Method and apparatus for providing enhanced interference management at restricted access points

• US 8,731,550 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2011
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Radulescu, Andrei Dragos, Yavuz, Mehmet, Singh, Damanjit, Meshkati, Farhad, Chen, Jen Mei, Horn, Gavin Bernard, Nanda, Sanjiv, Tinnakornsrisuphap, Peerapol, Chande, Vinay, Nagaraja, Sumeeth
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehrpour, Melody
• Application Number:
  US13/084,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20120094660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 455/434, 455/415, 455/412.1, 455/436, 4554351-4352, 455/435.3, 455/450, 455/466, 455/513, 455/532.1, 455/404.1, 370/329, 370/330, 370/332, 370/331, 379/88.22, 379/88.23, 709/218, 709/203, 709/206, 709/207
• US Class Current: 455/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/243 taking into account interferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided that facilitate providing access point measurements to restricted access points. Restricted access points can lessen restrictions to allow devices to register with the restricted access point for providing measurements thereto. Additionally or alternatively, access point measurements can be provided to a minimization of drive tests (MDT) server for providing to the restricted access points. Thus, restricted access points can obtain the access point measurements for performing enhanced interference management or other functionality based at least in part on the measurements.

Claims

1. A method for providing closed subscriber group (CSG) access, comprising:

providing wireless network access to one or more devices where the one or more devices are members of a CSG;

determining a period of time during which to allow registration from one or more other devices that are not members of the CSG; and

receiving access point measurement information from the one or more other devices during the period of time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising advertising a hybrid access mode or an open access mode during the period of time to allow registration.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the advertising the hybrid access mode comprises broadcasting a CSG identifier without a CSG indicator, or the advertising the open access mode comprises refraining from broadcasting the CSG identifier and the CSG indicator.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising restricting access of the one or more devices to registration and communicating measurement parameters during the period of time.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising scrambling a pilot signal using a first primary synchronization code (PSC) during the period of time, wherein the first PSC is different than a second PSC used to scramble the pilot signal outside of the period of time.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first PSC is within a group of PSCs reserved for a pilot signal transmission.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the group of PSCs corresponds to a group reserved for active hand-in separate from a different group reserved for registration.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising determining the first PSC for scrambling the pilot signal based at least in part on determining one or more PSCs used by one or more neighboring access points.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining the one or more PSCs comprises determining an allocation of PSCs at the one or more neighboring access points based on at least one of receiving the allocation of PSCs from the one or more devices or discerning the allocation of PSCs based at least in part on detecting pilot signals or other signals broadcast from the one or more neighboring access points.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the period of time comprises determining at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on one or more time value parameters received from a hardcoding, a configuration, or a network specification.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the period of time comprises determining at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on one or more parameters regarding radio conditions related to communications with the one or more devices.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising broadcasting a CSG identifier dedicated for allowing registration during the period of time.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining the period of time comprises determining at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on determining that the CSG identifier dedicated for allowing registration is available for use.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling access to one or more core network components for the one or more other devices based at least in part on determining that the one or more other devices are not members of the CSG.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising specifying a closed access mode to a gateway or the one or more core network components during the period of time.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising decoding one or more non-access stratum (NAS) messages from the one or more core network components to determine whether the one or more devices are members of the CSG.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more NAS messages include a CSG rejection code, a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION ACCEPT, or a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION REJECT.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising specifying a hybrid access mode to a gateway or the one or more core network components during the period of time.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising decoding one or more messages from the one or more core network components to determine whether the one or more devices are members of the CSG, wherein the one or more messages include a RANAP COMMON ID message, a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION ACCEPT, or HNBAP UE REGISTRATION REJECT.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a transmission power based at least in part on the access point measurement information.

21. An apparatus for providing closed subscriber group (CSG) access, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

provide wireless network access to one or more devices where the one or more devices are members of a CSG;

determine a period of time during which to allow registration from one or more other devices that are not members of the CSG; and

receive access point measurement information from the one or more other devices during the period of time; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to advertise a hybrid access mode or an open access mode during the period of time to allow registration.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor is configured to advertise the hybrid access mode at least in part by broadcasting a CSG identifier without a CSG indicator, or is configured to advertise the open access mode at least in part by refraining from broadcasting the CSG identifier and the CSG indicator.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to restrict access of the one or more devices to registration and communicating measurement parameters during the period of time.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to scramble a pilot signal using a first primary synchronization code (PSC) during the period of time, wherein the first PSC is different than a second PSC used to scramble the pilot signal outside of the period of time.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first PSC is within a group of PSCs reserved for a CSG pilot signal transmission.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the group of PSCs corresponds to a group reserved for active hand-in separate from a different group reserved for registration.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the first PSC for scrambling the pilot signal based at least in part on determining one or more PSCs used by one or more neighboring access points.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine the one or more PSCs at least in part by determining an allocation of PSCs at the one or more neighboring access points based on at least one of receiving the allocation of PSCs from the one or more devices or discerning the allocation of PSCs based at least in part on detecting pilot signals or other signals broadcast from the one or more neighboring access points.

