RU2462835C2 - Preference of access points in wireless communication - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technologies.

SUBSTANCE: when measuring and ranging surrounding access points during repeated selection, shifts are applied to preferable access points, in order to simplify repeated selection of a cell for them. Shift positively affects measurements and ranging. Negative shifts may also be applied to lower measurements and ranging of certain access points. Hysteresis values are applied when measuring current cells to prevent frequent repeated selection. Hysteresis values are selected on the basis of a current cell type or a related access point, to expand the coverage area.

EFFECT: simplified application of shifts or selected hysteresis values, in order to prefer access points during repeated cell selection.

28 cl, 10 dwg

Description

Cross reference to related applications

This application claims the priority of provisional patent application (USA) serial number 60/988631, entitled "APPARATUS AND METHOD TO FACILITATE IDLE STATE HANDOFF IN SYSTEMS WITH RESTRICTED ASSOCIATION", filed November 16, 2007, provisional patent application (USA) serial number 60/988641, entitled "APPARATUS AND METHOD TO FACILITATE CONNECTED STATE HANDOFF IN SYSTEMS WITH RESTRICTED ASSOCIATION", filed November 16, 2007, provisional patent application (US) serial number 60/988649, entitled "APPARATUS AND METHOD TO FACILIT ADVERTISEMENT OF NEIGHBOR LISTS IN SYSTEMS WITH RESTRICTED ASSOCIATION ", filed November 16, 2007, anticipated United States Patent Application Serial Number 61/086223, entitled "IDLE MODE PARAMETERS FOR HeNB DETECTION AND CAMPING", filed August 5, 2008, and provisional Patent Application (US) serial number 61/086337, entitled "IDLE MODE PARAMETERS FOR HeNB DETECTION AND CAMPING ", filed August 5, 2008. All of the above applications are contained in this document by reference.

In addition, this application is associated with U.S. patent applications UTILIZING RESTRICTION CODES IN WIRELESS ACCESS POINT CONNECTION ATTEMPTS by Gavin Horn and others with number 072324U1, UTILIZING BROADCAST SIGNALS TO CONVEY RESTRICICORNED ASSOCIATION and others with the number 072324U3, "CLASSIFYING ACCESS POINTS USING PILOT IDENTIFIERS" by Gavin Horn and others with the law number 072324U4, and "SECTOR IDENTIFICATION USING SECTOR PARAMETERS SIGNATURES" by Gavin Horn and others with the number 072324U5 at the same time are assigned to its assignee and are explicitly contained by reference in this document.

State of the art

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following description generally relates to wireless communications, and more particularly to the preference of access points in a wireless communication network.

State of the art

Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as, for example, voice, data, and the like. Typical wireless communication systems may be multiple access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, etc.). Examples of such multiple access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access ( OFDMA) etc. Additionally, the systems can meet such technical requirements as the third generation partnership project (3GPP), the long-term development project 3GPP (LTE), ultra-wideband transmission for mobile devices (UMB), etc.

In general, multiple access wireless communication systems can support simultaneous communication for multiple mobile devices. Each mobile device can communicate with one or more base stations through transmission on the forward and reverse links. A forward communication line (or downlink) refers to a communication line from base stations to mobile devices, and a reverse communication line (or uplink) refers to a communication line from mobile devices to base stations. Additionally, communication between mobile devices and base stations can be carried out through systems with one input and one output (SISO), systems with many inputs and one output (MISO), systems with many inputs and many outputs (MIMO), etc. In addition, mobile devices can communicate with other mobile devices (and / or base stations with other base stations) in peer-to-peer wireless network configurations.

MIMO systems typically use multiple (N _T ) transmit antennas and multiple (N _R ) receive antennas for data transmission. Antennas can relate to both base stations and mobile devices, in one example, providing the possibility of two-way communication between devices over a wireless network. As mobile devices move around service areas, cells used for communication through devices can be re-selected between one or more access points (eg, macro cells, femtocells, etc.). This can be done, for example, if an available access point or its serving sector can offer a better signal or service than the current access point. Mobile devices may measure parameters associated with one or more cells or sectors, such as signal quality, service level, etc., and rank cells or sectors according to desirability, which may be based on one or more of the parameters. In one example, an available access point may refer to a home access point for a given mobile device offering the desired billing and subscription fees, coverage, service options, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following is a simplified summary of one or more embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of these embodiments. This entity is not a comprehensive overview of all considered embodiments, and it does not intend either to identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, or to outline the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In accordance with one or more embodiments and the corresponding disclosure, various aspects are described in connection with simplifying the preference of access points for reselection in wireless communication. For example, certain access points may be preferred by mobile devices because they provide the desired billing and subscription fees, data throughput, access levels, functionality, and / or the like. Mobile devices may prefer access points during reselection, at least in part, by applying bias to the measurement of communications with preferred access points, which makes preferred access points more desirable than other access points measured without using bias. In addition, when connected to a preferred access point, mobile devices can add hysteresis to the communication measurement with the current preferred access point, which makes the current access point more desirable with respect to surrounding access points than without using a hysteresis value. In this regard, devices may be limited to a preferred access point at a greater distance, and may remain connected to a preferred access point for a greater distance than non-preferred access points.

According to related aspects, a method is provided for reselecting a cell in a wireless communication network. The method may include receiving a wireless service from the first access point and determining the type and signal strength of the second access point. The method may further include applying bias to the signal level of the second access point when ranking the second access point to reselect the cell from the first access point, the offset being selected at least partially based on the type of the second access point.

Another aspect relates to a wireless communication device. A wireless communication device may include at least one processor configured to receive a wireless communication service from a first access point and receive a signal type and level for each of a first access point and a second access point. The processor is further configured to apply an offset to the signal level of the second access point when ranking the second access point to reselect the cell from the first access point, the offset being applied at least in part based on the type of the second access point. In addition, the processor is further configured to apply hysteresis to the signal level of the first access point when ranking the second access point for reselection from the first access point, wherein the hysteresis is selected at least in part based on the type of the first access point. The wireless communication device also includes a storage device connected to at least one processor.

Another aspect relates to a wireless communications apparatus that facilitates re-selecting cells to one or more access points. The wireless communication device may include means for receiving services from the first access point and means for determining the type and signal level of the second access point. The wireless communication device may further include means for applying bias to the signal level of the second access point when ranking the second access point for reselection from the first access point, the offset being selected at least in part based on the type of the second access point.

Another other aspect relates to a computer program product, which may have a computer readable medium including code for instructing at least one computer to receive a wireless communication service from a first access point. The computer-readable medium may also contain code for instructing the at least one computer to determine the type and signal level of the second access point. In addition, the computer-readable medium may comprise a code for instructing at least one computer to apply an offset to the signal level of the second access point when ranking the second access point to reselect the cell from the first access point, the offset being selected at least partially on based on the type of second access point.

