Enterprise level management in a multi-femtocell network

• US 9,060,311 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2009
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Karaoguz, Jeyhan, Seshadri, Nambirajan, Ilyadis, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, ANH NGOC M
• Application Number:
  US12/540,857
• Publication Number:
  US 20110019639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,133 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/331, 370/310.2, 370/338, 370/315, 370/328, 370/329, 370/332, 370/333, 370/252, 370/311
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0016 Hand-off preparation specially adapted for end-to-end data sessions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/005 involving radio access media independent information, e.g. MIH [Media independent Hand-off]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0058 Transmission of hand-off measurement information, e.g. measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/00835 Determination of neighbour cell lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/00837 Determination of triggering parameters for hand-off
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points

Abstract

Aspects of a method and system for enterprise level management in a multi-femtocell network are provided. In this regard, one or more endpoint devices may receive traffic management information from a hybrid network controller for enabling handoff of calls and/or communication sessions among femtocells and/or access points. The received traffic management information may comprise set-up instructions, handoff instructions, transmit power, neighbor list information, signal quality thresholds, frequency assignments, transmission time, code assignments and/or antenna pattern assignments. The endpoint device may control handoffs between a communication device external to the communication system and the femtocells, access points and/or end-point devices.

Claims

1. A method for communication, comprising:

receiving, by an endpoint device, traffic management information from a hybrid network controller, to enable a handoff of a communication session with a femtocell or an access point, wherein said traffic management information comprises transmit power of said endpoint device; and

enabling said handoff of said communication session by said endpoint device based on said received traffic management information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said traffic management information further comprises at least one of set-up instructions, handoff instructions, a maximum value of said transmit power, traffic load balancing, bandwidth requirements, frequency assignments, transmission time, neighbor list information, signal quality thresholds, code assignments, or antenna pattern assignments.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving said traffic management information from said hybrid network controller comprises utilizing a wireless connection.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising controlling, by said endpoint device, handoffs among a communication device external to said communication system and said femtocell, said access point, or said end-point device.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising monitoring or analyzing, by said endpoint device, status or operating conditions of said femtocell, said access point, or said end-point device.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said status or operating conditions comprises at least one of received signal strength, interference levels, signal to noise ratio, signal path delay, power consumption, bandwidth usage, or radio resource availability.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising allocating or assigning, by said endpoint device, said femtocell or said access point to handle said enabled handoff.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising allocating or assigning, by said endpoint device, a code for said enabled handoff based on said received traffic management information.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising allocating or assigning, by said endpoint device, an antenna pattern for said enabled handoff based on said received traffic management information.

10. A system for communication, comprising:

a femtocell;

an access point;

an endpoint device; and

a processor for use in said endpoint device, said processor being configured to;

receive traffic management information from a hybrid network controller to enable handoff of a communication session between said femtocell or said access point, wherein said traffic management information comprises transmit power of said endpoint device; and

enable said handoff of said communication session, by said endpoint device, based on said received traffic management information.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said traffic management information comprises at least one of set-up instructions, handoff instructions, a maximum value of said transmit power, traffic load balancing, bandwidth requirements, frequency assignments, transmission time, neighbor list information, signal quality thresholds, code assignments, or antenna pattern assignments.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein said processor is further configured to receive said traffic management information from said hybrid network controller utilizing a wireless connection.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein said processor is further configured to control handoffs between a communication device external to said communication system and said femtocell, said access point, or said end-point device.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein said processor is configured to monitor or analyze status or operating conditions of said femtocell, said access point, or said endpoint device.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said status or operating conditions comprises at least one of received signal strength, interference levels, signal to noise ratio, signal path delay, power consumption, bandwidth usage, or radio resource availability.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein said processor is further configured to allocate or assign said femtocell, said access point, or said endpoint device to handle said enabled handoff.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein said processor is further configured to allocate or assign a time slot for said enabled handoff based on said received traffic management information.

18. The system according to claim 10, wherein said processor is further configured to allocate or assign a code for said enabled handoff based on said received traffic management information.

19. The system according to claim 10, wherein said processor is further configured to allocate or assign an antenna pattern for said enabled handoff based on said received traffic management information.

20. A method for communication, comprising:

receiving, by an endpoint device, traffic management information from a hybrid network controller to enable a handoff of a communication session between a femtocell or an access point, wherein said traffic management information comprises transmit power of said endpoint device;

allocating or assigning, by said endpoint device, a time slot for said enabled handoff based on said traffic management information; and

enabling said handoff of said communication session, by said endpoint device, based on said traffic management information.