30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on one or more time value parameters received from a hardcoding, a configuration, or a network specification.

31. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on one or more parameters regarding radio conditions related to communications with the one or more devices.

32. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to broadcast a CSG identifier dedicated for allowing registration during the period of time.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on determining that the CSG identifier dedicated for allowing registration is available for use.

34. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to control access to one or more core network components for the one or more other devices based at least in part on determining that the one or more other devices are not members of the CSG.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to specify a closed access mode to a gateway or the one or more core network components during the period of time.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to decode one or more non-access stratum (NAS) messages from the one or more core network components to determine whether the one or more devices are members of the CSG.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the one or more NAS messages include a CSG rejection code, a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION ACCEPT, or a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION REJECT.

38. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to specify a hybrid access mode to a gateway or the one or more core network components during the period of time.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to decode one or more messages from the one or more core network components to determine whether the one or more devices are members of the CSG, wherein the one or more messages include a RANAP COMMON ID message, a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION ACCEPT, or HNBAP UE REGISTRATION REJECT.

40. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine a transmission power based at least in part on the access point measurement information.

41. An apparatus for providing closed subscriber group (CSG) access, comprising:

means for providing wireless network access to one or more devices where the one or more devices are members of a CSG;

means for determining a period of time during which to allow registration from one or more other devices that are not members of the CSG; and

means for receiving access point measurement information from the one or more other devices during the period of time.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for advertising a hybrid access mode or an open access mode during the period of time to allow registration.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the means for advertising advertises the hybrid access mode at least in part by broadcasting a CSG identifier without a CSG indicator, or advertises the open access mode at least in part by refraining from broadcasting the CSG identifier and the CSG indicator.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for restricting access of the one or more devices to registration and communicating measurement parameters during the period of time.

45. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for scrambling a pilot signal using a first primary synchronization code (PSC) during the period of time, wherein the first PSC is different than a second PSC used to scramble the pilot signal outside of the period of time.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the first PSC is within a group of PSCs reserved for a CSG pilot signal transmission.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the group of PSCs corresponds to a group reserved for active hand-in separate from a different group reserved for registration.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the means for scrambling further determines the first PSC for scrambling the pilot signal based at least in part on determining one or more PSCs used by one or more neighboring access points.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the means for scrambling determines the one or more PSCs at least in part by determining an allocation of PSCs at the one or more neighboring access points based on at least one of receiving the allocation of PSCs from the one or more devices or discerning the allocation of PSCs based at least in part on detecting pilot signals or other signals broadcast from the one or more neighboring access points.

50. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the means for determining the period of time determines at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on one or more time value parameters received from a hardcoding, a configuration, or a network specification.

51. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the means for determining the period of time determines at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on one or more parameters regarding radio conditions related to communications with the one or more devices.

52. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for broadcasting a CSG identifier dedicated for allowing registration during the period of time.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the means for determining the period of time determines at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on determining that the CSG identifier dedicated for allowing registration is available for use.

54. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for controlling access to one or more core network components for the one or more other devices based at least in part on determining that the one or more other devices are not members of the CSG.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising means for specifying a closed access mode to a gateway or the one or more core network components during the period of time.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, wherein the means for specifying decodes one or more non-access stratum (NAS) messages from the one or more core network components to determine whether the one or more devices are members of the CSG.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the one or more NAS messages include a CSG rejection code, a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION ACCEPT, or a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION REJECT.

58. The apparatus of claim 54, further comprising means for specifying a hybrid access mode to a gateway or the one or more core network components during the period of time.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the means for specifying decodes one or more messages from the one or more core network components to determine whether the one or more devices are members of the CSG, wherein the one or more messages include a RANAP COMMON ID message, a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION ACCEPT, or HNBAP UE REGISTRATION REJECT.

60. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for determining a transmission power based at least in part on the access point measurement information.

61. A computer program product for providing closed subscriber group (CSG) access, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium, comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to provide wireless network access to one or more devices where the one or more devices are members of a CSG;

code for causing the at least one computer to determine a period of time during which to allow registration from one or more other devices that are not members of the CSG; and

code for causing the at least one computer to receive access point measurement information from the one or more other devices during the period of time.

62. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to advertise a hybrid access mode or an open access mode during the period of time to allow registration.

63. The computer program product of claim 62, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to advertise advertises the hybrid access mode at least in part by broadcasting a CSG identifier without a CSG indicator, or advertises the open access mode at least in part by refraining from broadcasting the CSG identifier and the CSG indicator.

64. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to restrict access of the one or more devices to registration and communicating measurement parameters during the period of time.

65. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to scramble a pilot signal using a first primary synchronization code (PSC) during the period of time, wherein the first PSC is different than a second PSC used to scramble the pilot signal outside of the period of time.

66. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the first PSC is within a group of PSCs reserved for a CSG pilot signal transmission.

67. The computer program product of claim 66, wherein the group of PSCs corresponds to a group reserved for active hand-in separate from a different group reserved for registration.

