Methods, apparatuses and system for identifying a target femtocell for hand-in of a user equipment

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are described for supporting macrocell-to-femtocell hand-ins of active macro communications for mobile devices. An out-of-band (OOB) link is used to detect that a mobile device is in proximity of a femtocell. Having detected the mobile device in proximity to the femtocell, an OOB proximity detection is communicated to a femtocell gateway disposed in a core network in communication with the macro network to effectively pre-register the mobile device with the femto-convergence system. When the femtocell gateway receives a handover request from the macro network implicating the pre-registered mobile device, it is able to reliably determine the appropriate target femtocell to use for the hand-in according to the pre-registration, even where identification of the appropriate target femtocell would otherwise be unreliable. Some embodiments may also handling registering the mobile device after a handover request has occurred, including tiered approaches.

Description

Background technique [0001] Nowadays, communication networks are widely used, and there are often multiple devices communicating over wireless links to carry voice and data. Many of these devices (for example, cell phones, smart phones, laptop computers, and tablet computers) are mobile and can pass through base stations, access points, wireless routers, or Node Bs (collectively referred to herein as "access points" ) Connect wirelessly to the network. The mobile device can stay in the service area of ​​such an access point for a relatively long period of time (and thus "camp" at the access point), or when the association with the access point changes, the mobile device Using cell switching or reselection techniques for maintaining communication sessions or for idle mode operation, the access point service area can be traversed relatively quickly. [0002] Questions about available spectrum, bandwidth, or capacity may result in unavailability or insufficient access between certa...

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Problems solved by technology

[0002] Issues with available spectrum, bandwidth, or capacity may result in unavailable or insufficient access between some mobile devices and access points

Likewise, problems with wireless signal propagation (such as shadowing, multipath fading, interference, etc.) may render access unavailable for a particular mobile device

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