Moreover, an additional aspect relates to the device. The device may include a sector parameter measurement module that measures the signal level of one or more surrounding access points, and an access point offset specifier that applies the offset to the signal level of one or more surrounding access points, at least in part based on its type. The device may further include a cell reselection module that communicates with one or more surrounding access points, at least in part, by ranking the signal strength after applying an offset to the current access point.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more embodiments comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of one or more embodiments. However, these aspects point to only some of the many ways that use the principles of various embodiments, and the described embodiments are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a wireless communication system in accordance with various aspects presented herein.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a wireless communication network that facilitates cell reselection.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example communication device for use in a wireless communication environment.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example wireless communication system that utilizes biases and / or hysteresis values when reselecting a cell.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example methodology that facilitates performing cell reselection in wireless networks.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example methodology that facilitates applying bias to a potential access point when ranking for reselection.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example method that facilitates selecting and applying a hysteresis value to a current access point for reselection.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an example mobile device that facilitates applying offsets and selectable hysteresis values for ranking upon cell reselection.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of an example wireless network environment that can be used in conjunction with various systems and methods described herein.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example system that applies bias to the intended measurement of an access point when reselecting a cell.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to refer to like elements. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. However, it may be obvious that these embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, common structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing one or more embodiments.

When used in this application, the terms "component", "module", "system", etc. have the intention of referring to a computer-related object, whether it is hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software or software in runtime. For example, a component may be, but not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and / or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and a computing device may be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and / or thread of execution, and the component may be localized on a computer and / or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components can be executed from various computer-readable media storing various data structures. Components can communicate through local and / or remote processes, for example, in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (for example, data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system and / or network, for example over the Internet with other systems through a signal.

In addition, various embodiments are described herein in connection with a mobile device. A mobile device may also be called a system, subscriber module, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile device, remote station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, terminal, wireless device, user agent, user device, or user equipment (UE). The mobile device may be a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) telephone, a wireless subscriber access station (WLL), a personal digital device (PDA), a handheld device with wireless connections, a computing device or other processing device, connected to a wireless modem. In addition, various embodiments are described herein in connection with a base station. A base station may be used for implementation with mobile device (s), and may also be referred to as an access point, node B, enhanced node B (e-node B or eNB), base transceiver station (BTS), or some other term.

Moreover, various aspects or features described herein may be implemented as a method, device, or product using standard programming methods and / or techniques. The term “product,” as used herein, is intended to comprise a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device, medium, or medium. For example, computer-readable media can include, but not limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic tape, etc.), optical disks (e.g., compact disc (CD), universal digital disk (DVD), etc.), smart cards and flash memory devices (for example, EPROM, card, card, flash drive, etc.). Additionally, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other computer-readable media for storing information. The term “machine-readable medium” may include, without limitation, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, hosting and / or transferring instruction (s) and / or data.

The methods described herein can be used for various wireless communication systems, such as a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a time division multiple access system (TDMA), a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) system, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system, single-carrier frequency domain multiplexing (SC-FDMA) system and other systems. The terms “system” and “network” are often used interchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), CDMA2000, etc. UTRA includes Broadband CDMA (W-CDMA) and other CDMA options. CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. A TDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA system can implement such radio technology as Advanced UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra-Broadband Mobile Transmission (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. d. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of the Universal Mobile Communications System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) Project is an upcoming release that uses E-UTRA, which uses OFDMA in the downlink and SC-FDMA in the uplink. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE and GSM are described in documents from an organization called the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization called the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2).

Referring now to FIG. 1, a wireless communication system 100 is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments presented herein. System 100 comprises a base station 102, which may include multiple antenna groups. For example, one antenna group may include antennas 104 and 106, another group may include antennas 108 and 110, and an additional group may include antennas 112 and 114. Two antennas are illustrated for each antenna group; however, more or fewer antennas can be used for each group. Base station 102 may further include a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit, each of which, in turn, may comprise a plurality of components associated with transmitting and receiving signals (e.g., processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers, antennas etc.), as those skilled in the art should recognize.

Base station 102 may communicate with one or more mobile devices, such as mobile device 116 and mobile device 126; however, it should be appreciated that base station 102 can communicate with virtually any number of mobile devices similar to mobile devices 116 and 126. Mobile devices 116 and 126 can be, for example, cell phones, smartphones, laptop computers, handheld devices communications, handheld computing devices, satellite radios, global positioning systems, PDAs and / or any other suitable device for communicating via a wireless communication system 100. As illustrated, the mobile device 116 is in communication with the antennas 112 and 114, while the antennas 112 and 114 transmit information to the mobile device 116 on the forward link 118 and receive information from the mobile device 116 on the reverse link 120. In a frequency division duplex (FDD) system, for example, the forward link 118 may use a different frequency band than that used by the reverse link 120. Additionally, in a time division duplex (TDD) system, the forward link 118 and the reverse link 120 may use a common frequency.

Each antenna group and / or region in which they should communicate may be referred to as a sector or cell of a base station 102. For example, antenna groups may be configured to communicate with mobile devices in a sector of areas covered by base station 102. In communication on the forward link 118, the transmitting antennas of the base station 102 may use beamforming to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the forward link 118 for the mobile device 116. In addition, although the basic station 102 utilizes beamforming to transmit to mobile devices 116 randomly distributed over the associated coverage, mobile devices in neighboring cells can be subject to less interference as compared to a base station transmitting through a single antenna to all its mobile devices. In addition, mobile devices 116 and 126 can communicate directly with each other using a peer-to-peer or ad hoc method.

In addition, base station 102 may communicate with network 122, which may be one or more networks including a wireless services access network (eg, a 3G network) over a backhaul connection. Network 122 may store information regarding access parameters associated with mobile device 116 and 126 and other wireless access network parameters to provide services to devices 116 and 126. In addition, femtocell 124 may be provided to facilitate direct communication with mobile device 126 communication line 128 and reverse link 130 (similar to forward link 118 and reverse link 120, as described above). Femtocell 124 may provide access to one or more mobile devices 126 similarly to base station 102, but for a smaller scale. In one example, femtocell 124 may be implemented in an apartment, organization, and / or in other small restricted areas (for example, a leisure park, stadium, residential complex, etc.). Femtocell 124 may be connected to network 122 via a backhaul connection, which may be over a broadband Internet connection (T1 / T3, digital subscriber line (DSL), cable, etc.), in one example. Network 122 may similarly provide access information for mobile device 126.