68. The computer program product of claim 65, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to determine the first PSC for scrambling the pilot signal based at least in part on determining one or more PSCs used by one or more neighboring access points.

69. The computer program product of claim 68, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to determine the first PSC determines the one or more PSCs at least in part by determining an allocation of PSCs at the one or more neighboring access points based on at least one of receiving the allocation of PSCs from the one or more devices or discerning the allocation of PSCs based at least in part on detecting pilot signals or other signals broadcast from the one or more neighboring access points.

70. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to determine the period of time determines at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on one or more time value parameters received from a hardcoding, a configuration, or a network specification.

71. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to determine the period of time determines at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on one or more parameters regarding radio conditions related to communications with the one or more devices.

72. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to broadcast a CSG identifier dedicated for allowing registration during the period of time.

73. The computer program product of claim 72, wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to determine the period of time determines at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on determining that the CSG identifier dedicated for allowing registration is available for use.

74. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to control access to one or more core network components for the one or more other devices based at least in part on determining that the one or more other devices are not members of the CSG.

75. The computer program product of claim 74, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to specify a closed access mode to a gateway or the one or more core network components during the period of time.

76. The computer program product of claim 75, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to decode one or more non-access stratum (NAS) messages from the one or more core network components to determine whether the one or more devices are members of the CSG.

77. The computer program product of claim 76, wherein the one or more NAS messages include a CSG rejection code, a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION ACCEPT, or a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION REJECT.

78. The computer program product of claim 74, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to specify a hybrid access mode to a gateway or the one or more core network components during the period of time.

79. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to decode one or more messages from the one or more core network components to determine whether the one or more devices are members of the CSG, wherein the one or more messages include a RANAP COMMON ID message, a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION ACCEPT, or HNBAP UE REGISTRATION REJECT.

80. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at least one computer to determine a transmission power based at least in part on the access point measurement information.

81. An apparatus for providing closed subscriber group (CSG) access, comprising:

an access mode component for providing wireless network access to one or more devices where the one or more devices are members of a CSG;

a training period determining component for determining a period of time during which to allow registration from one or more other devices that are not members of the CSG; and

a measurement receiving component for receiving access point measurement information from the one or more other devices during the period of time.

82. The apparatus of claim 81, further comprising a CSG parameter component for advertising a hybrid access mode or an open access mode during the period of time to allow registration.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the CSG parameter component advertises the hybrid access mode at least in part by broadcasting a CSG identifier without a CSG indicator, or advertises the open access mode at least in part by refraining from broadcasting the CSG identifier and the CSG indicator.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, further comprising an access control component for restricting access of the one or more devices to registration and communicating measurement parameters during the period of time.

85. The apparatus of claim 81, further comprising a first primary synchronization code (PSC) selecting component for scrambling a pilot signal using a first PSC during the period of time, wherein the first PSC is different than a second PSC used to scramble the pilot signal outside of the period of time.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the first PSC is within a group of PSCs reserved for a CSG pilot signal transmission.

87. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the group of PSCs corresponds to a group reserved for active hand-in separate from a different group reserved for registration.

88. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the first PSC selecting component further determines the first PSC for scrambling the pilot signal based at least in part on determining one or more PSCs used by one or more neighboring access points.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein the first PSC selecting component determines the one or more PSCs at least in part by determining an allocation of PSCs at the one or more neighboring access points based on at least one of receiving the allocation of PSCs from the one or more devices or discerning the allocation of PSCs based at least in part on detecting pilot signals or other signals broadcast from the one or more neighboring access points.

90. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the training period determining component determines at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on one or more time value parameters received from a hardcoding, a configuration, or a network specification.

91. The apparatus of claim 81, wherein the training period determining component determines at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on one or more parameters regarding radio conditions related to communications with the one or more devices.

92. The apparatus of claim 81, further comprising a CSG parameter component for broadcasting a CSG identifier dedicated for allowing registration during the period of time.

93. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the training period determining component determines at least a starting time for the period of time based at least in part on determining that the CSG identifier dedicated for allowing registration is available for use.

94. The apparatus of claim 81, further comprising an access control component for controlling access to one or more core network components for the one or more other devices based at least in part on determining that the one or more other devices are not members of the CSG.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the access control component is further configured for specifying a closed access mode to a gateway or the one or more core network components during the period of time.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the access control component is further configured for decoding one or more non-access stratum (NAS) messages from the one or more core network components to determine whether the one or more devices are members of the CSG.

97. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the one or more NAS messages include a CSG rejection code, a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION ACCEPT, or a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION REJECT.

98. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the access control component is further configured for specifying a hybrid access mode to a gateway or the one or more core network components during the period of time.

99. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein the access control component is further configured for decoding one or more messages from the one or more core network components to determine whether the one or more devices are members of the CSG, wherein the one or more messages include a RANAP COMMON ID message, a HNBAP UE REGISTRATION ACCEPT, or HNBAP UE REGISTRATION REJECT.

100. The apparatus of claim 81, further comprising an enhanced interference management (EIM) component for determining a transmission power based at least in part on the access point measurement information.