Efficient frequency assignment for mobile devices in coexisting wireless communication systems

• US 8,682,332 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2009
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Balasubramanian, Srinivasan, Chen, Jen Mei, Deshpande, Manoj M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah, Charles
• Assistant Examiner(s): YI, ALEXANDER J.
• Application Number:
  US12/392,930
• Publication Number:
  US 20090215452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,854 Days
• Field of Search: 455/444, 455/436, 455/434, 455/525, 455/522, 455/432.1, 455/502, 455/422.1, 455/552.1, 455/432.2, 455/435.1, 455/435.2, 455/450, 455/550.1, 455/456.1, 370/310, 370/331, 370/395.2, 370/395.52, 370/328, 370/329, 370/338, 370/352, 342/57.43, 709/220, 709/224, 709/227, 340/825.69, 348/211.2, 348/211.3, 348/207.2
• US Class Current: 455/444
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/16 for PBS [Private Base Station] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/00 Local resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks

Abstract

Efficient frequency assignment for mobile terminals in coexisting wireless communication systems is described herein. The coexisting wireless communication systems comprise a macro communication system and a localized communication system. Two prioritized lists are defined, a first list comprising a first entry relating to the macro communication system and the second entry relating to the localized communication system, the first and second entries each listing at least one common frequency. Based on the first list, a mobile terminal uses communication protocols associated with the localized communication system.

Claims

1. A method operable by a mobile device, comprising:

receiving a prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the prioritized list comprising at least three entries, a first entry relating to a first macro communication system, a second entry relating to a localized communication system, and a third entry relating to a second macro communication system, the first and second entries each listing at least one common frequency channel and each having a greater priority than the third entry, the mobile device being authorized to communicate using either the first macro communication system or the localized communication system;

receiving from the localized communication system a geographic location of the localized communication system;

searching for the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based at least in part on the geographic location while communicating with the first macro communication system on the common frequency channel; and

communicating with the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based on determining that the localized communication system is in range using geographic location information of the mobile device;

wherein the geographic locations comprise at least latitude and longitude information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first entry comprises a common frequency channel indication and a first network identifier, the first network identifier associated with the first macro communication system and the common frequency channel associated with both the first macro communication system and the localized communication system;

and

the second entry comprises the common frequency channel indication and a second network identifier, the second network identifier corresponding to the localized communication system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the prioritized list comprises a preferred roaming list (PRL).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the localized communication system comprises a femtocell.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second network identifiers each comprise a system identification/network identification (SID/NID) code.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the localized communication system is within range of a mobile terminal prior to communicating with the localized communication system.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining that the localized communication system is within range of a mobile terminal comprises locating a beacon from the localized communication system.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

redirecting communications to a frequency identified by the beacon, the frequency associated with the localized communication system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first macro communication system and the second macro communication system are the same.

10. A mobile apparatus, comprising:

a memory for storing a prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the prioritized list comprising at least three entries, a first entry relating to a first macro communication system, a second entry relating to a localized communication system, and a third entry relating to a second macro communication system, the first and second entries each listing at least one common frequency channel and each having a greater priority than the third entry; and

a processor for receiving from the localized communication system a geographic location of the localized communication system and searching for the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based at least in part on the geographic location while communicating with the first macro communication system on the common frequency channel, and for communicating with the localized communication on the common frequency channel based on determining that the localized communication system is in range using geographic location information of the mobile apparatus;

wherein the geographic locations comprise at least latitude and longitude information.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the first entry comprises a common frequency channel indication and a first network identifier, the first network identifier associated with the first macro communication system and the common frequency channel associated with both the first macro communication system and the localized communication system; and

the second entry comprises the common frequency channel indication and a second network identifier, the second network identifier corresponding to the localized communication system.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the prioritized list comprises a preferred roaming list (PRL).

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the localized communication system comprises a femtocell.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second network identifiers each comprise a system identification/network identification (SID/NID) code.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further for determining that the localized communication system is within range of a mobile terminal prior to using communication protocols associated with the localized communication system.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor is further for determining that the localized communication system is within range of a mobile terminal comprises locating a beacon from the localized communication system.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor is further for redirecting communications to a frequency identified by the beacon, the frequency associated with the localized communication system.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first macro communication system and the second macro communication are the same.

19. A mobile apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the prioritized list comprising at least three entries, a first entry relating to a first macro communication system, second entry relating to a localized communication system, and a third entry relating to a second macro communication system, the first and second entries each listing at least one common frequency channel and each having a greater priority than the third entry;

means for receiving from the localized communication system a geographic location of the localized communication system;

means for searching for the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based at least in part on the geographic location while communicating with the first macro communication system on the common frequency channel; and

means for communicating with the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based on determining that the localized communication system is in range using geographic location information of the mobile apparatus;

wherein the geographic locations comprise at least latitude and longitude information.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

the information pertaining to the first macro communication system comprises a first entry comprising a common frequency channel indicator and a first network identifier, the first network identifier associated with the first macro communication system and the common frequency channel associated with both the first macro communication system and the localized communication system; and

the information pertaining to the localized-communication system comprises a second entry comprising the common frequency channel indicator, a second network identifier, and a second priority indicator, the second network identifier corresponding to the localized communication system.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the prioritized list comprises a preferred roaming list (PRL).

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the localized communication system comprises a femtocell.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first and second network identifiers each comprise a system identification/network identification (SID/NID) code.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for determining that the localized communication system is within range of a mobile terminal prior to using communication protocols associated with the localized communication system.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the means for determining that the localized communication system is within range of a mobile terminal comprises means for locating a beacon from the localized communication system.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the means for communicating with the localized communication system comprises means for redirecting communications to a frequency identified by the beacon, the frequency associated with the localized communication system.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first macro communication system and the second macro communication are the same.

28. A computer-readable medium comprising codes for causing a computer to:

receive a prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the prioritized list comprising at least three entries, a first entry relating to a first macro communication system, second entry relating to a localized communication system, and a third entry relating to a second macro communication system, the first and second entries each listing at least one common frequency channel and each having a greater priority than the third entry;

receive from the localized communication system a geographic location of the localized communication system;

search for the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based at least in part on the geographic location while communicating with the first macro communication system on the common frequency channel; and

communicate with the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based on determining that the localized communication system is in range using geographic location information of the mobile computer;

wherein the geographic locations comprise at least latitude and longitude information.

29. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein:

the first entry comprises a common frequency channel indicator and a first network identifier, the first network identifier associated with the first macro communication system and the common frequency channel associated with both the first macro communication system and the localized communication system; and

the second entry comprises the common frequency channel indicator and a second network identifier, the second network identifier corresponding to the localized communication system.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the prioritized list comprises a preferred roaming list (PRL).

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the localized communication system comprises a femtocell.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the first and second network identifiers each comprise a system identification/network identification (SID/NID) code.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, further comprising codes for:

determining that the localized communication system is within range of a mobile terminal prior to communicating with the localized communication system.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein determining that the localized communication system is within range of a mobile terminal comprises codes for locating a beacon from the localized communication system.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, further comprising codes for:

redirecting communications to a frequency identified by the beacon, the frequency associated with the localized communication system.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein the first macro communication system and the second macro communication are the same.

37. A method operable by a network entity of a localized communication system, comprising:

defining a common frequency channel to be used by a first macro communication system and the localized communication system;

generating a first prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the first prioritized list comprising at least three entries, a first entry relating to the first macro communication system, a second entry relating to the localized communication system, and a third entry relating to a second macro communication system, the first and second entries each listing the common frequency channel and each having a greater priority than the third entry;

generating a second prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the second prioritized list comprising at least one entry relating to the first macro communication system and no entries relating to the localized communication system;

providing the first prioritized list to a first mobile device authorized to communicate using either the first macro communication system or the localized communication system;

providing a geographic location of the localized communication system to the first mobile device to enable the first mobile device to search for the localized communication system;

communicating with the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based on determining that the localized communication system is in range using geographic location information of the first mobile device, the geographic locations comprising at least latitude and longitude information; and

providing the second prioritized list to a second mobile device, the second mobile device not authorized to communicate using the localized communication system.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein:

the first entry comprises an indicator of the common frequency channel and a first network identifier, the first network identifier associated with the first macro communication system and the indicator of the common frequency channel associated with both the first macro communication system and the localized communication system; and

the second entry comprises the indicator of the common frequency channel and a second network identifier, the second network identifier corresponding to the localized communication system.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the first macro communication system and the second macro communication system are the same.

