Femtocell synchronization enhancements using access probes from cooperating mobiles

摘要

Femtocell synchronization is disclosed, in which a femtocell transmits a request over an out-of-band (OOB) link to a proximate mobile device for synchronization assistance. In response to the request, the mobile device transmits an access probe to a serving macro base station. The femtocell detects the access probe and uses aiding information to decode the access probe to determine the timing and/or frequency information. The femtocell uses this timing and/or frequency information for its synchronization.

主权项

1. A method of wireless communication, comprising:
receiving, at a mobile device, a request for synchronization assistance from a proximate femtocell, wherein the request is received over an out of band (OOB) link; transmitting an access probe to a serving macro base station in response to the request, wherein the access probe is a gratuitous access probe sent by the mobile device purely for the purpose of providing synchronization acquisition to the femtocell; and transmitting aiding information to the proximate femtocell over the OOB link, wherein the aiding information assists the proximate femtocell in decoding the access probe transmitted by the mobile device to the serving macro base station.