Femtocell VLAN Transcoding for Multi-Provider Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Femtocells face challenges in supporting multiple providers due to interference issues and regulatory complexities, particularly in dense urban areas where wideband technologies like WCDMA are used, and there is a need to manage diverse cellular standards and access technologies within a single femtocell deployment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a femtocell determines the characteristics of virtual local area networks (VLANs) it is connected to, both cellularly and non-cellularly, and dynamically configures its transmitter and receiver to support multiple VLANs by transcoding packets based on these characteristics, allowing for seamless communication across different cellular standards and protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single femtocell supports multiple providers using different cellular standards, then the versatility and service coverage are improved, but the device complexity and configuration management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of the femtocell's transmitter and receiver based on real-time detection of VLAN characteristics. The system automatically adapts its communication parameters (cellular standards, protocols, frequencies) according to the specific provider and network conditions, rather than being statically configured for multiple standards simultaneously. This dynamic approach enables multi-standard support while keeping the configuration management simplified through automated adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (cellular standard type, frequency, protocol) based on the detected VLAN characteristics. When a new provider's VLAN is detected, the femtocell modifies its transmission and reception parameters to match the required cellular standard, enabling seamless support for multiple providers without manual reconfiguration of the hardware architecture.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If femtocells use licensed frequencies at low power in controlled environments, then interference with macrocell networks is reduced, but the ability to support dense urban deployments with multiple femtocells becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication spectrum by using Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) to create logically separated communication channels for different providers. Each VLAN is assigned specific frequency resources and cellular standards, allowing multiple femtocells to operate in dense urban environments without causing harmful interference, as each operates in its own segmented virtual network space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces VLANs as an intermediary layer between the physical radio frequency medium and the cellular communication protocols. This intermediary enables multiple providers to share the same physical infrastructure while maintaining logical separation, thus supporting high deployment density without increasing interference, as the VLAN layer mediates resource allocation and isolation.
3Reliability
If femtocells are fully integrated into the wireless carrier's network using Iu-b interface, then network control and management are improved, but the flexibility to support multiple independent providers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal femtocell architecture that can function with multiple independent providers through VLAN-based virtualization. The single femtocell device performs multiple functions by dynamically switching between different cellular standards and protocols based on the active VLAN, enabling it to serve as a universal access point for various providers without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each provider.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual copies of network interfaces and communication protocols through VLANs, allowing each provider to have its own logical network stack within the shared physical infrastructure. This virtual copying enables multiple independent providers to operate simultaneously with full network control capabilities, while the physical femtocell remains a single unified device.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of a method and system for supporting a plurality of providers via a single femtocell are provided. In this regard, a femtocell may determine characteristics of one or more VLANs to which it is virtually communicatively coupled via a non-cellular connection and via a cellular connection. Based on the determined characteristics of the one or more VLANs, a cellular transmitter and/or receiver of the femtocell may be controlled to transmit and/or receive packets belonging to the one or more VLANs via the non-cellular connection and/or via the cellular connection. The characteristics of the one or more VLANs may comprise one or more of: cellular standards utilized by the one or more VLANs, cellular frequencies utilized in the one or more VLANs, access technologies utilized by the one or more VLANs, and a duplexing method utilized by the one or more VLANs.