According to an example, mobile devices 116 and 126 can move around service areas by reselecting a cell from among various base stations and / or femtocells during the move. In this regard, mobile devices 116 and 126 can provide a continuous wireless service that is transparent to users of mobile devices 116 and 126. In one example (not shown), mobile device 126 can communicate with base station 102 similarly to mobile device 116 and can move to a specified range femtocells 124. In this regard, mobile device 126 may re-select one or more cells associated with femtocell 124 to receive more desirable access to a wireless service. In one example, the femtocell 124 may be a native access point for a mobile device 126, offering more desirable billing and subscription services and / or other access parameters. In another example, the femtocell 124 may be associated with an organization or venue, offering parameters or data specific to the organization or venue. Thus, the mobile device 126 can re-select one or more cells associated with the femtocell 124 in the idle mode and / or connected mode to receive such specialized parameters. In addition, as the mobile device 126 moves to the base station 102, it can re-select the cell associated with it for a number of reasons (for example, to reduce interference in the femtocell 124 in order to receive a more optimal signal or increased throughput and etc.).

When moving around the coverage area, mobile devices 116 and / or 126 can continuously measure available base stations (such as base station 102), femtocells (such as femtocell 124) and / or other access points to determine when cell reselection is preferable for mobile devices 116 and / or 126. The measurement may include, for example, evaluating signal quality, bandwidth, available services, wireless access provider associated with the access point, and / or the like. Based on one or more of the measurements, the mobile devices 116 and / or 126 may rank the access points for reselection. In determining the ranking, mobile devices 116 and / or 126 may attempt to reselect the cell for the highest rank access point. In addition, mobile devices 116 and / or 126 may maintain a list of available access points and / or groups of available access points. Available access points may relate, for example, to restricted association access points to which mobile devices 116 and / or 126 are authorized to access and / or to which access is preferred or otherwise desirable compared to other access points.

In one example, the femtocell 124 may be such a restricted association access point. Associated access points, for example, may be limited in some aspects, where each access point provides certain services to certain mobile devices (e.g., mobile devices 116 and / or 126), but not necessarily to other mobile devices or access terminals (not shown) . For example, femtocell 124 may be limited so as not to provide registration, signaling, voice calls, data access, and / or additional services to other mobile devices or access terminals. Associated access points can be deployed ad hoc. For example, a given homeowner can install and configure a limited access point for a home.

In one example, mobile devices 116 and / or 126 may identify one or more available access points based at least in part on one or more indicators in a broadcast signal associated with the access point (s). Upon receipt of one or more indicators, mobile devices 116 and / or 126 may ensure that the access point (s) is on the list, or that the identifier of the associated group is on the list, before attempting to reselect the cell. In another example, mobile devices 116 and / or 126 can verify the association of an access point with a list before measuring parameters for ranking.

When measuring access points, such as base station 102 and / or femtocell 124, mobile devices 116 and / or 126 may prefer one or more of the access points. As described, the femtocell 124 may be a native access point for the mobile device 126, and thus the mobile device 126 may prefer the femtocell 124 to other access points. For example, the mobile device 126, when measuring surrounding access points when reselecting a cell, can apply the hysteresis value to the measurement of the femtocell 124 to enable the femtocell 124 to have a higher rank than the access point without applying the hysteresis value. This effectively extends the coverage area of the femtocell 124 to the mobile device 126. In addition, although not shown, if the mobile device 126 communicates with another access point, such as a base station 102, as the mobile device 126 moves in the range of the femtocell 124, the offset can be applied to the measurements of the femtocell 124 when compared with the measurements of the base station 102 to prefer the femtocell 124 over the base station 102. This effectively extends the coverage of the femtocell 124 relative to the mobile device 126 or limits the mobile device 126.

In this regard, the mobile device 126 can communicate with the femtocell 124, being nearby, by offset, and after connecting can continue to communicate with the femtocell 124 at a greater distance than usual, using the hysteresis value, for example, to increase the time and area for receiving the desired services from the femtocell 124. In addition, the mobile device 126 can reselect in the femtocell 124 in an active communication mode to continue the service with it. In addition, the mobile device 126 may reselect in idle mode to wait for a call in the femtocell 124. Call waiting can be referred to as idle operation in a sector where the mobile device is idle and periodically activated to receive events, such as paging, signal loss, measurement of neighboring sectors, etc., which can lead to switching from an idle mode to an active mode.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a wireless communication system 200 is illustrated configured to support a number of mobile devices. System 200 provides communications for multiple cells, such as, for example, macrocells 202A-202G, with each cell being served by a corresponding access point 204A-204G. As previously described, for example, access points 204A-204G associated with macrocells 202A-202G may be base stations. Mobile devices 206A-2061 are shown dispersed at various locations throughout the wireless communication system 200. Each mobile device 206A-2061 may communicate with one or more access points 204A-204G on a forward link and / or reverse link, as described. In addition, access points 208A-208C are shown. They can be small-scale access points, such as femtocells, offering services related to a specific location of the provision of services, as described. Mobile devices 206A-206I can additionally communicate with these small-scale access points 208A-208C to receive services offered. Wireless communication system 200 may provide services in a large geographic area, in one example (for example, macro cells 202A-202G may cover several neighboring quarters, and femtocell access points 208A-208C may be present in areas such as apartments, office buildings and / or etc., as described). In the example, mobile devices 206A-206I may establish a connection with access points 204A-204G and / or 208A-208C over a radio interface and / or over a backhaul connection.

Additionally, as shown, mobile devices 206A-206I can move throughout system 200 and can reselect cells associated with different access points 204A-204G and / or 208A-208C as they move through various macro cells 202A-202G or coverage areas of femtocells. In one example, one or more of the mobile devices 206A-206I may be associated with a native femtocell associated with at least one of the access points 208A-208C of the femtocell. For example, the mobile device 206I may be associated with the femtocell access point 208B as a native femtocell. Thus, although the mobile device 206I is in the macro cell 202B and thus in the coverage area of the access point 204B, it can communicate with the femtocell access point 208B instead of (or in addition to) the access point 204B. In one example, the femtocell access point 208B may provide additional services to the mobile device 206I, such as desired billing and subscription fees, per-minute usage, improved services (e.g., faster broadband access, multimedia services, etc.). Thus, when the mobile device 206I is in the range of the femtocell access point 208B, it can be limited to communicate with it by preferring the femtocell access point 208B when reselecting.

For example, mobile device 206D may be associated with a femtocell access point 208C. As the mobile device 206D moves from the macro cell 202C to 202D and closer to the access points 204D and / or 208C, it can begin the cell reselection process as described herein. This may include, for example, measuring the parameters of the surrounding cells (e.g., associated with access points 204C, 204D and 208C) to determine the desired connection. Parameters may relate, for example, to signal quality, connection bandwidth, services offered, a service provider associated with an access point, and / or the like. Mobile device 206D can further verify the identifier of the access point as being present in the list of available access points, as described. The list can additionally or alternatively identify groups of access points, wherein the group identifier of the access point can be verified using the group identifiers in the list. In the above example, the mobile device 206D can measure the parameters for access points 204C, 204D and 208C and rank the cells to determine whether or not to reselect the cell from the access point 204C to one of the others, if their rank is higher. As in the previous example, if the femtocell access point 208C is associated with the native femtocell of the mobile device 206D, it may prefer it for reselection. For example, the mobile device 206D may add an offset to the measured parameters of the femtocell access point 208C as it moves within the range to prefer the femtocell access point 208C to the access point 204C. In addition, when exchanging data with the femtocell access point 208C, the mobile device 206D may apply hysteresis when measuring communication parameters of other access points for reselection in order to prefer the femtocell access point 208C also in this regard. If one or more other access points 204D and / or 208C are ranked higher than access point 204C, mobile device 206D may re-select one or more cells associated with another access point 204D or 208C, whether in idle mode or in connected mode.

