WO2011031504A2 - Techniques and systems for implementing macro and femto idle and paging support in wireless networks - Google Patents

Abstract

Techniques and systems for wireless communications that provide idle and paging mechanisms.

Description

TECHNIQUES AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPLEMENTING MACRO AND FEMTO IDLE AND PAGING SUPPORT IN WIRELESS NETWORKS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent document claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No.

61/236,854 entitled "Techniques and Systems for Implementing Macro and Femto Idle and Paging Support in Wireless Networks" and filed August 25, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as part of this document.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This patent document relates to wireless communication systems.

[0003] Wireless communication systems can include a network of one or more base stations to communicate with one or more wireless devices such as a mobile device, cell phone, wireless air card, mobile station (MS), user equipment (UE), access terminal (AT), or subscriber station (SS). A base station emits radio signals that carry data such as voice data and other data content to wireless devices. Such a base stations can be referred to as an access point (AP) and can be included as part of an access network (AN) for one or more wireless devices. A wireless communication system can include one or more access networks to control one or more base stations.

[0004] Radio coverage of the base stations can be limited under certain circumstances.

For example, indoor areas and certain areas between tall buildings may not have good radio coverage by the base stations. An extension base station can be implemented to extend the coverage of the base stations and such an extension base station is often referred to as a femtocell base station (FBS) or Femto Access Point (FAP). A FAP is used to provide radio coverage for a femto cell by wirelessly transmitting radio signals to mobile stations or subscriber stations located in the femto cell based on a wireless air link standard. The FAP can adopt the home or offices' wired broadband connection, like ADSL or cable modem or on-premise fiber link, as backhaul to connect to the wireless core network. When a mobile station enters the coverage of a FAP, the mobile station could switch its connection from a regular base station serving a macro cell to the FAP and continues its wireless service connectivity via the FAP. [0005] One example of wireless communication systems for implementing the above design is wireless networks based on WiMAX (wireless interoperability for microwave access) technology based on IEEE 802.16 standards (e.g., IEEE 802.16e). Wireless communication systems such as one based on WiMAX can include one or more Access Service Network (ASN) for wireless device communications. A wireless communication system can include a base station configured as a WiMAX Femto Access Point (WFAP). The system can include one or more ASN Gateway (GW) units to control the base stations. The system can include one or more Connectivity Service Networks (CSNs) for WiMAX communications.

SUMMARY

[0006] This patent document provides techniques and systems for wireless

communications that provide idle and paging mechanisms.

[0007] In one aspect, a method is provided for supporting idle and paging in a wireless communication system. This method includes providing a first access service network (ASN) of first base stations to provide wireless communication services with one or more mobile stations, each first base station configured to provide radio coverage over a first cell area; providing a second access service network (ASN) of second base stations to provide wireless communication services with the one or more mobile stations and to extend coverage of the wireless

communication services of the first ASN, each second base station configured to provide radio coverage over a second cell area that is less than the first cell area; assigning the first base stations and second femto base stations to paging groups for paging mobile stations in an idle mode, wherein each paging group includes one or more selected members of the first base stations and/or second base stations; operating an anchor paging controller in the first ASN or the second ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more first and/or second base stations that belong to a paging group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached; operating an anchor paging controller in the first ASN or the second ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more first base stations or second base stations that belong to a paging group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached; and operating the anchor paging controller not to send the paging announcement message for the targeted mobile station to a first base station or a second base station that is not in the paging group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached. In some implementations, the first ASN can be a WiMAX communication network and the second ASN can be a WiMAX femto network.

[0008] In another aspect, a method is provided for supporting idle and paging in a communication system and includes providing an access service network (ASN) of base stations based on wireless interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) technology to provide wireless communication services with one or more mobile stations; providing a WiMAX femto service network (femto ASN) of WiMAX femto base stations to provide wireless communication services with the one or more mobile stations and to extend coverage of the wireless

communication services of the WiMAX ASN; assigning the WiMAX base stations and WiMAX femto base stations to closed subscriber groups as paging groups for paging mobile stations in an idle mode, where each closed subscriber group includes one or more selected members of the WiMAX base stations and/or WiMAX femto base stations; operating an anchor paging controller in the WiMAX ASN or the WiMAX femto ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more WiMAX base stations that belong to a closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and most recently attached; operating an anchor paging controller in the WiMAX ASN or the WiMAX femto ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more WiMAX base stations or WiMAX femto base stations that belong to a closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and most recently attached; and operating the anchor paging controller not to send the paging announcement message for the targeted mobile station to a WiMAX femto base station or a WiMAX base station that is not in the closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and most recently attached.

[0009] In yet another aspect, a wireless communication system is provided for supporting idle and paging in wireless communications based on wireless interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) technology. This system includes an access service network (ASN) of base stations based on WiMAX to provide wireless communication services with one or more mobile stations; a WiMAX femto service network (femto ASN) of WiMAX femto base stations to provide wireless communication services with the one or more mobile stations and to extend coverage of the wireless communication services of the WiMAX ASN, wherein the WiMAX base stations and WiMAX femto base stations are assigned to closed subscriber groups as paging groups for paging mobile stations in an idle mode and each closed subscriber group includes one or more selected members of the WiMAX base stations and/or WiMAX femto base stations; a mechanism that operates an anchor paging controller in the WiMAX ASN or the WiMAX femto ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more WiMAX base stations that belong to a closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached; a mechanism that operates an anchor paging controller in the WiMAX ASN or the WiMAX femto ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more WiMAX base stations or WiMAX femto base stations that belong to a closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached; and a mechanism that operates the anchor paging controller not to send the paging announcement message for the targeted mobile station to a WiMAX femto base station or a WiMAX base station that is not in the closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached.

[0010] These and other aspects are described in detail in the drawings, the description and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1A shows an example of a wireless femto cell communication system.