40. An apparatus of a localized network system, comprising:

means for defining a common frequency channel to be used by a first macro communication system and the localized communication system;

means for generating a first prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the first prioritized list comprising at least three entries, a first entry relating to the first macro communication system, a second entry relating to the localized communication system, and a third entry relating to a second macro communication system, the first and second entries each listing the common frequency channel and each having a greater priority than the third entry, and for generating a second prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the second prioritized list comprising at least one entry relating to the first macro communication system and no entries relating to the localized communication system;

means for providing a geographic location of the localized communication system to a first mobile device to enable the first mobile device to search for the localized communication system;

means for communicating with the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based on determining that the localized communication system is in range using location information of the first mobile device, the geographic locations comprising at least latitude and longitude information; and

means for providing the first prioritized list to the first mobile device authorized to communicate using either the first macro communication system or the localized communication system, and for providing the second prioritized list to a second mobile device, the second mobile device not authorized to communicate using the localized communication system.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein:

the first entry comprises an indicator of the common frequency channel and a first network identifier, the first network identifier associated with the first macro communication system and the common frequency channel associated with both the first macro communication system and the localized communication system; and

the second entry comprises the indicator of the common frequency channel and a second network identifier, the second network identifier corresponding to the localized communication system.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first macro communication system and the second macro communication system are the same.

43. A method operably by a mobile device, comprising:

engaging in an active communication with a macro communication system using a first frequency channel that is common to both the macro communication system and a localized communication system;

receiving a prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the prioritized list comprising at least three entries, a first entry relating to a first macro communication system, a second entry relating to a localized communication system, and a third entry relating to a second macro communication system, the first and second entries each listing at least one common frequency channel and each having a greater priority than the third entry, the mobile device being authorized to communicate using either the first macro communication system or the localized communication system;

receiving from the localized communication system a geographic location of the localized communication system;

communicating with the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based on determining that the localized communication system is in range from an updated geographic location information of the mobile device, the geographic locations comprising at least latitude and longitude information;

detecting interference greater than a predetermined threshold, the interference originating from the localized communication system; and

receiving instructions to transfer to a second frequency channel based on the interference level.

44. A mobile apparatus, comprising:

means for engaging in an active communication with a macro communication system using a first frequency channel that is common to both the macro communication system and a localized communication system;

means for receiving a prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the prioritized list comprising at least three entries, a first entry relating to a first macro communication system, a second entry relating to a localized communication system, and a third entry relating to a second macro communication system, the first and second entries each listing at least one common frequency channel and each having a greater priority than the third entry;

means for receiving from a localized communication system a geographic location of the localized communication system;

means for communicating with the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based on determining that the localized communication system is in range from an updated geographic location information of the mobile apparatus, the geographic locations comprising at least latitude and longitude information;

means for detecting interference greater than a predetermined threshold, the interference originating from the localized communication system; and

means for receiving instructions to transfer the active communication to a second frequency channel based on the interference level.

45. A mobile apparatus, comprising:

a processor for engaging in an active communication with a macro communication system using a first frequency channel that is common to both the macro communication system and a localized communication system, for detecting interference greater than a predetermined threshold, the interference originating from the localized communication system;

a memory for storing a prioritized list of related frequency and network identification information, the prioritized list comprising at least three entries, a first entry relating to a first macro communication system, a second entry relating to a localized communication system, and a third entry relating to a second macro communication system, the first and second entries each listing at least one common frequency channel and each having a greater priority than the third entry; and

a receiver for receiving instructions to transfer the active communication to a second frequency channel based on the interference level and for receiving from the localized communication system a geographic location of the localized communication system;

wherein the processor searches for the localized communication system on the first frequency channel based at least in part on the geographic location, communicates with the localized communication system on the common frequency channel based on determining that the localized communication system is in range using geographic location information of the mobile apparatus, and transfers the active communication to the second frequency channel upon receipt of the instructions;

wherein the geographic locations comprise at least latitude and longitude information.