471 | FEMTO NODE POWER ADJUSTMENT IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS - 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. | 10-28-2010 |
20100273473 | COMMUNICATION OF AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS - 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. | 10-28-2010 |
20100273481 | FEMTO NODE POWER ADJUSTMENT USING REQUESTS FOR REGISTRATION - 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. | 10-28-2010 |
20110207456 | Systems, Methods and Apparatus Configured to Manage Neighbor Cell Lists - According to some wireless network standards the size of a neighbor cell list is restricted to a maximum size. The limited size of a neighbor cell list may not reflect the realities of a wireless network deployment, especially for deployments including numerous femto cells clustered in close proximity. Accordingly, as the concentration of macro cells and/or femto cells in an area increases, there lies a challenge to identify and communicate neighbor lists to user devices that reflect the arrangement of a particular portion of the deployment and the needs of the user devices. Various systems, methods and apparatus described herein are configured to provide a user device or a group of user devices a neighbor cell list that includes neighbor cell identifiers chosen from a candidate list. | 08-25-2011 |
20110237261 | TRANSMITTING SUBSTITUTE RESELECTION PARAMETERS - A cell reselection parameter is transmitted on one carrier frequency for a defined period of time to cause access terminals operating on that carrier frequency to more aggressively search for access points on at least one other carrier frequency. For example, a femto cell operating on one carrier frequency may transmit a broadcast channel including a cell reselection parameter such as Sintersearch on another carrier frequency that is used by a macro cell. Here, the value of the cell reselection parameter (e.g., Sintersearch) is chosen so that the access terminals will more aggressively conduct inter-frequency searches. In addition, the cell reselection parameter is transmitted for a period of time that ensures that a nearby access terminal will receive the parameter during its wakeup interval. | 09-29-2011 |
20110263256 | DETERMINING HANDOVER PARAMETER FOR TRANSMISSION BY ACCESS POINT - A parameter for transmission by an access point is determined in a manner that facilitates access terminal mobility. For example, a cell reselection parameter and/or a handover parameter may be determined based on the quality of a signal from one access point (e.g., a macro cell) at another access point (e.g., a femto cell). In addition, a cell reselection parameter and/or a handover parameter may be determined based on the proximity of one access point (e.g., a femto cell) to another access point (e.g., a macro cell). Through the use of these techniques, a parameter may be determined in a manner that mitigates access terminal ping-ponging between access points and that mitigates outages that may otherwise occur as a result of an access terminal remaining on an access point too long. | 10-27-2011 |
20110263260 | DETERMINING CELL RESELECTION PARAMETER FOR TRANSMISSION BY ACCESS POINT - A parameter for transmission by an access point is determined in a manner that facilitates access terminal mobility. For example, a cell reselection parameter and/or a handover parameter may be determined based on the quality of a signal from one access point (e.g., a macro cell) at another access point (e.g., a femto cell). In addition, a cell reselection parameter and/or a handover parameter may be determined based on the proximity of one access point (e.g., a femto cell) to another access point (e.g., a macro cell). Through the use of these techniques, a parameter may be determined in a manner that mitigates access terminal ping-ponging between access points and that mitigates outages that may otherwise occur as a result of an access terminal remaining on an access point too long. | 10-27-2011 |
20110281574 | ACCESS TERMINAL-ASSISTED TIME AND/OR FREQUENCY TRACKING - An access point (e.g., a femto cell) that is connected in an active call with an access terminal may cooperate with that access terminal or another access terminal to derive timing information from one or more neighboring access points (e.g., macro access points). In addition, an access point may cooperate with an idle access terminal to derive timing information from one or more neighboring access points. For example, an access terminal may determine the difference between pilot transmission timing or frame transmission timing of a femto cell and a macro cell, and report this timing difference to the femto cell. Based on this timing difference, the femto cell may adjust the timing and/or frequency of its transmissions so that these transmissions are synchronized in time and/or frequency as per network operation requirements. | 11-17-2011 |
20110287787 | LOCATION-BASED SERVICE BASED ON ACCESS POINT IDENTIFIERS - An access point transmits cell information via a physical layer channel. In some cases, the cell information sent on the physical layer channel comprises a physical layer identifier. For example, a physical layer channel may be modulated based on a cell identifier and/or a closed subscriber group identifier associated with the access point. Through the use of this cell information, an access point may be quickly identified for mobility and/or interference management operations. In addition, this cell information may be used for finger-printing operations. | 11-24-2011 |
20110294493 | MODULATING CELL INFORMATION ON A PHYSICAL CHANNEL - An access point transmits cell information via a physical layer channel. In some cases, the cell information sent on the physical layer channel comprises a physical layer identifier. For example, a physical layer channel may be modulated based on a cell identifier and/or a closed subscriber group identifier associated with the access point. Through the use of this cell information, an access point may be quickly identified for mobility and/or interference management operations. In addition, this cell information may be used for finger-printing operations. | 12-01-2011 |
20110319084 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MITIGATING INTERFERENCE IN FEMTOCELL DEPLOYMENTS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for mitigating interference among access points, and/or devices communicating therewith, in unplanned network deployments. Based on determining that one or more served devices potentially interfere with one or more access points, an inter-frequency handover (IFHO) threshold or data rate can be adjusted for the device to cause IFHO or reduce occurrence of interference, and/or a coverage area can be modified so the device can communicate with one or more other access points to mitigate potential interference. Based on determining interference from one or more devices served by other access points, an access point can switch operating modes to a hybrid or open access point to allow the one or more devices to handover to the access point, and/or can boost downlink transmit power to cause the one or more devices to perform IFHO from the other access points to mitigate potential interference. | 12-29-2011 |
20110319088 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MITIGATING INTERFERENCE IN FEMTOCELL DEPLOYMENTS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining one or more parameters of an access point that can be set or adjusted to mitigate interference to other access points. A rise-over-thermal (RoT) threshold can be set at an access point based on one or more parameters, such as pathloss measurements, location of the access point, etc., such that interference from devices communicating with the access point can be mitigated. In addition, a noise floor, RoT threshold, etc., can be adjusted based on determining a transmit power difference, out-of-cell interference, and/or similar measurements. | 12-29-2011 |
20110319122 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEVICE TRANSMIT POWER CAPPING IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining a transmission power cap for one or more devices based at least in part on pathloss measurements to one or more access points received from the one or more devices. A common transmission power cap can also be computed for assigning to devices communicating with an access point, and the transmission power cap for a given device can be adjusted when the transmission power is at or a threshold level from the common power cap to conserve signaling in the wireless network. Adjustment of the transmission power cap can additionally or alternatively be based on a received power at an access point related to signals from the device, an interference report from one or more access points, and/or the like. | 12-29-2011 |
20120021788 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDOVER OF DEVICE TO MITIGATE UPLINK INTERFERENCE IN FEMTOCELL DEPLOYMENTS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining whether to handover a device to mitigate uplink interference while achieving acceptable uplink service quality in a wireless network. One or more parameters related to a device can be evaluated to determine whether to handover the device, such as a number of transmission power reports received from the device over a period of time, a frame error rate, setpoint, or power control commands related to the uplink of the device, a received pilot signal strength at the device, an uplink throughput or buffer size at the device, etc., from which transmit power information of the device can be inferred for determining whether the device potentially interferes with access points or devices. Based on the one or more parameters, an access point can determine whether handing over the device may mitigate such uplink interference while ensuring uplink service quality, and accordingly handover the device. | 01-26-2012 |
20120039265 | CONTROLLING ACCESS POINT TRANSMIT POWER BASED ON RECEIVED ACCESS TERMINAL MESSAGES - Transmit power for an access point is controlled based on information received by the access point. For example, an access point may employ one or more algorithms that use messages received from nearby access terminals to maintain an acceptable tradeoff between providing an adequate coverage area for access point transmissions and mitigating interference that these transmissions cause at nearby access terminals. Here, the access point may employ a network listen-based algorithm upon initialization of the access terminal to provide preliminary transmit power control until sufficient information is collected for another transmit power control algorithm (e.g., an access terminal assisted algorithm). Also, the access terminal may employ an active access terminal protection scheme to mitigate interference the access point may otherwise cause to a nearby access terminal that is in active communication with another access point. | 02-16-2012 |
20120046026 | CONTROLLING ACCESS POINT TRANSMIT POWER BASED ON EVENT-TRIGGERED ACCESS TERMINAL MESSAGING - Transmit power for an access point is controlled based on measurement reports received by the access point from one or more access terminals that are not currently being served by the access point. In some aspects, transmit power is controlled based on the number of received messages that correspond to a particular event. In some aspects, transmit power is controlled based on the contents of the received messages. For example, the access point may use signal strength information included in the messages to determine a level of transmit power that mitigates interference at a defined subset of reporting access terminals. | 02-23-2012 |
20120046063 | CONTROLLING ACCESS POINT TRANSMIT POWER BASED ON ACCESS TERMINAL RANKING - Transmit power for an access point is controlled based on measurement reports received by the access point from one or more access terminals that are not currently being served by the access point. In some aspects, transmit power is controlled based on the number of received messages that correspond to a particular event. In some aspects, transmit power is controlled based on the contents of the received messages. For example, the access point may use signal strength information included in the messages to determine a level of transmit power that mitigates interference at a defined subset of reporting access terminals. | 02-23-2012 |