[0012] FIG. IB shows an example of a wireless communication system having both macro and femto cells.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows an example of a radio transceiver station architecture for a wireless communication device or a base station in FIGS. 1A and IB.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows an example of a network reference model for implementing the wireless communication system having both macro and femto cells.

[0015] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] FIG. 1A shows an example of a wireless femto communication system. This wireless femto communication system can include one or more femto base stations 105 (e.g., BS 105), one or more wireless devices 110 (e.g., a mobile station MS 110), a Security Gateway 115, Femto Gateway 120, a server such as a Femto-AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting) 125, and a server such as a Home AAA 130. A MS 110 can be associated with a home AAA 130. A femto base station 105 can transmit a signal on a forward link (FL), called a downlink signal, to one or more wireless devices 110. A wireless device 110 can transmit a signal on a reverse link (RL), called an uplink signal, to one or more femto base stations 105 or one or more other base stations. In some implementations, a femto base station 105 can include a WiMAX Femto Access Point (WFAP). In some implementations, a wireless communication system can include different networks such as a Access Service Network (ASN) and a Connectivity Service Network (CSN).

[0017] One or more wireless femto base stations 105 can be used as extension base stations to extend the radio coverage of deployed base stations of an existing wireless communication system as illustrated in a wireless communication system in FIG. IB. One or more deployed base stations 140 are located to provide radio cells known as macro cells, microcells, or picocells depending on sizes of the cells of the deployed base stations 140. In the examples provided below, each base station 140 is referred to as a macro base station and its associated radio coverage cell is referred to as a macro cell. In FIG. IB, a FAP 105 is shown to be deployed to extend the radio coverage of the lower macro base station 140. When a mobile station 110 initially served by the lower macro base station 140 enters the coverage of the FAP 105, the mobile station 110 switches its connection from the macro base station 140 to the FAP 105 and continues its wireless service connectivity via the FAP 105. The system can include one or more core network components 150 to provide wireless services via the base stations 105 and 140. Various wireless communication technologies can be implemented in FIG. 1, such as Code division Multiple Access (CDMA) such as CDMA2000 lx, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), evolved HRPD (eHRPD), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) based on an IEEE 802.16 standard.

[0018] The wireless communication device 110 in FIG. IB is also known as a wireless subscriber station (SS) or mobile station (MS) and is capable of wirelessly communicating with the base station 140 or the WFAP 105 and may be implemented as a mobile or fixed device which may be relocated within the system. Examples of a stationary wireless device may include desktop computers and computer servers. Examples of a mobile wireless device may include mobile wireless phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), mobile computers and other mobile computing devices.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows an example of a radio transceiver station architecture for a wireless communication device 110 or a base station 105 or 140 in FIGS. 1A and IB. The radio station 205 in this example includes processor electronics 210 such as a microprocessor that implements methods such as one or more of the wireless communication techniques presented in this document. The radio station 205 includes transceiver electronics 215 to send and/or receive wireless signals over one or more communication interfaces such as an antenna 220. The radio station 205 can include other communication interfaces for transmitting and receiving signaling and data. The radio station 205 can include one or more memories configured to store information such as data and/or instructions.

[0020] FIG. 1 is an example of a wireless system with two different types of base stations to provide different cell coverage operations for supporting idle and paging functions. A method for achieving this can include providing a first access service network (ASN) of first base stations to provide wireless communication services with one or more mobile stations, each first base station configured to provide radio coverage over a first cell area; providing a second access service network (ASN) of second base stations to provide wireless communication services with the one or more mobile stations and to extend coverage of the wireless communication services of the first ASN, each second base station configured to provide radio coverage over a second cell area that is less than the first cell area; assigning the first base stations and second femto base stations to paging groups for paging mobile stations in an idle mode, wherein each paging group includes one or more selected members of the first base stations and/or second base stations; operating an anchor paging controller in the first ASN or the second ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more first and/or second base stations that belong to a paging group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached; operating an anchor paging controller in the first ASN or the second ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more first base stations or second base stations that belong to a paging group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached; and operating the anchor paging controller not to send the paging announcement message for the targeted mobile station to a first base station or a second base station that is not in the paging group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached. In some implementations, the first ASN can be a WiMAX communication network and the second ASN can be a WiMAX femto network.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows an example of a WiMAX implementation of the wireless communication system in FIG. IB based on the WiMAX technology that provides the above idle and paging functions. In this example, the system includes one or more macro radio access service networks (ASNs) 310, a Connectivity Serving Network (CSN) 320 with an AAA module 322 for authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) functions and a home agent (HA) module 324 for user registration functions for WiMAX communications, and one or more femto radio access service networks (Femto ASNs) 330. A femto network service provider (NSP) module 340 is provided to manage or control the femto ASN 330.

[0022] The ASN 310 includes one or more base stations (BSs) 312 or base transceiver stations (BSTs) that are spatially distributed in a service area to provide the radio access and an ASN-Gateway (GW) 314 to control the BS 312 and to manage the communications of the ASN 310 with the CSN 320 and the femto ASN 330. The femto ASN 330 includes one or more WFAPs 332, one or more security gateways (SeGWs) 334 that safeguards the WFAP access by the WFAP 332, and a femto gateway (Femto-GW) 336 that manages communications of the femto ASN 330 with ASN 310 and the CSN 320.

[0023] In FIG. 3, the femto NSP 340 is provided to manage the femto ASN 330 and is responsible for the operation, authentication and management of the WFAP 332. The femto NSP 340 includes a femto-AAA module 342 to perform the authentication and accounting of the WFAP 332. A WFAP management server 344 can be implemented as part the femto NSP 340 to provide operation and maintenance (O&M) features of the WFAP 332 based on a standard such as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), TR069 or DOCSIS.

[0024] Entities in a wireless communication system such as MS, ASN, and CSN can represent a grouping of functional entities. Each of these functions may be realized in a single physical functional entity or may be distributed over multiple physical functional entities. The grouping and distribution of functions into physical devices within the ASN is an

implementation choice. In some implementations, a logical representation of a WiMAX network architecture is based on a Network Reference Model (NRM) that identifies functional entities and reference points over which interoperability is achieved between functional entities. The intent of the NRM is to allow multiple implementation options for a given functional entity, and yet achieve interoperability among different realizations of functional entities. Interoperability is based on the definition of communication protocols and data plane treatment between functional entities to achieve an overall end-to-end function, for example, security or mobility management. A reference point (RP) is a conceptual link that connects two groups of functions that reside in different functional entities of an ASN, CSN, or MS and thus RP is not necessarily a physical interface. A reference point becomes a physical interface when the functional entities on either side of the RP are contained in different physical entities. The functional entities on either side of RP represent a collection of control and Bearer Plane end-points. In this setting,

interoperability will be verified based only on protocols exposed across an RP, which would depend on the end-to-end function or capability realized (based on the usage scenarios supported by the overall network). A wireless system can include multiple RPs such as those described below.

[0025] Some implementations can include one or more of the following Reference

Points. Reference Point Rl includes the protocols and procedures between MS and ASN as per the air interface (PHY and MAC) specifications (e.g., IEEE P802.16e-2005, IEEE P802.16-2004 and IEEE 802.16g). Reference point Rl may include additional protocols related to the management plane. Reference Point R2 includes protocols and procedures between the MS and CSN associated with Authentication, Services Authorization and IP Host Configuration management. The authentication part of reference point R2 runs between the MS and the CSN operated by the home NSP, however the ASN and CSN operated by the visited NSP may partially process the aforementioned procedures and mechanisms. Reference Point R2 might support IP Host Configuration Management running between the MS and the CSN (operated by either the home NSP or the visited NSP). Reference Point R3 includes the set of Control Plane protocols between the ASN and the CSN to support AAA, policy enforcement and mobility management capabilities. It also encompasses the Bearer Plane methods (e.g., tunneling) to transfer user data between the ASN and the CSN. Reference Point R4 includes a set of Control and Bearer Plane protocols originating/terminating in various functional entities of an ASN that coordinate MS mobility between ASNs and ASN-GWs. R4 is an interoperable RP between similar or heterogeneous ASNs. Reference Point R5 includes the set of Control Plane and Bearer Plane protocols for internetworking between the CSN operated by the home NSP and that operated by a visited NSP. Reference point R6 includes the set of control and Bearer Plane protocols for communication between the BS and the ASN-GW. The Bearer Plane can include an intra- ASN datapath between the BS and ASN gateway. The Control Plane includes protocols for datapath establishment, modification, and release control in accordance with the MS mobility events. Reference Point R8 can include protocols and primitives.

[0026] Types of operators associated with a wireless communication system can include a Network Access Provider (NAP), Network Service Provider (NSP), and Femto-NSP. The NAP, NSP and the Femto-NSP can belong to different operators and also can belong to the same operator depending on the deployment needs or arrangements. NAP runs the ASNs. A Single NAP can have both ASNs which don't support WiMAX femto and ASNs (Femto-ASN) which support WiMAX femto. NSP operates the CSN (for MS) which contain MS's AAA, HA, etc. Femto-NSP operates the CSN (Femto-CSN) for Femto. It is a CSN supporting the WiMAX Femto, containing Femto-AAA, etc.

[0027] A wireless communication system can include a Security Gateway (SGW or

SeGW). A SGW can be part of the Femto-NSP system component/function and can belong to the same operator as the WFAP, e.g., the SGW belongs to the Femto-NSP. Rs reference point is used between the WFAP and the SGW. A Security tunnel (e.g. IPSec) can be established in Rs between the WFAP and the SGW to provide backhaul security. R3 or R3+ reference point is used between the SGW and the Femto-AAA. SGW can be co-located with the Femto-GW and can be a standalone entity. In case the SGW is not co-located with the Femto-GW, then a new open/closed interface between them MAY be required. Some implementations can terminate IPsec Tunneling for a WFAP. Some implementations can filter out unauthorized traffic on the links between the Security Gateway and the WFAP. Some implementations can provide access control of WFAP to the Network. Some implementations can inspect data packets from FAP over R6f to verify the correct source ID. Some implementations can encrypt the data between FAP and SeGW and can provide integrity protection.

[0028] A wireless communication system can include a Femto-GW. A Femto-GW can reside in the ASN (Femto-ASN). It is a separate GW in the NRM for the support of WiMAX Femto. Femto GW can have the same set of functionalities which are provided by macro GW and additional functionalities which are defined for femto- specific operation. A wireless communication system can include a Femto-AAA. A femto-AAA, belonging to the Femto-NSP, can reside in CSN (Femto-CSN) which is operated by a Femto-NSP. R5 reference point is used between the Femto- AAA and the AAA (which is for MS). The Femto- AAA and the AAA (which is for MS) can be a same device. A femto-AAA can provide authentication and authorization of the WFAP.

[0029] Reference Point Rl can include protocols and procedures between MS and ASN per the air interface (PHY and MAC) specifications (e.g., IEEE P802.16e-2005, IEEE P802.16- 2004).

[0030] The Reference Point R3 can include Control Plane protocols and Bearer Plane protocols to support AAA and also to transfer of user data between the ASN and the CSN. AAA is responsible for subscriber authentication and charging.

[0031] The Reference Point R4 can include Control Plane protocols and Bearer Plane protocols originating/terminating in various functions entities of an ASN that coordinates MS mobility between different ASNs and Femto-GW as well as between Femto-GWs. The Femto- GW may also be connected to Macro ASN-GW through R4 if the interoperability with Macro network is required. R4/R4+ reference point is used between the Femto-GWs, and R4 reference point is used between a Femto-GW and a ASN-GW.

[0032] The Reference Point R6F can include Control Plane and Bearer Plane for communication between the WFAP and the Femto-GW. Reference Point R6F can support Femto specific features and the existing features of R6. All control and bearer plane traffic over the Reference Point R6-F will be sent through an IPsec tunnel between the FAP and the SeGW.

[0033] The Reference Point R3+ can include Control Plane and Management Plane protocols to support the management, authorization and authentication of the WFAP between WFAP and other entities in Femto NSP, such as Femto-AAA can be added in R3+.

[0034] The Reference Point Rs can include protocols for establishing IPsec tunnel using

IKEv2 mechanisms between FAP and SeGW. Reference Point Rs can be used to transmit R6F control and bearer traffic between FAP and Femto-GW.

[0035] The Reference Point R5 can be used between the Femto-NSP's CSN (which contains the Femto-AAA) and the CSN. Reference Point R5 can be used for communication between the Femto-AAA and the AAA.

[0036] In the system in FIG. 3, the MS can be in an idle mode in which the MS receives downlink broadcast service messages in a certain period interval and the MS does not register with base stations in cell areas where the MS roams. The idle mode allows the MS to roam to different cells without performing normal operation processes such as handover, so the idle mode allows savings in the power consumption by the MS and in air interface resources. The areas covered by base stations can form a paging group where a MS is in the idle mode and does not need to send uplink services. The MS in the idle mode can operate to determine presence of downlink services sent to the MS by a downlink paging channel. The paging group can be sufficiently large so that most MS members in the paging group can remain in the same paging group over a time period while the paging group can be sufficiently small to make sure the overhead of paging the MS members within the paging group is reasonable. A paging controller (PC) is a network entity that controls activities of MSs in the idle mode and may be implemented in various ways, e.g., as part of the access service network gateway (ASN GW) of the WiMAX network or femto network. As a specific example, the macro ASN GW can be configured to include the macro PC function and the femto ASN GW can be configured to include the femto PC function.

[0037] Femto and macro PCs are implemented in the exemplary systems described in this document. In operation, the PC in the femto or macro network sends a paging message based on the paging group in which the MS is located. A location register (LR) corresponding to a respective PC is provided to store the MS status, paging information, and other information and can be within the same equipment such as the respective ASN GW.

[0038] The characteristics of the home-area and office-area cells differ substantially from the expected characteristics of mobile terminals in the macro-cellular network. For at least this reason, simply assigning cells to paging groups may become ineffective. Specifically, the following methods of assigning cells to paging can be reconsidered with Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) support.

[0039] Assignment of adjacent cells to a paging group can be performed. Accessible

Femtocell(s) for a given MS tend to be scattered and may not provide access to the same set of users. Therefore, grouping Femtocells in general vicinity of each other into a paging group may not be effective because paging a user in the non-accessible Femtocell where the user cannot be reached can be a waste of both backhaul and over-the air resources. Similar wasteful situation occurs when Femtocells are grouped in a paging group with macro-cells in the same vicinity. In addition, it would also be a waste of over-the air and backhaul resources of the macro-cells to be paged there if the user is currently located in a Femtocell because the user may be expected to stay within the coverage area of the Femtocell for an extended period of time.

[0040] In some circumstances, the CSG generally admits only a small subset of users.

Therefore, including CSG subscribers with non-CSG and macro-cells subscribers in the same paging group can be inefficient because this can lead to receiving pages for many users that cannot be reached via the Femtocell.

[0041] The CSG Femtocell includes a Femtocell that allows access to the femtocell only to subscribers that are assigned to the CSG. Hence, Open Subscriber Group (OSG) Femtocell is referred to as the Femtocell which may have the CSG configured for a group of subscribers, but also allow the public access (similar to the macro cell public access) to the Femtocell. For the OSG Femtocell that supports CSG, the Femtocell will have minimum of two different paging groups, one for the subscribers assigned to the CSG and one for the public access subscribers similar to the macrocell.

[0042] Similarly, including subscribers from the Femtocell in the same paging group with other subscribers from their corresponding CSG Femtocells is generally inefficient because they generally support different groups of subscribers and so the CSG Femtocell will receive pages for subscribers that cannot be reached through that given Femtocell.

[0043] A preamble alone can be used to differentiate between the non-accessible

Femtocell and the accessible Femto/Macro Cell, and to identify the appropriate Femtocell or Macro Cell for the MS to perform the location update (LU) or to respond to paging. This approach is not practical because there are only a small limited number of "fixed" preambles to be used in Mobility WiMAX Rel-1.0 and Rel-1.5. The mapping between the Cell ID and the Preamble Index could be replicated across different geographical locations and different WiMAX access operators, not to mention the additional complexity to plan in advance and to coordinate the assignment of those preambles between the Femtocells and the Macrocells.

[0044] Thus, the traditional techniques for assigning paging groups for Femtocells may not be implemented without enhancement for the existing WiMAX Paging/Idle modes support.

[0045] The Femtocell Paging/Idle modes as described in this specification support product solution based on the following major aspects: An efficient organization of Femtocells' subscribers can be implemented according to the subscribers' access privileges into paging groups. Paging overheads can be minimized for paging users who are currently served by Femtocells. A procedure for handling the MS effectively can be implemented to perform the location update (LU), to respond to the paging with the appropriate Femtocell or with the Macrocell and to exit from Idle mode with the appropriate Femtocell or with the Macrocell. Also, the solution can be based on the existing WiMAX Forum Mobility Profile Rel-1.0 and/or Rel-1.5 profiles.

[0046] Further, the techniques and systems described in this specification can be implemented to provide more efficient and advance features for the upcoming IEEE 802.16m specification.

[0047] Regarding the organization of CSG subscribers into paging groups, the subscribers can be assigned to one or more paging groups that are specifically designated to the CSG subscribers of Femtocells from the subscribers who are non-CSG subscribers to the OSG Femtocells or to the macrocells. Once the paging controller recognizes the designated paging groups which are assigned specific for CSG subscribers, a more intelligent paging operation which is specific to CSG subscriber will be executed. The basic general rule includes having the Paging Controller target to a specific femtocell that the subscriber is last known to be served, rather than a large group of BSs to be paged even though they belong to the same paging group.

