SMALL CELLS IMPLEMENTING MULTIPLE AIR INTERFACES
First Claim
1. A heterogeneous network comprising:
- one or more macro cells, wherein each macro cell is configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device in accordance with a longer range air interface standard; and
one or more small cells, wherein each small cell is configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device in accordance with the longer range air interface standard and a shorter range air interface standard;
wherein the one or more small cells includes a home agent node and a foreign agent node for the longer range air interface standard and a home agent node and a foreign agent node for the shorter range air interface standard, wherein the home agent node for the longer range air interface standard and the home agent node for the shorter range air interface standard are associated with different network addresses;
wherein communications initiated in accordance with the longer range air interface standard utilize a communication channel between the home agent for the longer range air interface standard and the foreign agent node for the longer range air interface standard; and
wherein the one or more small cells are configured to implement intra cell handovers by utilizing a communication tunnel between the home agent for the longer range interface standard and the foreign agent node for the shorter range air interface standard.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A communication networks including a plurality of small cell providing air interface infrastructure functionality is provided. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the management of inter-small cell communication in accordance multiple air interfaces supported within individual small cells. Additionally, aspects of the present disclosure relate to the management of intra-small cell communication in accordance with communication networks implementing multiple small cells. In other aspects, small cells coordinate handovers through the use of a controller, or by leveraging wireless connections created between the small cells. In further aspects, the small cells enable the utilization of multiple air interface standards within a small cell.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A heterogeneous network comprising:
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one or more macro cells, wherein each macro cell is configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device in accordance with a longer range air interface standard; and one or more small cells, wherein each small cell is configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device in accordance with the longer range air interface standard and a shorter range air interface standard; wherein the one or more small cells includes a home agent node and a foreign agent node for the longer range air interface standard and a home agent node and a foreign agent node for the shorter range air interface standard, wherein the home agent node for the longer range air interface standard and the home agent node for the shorter range air interface standard are associated with different network addresses; wherein communications initiated in accordance with the longer range air interface standard utilize a communication channel between the home agent for the longer range air interface standard and the foreign agent node for the longer range air interface standard; and wherein the one or more small cells are configured to implement intra cell handovers by utilizing a communication tunnel between the home agent for the longer range interface standard and the foreign agent node for the shorter range air interface standard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for managing communications with user equipment, comprising:
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causing, at first node of a cell, communications with a core network, wherein the first node corresponds to a home agent node of a first air interface standard and is associated with a first network address; causing, at a second node of the cell, establishment of communications with user equipment in accordance with the first air interface standard, wherein the second node corresponds to a foreign agent node associated with the first air interface standard; establishing, at the first node of the cell, a first communication tunnel between the first and second node associated with the first air interface standard; obtaining, at the first node of the cell, an indication of an intra cell handover; causing, at a third node of the cell, establishment of communications with user equipment in accordance with a second air interface standard, wherein the third node corresponds to a foreign agent node associated with the second air interface standard; and responsive to the indication of the intra cell handover, enabling communications, at the first node of the cell, utilizing a second communication tunnel between the first and third node; wherein communications between the first node of the cell and the core network continue to correspond to the first network address. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus comprising:
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a first radio component configured to facilitate communication in accordance with a first air interface standard; a home agent node and foreign agent node corresponding to the first air interface standard; a second radio component configured to facilitate communication in accordance with a second air interface standard; and a home agent node and foreign agent node corresponding to the second air interface standard; wherein the apparatus is configured to implement intra cell handovers by utilizing a communication tunnel between at least one of the home agent for the first air interface standard or the home agent for the second air interface standard and an opposite foreign agent node. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification