COMMUNICATIONS RELATED METHODS AND APPARATUS

摘要

Methods and apparatus for efficiently communicating network connectivity information in a communications system are described. Two types of signals with different characteristics, e.g., long range synchronous beacons, e.g., LTE-D beacons, and short range asynchronous beacons, e.g., WiFi beacons, are used in combination to advertise network connectivity information and accelerate the acquisition of a routing path for a communications device to a device serving as a gateway for a infrastructure network. Reception of a first type signal triggers monitoring for a second type signal, and a received second type signal communicates information used to determine a communications path to a gateway device.

主权项

1. A communications method of operating a first communications device, the method comprising:
receiving a first first type signal transmitted by an advertising device, said first first type signal advertising infrastructure network connectivity information corresponding to the advertising device; and initiating scanning for a second type signal in response to receiving said first first type signal.