[0048] To allow the CSG subscriber to identify the Femtocell that the CSG subscriber has the access privilege to, one or more preamble indices together with the corresponding cell- ids and the corresponding geographical location of the target femtocells can be pre-provisioned to the MS. Such pre-provisioning parameters can assist the MS to perform an intelligent scanning to select the appropriate Femtocell for LU, paging response or exiting the idle mode.

[0049] The techniques and systems described in this specification can include the following characteristics. The paging groups can be designated which are particularly for the subscribers belonged to the CSG. A subscriber can be associated with a Femtocell to which the CSG subscriber has access privilege. The subscriber can also be associated with the

corresponding designated paging groups. Paging can be performed to a user last known to be served by a given Femtocell. The MS can be supported to perform the LU, to respond to Paging and to exit from Idle Mode.

[0050] In addition, the techniques and systems as described in this specification can provide pre-condition information needed by the MS to perform the intelligent scanning to select the appropriate Femtocell to proceed with the LU, paging response and idle mode exit operation. The pre-condition information can include a set of one or more preamble indices together with corresponding cell-ids and corresponding geographical location of the target cells. Also, the precondition information can include other cell type specific information (i.e. OSG Femtocell, CSG Femtocell, Macrocell etc.). This information can be pre-provisioned to the MS via Over the Air (OTA) provisioning, manual provisioning or any other mean.

[0051] Assignment of CSG subscriber to Paging Group

[0052] For efficient paging in a wireless network towards CSG subscriber, the techniques and systems described in this specification can implement the following paging group assignment rules: CSG subscribers can be assigned to separate paging groups from the non-CSG subscribers who are served by the OSG or macro-cells. This allows the Paging Controller to apply a more intelligent paging mechanism to the specific Femtocell target. Also, the amount of extraneous paging in ASN can be reduced because these Femtocells generally only provide access to a very small subset of users.

[0053] Also, a subset of paging groups is set aside by the ASN that supports CSG subscribers. For example, CSG subscribers are divided into different paging groups according to geographic proximity.

[0054] Ideally, each CSG subscriber can be defined as a paging group on its own because a CSG subscriber is expected normally to stay within the coverage area of the CSG/OSG

Femtocell for extended periods of time. Also, when moving, each CSG subscriber will typically migrate directly between the Femtocell and the Macrocell. However, this is not a practical solution due to the potentially large number of CSG subscribers that may exist in the ASN, which would result in excessive amount of paging groups.

[0055] Therefore, if the Location Based Services (LBS) is supported in the network, the techniques and systems described in this specification can be used to implement an additional paging localization technique employed with CSG subscribers such that efficient paging can take place even if different CSG subscribers within the ASN are grouped into a single paging group. An example of this paging localization technique is described below.

[0056] To provide further reduction in extraneous paging, the CSG subscribers are defined for the paging group via geographic proximity with some reasonable geographic boundary. One example of such a geographic boundary may be around a neighborhood or adjoining neighborhoods with sizeable open space around the perimeter. [0057] To support this geographic -based Femtocell paging group assignment, the geographic location of the Femtocell is presumed to be known by the ASN.

[0058] Associating CSG Subscribers to Paging Groups

[0059] Secure private information associated with each authorized user for a given CSG can be entered into a subscriber management database.

[0060] Due to the existing trust relationship between the administrative entity of the

Femtocells and the wireless network, whenever a new subscriber is granted access to the CSG by being provisioned with access privileges, this information that associates permission for access to the specific Femtocell is made known to the ASN once the subscriber is attached to the ASN, and the ASN will be updated periodically if there is new update while the subscriber is still attaching to the ASN. The information that associates permission for access to the specific Femtocell can be identified by an agreed-to cell identifier and/or by a specific subscriber as identified by an agreed-to user identifier (which may be the identifier of a device associated with the subscriber).

[0061] Using this information, the ASN is able to maintain a list of Femtocells that a particular subscriber has been granted access to and to which paging group each of these CSG Femtocells belong.

[0062] Any new such CSG access privilege entries for each Femtocell are incorporated into the user's subscriber operational information. This type of information is maintained as part of the subscriber profile information at the Femtocell Access Configuration Server (ACS) function distributed across the Femtocells that are associated with the user. From ACS, the full set of Femtocell CSG access control list information (along with other necessary configuration and operational information associated with the user) come into effect each time the subscriber is successfully authenticated for service in one or more CSG/OSG Femtocells.

[0063] If this Femtocell CSG access control list is empty, it indicates that the subscriber has not been assigned to any Femtocell. If the list is non-empty, then logically, the subscriber has a list of entries containing the following information in each entry in its operational data:

• Femto Cell ID

o Paging Group ID

where Femto Cell ID identifies the Femtocell and Paging Group ID identifies the paging group to which the CSG subscriber has been assigned for the given Femtocell. [0064] Paging Procedure for CSG subscriber

[0065] Example procedures are described regarding the assignment of the Femtocell subscriber to the appropriate paging group corresponding to the CSG assignment to the subscriber, and also the procedures regarding the paging of the CSG subscriber who is in an idle state when there is an incoming call or data targeted for the given CSG subscriber.

[0066] The non-CSG subscriber at the OSG Femtocell and the Macrocell are assigned to different paging groups than the CSG subscriber. There are two basic scenarios by which the subscriber is assigned to the specific paging group. The MS reference used below is one-to-one corresponding to a particular CSG subscriber.

[0067] In one scenario, the MS enters an Idle Mode after the MS has already been authorized for and is being served by a CSG/OSG Femtocell. In such scenario, the network assigns the MS to the paging group that corresponds to the CSG assigned to the MS as the MS enters Idle Mode operation. Subsequently, the incoming bearer path with destination routing that targets the MS, is associated with this specific CSG Femtocell paging group.

[0068] In another scenario, the MS has already been in an Idle Mode when the MS arrives at the cell coverage of the Femtocell to which the MS has the access privilege. In such scenario, the following describes the precursor steps that would typically occur when an MS in an idle state moves from the Macrocell or from the OSG Femtocell that the MS is served. An MS is in an idle state and is currently being served by a Macrocell or by a OSG Femtocell. The MS moves within the coverage area of its associated CSG Femtocell to which the MS has been given access privileges, and the MS's cell selection algorithm determines that the target

Femtocell should become the serving cell. The MS begins reading the system parameters being broadcast by the target Femtocell and finds out its CSG access privilege with the target

Femtocell, and so the MS performs a location update to the network and identifies the need for a change of paging group. The CSG Femtocell, recognizing that the MS access privilege, allows the location update to proceed. Otherwise, it proceeds with the additional procedures that are described in the next section for more details - i.e. Procedures for Location Update (LU), Paging Response and Idle Mode Exit. Recognizing that the MS is part of the CSG of this new target Femtocell, the network provides the ID of the CSG specific paging group to the MS as its new active paging group (e.g. this can be done as part of the acknowledgement to complete the location update signaling procedure to the MS). Subsequently, the incoming bearer path, of which the destination routing target is the MS, is associated with this specific Femtocell' s paging group. The MS is remained in an idle state and from the network's perspective, the MS's last known location is the Femtocell through which it experienced a change of paging groups.

[0069] When the network receives an incoming call or data for the MS, the following procedure can take place to page the MS at the corresponding Femtocell: As the incoming bearer path for the MS has been associated with the paging group of the CSG for the last serving Femtocell, the Paging Control Function in the network retrieves the list of Femtocells within this paging group to which the user has access privileges and belongs to the same geographical region, and the ID of the Femtocell through which the MS has performed its last location update from the operational data maintained with respect to the MS. The Paging Control Function generates a page to the Femtocell(s) which allow the MS's access privilege, and belong to the special paging group that the MS last performed a location update. Because the user is expected to stay within its CSG Femtocell for an extended period of time, there is a high likelihood that the page will succeed by just paging the MS's CSG Femtocell(s).

[0070] On successfully getting a response to the page, such as via the initiation of exit from idle state procedure by the MS, normal procedures follow to activate the MS from idle state. On failure, the Paging Control Function generates pages to each of the Femtocells assigned with the same paging group (i.e. the Femtocells are within the same geographical region) and the MS has access privileges. Note that, pages are not sent to each CSG capable Femtocell in this paging group but only those to which the user has access privileges). On successfully getting a response to the page (such as via the initiation of exit from idle state procedure by the MS), normal procedures follow to activate the MS from idle state. On failure, the Paging Control Function retries a configurable number of retries within this same set of Femtocells in this paging group before attempting paging on a wider scope, such as to the public accessible to OSG Femtocell and macro-cells that covers the same and neighboring geographic areas as the paging group assigned for the CSG. On successfully getting a response to the page (such as via the initiation of exit from idle state procedure by the MS), normal procedures follow to activate the MS from idle state. On failure of paging, the paging procedure is deemed to have failed and the MS may be considered dis-engaged from the wireless network (such as by being powered off).

[0071] Procedures for Location Update (LU), Paging Response and Idle Mode Exit [0072] When the MS performs the LU, responds to paging or exits from idle mode, if there is no nearby Femtocell that the MS has the access privilege, the fundamental guiding principle is for the MS to select the macro cell or the OSG capable Femtocell.

[0073] However, there is no guarantee that the MS can distinguish the other CSG

Femtocell that the MS has no access privilege from the Macrocell or OSG Femtocell. If the MS selects a target Femtocell (e.g. via the airlink message Ranging Request - RNG-REQ) that the MS has no access privilege, the target Femtocell shall re-direct the MS to one or more closed by Macro Cells or OSG Femtocell by including the list of preamble indices of the Macro Cells or OSG Femtocell in the airlink message of the Ranging Response - i.e. RNQ_RSP.

[0074] By performing the redirection from the non-accessible target Femtocell to the accessible Macro Cell or OSG Femtocell, the MS can proceed with the desired operation as soon as possible while minimizing the airlink overhead to trial for another target cell which may also fail. In addition, the redirection can also allow the possibility to apply the load balancing to distribute the MSs across multiple Macro Cells or OSG Femtocells.

[0075] To enable the target non-accessible Femtocell to support such re-direction, each

CSG Femtocell can be pre-configured or auto-discovered or auto-configured with a list of neighbor Macro Cells or OSG Femtocells parameter - e.g. Preamble Index Override as specified IEEE 802.16 specification. This parameter specifies the Preamble Indices of new target BS(s) where the MS should redo ranging. If this parameter includes two or more Preamble Indices, the first one in the list is the most preferable and the second is the next preferable. When the parameter is used with Downlink frequency override parameter, the MS should redo ranging on the new Downlink (DL) channel identified by the Preamble Indices.

[0076] Note that, it is also possible to leverage the BS's cell type identification to indicate if the given BS is a macrocell or OSG Femtocell to allow a more simple identification by the MS to select the potential target BS.

[0077] Referring back to FIG. 3, various considerations can be taken into account in designing the idle and paging procedures for communications between the MS 110 and the macro base station 312 and the WFAP 332. The idle and paging procedures should comply with IEEE 802.16 WiMAX airlink specification and WiMAX Technical Working Group (TWG) profile. The NWG Rel-1.0 Idle/Paging Procedures can apply to the Femto Paging Support for intra- NAP and inter-NAP operations. The macro access network 310 is aware of its underlying WFAP neighbors (e.g., WFAP 332) and the femto system 330 is aware of its overlapping Macro BS neighbors (e.g., BS 312). The macro BS has the knowledge of Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) -configuration status of its neighboring WFAPs for its associated MS. The TDD timing is synchronized between Femto system via the femto ASN 330 and macro network via the macro ASN 310. The network can first send the Paging Announcement to the CSG-Closed WFAP to which the MS is the member and is most recently or previously attached. The femto system and its overlay macro network allow the same Paging Group (PG) assignment for MS.

