Wireless femtocell setup methods and apparatus

摘要

Methods and apparatus that enable a wireless femtocell to operate in its designated frequency so as to minimize interference between the wireless femtocell and neighboring base stations (and other femtocells or nomadic cells). In one exemplary embodiment, the femtocell cell comprises a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) femtocell which has the ability to scan the air interface in a manner similar to that associated with a UE in order to identify unallocated resources within the wireless network, and subsequently request access for the unallocated resources. Business methods useful in combination with the aforementioned methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

主权项

1. A method of operating a cell within a wireless network, the cell comprising a network interface with a network entity of the network, the method comprising:
by the cell:
performing an initiation comprising:
establishing a secure connection over the network interface to the network entity; andregistering with the network entity;scanning a first frequency range of the wireless network;determining a strongest cell transmission within the wireless network received by the cell;determining location information indicative of a geographic location for the cell;scanning a second frequency range of the wireless network, the second frequency range correlated with the geographic location; anddetermining a signal power of at least one cell transmitting within the second frequency range of the wireless network.