20120094660 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED INTERFERENCE MANAGEMENT AT RESTRICTED ACCESS POINTS - Methods and apparatuses are provided that facilitate providing access point measurements to restricted access points. Restricted access points can lessen restrictions to allow devices to register with the restricted access point for providing measurements thereto. Additionally or alternatively, access point measurements can be provided to a minimization of drive tests (MDT) server for providing to the restricted access points. Thus, restricted access points can obtain the access point measurements for performing enhanced interference management or other functionality based at least in part on the measurements. | 04-19-2012 |
20120115488 | SIGNAL TRANSMISSION PATTERN - An access point transmits signals (e.g., a cell reselection beacon) on a carrier frequency according to a multi-power level transmission pattern. Signals are transmitted at a high power level for a first defined period of time (e.g., between 4-7 milliseconds) and at a low power level for a second defined period of time (e.g., between 58-65 milliseconds). | 05-10-2012 |
20120122492 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UPDATING FEMTOCELL PROXIMITY INFORMATION - Techniques are described herein for updating proximity information associated with a femtocell in a wireless communication system. An example of a method described herein includes identifying a location within a wireless communication network, associating the location with a femtocell for which proximity information relating to position of the femtocell is maintained, performing at least one search for the femtocell, and updating the proximity information maintained for the femtocell based on results of the at least one search. Another example of a method described herein includes obtaining a report of proximity information relating to a femtocell, identifying one or more network devices for which the proximity information is relevant, and communicating proximity information update signaling to the one or more network devices. | 05-17-2012 |
20120124088 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOBILE SEARCH BASED ON SEARCH TRIGGERS - An apparatus and method for mobile search using search triggers including establishing a search state for a mobile search; defining a search scheduler based on the search state; determining to collect a search trigger for the search scheduler based on the search state; updating the search state using the collected search trigger and in accordance with the search scheduler; and performing a search for a search type based on the updated search state and in accordance with the search scheduler. | 05-17-2012 |
20120124263 | ALLOCATING GRANT CHANNEL RESOURCES - Grant channel resources are allocated based on the number of access terminals that use different types of transmission time intervals (TTIs) for data transmissions. For example, if the number of access terminals using a first type of TTI exceeds the number of access terminals using a second type of TTI, more grant channel resources are allocated to the access terminals that use the first type of TTI. | 05-17-2012 |
20120142392 | MULTI-STAGE TRANSMIT POWER CONTROL SCHEME FOR ACCESS POINT - Transmit power for an access point is controlled based on information received by the access point. For example, an access point may employ one or more algorithms that use messages received from nearby access terminals to maintain an acceptable tradeoff between providing an adequate coverage area for access point transmissions and mitigating interference that these transmissions cause at nearby access terminals. Here, the access point may employ a network listen-based algorithm upon initialization of the access terminal to provide preliminary transmit power control until sufficient information is collected for another transmit power control algorithm (e.g., an access terminal assisted algorithm). Also, the access terminal may employ an active access terminal protection scheme to mitigate interference the access point may otherwise cause to a nearby access terminal that is in active communication with another access point. | 06-07-2012 |
20120238279 | TRANSMISSION POWER COORDINATION FOR SMALL-COVERAGE BASE STATIONS - Coordinating transmission power for small-coverage base stations deployed in a wireless communication network may comprise, for example, receiving a plurality of measurement reports corresponding to two or more base stations, determining a coordinated coverage condition for the base stations, and setting a transmission power for at least one of the base stations based on the measurement reports and the coverage condition. | 09-20-2012 |
20120252453 | POWER CONTROL FOR A NETWORK OF ACCESS POINTS - A power calibration scheme adjusts power levels of network of femtocells based on macro signals seen at different points in and around a coverage area and based on the mutual positions of the femtocells (e.g., based on femtocell signals seen at these points). The power calibration scheme thus facilitates a good balance between providing a desired level of coverage and mitigation of interference to nearby macrocells and femtocells. | 10-04-2012 |
20120252521 | ACCESS POINT TRANSMIT POWER CONTROL - A power calibration scheme adjusts power levels of network of femtocells based on macro signals seen at different points in and around a coverage area and based on the mutual positions of the femtocells (e.g., based on femtocell signals seen at these points). The power calibration scheme thus facilitates a good balance between providing a desired level of coverage and mitigation of interference to nearby macrocells and femtocells. | 10-04-2012 |