In one example, one or more of the other access points 204D and / or 208C may implement limited association in which some mobile devices cannot connect to it, and / or access points 204D and / or 208C may limit certain mobile devices with respect to providing overhead transmission signals, data access, registration, services and / or the like. This may be at least partially based, for example, on a mobile device service provider and a limited associated access point. In another example, a restricted association access point may relate to certain mobile devices, such as a corporate access point that restricts access to only mobile devices issued by the organization. Thus, if the mobile device 206D cannot re-select cells associated with one or more of the other access points 204D and / or 208C due to limited association, it may attempt to reselect the cells for one or more of the other ranked access points before those as long as it does not find an access point to which it can connect. If the mobile device 206D cannot connect to the access point 204D and / or 208C due to limited association, it may receive a restriction code indicating the reason for the restriction.

In addition, as described, mobile devices 206A-206I may maintain a list of available access points and / or groups thereof. In one example, the list may include only certain types of access points (such as femtocells), since other types of access points (such as macrocells) can be accessed from virtually any mobile device. The list of available access points and / or groups may be initially populated with, for example, one or more access points in communication with a mobile device 206A-206I that can retrieve information from a core wireless network, as described. As mobile devices 206A-206I move across the coverage area of wireless system 200 and reselect the cells as described, they may first verify the cells as being on the list, if relevant. In one example, if the mobile devices 206A-206I define one or more femtocell access points 208A-208C as the cell with the highest rank based on measurements, as described, they can verify that the corresponding femtocell access point is on the list. If not, the 206A-206I mobile devices may decide not to access the femtocell access point and may attempt to connect to the next highest rank access point and / or try to find another access point on a different frequency. As described, the ranking may be affected by the offset and / or hysteresis value to prefer the access point, respectively, when within range or connected.

Turning to FIG. 3, a communication device 300 for use in a wireless communication environment is illustrated. The communication device 300 may be a base station or part thereof, a mobile device or part thereof, or virtually any communication device that receives data transmitted in a wireless communication environment. The communication device 300 may include a sector parameter measurement module 302 that measures communication parameters related to the sector, such as signal strength, data throughput, services offered, etc., to determine whether to re-select a sector or linked access point. The communication device 300 may further include a bias specifier 304 of a preferred access point that can apply the bias to one or more measurements of communication parameters to prefer an access point when measuring communication parameters in a sector, as well as a hysteresis specifier 306 of a preferred access point that can add hysteresis value to the communication parameters associated with the preferred access point, in order to further prefer the access point when reselecting the cell. In one example, preferred access points may relate to one or more access points in a supported list of preferred access points and / or groups (such as a list of closed subscriber groups (CSGs), etc.).

According to an example, a sector parameter measurement module 302 can measure one or more parameters associated with a sector connection to evaluate a sector for reselecting a cell thereto. As described above, sectors can be ranked for reselection according to parameters. The bias specifier 304 of the preferred access point can positively affect the parameters associated with the surrounding preferred access point by adding an offset value to the parameters. This may, in some cases, positively affect the ranking of the preferred access point for reselection. In addition, the bias specifier 304 of the preferred access point, in one example, can apply negative offsets to the non-preferred surrounding access point in order to, in some cases, effectively reduce its ranking upon cell reselection. Additionally or alternatively, the hysteresis specifier 306 of the preferred access point may add a hysteresis value to the parameters of the current access point, which may positively affect its ranking in order to reduce the frequent reselection associated with the current access point. The preferred access point hysteresis specifier 306 may further select a hysteresis value related to whether or not the current access point is preferred (or otherwise desired). By selecting a higher hysteresis value for the currently connected preferred access point, coverage of the preferred access point is effectively expanded for the communication device 300.

In one example, cell reselection can be performed when R _n > R _s , where R _n is the ranking of the new cell and R _s is the ranking of the current cell. Thus, in the example, reselection can be performed when Q _{meas, n} -Q _{offset, CSG} > Q _{meas, eNB} + Q _{hyst (eNB)}

or

Q _{meas, n} > Q _{meas, eNB} + Q _{hyst (eNB)} + Q _{offset, CSG}

where Q _{meas, n} is the measurement (such as signal strength and / or one or more additional parameters, as described) of the surrounding access point, Q _{offset, CSG} is the offset associated with the surrounding access point, while the surrounding access point is preferred and / or located in a related group of preferred access points, Q _{meas, eNB} is the measurement of the access point to which the communication device 300 is currently connected, which may be a measurement parameter identical to that used for the current access point, and Q _{hyst (eNB )} - this value hist rezisa associated with the current access point. It should be appreciated that the cell reselection ranking may consider this hysteresis value associated with the current non-preferred access point to prevent frequent reselection over a short period of time (for example, the effect of alternating switching) between access points. As described, the sector parameter measurement module 302 can measure Q _{meas, n} and Q _{meas, eNB} , while the offset specifier 304 of the preferred access point can determine and / or apply Q _{offset, CSG} . Thus, if the above formulas are satisfied, cell reselection can be performed from the current to the preferred access point. Using the Q _offset value _{, CSG} , which may be negative, the communication device can prefer the access point, since a negative value is subtracted from the measured parameter, which positively affects the measurement of the preferred access point. In another example, a positive offset may be subtracted from the measured value if the surrounding access point is not the preferred access point.

Similarly, if the current cell is the preferred access point, reselection can be made to the surrounding non-preferred access point when the following formula is satisfied.

Q _{meas, n} -Q _{offset, n (eNB)} > Q _{meas, HeNB} + Q _{hyst (HeNB)}

or

Q _{meas, n} > Q _{meas, HeNB} + Q _{hyst (HeNB)} + Q _{offset, n}

where Q _{meas, n} is the measurement (such as signal strength and / or one or more additional parameters, as described) of the surrounding non-preferred access point, Q _{offset, n (eNB)} is the offset associated with the non-preferred access point, Q _{meas , HeNB} is the measurement of the current preferred access point to which the communication device 300 is currently connected, which may be a measurement parameter identical to that used for the non-preferred access point, and Q _{hyst (HeNB)} is the hysteresis value associated with the current access point. In one example, as described, the sector parameter measurement module 302 may measure Q _{meas, n} and Q _{meas, HeNB} . In addition, the preferred access point hysteresis specifier 306 may select and provide a hysteresis value Q _{hyst (HeNB)} based on whether or not the currently connected access point is the preferred access point. Thus, the hysteresis value may vary, at least in part, based on the type of current access point. In this regard, the communication device 300 may remain pending at the preferred access point and / or communicate with it for a longer period of time and / or for an extended coverage area using a different hysteresis value.

Now referring to FIG. 4, a wireless communication system 400 is illustrated that simplifies the preference of access points in wireless networks. Wireless device 402, access point 404 and / or preferred access point 406 may be a base station, a femtocell, a mobile device, or a part thereof. In one example, a wireless device 402 may transmit information to an access point 404 and / or 406 over a reverse link or uplink channel; further, wireless device 402 may receive information from access point 404 and / or 406 over a forward link or a downlink channel. In addition, system 400 may be a MIMO system. In addition, the components and functionalities shown and described below in wireless device 402 may also be present at access points 404 and / or 406, and vice versa, in one example; the illustrated configuration excludes these components for ease of explanation.

Wireless device 402 includes a sector parameter measurement module 408 that can measure one or more communication parameters associated with the sector, as part of a cell reselection or communication process, an access point offset specifier 410 that can determine the offset that can be used in order to influence the measurements associated with the currently connected non-preferred access points, in order to increase the desirability of the preferred access points for reselection, specificity p 412 hysteresis of the access point, which determines the hysteresis value that can be used when connected to the preferred access point, to positively influence the measurements of the preferred access point, to increase its desirability when considering other access points for re-selection, an access list controller that supports a list of available access points and / or groups of access points, and a cell reselection module 416 that can reselect at least partially based measurements and applied offsets. The supported list may further comprise types of access points, which may indicate whether the access points, for example, femtocells, macrocells, with limited association (regarding the provision of services, the transmission of service signals, access to data, registration, services and / or the like ., as described), with unlimited association, CSG and / or the like.

According to an example, a wireless device 402 may communicate with an access point 404, which may be a non-preferred access point, to receive wireless services. As the wireless device 402 moves in the coverage area, it can come close to other access points, such as the preferred access point 406. The sector parameter measurement module 408 may determine communication parameters associated with the access point 406 or its sector, such as signal strength, data throughput, services offered, rates, service provider, etc., as described, as well as with other surrounding access points, as well as the current access point 404 used for communication. In one example, the sector parameter measurement module 408 may tune away from the current access point 404 to evaluate the parameters of the access point 406, which means that it can be tuned from the frequency required to communicate with the current access point 404 to the frequency of the preferred point 406 access to quickly measure the parameters associated with it. Access list controller 414 may be considered to determine whether or not preferred access point 406 is in the list of access points (or a list of related groups, for example). The list, as mentioned, may relate to available access points, restricted association access points, related groups, and / or the like.

If the preferred access point 406 is on the list, the access point offset specifier 410 can provide an offset that can be applied to measurements associated with the preferred access point 406 to make it more desirable than without the offset. This may lead to an earlier connection with the preferred access point 406 to receive the desired services, as described above. In addition, a negative bias can be applied, for example, if the preferred access point 406 is not in the list. It should be appreciated that hysteresis can also be applied to measurements of the currently connected access point 404 to prevent frequent re-selection in a short period of time between access points; thus, if the measurements of any access point vary slightly, the applied hysteresis value can reduce reselection until there is more inconsistency in the cell measurements. If the preferred access point 406 with the applied offset is ranged above the current access point 404 (for example, with hysteresis applied), the cell reselection module may reselect to the sector of the preferred access point 406.

In another example, preferred access point 406 may include a hysteresis value specifier 418 that can determine multiple hysteresis values for preferred access point 406. For example, one value may be for wireless devices for which the preferred access point 406 is indeed the preferred access point, and another value for those devices for which the preferred access point 406 is not the preferred access point. According to an example, a wireless device 402 can connect to a preferred access point 406 by receiving a wireless service from it. As the wireless device 402 moves around the mobile service area, the sector parameter measurement module 408, as described above, can measure the communication parameters of different sectors to rank sectors for cell reselection. When the wireless device 402 communicates with its preferred access point 406, in one example, it does not use an offset from the access point offset specifier 410. However, the access point hysteresis specifier 412 can determine the hysteresis associated with the preferred access point 406 and apply hysteresis when ranking the currently connected preferred access point 406 from among other access points to determine whether or not to reselect.

As described, one or more hysteresis values may be indicated by a hysteresis value specifier 418 that can be transmitted to the wireless device 402 when connected to a preferred access point 406. In another example, values may be received from other surrounding or previous connected access points or otherwise. It will be appreciated that the access point offset specifier 414 may likewise receive an offset from the current access point surrounding the access point and / or one or more previous connected access points. The access point hysteresis specifier 412 may select a received hysteresis value to use when ranking the preferred access point 406 from among other access points including the access point 404. In one example, the access list controller may determine whether or not the preferred access point 406 is in the list of preferred access points supported by the access list controller 414. Thus, if the preferred access point 406 is on the list, the hysteresis value of the preferred access point can be selected by the access point hysteresis specifier 412 to positively affect the parameters of the current cell, which can instruct the wireless device 402 to remain connected to the preferred access point 406 for a larger coverage area . If, however, the preferred access point 406 is not in the list, the access point hysteresis specifier 412 may select a lower hysteresis value to positively influence the measurements of the current cell to prevent the effect of alternating switching between access points. If the access point 404 is ranked above the preferred access point 406 with one or more hysteresis values used to positively influence the measurements of the preferred access point 406, the cell reselection module 416 may reselect one or more cells associated with the access point 404.

In either case, using the bias when ranking the preferred access point to reselect the cell to it, or using the higher hysteresis when ranking the preferred access point to reselect the cell to another access point, expands the coverage of the preferred access point if required by the wireless device 402. This allows the wireless device 402 to receive the desired services of the preferred access points, as described above, for a larger coverage area. It will be appreciated that the cell reselection module may reselect one or more cells associated with another access point (not shown) if the access point selected for reselection is not available. For example, another access point may be in a frequency range different from the currently connected access point and / or access point that is initially re-selected.

Referring to FIG. 5-7, methods related to cell reselection and ranking of access points for reselection using bias and / or hysteresis values are illustrated. Although in order to simplify the explanation, the methods are shown and described as a sequence of actions, it is necessary to understand and take into account that the methods are not limited by the order of actions, since some actions can, in accordance with one or more embodiments, be performed in a different order and / or in parallel with actions other than those shown and described in this document. For example, those skilled in the art should understand and take into account that a method can alternatively be represented as a sequence of interrelated states or events, for example, in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be used to implement a technology in accordance with one or more embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 5, a method 500 is shown that facilitates cell reselection in wireless communication. At 502, surrounding cells are measured to determine one or more parameters associated with them. As described, the parameters may relate to communication metrics, such as signal strength, bandwidth, etc., and / or one or more additional considerations, such as access point identifier, group identifier, sector identifier, services offered, associated provider access services, etc. In addition, the parameters may relate to the provision of the cell with its own access point, which provides advanced aspects of billing and payment of subscription services, additional services or speeds and / or the like. The parameters may also relate to offsets or hysteresis to increase the likelihood of considering the desired access points (such as, for example, your own access point) and / or to reduce the likelihood of considering other access points. At 504, the surrounding cells may be ranked according to certain parameters. The ranking may indicate the order of the desired cells to receive wireless services.

At 506, it can be determined whether the current cell used is the highest ranked cell. Such a definition can be used to provide a connection with an optimal access point. If the highest rank cell is the cell currently used to receive wireless communications, the method returns to step 502 to measure the surrounding cells again. This can be based on a timer, in one example, so as not to burden the network with cell measurements or waste resources through continuous cell measurements. If the cell with the highest rank is not the currently used cell, in step 508, cell reselection can be performed as described herein to re-select the cell with the highest rank. It will be appreciated, in one example, that once the reselection is completed, the method, in one example, may return to step 502 to continue measuring surrounding cells. As described, access points may be base stations, femtocells and / or the like.

Turning to FIG. 6, illustrated is a methodology 600 that simplifies the ranking of access points with cell reselection. At 602, a service is received from the first access point. A service, for example, may relate to access to a wireless network provided by an access point to facilitate communication over a network. At 604, the type and signal strength of the second access point can be determined. This can be done, for example, as part of a cell reselection procedure in which surrounding access points can be measured to reselect to them. In addition, the type can be determined, at least in part, based on the presence of the access point in a supported list of preferred and / or restricted access points, as described. At 606, an offset can be applied to the signal level of the second access point based on the type. Offset can be applied during measurement and / or ranking, for example, for cell reselection. The offset may be positive and / or negative based on the second type of access point, as described. Thus, if the second access point is preferred, for example, the offset can be positive to prefer the access point to others that may have better signal qualities (for example, since the preferred access point may have other aspects that are more desirable). At 608, the second access point can be ranked to be re-selected based on the signal strength after applying the bias. Thus, although the access point may lower the signal level, as in the above example, reselection can be made to the access point compared to an access point with a stronger signal in order to take advantage of other desirable aspects related to the access point.

Turning to FIG. 7, a methodology 700 is illustrated that facilitates the application of selective hysteresis values in cell reselection. At 702, the parameters of the surrounding access points may be measured to facilitate reselection. Thus, simultaneous communication can be carried out with the current access point, in one example. At 704, a hysteresis value can be applied to measurements of the current access point based on its type. Thus, based on the type of the current access point, a hysteresis value can be selected for cell reselection. In one example, the type may be a preferred access point and / or limited association access point from which access can be received; in this example, the selected hysteresis value may be greater than when the access point is not preferred. Thus, if the access point is preferred, the hysteresis value can have a positive effect on the measurement values associated with the current access point, which can expand the coverage for the access point. At 706, measurements of surrounding access points can be compared with measurements of the current access point when ranking access points. Thus, as described, measurements of the applied hysteresis value of the current access points can be estimated relative to the values of other access points, and at step 708, if the surrounding access point is still higher in rank than the current access point, communication can be established with the surrounding access point.

It will be appreciated that in accordance with one or more aspects described herein, inferences can be made regarding many aspects of cell reselection, such as measuring parameters, ranking cells according to parameters (and / or additional parameters), and even aspects actual reselection (for example, when to reselect, etc.) as described. As used herein, the term "infer" or "inference" usually means the process of reasoning or designating the states of a system, environment, and / or user from a set of observation data obtained through events and / or data. The inference can be used to identify a specific context or action, or can form a probability distribution, for example, by state.The conclusion can be probabilistic, i.e., by calculating the probability distribution of states of interest based on an analysis of the data and The conclusion can also mean the methods used to compose high-level events from a set of events and / or data.This logical conclusion leads to the compilation of new events or actions from a set of observed events and / or stored event data, regardless of whether the events are correlated in close in time area and whether events and data come from one or more sources of events and data.In one example, logical conclusions can be additionally made when determining the values of the offset and / or hysteresis, to apply to prospective and / or current access points, to expand coverage for desired or preferred access points when reselecting a cell, as described.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a mobile device 800 that facilitates applying hysteresis and / or bias values when reselecting a cell to prefer certain types of access points. Mobile device 800 comprises a receiver 802, which receives a signal, for example, from a receiving antenna (not shown), performs typical actions (e.g., filters, amplifies, downconverts, etc.) with the received signal and digitizes required signal conditions to receive samples. Receiver 802 may include a demodulator 804 that can demodulate received symbols and provide them to a processor 806 for channel estimation. The processor 806 may be a processor for analyzing information received by the receiving device 802 and / or generating information for transmission by the transmitting device 816, a processor that controls one or more components of the user device 800, and / or a processor that analyzes the information received by the receiving device device 802, generates information for transmission by transmitting device 816, and controls one or more components of user device 800.

Mobile device 800 may further comprise a storage device 808 that is operatively connected to a processor 806 and which can store data to be transmitted, received data, information related to available channels, data associated with the analyzed signal level and / or interference, information associated with the assigned channel, power, speed, etc., and any other suitable information for channel estimation and communication through the channel. Storage device 808 may further store protocols and / or algorithms associated with channel estimation and / or use (e.g., performance-based, bandwidth-based, etc.).

It will be appreciated that the data store (e.g., storage device 808) described herein may be a volatile storage device or a non-volatile storage device or may include both volatile and non-volatile storage. By way of illustration, but not limitation, non-volatile memory may include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), which acts as an external cache. As an illustration, but not limitation, RAM is available in many forms, such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), dual-speed SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), advanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). The storage device 808 of the present systems and methods is intended to contain (but not only) these and any other suitable types of storage devices.

The processor 806 and / or receiver 802 may further be operatively coupled to a sector parameter measurement module 810, which may receive and measure parameters of various surrounding sectors and / or associated access points during cell reselection. For example, an access point associated with a cell can be selected, at least in part, based on the best communication parameters (for example, signal strength, offered services, pricing schemes for services and / or the like) compared to the current access point or connected by a hundredth. In addition, the processor 806 may be operatively associated with an offset / hysteresis specifier 812 that can determine and apply the offset and / or hysteresis values to the measured parameters to positively or negatively affect specific access points for reselection. In one example, the offset / hysteresis specifier 812 can apply a positive offset to the measured access point to make related parameters more desirable for subsequent re-selection (and therefore expand the coverage area for the access point). In another example, the offset / hysteresis specifier 812 may apply a negative offset to the measured access point to make related parameters less desirable for reselection.

