Small cells implementing multiple air interfaces

摘要

A communication networks including a plurality of small cell providing air interface infrastructure functionality is provided. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the management of inter-small cell communication in accordance multiple air interfaces supported within individual small cells. Additionally, aspects of the present disclosure relate to the management of intra-small cell communication in accordance with communication networks implementing multiple small cells. In other aspects, small cells coordinate handovers through the use of a controller, or by leveraging wireless connections created between the small cells. In further aspects, the small cells enable the utilization of multiple air interface standards within a small cell.

主权项

1. A heterogeneous network comprising:
one or more macro cells, wherein each macro cell is configured to wirelessly communicate with a plurality of mobile devices in accordance with a longer range air interface standard corresponding to a long term evolution (LTE) air interface standard; and one or more small cells, wherein each small cell is configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices in accordance with the longer range air interface standard and a shorter range air interface standard corresponding to an IEEE 802.11 air interface standard; wherein the one or more small cells are further configured to implement intra small cell handovers between communications with the mobile device within the respective cell in accordance with the longer range air interface and the shorter range air interface standards; and wherein the one or more small cells are further configured to obtain quality of service metric information formatted in a first format and in accordance with the longer range air interface standard and translate the quality of service metric information in accordance with a quality of service format associated with a core network protocol; and wherein the one or more small cells are further configured to obtain quality of service metric information formatted in a second format and in accordance with the shorter range air interface standard and translate the quality of service metric information in accordance with the quality of service format associated with the core network protocol, wherein the first and second format are not interchangeable, and wherein quality of service information associated with communications with the plurality of mobile devices is transmitted to a core network independently of the utilization of the first or second air interface to facilitate communications between the mobile device and the one or more small cells.