[0078] The idle mode entry at the CSG- Closed WFAP that the MS is a member of can be implemented as follows. In general, the NWG Rel-1.0 Idle Mode Entry Procedures can apply to the Femto Paging Support for intra- NAP and inter- NAP operations. The MS that is the member of the CSG-Closed WFAP is assigned to the PG which is shared with its Macro BS neighbors and with other WFAP neighbors. In implementations, the anchor Paging Controller (PC) can be resided at the Macro network which manages the PG that also composes of respective WFAP neighbors of the Macro BS neighbors. The Anchor PC can also be resided at the Femto System which manages the PG that also composes of respective Macro BSs. The anchor PC can be configured to have the knowledge of MS's membership with the

corresponding CSG-Closed WFAP and to maintain such information in the MS' context in a respective Location Registry (LR) in MS.

[0079] Paging for the MS associated with CSG-Closed WFAP can be implemented as follows. In general, the NWG Rel-1.0 Paging Procedures can apply to the Femto Paging Support for intra-NAP and inter- NAP operations. Similar to the NWG Rel-1.0 implementation, the anchor PC can first send the Paging Announcement to the CSG-Closed WFAP to which the MS is a member and is most recently attached. The Anchor PC does not send paging announcement message to those CSG-Closed WFAPs which are not associated with the paged MS. The Anchor PC anchored to the Macro network can send paging announcement message to the target WFAPs in the Femto system over the secure tunnel between ASN-GW and Femto-GW. The Anchor PC anchored to the Femto system can send a paging announcement message to the target Macro BS over the secure tunnel between ASN-GW and Femto-GW.

[0080] In some implementations, when the target mobile station is not a member of a target closed subscribe group for a WiMAX femto base station or a WiMAX macro base station, operating the WiMAX femto base station or the WiMAX macro base station to re-direct the target mobile station to other WiMAX femto base stations or WiMAX macro base stations.

[0081] The location update (LU) procedure in the MS for the system in FIG. 3 can be implemented as follows. In general, the existing NWG Rel-1.0 LU (LocationUpdate) Procedures can apply to the Femto Paging Support for intra-NAP and inter-NAP operations. The MS performs the LU only on the CSG-Closed WFAP that the MS is a member of. However, if MS performs the LU on the CSG-Closed WFAP that the MS is not a member of, the LU is rejected and is not performed by the MS. Inter NAP LU communications between the macro ASN and femto ASN are supported over the secure tunnel between ASN-GW and Femto-GW. In this regard, the femto ASN 330 can communicate with an anchor PC in the macro network ASN 310 over the secure tunnel between ASN-GW and Femto-GW. In addition, the macro BS in the macro ASN 310 can communicate with a respective anchor PC in the femto system (e.g., on the Femto-GW) over the secure tunnel between ASN-GW and Femto-GW.

[0082] The procedure for an MS to exit the idle mode for the system in FIG. 3 can be implemented as follows. In general, the existing NWG Rel-1.0 Idle Mode Exit Procedures can apply to the Femto Paging Support for intra-NAP and inter-NAP operations. The MS is operated to perform idle mode exit only in a CSG-Closed WFAP to which it is a member. However, if the MS performs the Idle Mode Exit on the CSG-Closed WFAP that the MS is not a member of, the associated Idle Mode Exit can be rejected. Inter NAP communications for performing the IDLE Mode Exit are supported over a secure tunnel between ASN-GW and Femto-GW. In this regard, the femto ASN 330 can communicate with a respective anchor PC in the macro network over the secure tunnel between ASN-GW and Femto-GW. In addition, the macro BS can communicate with the respective anchor PC in the femto NAP (e.g., on the Femto-GW) over the secure tunnel between ASN-GW and Femto-GW.

[0083] The disclosed and other embodiments and the functional operations described in this document can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this document and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. The disclosed and other embodiments can be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a computer readable medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. The computer readable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, a machine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition of matter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combination of one or more them. The term "data processing apparatus" encompasses all apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. The apparatus can include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them. A propagated signal is an artificially generated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal, that is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus.

[0084] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a

communication network.

[0085] The processes and logic flows described in this document can be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[0086] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory or a random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need not have such devices.

Computer readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0087] While this document contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this document in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed

combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

[0088] Only a few examples and implementations are disclosed. Variations,

modifications, and enhancements to the described examples and implementations and other implementations can be made based on what is disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is what is described and illustrated, including:

1. A method for supporting idle and paging in a communication system, comprising:

providing an access service network (ASN) of base stations based on wireless

interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) technology to provide wireless communication services with one or more mobile stations;

providing a WiMAX femto service network (femto ASN) of WiMAX femto base stations to provide wireless communication services with the one or more mobile stations and to extend coverage of the wireless communication services of the WiMAX ASN;

assigning the WiMAX base stations and WiMAX femto base stations to closed subscriber groups as paging groups for paging mobile stations in an idle mode, where each closed subscriber group includes one or more selected members of the WiMAX base stations and/or WiMAX femto base stations;

operating an anchor paging controller in the WiMAX ASN or the WiMAX femto ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more WiMAX base stations that belong to a closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and most recently attached;

operating an anchor paging controller in the WiMAX ASN or the WiMAX femto ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more WiMAX base stations or WiMAX femto base stations that belong to a closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and most recently attached; and

operating the anchor paging controller not to send the paging announcement message for the targeted mobile station to a WiMAX femto base station or a WiMAX base station that is not in the closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and most recently attached.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the anchor paging controller is in the WiMAX ASN, the method comprises:

operating the anchor paging controller to send the paging announcement message to a selected WiMAX femto base station in the WiMAX femto ASN that belongs to the closed subscribe group via a secure tunnel between a gateway in the WiMAX femto ASN and a gateway in the WiMAX ASN.