In addition, in one example, an offset / hysteresis specifier 812 may select and apply a hysteresis value to the current access point based on its type. Thus, if the current access point is preferred, a larger hysteresis value can be applied by deriving higher measurements associated with it in order to expand the coverage of the current preferred access point. If the access point is not preferred, the offset / hysteresis specifier 812 may select and apply a lower hysteresis value. It should be appreciated that hysteresis values can be applied in any case to prevent frequent selection and reselection to / from access points. The mobile device 800 further further comprises a modulator 814 and a transmitting device 816, which respectively modulate and transmit signals, for example, to a base station, another mobile device, etc. Although illustrated as separate from the processor 806, it should be appreciated that the sector parameter measurement module 810, the offset / hysteresis specifier 812, the demodulator 804, and / or the modulator 814 may be part of a processor 806 or multiple processors (not shown).

FIG. 9 illustrates an example wireless communications system 900. Wireless communication system 900 shows one base station 910 and one mobile device 950 for short. However, it should be appreciated that system 900 may include more than one base station and / or more than one mobile device, while additional base stations and / or mobile devices may be much the same or different from exemplary base station 910 and mobile device 950, described below. In addition, it should be appreciated that the base station 910 and / or mobile device 950 may use the systems (FIGS. 1-4 and 8) and / or methods (FIGS. 5-7) described herein in order to Simplify wireless communication with each other.

At base station 910, traffic data for a number of data streams is provided from a data source 912 to a transmit (TX) data processor 914. According to an example, each data stream may be transmitted over a respective antenna. TX data processor 914 formats, codes, and interleaves a traffic data stream based on a particular coding scheme selected for that data stream to provide encoded data.

The coded data for each data stream can be multiplexed with pilot data using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technologies. Additionally or alternatively, the pilot symbols may be frequency division multiplexed (FDM), time division multiplexed (TDM) or code division multiplexed (CDM). Pilot data is typically a known data pattern that is processed in a known manner and can be used in mobile device 950 in order to evaluate channel response. Multiplexed pilot signals and encoded data for each data stream can be modulated (e.g. symbolically converted) based on a specific modulation scheme (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK ), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM), etc.) selected for this data stream to provide modulation symbols. The data rate, coding, and modulation for each data stream may be determined by instructions executed or provided by processor 930.

Modulation symbols for all data streams may be provided to the TX MIMO processor 920, which may further process modulation symbols (e.g., for OFDM). The TX MIMO processor 920 further provides N _T modulation symbol streams to N _T transmitters (TMTR) 922a through 922t. In various embodiments, TX MIMO processor 920 applies beamforming weights to the symbols of the data streams and to the antenna from which the symbol is transmitted.

Each transmitter 922 receives and processes a corresponding symbol stream to provide one or more analog signals, and additionally leads to the desired conditions (for example, amplifies, filters, and upconverts) the analog signals to provide a modulated signal suitable for transmission over MIMO channel. Additionally, N _T modulated signals from transmitters 922a through 922t are then transmitted from N _T antennas 924a through 924t, respectively.

At mobile device 950, the transmitted modulated signals are received by N _R antennas 952a through 952r, and a received signal from each antenna 952 is provided to a respective receiver (RCVR) 954a through 954r. Each receiver 954 leads to the desired conditions (for example, filters, amplifies, and downconverts) the corresponding signal, digitizes the brought to the desired conditions signal to provide samples, and further processes the samples to provide a corresponding “received” symbol stream.

An RX data processor 960 may receive and process N _R received symbol streams from N _R receivers 954 based on a particular receiver processing technique to provide N _T “detected” symbol streams. An RX data processor 960 may demodulate, interleave, and decode each detected symbol stream to recover traffic data for the data stream. The processing by the RX data processor 960 is complementary to the processing performed by the TX MIMO processor 920 and TX data processor 914 at the base station 910.

The processor 970 may periodically determine which precoding matrix to use, as explained above. Additionally, processor 970 may formulate a reverse link message comprising a matrix index portion and a rank value portion.

The reverse link message may comprise various types of information related to the communication link and / or the received data stream. The reverse link message may be processed by a TX data processor 938, which also receives traffic data for a number of data streams from a data source 936, modulated by a modulator 980, adjusted to transmit conditions by transmitters 954a-954r, and transmitted back to the base station 910.

At the base station 910, the modulated signals from the mobile device 950 are received via antennas 924, adjusted to the desired conditions by the receiving devices 922, demodulated by the demodulator 940, and processed by the RX data processor 942 to extract the reverse link message transmitted by the mobile device 950. Additionally, the processor 930 may process the extracted message to determine which precoding matrix to use to determine the beamforming weights.

Processors 930 and 970 can control (for example, monitor, coordinate, manage, etc.) operation in the base station 910 and in the mobile device 950, respectively. Corresponding processors 930 and 970 may be associated with a storage device 932 and 972 that stores program codes and data. Processors 930 and 970 can also perform calculations to obtain frequency and impulse response estimates for the uplink and downlink, respectively.

It should be understood that the embodiments described herein may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or any combination of the above. When implemented in hardware, the processing units can be implemented in one or more specialized integrated circuits (ASICs) of digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), user programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic devices designed to perform the functions described in this document, or in combinations thereof.

When embodiments are implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments can be stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a storage component. A code segment can represent a procedure, function, subprogram, program, standard procedure, nested procedure, module, software package, class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be associated with another code segment or a hardware circuit by transmitting and / or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. can be transmitted, forwarded or forwarded using any suitable means, including memory sharing, messaging, token transfer, network transfer, etc.

When implemented in software, the methods described in this document can be implemented using modules (for example, procedures, functions, etc.) that perform the functions described in this document. Program codes can be stored in memory and executed by processors. The storage device can be implemented in the processor or externally with respect to the processor, and in the second case, it can be functionally connected to the processor using various means known in the art.

Turning to FIG. 10, illustrated is a system 1000 that applies bias values associated with cell reselection in wireless networks. System 1000 may reside, for example, in a base station, femtocell, mobile device, etc. As illustrated, system 1000 includes function blocks that may represent functions implemented by a processor, software, or a combination thereof (eg, firmware). System 1000 includes a logical grouping 1002 of electrical components that work together. Logical grouping 1002 may include means for receiving a service from a first access point 1004. For example, a service may relate to communication with various devices in a wireless network, as described. In addition, logical grouping 1002 may include means for determining the type and signal level of the second access point 1006. This may be part of a cell reselection process, as described, in which surrounding sectors and / or associated access points are evaluated to determine whether or not cell reselection results in improved network access. Additionally, logical grouping 1002 may include means for applying the bias to the signal level of the second access point for reselection from the first access point, the bias being selected at least partially based on the type of the second access point 1008. As described, the bias may be preferred for the second access point, for example, if the access point is preferred and / or with limited association. Thus, the use of bias can positively influence measurements in order to expand the coverage of the second access point. In another example, a negative bias can likewise be applied to reduce cell reselection to the second access point, for example, if the access point is not preferred. Additionally, system 1000 may include a storage device 1010 that stores instructions for performing functions associated with electrical components 1004, 1006, and 1008. Although they are shown as external to storage device 1010, it should be understood that electrical components 1004, 1006, and 1008 may exist within the storage device 1010.

