MOBILE DEVICES WITH FEMTO CELL FUNCTIONALITY

• US 20090312017A1
• Filed: 04/30/2009
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Grob, Matthew S., Nanda, Sanjiv, Yavuz, Mehmet
• Granted Patent: US 9,037,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0022 for transferring data sessions between adjacent core network technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/04 Reselecting a cell layer in multi-layered cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user

Abstract

Aspects describe communications environments in which femtocell capability is provided to devices within the communications network. A non-femto enabled device and/or a femto enabled device can communicate with a femto enabled device in the same geographical area for femto-enabled peer-to-peer communication. Two non-femto enabled devices can be provided femto functionality through utilization of a femto enabled device, which operates as a hub between the two devices. Other aspects relate to enhanced position determination, adaptive coverage enhancement, local mobile networks, open access femtocells without a backhaul, and local broadcast of media though utilization of femto enabled devices.

Claims

1. A method for creating a local mobile network, comprising:

transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel from a first mobile device having a mobile station modem (MSM) and a cell site modem (CSM); and

establishing a first communication link including at least one of transmitting forward link communication to a second mobile device and receiving a reverse link communication from the second mobile device via the first communication link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pilot or common overhead channel is transmitted on a selected frequency.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel from the mobile device on a plurality of frequencies.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting broadcast content on the forward link from the first mobile device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the broadcast content is broadcast on a plurality of frequencies.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accepting at least one registration request from the second mobile device in response to the pilot or common overhead channel.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving forward link communication from a Radio Access Network (RAN) on a second communication link.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting reverse link communication to the RAN on the second communication link.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the pilot beacon is broadcast in order to determine geographic proximity to the second mobile device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing a first communication link includes broadcasting content from a local memory inside the femto enabled device to the second mobile device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing a first communication link includes broadcasting information obtained by the femto enabled device to the second mobile device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the information includes at least one of a temperature, content being recorded by a speaker at the femto enabled device;

and content being recorded by a camera at the femto enabled device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing a first communication link includes broadcasting content received at the femto enabled device via a cellular network.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the content includes a television type broadcast.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and the second mobile devices are beyond coverage of an RAN.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication link is established by transmitting communication on the forward link to the second mobile device and by receiving communication on the reverse link from the second mobile device the method further comprising:

establishing a second communication link with a RAN, wherein the first mobile device is operable to enable communication between the second mobile device and the RAN.

17. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel from a first mobile device having a mobile station modem (MSM) and a cell site modem (CSM); and

means for establishing a communication link including at least one of transmitting forward communication to a second mobile device and receiving reverse link communication from the second mobile device.

18. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:

means for receiving forward link communication from a Radio Access Network (RAN) on a second communication link.

19. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel from a first mobile device having a mobile station modem (MSM) and a cell site modem (CSM)

wherein the transmitter is configured to

establish a communication link including at least one of transmitting forward link communication to a second mobile device and receiving reverse link communication from the second mobile device.

20. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the pilot or common overhead channel is transmitted on a selected frequency.

21. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a pilot or common overhead channel from the mobile device on a plurality of frequencies.

22. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit broadcast content on the forward link from the first mobile device.

23. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 22, wherein the broadcast content is broadcast on a plurality of frequencies.

24. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a processor for accepting at least one registration request from the second mobile device in response to the pilot or common overhead channel.

25. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a receiver for receiving a forward link communication from a Radio Access Network (RAN).

26. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a reverse link communication to the RAN.

27. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the pilot or common overhead channel is broadcast in order to determine geographic proximity to the second mobile device.

28. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the communication transmitted to the second mobile device includes media content.

29. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first and the second mobile devices are beyond coverage of an RAN.

30. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 19, wherein the communication link is established by transmitting communication on the forward link to the second mobile device and by receiving communication on the reverse link from the second mobile device, and wherein the first mobile device is in communication with a RAN via a second forward link and a second reverse link, and wherein the first mobile device is operable to establish a second communication link with a RAN via at least one of a forward link and a reverse link, wherein the first mobile device is configured to enable communication between the second mobile device and the RAN.

