Methods and device for varying a hand-off base station list based on traffic conditions

• US 7,805,142 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2004
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Morawski, Thomas Brian, Calin, Doru
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US10/815,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20050239466A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,370 Days
• Field of Search: 455436-439, 455/442, 455/434, 455/561, 455/453, 455/452.1, 455/67.11, 455/423, 370331-333, 370/229, 370/232, 370/230.1, 370/237
• US Class Current: 455/437
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/304 due to measured or perceived resources with higher communication quality

Abstract

A neighbor list of potential hand-off base stations is varied to control call blocking and dropping rates. The list may be varied in accordance with real-time traffic flow criteria.

Claims

1. A method implemented in a controller for setting a number of base stations that can be considered hand-off base stations comprising the steps of:

measuring real-time traffic flow criteria associated with one or more base stations; and

setting a number of base stations, from a list of potential hand-off base stations, that can be considered hand-off base stations to a number that is below an initial number to prevent undesired fluctuations in call blocking and call dropping rates depending on the measured traffic flow criteria and traffic-based hysteresis parameters;

further comprising the step of maintaining an initial neighbor list and generating an adaptable neighbor list of potential hand-off base stations based on traffic flows and traffic-based hysteresis parameters.

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein the number of base stations included in the neighbor list of potential hand-off base stations is less than a maximum number of base stations included in an initial neighbor list.

3. The method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of forwarding the adaptable neighbor list to a wireless device.

4. The method as in claim 1 wherein a wireless device is operable to enable a hand-off.

5. The method as in claim 1 wherein at least one base station on the list is operable to enable a hand-off.

6. A system for setting a hand-off base station list, operable to:

measure real-time traffic flow criteria associated with one or more base stations; and

set a number of base stations, from a list of potential hand-off base stations, that can be considered hand-off base stations, to a number that is below an initial number to prevent undesired fluctuations in call blocking and call dropping rates depending on the measured traffic flow criteria and traffic-based hysteresis parameters;

further comprising the step of maintaining an initial neighbor list and generating an adaptable neighbor list of potential hand-off base stations based on traffic flows and traffic-based hysteresis parameters.

7. The system as in claim 6 wherein the number of base stations included in the neighbor list of potential hand-off base stations is less than a maximum number of base stations included in an initial neighbor list.

8. The system as in claim 6 comprising a control section operable to forward an adaptable neighbor list to a wireless device.

9. A system for setting a hand-off base station list comprising:

means for measuring real-time traffic flow criteria associated with one or more base stations; and

means for setting a number of base stations, from a list of potential hand-off base stations, that can be considered hand-off base stations to a number that is below an initial number to prevent undesired fluctuations in call blocking and call dropping rates depending on the measured traffic flow criteria and traffic-based hysteresis parameters;

further comprising the step of maintaining an initial neighbor list and generating an adaptable neighbor list of potential hand-off base stations based on traffic flows and traffic-based hysteresis parameters.