Virtual macro cells

摘要

Systems and methods that provide a virtual macro cell in a heterogeneous cellular communications network are disclosed. In general, micro cells served by multiple micro base stations are aggregated to provide a virtual macro cell. Each micro base station provides service to one or more low mobility user equipments (LMUs) located within the micro cell of the micro base station using one or more first resources (e.g., a first carrier) that are allocated to LMUs. In addition, each micro base station cooperates with the other micro base station(s) in the virtual macro cell to provide service to one or more high mobility user equipments (HMUs) located within the virtual macro cell using one or more second resources (e.g., a second carrier) that are allocated to HMUs. By utilizing the virtual macro cell for HMUs, handover and paging overhead are reduced for the heterogeneous cellular communications network.

主权项

1. A method of operation of a micro base station in a heterogeneous cellular communications network, comprising:
providing service to a low mobility user equipment using one or more first resources allocated to low mobility user equipments located in a micro cell served by the micro base station; and cooperating with one or more additional micro base stations to provide service to a high mobility user equipment using one or more second resources allocated to high mobility user equipments located in a virtual macro cell served by the micro base station and the one or more additional micro base stations.