20120258746 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING RISE-OVER-THERMAL THRESHOLD - Methods and apparatuses are provided that include adaptively configuring a rise-over-thermal (RoT) threshold at a base station to improve communications with one or more devices while mitigating interference to one or more other base stations. A potential device pathloss to the macrocell can be computed based on a measured pathloss thereto applied with a coverage area of the low power base station to emulate a worst-case device, one or more received measurement reports, and/or the like. The RoT threshold can be computed based at least in part on the pathloss and/or a maximum interference level at the macrocell. In addition, the RoT threshold can be adapted based on a reverse link attenuation level. | 10-11-2012 |
20120309394 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR HAND-IN TO A FEMTO NODE - Methods and apparatuses are provided for causing active hand-in of a device from a macrocell base station to a femto node, which can be an inter-frequency hand-in. The femto node can broadcast a beacon, which can be received and reported by a device to a source base station along with one or more parameters for disambiguating a target femto node. The source base station can communicate a handover message to the femto node or a related femto gateway along with the one or more parameters. The femto node or femto gateway can disambiguate the intended target femto node based in part on the one or more parameters, which can include applying one or more filters. Additionally, the femto node can broadcast multiple beacons to assist in disambiguation of the target femto node. Also, where complete disambiguation is not possible, the femto gateway can prepare multiple femto nodes for hand-in. | 12-06-2012 |
20120322494 | MANAGEMENT OF HIGH-SPEED DEDICATED PHYSICAL CONTROL CHANNEL DECODING IN SOFT HANDOVER - Methods for management of high-speed dedicated physical control channel decoding in soft handover procedures include various methods that include controlling reverse link transmission power. Different algorithms may be used for controlling transmission power, including algorithms summarized as determining path-loss differences, determining a difference between pilot channel power from HSDPA serving and non-serving NodeBs, and adjusting a signal-to-interference target, an attenuation factor, or similar parameters for controlling reverse link power. Another of the management methods includes selecting a HSDPA serving NodeB for a mobile entity jointly based on the downlink and uplink channel quality, loading, and resource availability. The methods, and aspects of the methods, may be embodied in wireless communications apparatus, for example, in a NodeB or mobile entity. | 12-20-2012 |
20120329399 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING A RISE-OVER-THERMAL OR NOISE RISE THRESHOLD - Methods and apparatuses are provided that include adjusting rise-over-thermal (RoT) or noise rise (NR) threshold based on detecting interference from one or more devices. A device can communicate within close proximity of a femto node such that the device does not respond to power down commands from the femto node due to operating at a minimum transmit power. The device can cause the RoT or NR at the femto node to potentially rise over a threshold, however. Thus, the femto node can increase the RoT or NR threshold to allow the device to communicate with the femto node without impacting other devices communicating with the femto node. Out-of-cell interference from devices communicating with other base stations can be detected as well, and the RoT or NR threshold can be adjusted based thereon. | 12-27-2012 |
20130016681 | AUTOMATED PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT TO COMPENSATE SELF ADJUSTING TRANSMIT POWER AND SENSITIVITY LEVEL AT THE NODE B - A small base node such as a Home Base Node (HNB), or femto cell, may reduce its transmit power in order to prevent co-channel or adjacent channel interference, or to limit its coverage area. Once the power is set, the HNB signal to a served Home User Equipment (HUE) its transmit Common Pilot Channel (CPICH) transmit power for accurate path loss estimation. When this power is outside of the permissible range, the HNB adjusts other parameters (such as Random Access Channel (RACH) constant value) to compensate for the error in signaled CPICH power, and thus compensate in that process the error in determining path loss. Similarly, if the uplink sensitivity is adjusted, to prevent interference, parameters would also be adjusted and signaled to the HUE to reflect the link imbalance. | 01-17-2013 |
20130079003 | MAINTAINING NEIGHBOR CELL LIST - Access terminals are provisioned to conduct intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and inter-RAT measurements and report physical layer identifiers of detected cells. The provisioning may involve cycling through all or a portion of a defined superset of physical layer identifier one subset at a time. In addition, the physical layer identifiers may be prioritized to improve the search procedure. Measurement report messages (including physical layer identifiers of the detected cells) are received at an access point as a result of the provisioning. A neighbor cell list for the femtocell is maintained based on the received measurement report messages and, optionally, other information. This other information may related to, for example, one or more of: physical layer identifier information received from access terminals that register with the access point, physical layer identifier information received via network listen operations, information regarding co-located cells, or physical layer identifier information received from a network entity. | 03-28-2013 |