What is described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. Of course, it is impossible to describe every possible combination of components or methods in order to describe the above embodiments, but those skilled in the art may recognize that many additional combinations and permutations of the various embodiments are permissible. Therefore, the described embodiments are intended to cover all such transformations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Moreover, within the framework of how the term “includes” is used in the detailed description or in the claims, this term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “contains”, how “contains” is interpreted when used as a transition word in the claims. Additionally, although elements of the described aspects and / or embodiments may be described or formulated in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or part of any aspect and / or embodiment may be used with all or part of any other aspect and / or embodiment, unless stated otherwise.

The various illustrative logic elements, blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or implemented using a general purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), custom integrated circuit (ASIC), user-programmable valve matrix (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete logic element or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of the above Achen designed to perform the herein described functions. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors together with a DSP core, or any other similar configuration. Additionally, at least one processor may comprise one or more modules configured to perform one or more of the steps and / or actions described above.

Additionally, the steps and / or actions of a method or algorithm described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination thereof. A program module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, in registers, on a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art technicians. A typical storage medium may be coupled to a processor, wherein the processor can read information and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integrated in the processor. Additionally, in some aspects, the processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal. Additionally, in some aspects, the steps and / or actions of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and / or instructions on a computer-readable medium and / or computer-readable medium that may be included in a computer program product.

In one or more aspects, the described functions may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of the above. Functions, if implemented in software, may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and a communication medium that includes any transmission medium that facilitates moving a computer program from one place to another. The media can be any available media that can be accessed through a computer. By way of example, but not limitation, these computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage device, magnetic disk storage device or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used in order to transfer or save the required program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and which can be accessed by computer. Also, any connection may be referred to as a computer readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a Web site, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio transmission, and microwave media, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair cable, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio transmission, and microwave media are included in the definition of media. A disc and a disc, as used herein, include a compact disc (CD), a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk and a Blu-ray disc, and discs (disk ) typically reproduce data magnetically, while discs typically reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included in the number of computer-readable media.

Claims (28)

1. A method for reselecting a cell in a wireless communication network, comprising the steps of:
receiving a wireless service from a first access point;
determining the type and signal level of the second access point, wherein the type of the second access point relates to whether the second access point is included in the supported list of preferred access points;
verify the association of the second access point with the list;
and
applying an offset to the signal level of the second access point when ranking the second access point to reselect the cell from the first access point, the offset being selected at least partially based on the type of the second access point. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second access point is included in a supported list of preferred access points, and the offset is a positive number. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a hysteresis value to the signal level of the first access point, at least in part based on the type of the first access point. 4. The method according to claim 3, in which the type of the first access point relates to whether or not the first access point is included in the supported list of preferred access points. 5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of taking a hysteresis value from a first access point, a second access point, and / or a previous access point visited. 6. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of reselecting the cell to the second access point when the signal level of the second access point modified by the offset is outside the signal level of the first access point modified by the hysteresis value. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the cell reselection is performed while in a communication standby mode with respect to a wireless communication network. 8. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of reselecting the cell to the third access point when the signal level of the second access point modified by the offset is outside the signal level of the first access point modified by the hysteresis value. 9. The method of claim 8, in which the third access point is in a frequency band different from the second access point. 10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of taking an offset from the first access point, the second access point and / or the previously visited access point. 11. The method according to claim 1, in which a certain type of second access point includes a femtocell or macrocell. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the specific type of the second access point includes whether the second access point implements limited or unlimited association. 13. The method according to claim 1, in which the signal level of the second access point is determined by detuning from the first access point. 14. A wireless communication device, comprising:
at least one processor configured to:
receive a wireless service from a first access point;
determine the type and level of signal for each of the first access point and the second access point, and the type of the second access point relates to whether the second access point is included in the supported list of preferred access points;
verify the association of the second access point with the list;
apply an offset to the signal level of the second access point when ranking the second access point to reselect the cell from the first access point, the offset being applied at least partially based on the type of the second access point; and
apply hysteresis to the signal level of the first access point when ranking the second access point for re-selection from the first access point, the hysteresis being selected at least partially based on the type of the first access point; and
a storage device connected to at least one processor. 15. A wireless communication device that facilitates performing cell reselection to one or more access points, comprising:
means for receiving services from the first access point;
means for determining the type and signal level of the second access point, wherein the type of the second access point relates to whether the second access point is included in the supported list of preferred access points; means for verifying the association of the second access point with the list;
and
means for applying bias to the signal level of the second access point when ranking the second access point to reselect the cell from the first access point, the bias being applied at least partially based on the type of the second access point. 16. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions to cause a computer to execute a method for reselecting a cell in a wireless communication network, comprising the steps of:
receiving a wireless service from a first access point;
determining the type and signal level of the second access point, wherein the type of the second access point relates to whether the second access point is included in the supported list of preferred access points;
verify the association of the second access point with the list;
applying an offset to the signal level of the second access point when ranking the second access point to reselect the cell from the first access point, the offset being selected at least partially based on the type of the second access point. 17. An apparatus for reselecting a cell in a wireless communication network, comprising:
a sector parameter meter that measures the signal level of one or more surrounding access points;
an access list controller that determines the type of one or more surrounding access points, at least in part based on the presence of one or more surrounding access points in a supported list of preferred access points and / or related groups, and verifies the association of one or more surrounding access points with a list;
an access point offset specifier that applies the offset to the signal level of one or more surrounding access points, at least in part based on its type; and
a cell reselection module that communicates with one or more surrounding access points, at least in part, by ranking the signal strength with an applied offset from the current access point. 18. The device according to 17, in which one or more surrounding access points are included in the supported list of preferred access points, and the offset is a positive number. 19. The device according to 17, further comprising an access point hysteresis specifier that applies the hysteresis value to the signal level of the current access point, at least in part based on the type of the current access point. 20. The device according to claim 19, in which the type of the current access point relates to whether or not the current access point is included in the supported list of preferred access points and / or related groups. 21. The device according to claim 19, in which the hysteresis specifier of the access point receives a hysteresis value from the current access point, one or more surrounding access points and / or the previous visited access point. 22. The device according to 17, in which the bias specifier of the access point receives the offset from the current access point, one or more surrounding access points and / or the previous visited access point. 23. The device according to 17, in which the module re-selection of cells establishes a connection with one or more surrounding access points when in idle mode relative to the current access point. 24. The device according to 17, in which the module re-selection of cells establishes a connection with another access point if the establishment of communication is prohibited by one or more surrounding access points. 25. The device according to paragraph 24, in which the other access point is in a frequency band different from one or more surrounding access points. 26. The device according to p, in which the type of one or more surrounding access points includes a femtocell or macrocell. 27. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the type of one or more surrounding access points includes one or more surrounding access points of limited or unlimited association. 28. The device according to 17, in which the signal level of one or more surrounding access points is determined by detuning from the current access point.

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