31. A computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing the computer to transmit a pilot or common overhead channel from a first mobile device having a mobile station modem (MSM) and a cell site modem (CSM); and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to establish a communication link including at least one of transmitting communication on a forward link to a second mobile device and receiving communication on a reverse link from the second mobile device.

32. At least one processor configured to create a local mobile network, comprising:

a first module for transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel from a first mobile device having a mobile station modem (MSM) and a cell site modem (CSM); and

a second module establishing a communication link including at least one of transmitting communication on a forward link to a second mobile device and receiving communication on a reverse link from the second mobile device.

33. The at least one processor configured to create a local mobile network according to claim 32, further comprising:

a third module for receiving forward link communication from a Radio Access Network (RAN) on a second communication link.

34. A method for enabling adaptive coverage using a femto enabled device, comprising:

detecting poor cellular coverage;

connecting to an alternative wireless backhaul;

transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel; and

receiving a first communication from a cellular mobile device on a reverse link for forwarding via the alternative wireless backhaul; and

transmitting a second communication to the cellular mobile device on a forward link, wherein the second communication was received via the alternative wireless backhaul.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the femto enabled device is a mobile device.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

transmitting the first communication received from the cellular mobile device to the alternative wireless backhaul via a reverse link.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

receiving the second communication from the alternative wireless backhaul on a forward link.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the alternative wireless backhaul comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of a hotspot, a WiFi network, and Bluetooth.

39. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

means for detecting poor cellular coverage;

means for connecting to an alternative wireless backhaul;

means for transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel; and

means for receiving a first communication from a cellular mobile device on a reverse link for forwarding via the alternative wireless backhaul; and

means for transmitting a second communication to the cellular mobile device on a forward link, wherein the second communication was received via the alternative wireless backhaul.

40. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising:

means for transmitting the first communication received from the cellular mobile device to the alternative wireless backhaul via a reverse link; and

means for receiving the second communication from the alternative wireless backhaul on a forward link.

41. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a detector for detecting poor cellular coverage;

a processor for connecting to an alternative wireless backhaul;

a transmitter for transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel; and

a receiver for receiving a first communication from a cellular mobile device on a reverse link for forwarding via the alternative wireless backhaul;

wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a second communication to the cellular mobile device on a forward link, wherein the second communication was received via the alternative wireless backhaul.

42. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the femto enabled device is a mobile device.

43. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting the first communication received from the cellular mobile device to the alternative wireless backhaul via a reverse link.

44. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

a receiver for receiving the second communication from the alternative wireless backhaul on a forward link.

45. A computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing the computer to detect poor cellular coverage;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to connect to an alternative wireless backhaul;

a third set of codes for causing the computer to transmit a pilot or common overhead channel; and

a fourth set of codes for causing the computer to receive a first communication from a cellular mobile device on a reverse link for forwarding via the alternative wireless backhaul; and

a fifth set of codes for causing the computer to transmit a second communication to the cellular mobile device on a forward link, wherein the second communication was received via the alternative wireless backhaul.

46. At least one processor configured to enable adaptive coverage using a femto enabled device, comprising:

a first module for detecting poor cellular coverage;

a second module for connecting to an alternative wireless backhaul;

a third module for transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel;

a fourth module for receiving a first communication from a cellular mobile device on a reverse link for forwarding via the alternative wireless backhaul; and

a fifth module for transmitting a second communication to the cellular mobile device on a forward link, wherein the second communication was received via the alternative wireless backhaul.

47. A method for transmitting position location information using a femto enabled device, comprising:

obtaining position information of a femto enabled device;

communicating the position information to a location determination entity; and

transmitting the location information of the femto enabled device to a mobile device.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the femto enabled device is a wireless mobile device having a mobile station modem (MSM) and a cell site modem (CSM).

49. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining position information of a femto enabled device;

means for communicating the position information to a location determination entity; and

means for transmitting the location information of the femto enabled device to a mobile device.

50. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the femto enabled device is a wireless mobile device having a mobile station modem (MSM) and a cell site modem (CSM).

51. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a position obtainer for obtaining a position of a femto enabled device;

a transmitter for communicating location information of the femto enabled device to a location determination entity; and

a transmitter for transmitting the location information of the femto enabled device to a mobile device.

52. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the femto enabled device is a wireless mobile device having a mobile station modem (MSM) and a cell site modem (CSM).

53. A computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing the computer to obtain a position of a femto enabled device;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to communicate the location information of the femto enabled device to a location determination entity; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to transmit the location information of the femto enabled device to a mobile device.

54. At least one processor configured to determine position location using a femto enabled device, comprising:

a first module for obtaining a location of a femto enabled device;

a second module for communicating the location information of the femto enabled device to a location determination entity; and

a third module for transmitting the location information of the femto enabled device to a mobile device.

55. A method for determining position location using pilot information received from a femto enabled device, the method comprising:

receiving a pilot or overhead signal including position information from a femto enabled device;

transmitting the received position information to a location determination entity; and

receiving a current position from the location determination entity based at least in part on the received signal from the femto enabled device.

56. The method according to claim 55, wherein the femto-enabled device is a wireless mobile device and the pilot is received on a forward link.

57. A wireless communication apparatus configured to determine position location using pilot information received from a femto enabled device, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a pilot or overhead signal including position information from a femto enabled device;

means for transmitting the received position information to a location determination entity; and

means for receiving a current position from the location determination entity based at least in part on the received signal from the femto enabled device.

58. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the femto-enabled device is a wireless mobile device and the pilot is received on a forward link.

59. A wireless communication apparatus configured to determine position location using pilot information received from a femto enabled device, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver for receiving a pilot or overhead signal including position information from a femto enabled device;

a transmitter for transmitting the received position information to a location determination entity; and

a receiver for receiving a current position from the location determination entity based at least in part on the received signal from the femto enabled device.

60. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 59, wherein the femto-enabled device is a wireless mobile device and the pilot is received on a forward link.

61. A computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing the computer to receive a pilot or overhead signal including position information from a femto enabled device;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to transmit the received position information to a location determination entity; and

a third set of codes for causing the computer to receive a current position from the location determination entity based at least in part on the received signal from the femto enabled device.

62. At least one processor configured to determine position location using a femto enabled device, comprising:

a first module for receiving a pilot or overhead signal including position information from a femto enabled device;

a second module for transmitting the received position information to a location determination entity; and

a third module for receiving a current position from the location determination entity based at least in part on the received signal from the femto enabled device.

63. A method for determining position location using pilot information received from a femto enabled device, the method comprising:

receiving a pilot or overhead signal including position information from a femto enabled device; and

calculating a position based at least in part on the position information from the femto enabled device.

64. The method according to claim 63, wherein the femto-enabled device is a wireless mobile device and the pilot is received on a forward link.

65. A wireless communication apparatus configured to determine position location using pilot information received from a femto enabled device, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a pilot or overhead signal including position information from a femto enabled device; and

means for calculating a position based at least in part on the position information from the femto enabled device.

66. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 65, wherein the femto-enabled device is a wireless mobile device and the pilot is received on a forward link.

67. A wireless communication apparatus configured to determine position location using pilot information received from a femto enabled device, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver for receiving a pilot or overhead signal including position information from a femto enabled device; and

a processor for calculating a position based at least in part on the position information from the femto enabled device.

68. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 67, wherein the femto-enabled device is a wireless mobile device and the pilot is received on a forward link.

69. A computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing the computer to receive a pilot or overhead signal including position information from a femto enabled device;

a second set of codes for causing the computer to calculate a position based at least in part on the position information from the femto enabled device.

70. At least one processor configured to determine position location using a femto enabled device, comprising:

a first module for receiving a pilot or overhead signal including position information from a femto enabled device; and

a second module for calculating a position based at least in part on the position information from the femto enabled device.