20130079007 | NEIGHBOR CELL LIST BASED ON HANDOVER MESSAGE - A neighbor cell list for a cell is maintained based on a received handover message that identifies at least one physical layer identifier. For example, the handover message may include measurement report messages (MRMs) generated by the access terminal being handed over. As another example, the handover message may include a neighbor cell list that is associated with the access terminal. The measurement report messages and the neighbor cell list associated with the access terminal will identify physical layer identifiers of cells in the vicinity of the source cell and, in some cases, in the vicinity of the access terminal being handed over. Upon receipt of the handover message, the neighbor cell list for the target cell is updated based on the physical layer identifiers identified by the handover message. | 03-28-2013 |
20130094374 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VIRTUAL ADAPTIVE UPLINK ATTENUATION - Techniques are provided for overcoming uplink (UL) interference at a femtocell or the like by modifying the estimated interference-plus-noise power in UL power control. In one example, the modification can be specified by a method, operable by a network entity, that may involve determining a level of excess received interference based at least in part on out-of-cell interference (Ioc). In another example, the modification can be specified by a method, operable by a network entity, that may involve determining a difference between the downlink transmit powers of the high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) serving and non-serving cells, with which the UE are in soft handover (SHO) in uplink and is served by the HSDPA serving cell in downlink. | 04-18-2013 |
20130102309 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALIBRATING TRANSMIT POWER OF A FEMTO NODE - Methods and apparatuses are provided that include calibrating transmit power of a femto node based on measuring one or more parameters related to usage of the femto node. The femto node can temporarily increase transmit power and analyze received measurement reports to determine a transmit power calibration. The femto node can additionally measure uplink received signal strength indicators over multiple time periods following handover of a user equipment (UE) to determine whether to increase transmit power to cover the UE. | 04-25-2013 |
20130150035 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING NEIGHBORING DEVICES - Methods and apparatuses are provided that include classifying nearby devices as neighboring or non-neighboring devices. Devices can be classified based on detected registration attempts to a femto node, where the femto node can switch paging area identifiers to cause the registration attempts or otherwise, analyzing measurement reports received from the devices in a registration request, and/or the like. The femto node can mitigate interference to the devices based on the classification. | 06-13-2013 |
20130157671 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPUTING A SCHEDULED LOAD IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for adjusting a scheduled load for one or more user equipment (UE) in a wireless network. A comparison of each of one or more control parameters related to signals received from one or more UEs to a corresponding threshold can be determined. The control parameters can correspond to an in-cell load, rise-over-thermal, etc. The scheduled load of a base station can be adjusted based in part on the comparison. This adjustment can include adjusting the scheduled load by a step-size increase value or step-size decrease value, which can be computed based in part on a target tail probability for the one or more control parameters. | 06-20-2013 |
20130225167 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXPANDING FEMTOCELL COVERAGE FOR HIGH CAPACITY OFFLOAD - Systems and methods are provided for deploying a femto node with expanded coverage. This may be achieved, for example, by operating a femto node in an open or hybrid access mode to allow registration from both member and non-member devices, monitoring conditions on a backhaul link maintained with a wireless network over a broadband connection configured to provide internet access to the devices and to other devices operating independent of the femto node, and managing resources or mobility for each device based on whether the device is a member device or a non-member device and based on the conditions over on the backhaul link. | 08-29-2013 |
20130225183 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TURNING OFF MACRO CARRIERS TO DEPLOY FEMTOCELLS - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for deploying at least one small-coverage base station in a coverage area. The method includes configuring the at least one small-coverage base station to operate on a given channel. The method includes detecting usage information of the at least one small-coverage base station on the given channel. The method includes adjusting an overall transmit power of at least one large-coverage base station in the coverage area based at least in part on the usage information. | 08-29-2013 |
20130231099 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING MOBILITY PARAMETERS BASED ON NEIGHBORING ACCESS POINTS - Methods and apparatus are provided for configuring mobility or paging parameters of a femto node. A method includes determining capabilities of one or more neighboring access points based in part on signals received from the one or more neighboring access points. The method includes comparing the capabilities to one or more capabilities of the femto node to determine a mobility or paging parameter adjustment. The method includes adjusting one or more mobility or paging parameters based on the mobility or paging parameter adjustment. | 09-05-2013 |
20130235759 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTING FEMTOCELL PROPERTIES BASED ON CHANGES DETECTED IN NETWORK TOPOLOGY - Methods and apparatus are provided for adapting femtocell properties based on changes detected in network topology. A method includes detecting a network topology change associated with a network node. The method includes determining an availability factor of the network node based on the topology change. The method includes setting mobility parameters of at least one mobile entity serviced by the network entity and mitigating interference with at least one neighboring network node based at least in part on the network topology and on at least one adjusted resource parameter of the network entity. | 09-12-2013 |