3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the anchor paging controller is in the WiMAX femto ASN, the method comprises:

operating the anchor paging controller to send the paging announcement message to a selected WiMAX base station in the WiMAX ASN that belongs to the closed subscribe group via a secure tunnel between a gateway in the WiMAX femto ASN and a gateway in the WiMAX ASN.

4. The method as in claim 1, comprising:

operating the target mobile station to perform a location update procedure on a WiMAX femto base station that is part of the closed subscriber group to which the target mobile station is a member; and

operating the target mobile station to reject performance of a location update procedure on a WiMAX femto base station that is not part of the closed subscriber group to which the target mobile station is a member.

5. The method as in claim 1, comprising:

operating the target mobile station to exit the idle mode when at a WiMAX femto base station that is part of the closed subscriber group to which the target mobile station is a member; and

operating the target mobile station not to exit the idle mode when at a WiMAX femto base station that is not part of the closed subscriber group to which the target mobile station is a member.

6. The method as in claim 5, comprising:

using a secure tunnel between a gateway in the WiMAX femto ASN and a gateway in the WiMAX ASN to exchange information regarding operating the target mobile station to exit the idle state.

7. The method as in claim 1, comprising:

when the target mobile station is not a member of a target closed subscribe group for a WiMAX femto base station or a WiMAX base station, operating the WiMAX femto base station or the WiMAX base station to re-direct the target mobile station to other WiMAX femto base stations or WiMAX base stations.

8. The method as in claim 1, comprising:

operating an anchor paging controller in the WiMAX ASN or the WiMAX femto ASN to have knowledge of a mobile station's membership in a closed subscriber group and associated with or more WiMAX femto base stations.

9. A wireless communication system for supporting idle and paging in wireless

communications based on wireless interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) technology, comprising:

an access service network (ASN) of base stations based on WiMAX to provide wireless communication services with one or more mobile stations;

a WiMAX femto service network (femto ASN) of WiMAX femto base stations to provide wireless communication services with the one or more mobile stations and to extend coverage of the wireless communication services of the WiMAX ASN, wherein the WiMAX base stations and WiMAX femto base stations are assigned to closed subscriber groups as paging groups for paging mobile stations in an idle mode and each closed subscriber group includes one or more selected members of the WiMAX base stations and/or WiMAX femto base stations;

a mechanism that operates an anchor paging controller in the WiMAX ASN or the WiMAX femto ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more WiMAX base stations that belong to a closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached;

a mechanism that operates an anchor paging controller in the WiMAX ASN or the WiMAX femto ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more WiMAX base stations or WiMAX femto base stations that belong to a closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached; and a mechanism that operates the anchor paging controller not to send the paging announcement message for the targeted mobile station to a WiMAX femto base station or a WiMAX base station that is not in the closed subscriber group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached.

10. The system as in claim 9, wherein the anchor paging controller is in the WiMAX ASN and the anchor paging controller sends the paging announcement message to a selected WiMAX femto base station in the WiMAX femto ASN that belongs to the closed subscribe group via a secure tunnel between a gateway in the WiMAX femto ASN and a gateway in the WiMAX ASN.

11. The system as in claim 9, wherein the anchor paging controller is in the WiMAX femto ASN, and the anchor paging controller sends the paging announcement message to a selected WiMAX base station in the WiMAX ASN that belongs to the closed subscribe group via a secure tunnel between a gateway in the WiMAX femto ASN and a gateway in the WiMAX ASN.

12. The system as in claim 9, comprising:

a mechanism that operates the target mobile station to perform a location update procedure on a WiMAX femto base station that is part of the closed subscriber group to which the target mobile station is a member; and

a mechanism that operates the target mobile station to reject performance of a location update procedure on a WiMAX femto base station that is not part of the closed subscriber group to which the target mobile station is a member.

13. The system as in claim 9, comprising:

a mechanism that operates the target mobile station to exit the idle mode when at a WiMAX femto base station that is part of the closed subscriber group to which the target mobile station is a member; and

a mechanism that operates the target mobile station not to exit the idle mode when at a WiMAX femto base station that is not part of the closed subscriber group to which the target mobile station is a member.

14. The system as in claim 13, comprising:

a secure tunnel between a gateway in the WiMAX femto ASN and a gateway in the WiMAX ASN to exchange information regarding operating the target mobile station to exit the idle state.

15. The system as in claim 9, comprising:

when the target mobile station is not a member of a target closed subscribe group for a WiMAX femto base station or a WiMAX base station, a mechanism to operate the WiMAX femto base station or the WiMAX base station to re-direct the target mobile station to other WiMAX femto base stations or WiMAX base stations.

16. The system as in claim 9, comprising:

a mechanism to provide an anchor paging controller in the WiMAX ASN or the WiMAX femto ASN knowledge of a mobile station's membership in a closed subscriber group and associated with or more WiMAX femto base stations.

17. A method for supporting idle and paging in a wireless communication system, comprising:

providing a first access service network (ASN) of first base stations to provide wireless communication services with one or more mobile stations, each first base station configured to provide radio coverage over a first cell area;

providing a second access service network (ASN) of second base stations to provide wireless communication services with the one or more mobile stations and to extend coverage of the wireless communication services of the first ASN, each second base station configured to provide radio coverage over a second cell area that is less than the first cell area;

assigning the first base stations and second femto base stations to paging groups for paging mobile stations in an idle mode, wherein each paging group includes one or more selected members of the first base stations and/or second base stations;

operating an anchor paging controller in the first ASN or the second ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more first and/or second base stations that belong to a paging group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached;

operating an anchor paging controller in the first ASN or the second ASN to send a paging announcement message for a targeted mobile station to one or more first base stations or second base stations that belong to a paging group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached; and

operating the anchor paging controller not to send the paging announcement message for the targeted mobile station to a first base station or a second base station that is not in the paging group to which the targeted mobile station is a member and previously attached.

18. The method as in claim 17, wherein each paging group is associated with certain subscribers.