摘要 |
<p>A macro base station 21 configured for use in a telecommunications network, where the network includes a core network and small base-stations 22, comprises: radio means for wirelessly communicating with the small base-stations; and control means configured to manage Radio Resource Management (RRM) communications with the small base stations independently of the core network. A particular advantage of the present invention lies in the combination of standard macrocell functionalities with the radio resource management of small cells. By making this combination, the processing power required for managing radio resources is not only now handled in a distributed manner (i.e. by the macrocells), but the inherent latency in control signals being sent to and from small cells to the core network (i.e. the MME) is significantly reduced, since these signals are now only sent between the managing macrocell and the small cell.</p> |