20130237202 | USING LOW-POWER ACCESS POINTS TO IDENTIFY TRAFFIC CONGESTION ZONES - Low-power access points are used to identify traffic congestion zones in a network. The low-power access points collect metrics that are used identify high demand areas. The locations of the traffic congestion zones are then determined based on the locations of the low-power access points that identified high demand. In some embodiments, metrics are collected and processed in a distributed fashion at each femtocell. Each femtocell then outputs an indication of high demand in the area and/or takes action to address the high demand at an identified traffic congestion zone. Alternatively, the femtocells may collectively take action to address the high demand at one or more identified traffic congestion zones. In other embodiments, metrics may be collected from the femtocells at a central entity and processed to identifying any traffic congestion zones near the femtocells, whereby the central entity takes appropriate action to address the high demand. | 09-12-2013 |
20130237227 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RESOURCE ALLOCATION BASED ON FEMTOCELL LOCATION CLASSIFICATION - Disclosed are system and method for classifying an indoors location of a femtocell or femto node. In an aspect, the system and method are configured to perform, by a femto node, radio frequency (RF) measurements of one or more neighboring femtocells and macrocells; collect performance measurement reports from one or more mobile devices; classify the indoors location of the femto node based on the performed RF measurements and the collected performance measurement reports; and adjust one or more RF resources and parameters of the femto node based on the indoors location classification of the femto node. | 09-12-2013 |
20130237233 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OFFLOADING DEVICES IN FEMTOCELL COVERAGE - A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided in connection with determining whether to offload a device from a femto node. In one example, a serving femto node is equipped to obtain load information regarding a target node, compare an expected throughput at the target node, estimated based in part on the load information, to a threshold, and determine whether to handover a device to the target node based in part on the comparing. In an aspect, the serving node is further equipped to compute its own throughput based on parameters specific to the serving femto node or the device, and the threshold is the throughput at the serving femto node. | 09-12-2013 |
20130252602 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING RF PARAMETERS BASED ON NEIGHBORING ACCESS POINTS - Systems and methods are provided for a femto node to configure one or more of its RF parameters. This may be achieved, for example, by determining capabilities of one or more neighboring femto or pico nodes based in part on signals received from the one or more neighboring femto or pico nodes, comparing the determined capabilities of the one or more neighboring femto or pico nodes to one or more capabilities of the femto node, and adjusting one or more RF parameters of the femto node based on the comparison. | 09-26-2013 |
20140073343 | CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT FOR PILOT POLLUTION MITIGATION IN SMALL CELL NETWORKS - A small cell (e.g., femtocell) in a wireless communication may determine a set of wireless signal measurements for a plurality of small cells causing pilot cell pollution within a coverage area. The small cell may determine an adjustment of a transmission parameter of the small cells for reducing the pilot cell pollution, and transmit the adjustment to the small cells. The adjustment may include, for example, minimizing an area of overlap between at least two small cells having signal power difference below a threshold, maximizing a signal to interference and noise ratio at a location associated with at least two small cells, minimizing an area associated with at least two pilot signals within a threshold signal level, distributing traffic load to at least two of the small cells based on the set of measurements, or by minimizing the number of small cells covering a path. | 03-13-2014 |
20140106758 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING A BEACON-ASSISTED HANDOVER TO A HOME NODE-B FOR USERS ON AN ACTIVE CALL - Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed for facilitating a beacon-assisted handover from a macro network to a femto cell during an active call. A femto cell management system assigns a unique identifier to a femto cell, which the femto cell utilizes to broadcast a beacon at a frequency different than the operating frequency of the femto cell. A wireless terminal receives a control message from the macro network directing the wireless terminal to scan particular frequencies. The wireless terminal subsequently provides a report to the macro network identifying attributes ascertained from the scan, which includes attributes associated with the beacon. The macro network then performs a handover from the macro network to the femto cell as a function of the attributes. | 04-17-2014 |
20140135004 | MULTI-STAGE TRANSMIT POWER CONTROL SCHEME FOR ACCESS POINT - Transmit power for an access point is controlled based on information received by the access point. For example, an access point may employ one or more algorithms that use messages received from nearby access terminals to maintain an acceptable tradeoff between providing an adequate coverage area for access point transmissions and mitigating interference that these transmissions cause at nearby access terminals. Here, the access point may employ a network listen-based algorithm upon initialization of the access terminal to provide preliminary transmit power control until sufficient information is collected for another transmit power control algorithm (e.g., an access terminal assisted algorithm). Also, the access terminal may employ an active access terminal protection scheme to mitigate interference the access point may otherwise cause to a nearby access terminal that is in active communication with another access point. | 05-15-2014 |
