RESTRICTING ACCESS POINT TRANSMISSIONS

摘要

Transmissions by a first access point (e.g., a femto cell) are restricted upon detecting an access terminal in the vicinity of the first access point in the event the access terminal is communicating with a second access point (e.g., a macro cell). Upon detection of such an access terminal, the access terminal restricts transmission (e.g., beacon transmission) on a downlink carrier frequency on which the access terminal is actively receiving information from the second access point. This restriction of transmission by the access point may involve, for example, temporarily reducing transmit power, reducing the periodicity of transmission, or ceasing transmission.

主权项

1. A method of communication, comprising:
detecting, by a first access point, an access terminal located near the first access point, wherein the access terminal is communicating with a second access point; identifying, by the first access point, a downlink carrier frequency on which the access terminal is receiving information from the second access point; and restricting, by the first access point, transmission on the identified downlink carrier frequency as a result of the detecting of the access terminal, wherein the restricting of transmission includes reducing transmit power of the first access point on the identified downlink carrier frequency to below a threshold power value.