METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING A BEACON-ASSISTED HANDOVER TO A HOME NODE-B FOR USERS ON AN ACTIVE CALL

摘要

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed for facilitating a beacon-assisted handover from a macro network to a femto cell during an active call. A femto cell management system assigns a unique identifier to a femto cell, which the femto cell utilizes to broadcast a beacon at a frequency different than the operating frequency of the femto cell. A wireless terminal receives a control message from the macro network directing the wireless terminal to scan particular frequencies. The wireless terminal subsequently provides a report to the macro network identifying attributes ascertained from the scan, which includes attributes associated with the beacon. The macro network then performs a handover from the macro network to the femto cell as a function of the attributes.

主权项

1. A method that facilitates a beacon-assisted handover from a femto cell comprising:
receiving an initialization message, wherein the initialization message includes a unique identifier associated with the femto cell; operating the femto cell at a first frequency, wherein the femto cell is operated as a function of the unique identifier; and broadcasting at least one beacon signal, wherein the at least one beacon signal is broadcast at a second frequency different than the first frequency, and wherein the at least one beacon signal is broadcast according to the unique identifier.