20140135021 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO MANAGE NEIGHBOR CELL LISTS - According to some wireless network standards the size of a neighbor cell list is restricted to a maximum size. The limited size of a neighbor cell list may not reflect the realities of a wireless network deployment, especially for deployments including numerous femto cells clustered in close proximity. Accordingly, as the concentration of macro cells and/or femto cells in an area increases, there lies a challenge to identify and communicate neighbor lists to user devices that reflect the arrangement of a particular portion of the deployment and the needs of the user devices. Various systems, methods and apparatus described herein are configured to provide a user device or a group of user devices a neighbor cell list that includes neighbor cell identifiers chosen from a candidate list. | 05-15-2014 |
20140161073 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MITIGATING INTERFERENCE IN FEMTOCELL DEPLOYMENTS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining one or more parameters of an access point that can be set or adjusted to mitigate interference to other access points. A rise-over-thermal (RoT) threshold can be set at an access point based on one or more parameters, such as pathloss measurements, location of the access point, etc., such that interference from devices communicating with the access point can be mitigated. In addition, a noise floor, RoT threshold, etc., can be adjusted based on determining a transmit power difference, out-of-cell interference, and/or similar measurements. | 06-12-2014 |
20140219117 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTER CELL INTERFERENCE COORDINATION - The present disclosure presents a method and an apparatus of triggering an inter cell interference coordination (ICIC) mechanism in a wireless network. For example, the disclosure presents a method for identifying a pilot pollution metric and determining when a pilot pollution condition based at least on the pilot pollution metric is satisfied. In addition, such as an example method may include triggering an ICIC mechanism when the pilot pollution condition is satisfied. As such, triggering an ICIC mechanism in a wireless network may be achieved. | 08-07-2014 |
20140219243 | APPARATUS AND METHODS OF JOINT TRANSMIT POWER AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - The present disclosure presents a method and apparatus for joint power and resource management in a wireless network. For example, the disclosure presents a method for receiving reference signal received power (RSRP) measurements of one or more neighboring base stations of a base station. In addition, such an example method, may include calibrating a transmit power of the base station based at least on the received measurements, and adjusting transmit resources of the base station in response to the calibration. As such, joint power and resource management in a wireless network may be achieved. | 08-07-2014 |
20140235288 | SELF CALIBRATION OF DOWNLINK TRANSMIT POWER - Transmit power (e.g., maximum transmit power) may be defined based on the maximum received signal strength allowed by a receiver and a total received signal strength from transmitting nodes at the receiver. Transmit power may be defined for an access node (e.g., a femto node) such that a corresponding outage created in a cell (e.g., a macro cell) is limited while still providing an acceptable level of coverage for access terminals associated with the access node. An access node may autonomously adjust its transmit power based on channel measurement and a defined coverage hole to mitigate interference and perform a self-calibration process. | 08-21-2014 |
20140256322 | UPLINK INTERFERENCE MITIGATION BY ADAPTING OPEN CELL TRANSMISSION POWER - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for interference mitigation of an open-access node. The method includes determining, at the open-access node, whether uplink interference from a mobile entity is above a threshold. The method includes adjusting a transmission power to trigger a hand-in of the mobile entity in response to determining the uplink interference is above the threshold. The method includes handing-in the mobile entity from a first cell in response to adjusting the transmission power. The method includes redirecting the mobile entity to a second cell different from the first cell. | 09-11-2014 |
20140256340 | TRANSMIT POWER CALIBRATION FOR MATCHING THE COVERAGE OF DIFFERENT RADIO TECHNOLOGIES ON A COMMON RADIO NODE - A method for wireless communication may comprise, for example, automatically determining first power settings for a first radio access technology (RAT) based on second power settings for a second RAT, and automatically applying the first power settings as power settings for the first RAT. | 09-11-2014 |
20140334424 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR POWER MANAGEMENT IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Methods and apparatus for communication comprise aspects that include performing a power management procedure for configuring a subset of network entities to receive one or more of downlink signal measurements and/or one or more uplink signal measurements. The methods and apparatus further comprise aspects that include storing the one or more one or more of downlink signal measurements and/or one or more uplink signal measurements associated with the subset of network entities at a database for managing transmit power at the subset of network entities. Moreover, the methods and apparatus comprise aspects that include adjusting a transmit power value of at least one of the subset of network entities from a first transmit power value to a second transmit power value based at least in part on the one or more of downlink signal measurements and/or one or more uplink signal measurements. | 11-13-2014 |
20140378124 | FEMTO NODE POWER ADJUSTMENT IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS - 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. | 12-25-2014 |
20150018042 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED INTERFERENCE MANAGEMENT AT RESTRICTED ACCESS POINTS - Methods and apparatuses are provided that facilitate providing access point measurements to restricted access points. Restricted access points can lessen restrictions to allow devices to register with the restricted access point for providing measurements thereto. Additionally or alternatively, access point measurements can be provided to a minimization of drive tests (MDT) server for providing to the restricted access points. Thus, restricted access points can obtain the access point measurements for performing enhanced interference management or other functionality based at least in part on the measurements. | 01-15-2015 |
20150063136 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK ENTITY COLLISION DETECTION - Methods and apparatus for communication at a network entity comprise sending a measurement configuration message to a user equipment (UE) to configure the UE to perform one or more measurements during a specified measurement period. Additionally, the methods and apparatus comprise suspending, at the network entity, transmission of at least one configuration parameter to the UE during the specified measurement period, wherein the network entity is the serving network entity. Moreover, the methods and apparatus comprise receiving at least one measurement report message from the UE after the specified measurement period. | 03-05-2015 |
20150063137 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORK ENTITY COLLISION DETECTION - Methods and apparatus for communication at a network entity comprise receiving one or more technology layer measurements during a measurement period. The methods and apparatus further comprise determining that a first subset of the one or more technology layer measurements satisfies an adequate user equipment (UE) communication condition. In addition, the methods and apparatus comprise determining that a second subset of the one or more technology layer measurements satisfies at least one measurement threshold value. Moreover, the methods and apparatus comprise identifying a network entity conflict when the first subset of the one or more technology layer measurements satisfies the adequate UE communication condition and the second subset of the one or more technology layer measurements satisfies the at least one measurement threshold value. | 03-05-2015 |
20150065144 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PARAMETER SELECTION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION FOR MULTIPLE RADIO ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES - Methods and apparatus for communication comprise selecting a first parameter value for a first RAT transmission-related parameter from a first set of selectable first parameter values and a second parameter value for a second RAT transmission-related parameter from a second set of selectable second parameter values based at least in part on a mapping function that maps between ones of the first set of selectable first parameter values for the first RAT transmission-related parameter and the second set of selectable second parameter values for the second RAT transmission-related parameter. Moreover, the methods and apparatus comprise communicating using at least one of the first parameter value of the first RAT transmission-related parameter for the first RAT and the second parameter value of the second RAT transmission-related parameter for the second RAT. | 03-05-2015 |
20150071104 | AUTONOMOUSLY SELECTING A COMMUNICATION CHANNEL HAVING A CO-CHANNEL OPERATION CONSTRAINT - Provided are methods and apparatus for selecting a communication channel. The methods and apparatus select a channel having the least interference and minimize a number of different channels in use. For example, a method for selecting a communication channel includes measuring a transmission characteristic for each channel in a plurality of channels to create a transmission characteristic measurement for each channel. The method also includes receiving, from at least one neighboring access point, data indicating the neighboring access point uses a channel in the plurality of channels. A utility value for each channel in the plurality of channels is calculated by weighting, based on the number of the neighboring access points using each channel in the plurality of channels, the transmission characteristic measurement for each channel in the plurality of channels. Further, the channel having the highest or the lowest utility value is chosen as the communication channel. | 03-12-2015 |
20150072697 | SELECTING A COMMUNICATION CHANNEL BASED ON A NEIGHBORING CELL CONSTRAINT - Provided are methods and apparatus for selecting a channel to use for communicating. The methods and apparatus select a channel having the least interference and minimize a number of different channels in use. For example, a provided method includes calculating a utility value for each channel in a plurality of channels by weighting, based on a number of the neighborhood small cells (NSC) using each channel in the plurality of channels, both a respective modified non-NSC received signal strength indication (RSSI) and a respective modified reference signal received power (RSRP). The non-NSC RSSI is calculated by subtracting a respective RSRP from a total RSSI. The respective modified RSRP for each channel in the plurality of channels is calculated by applying the respective RSRP to a cumulative distribution function. The channel having the highest or the lowest utility value is chosen as the channel to use for the communicating. | 03-12-2015 |