Method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting a rise-over-thermal or noise rise threshold

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided that include adjusting rise-over-thermal (RoT) or noise rise (NR) threshold based on detecting interference from one or more devices. A device can communicate within close proximity of a femto node such that the device does not respond to power down commands from the femto node due to operating at a minimum transmit power. The device can cause the RoT or NR at the femto node to potentially rise over a threshold, however. Thus, the femto node can increase the RoT or NR threshold to allow the device to communicate with the femto node without impacting other devices communicating with the femto node. Out-of-cell interference from devices communicating with other base stations can be detected as well, and the RoT or NR threshold can be adjusted based thereon.

1 . A method for adjusting a rise-over-thermal (RoT) or noise rise (NR) threshold, comprising:
 detecting out-of-cell interference from a first set of one or more devices communicating with another base station;   adjusting an RoT or NR threshold based on the out-of-cell interference; and   commanding a second set of one or more devices to increase transmission power.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the out-of-cell interference is based in part on an increase in RoT and/or NR. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein detecting the out-of-cell interference comprises:
 obtaining signals from the first set of one or more devices; and   determining a received signal power of the signals.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the RoT or NR threshold is a function of one or more of:
 the out-of-cell interference;   a data rate desired for one or more devices in the second set of one or more devices;   a fixed increment;   an upper limit; or   combinations thereof.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein commanding the second set of one or more devices to increase transmission power is based on an increase in RoT or NR threshold caused by the detected out-of-cell interference. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for adjusting a rise-over-thermal (RoT) or noise rise (NR) threshold, comprising:
 at least one processor configured to:   detect out-of-cell interference from a first set of one or more devices communicating with another base station;   adjust an RoT or NR threshold based on the out-of-cell interference; and   command a second set of one or more devices to increase transmission power; and   a memory coupled to the at least one processor.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor detects the out-of-cell interference based in part on an increase in RoT and/or NR. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein detecting the out-of-cell interference comprises:
 obtaining signals from the first set of one or more devices; and   determining a received signal power of the signals.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor adjusts the RoT or NR threshold as a function of one or more of:
 the out-of-cell interference;   a data rate desired for one or more devices in the second set of one or more devices;   a fixed increment;   an upper limit; or   combinations thereof.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one processor commands the second set of one or more devices to increase transmission power based on an increase in RoT or NR threshold caused by the detected out-of-cell interference. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for adjusting a rise-over-thermal (RoT) or noise rise (NR) threshold, comprising:
 means for detecting out-of-cell interference from a first set of one or more devices communicating with another base station;   means for adjusting an RoT or NR threshold based on the out-of-cell interference; and   means for commanding a second set of one or more devices to increase transmission power.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for detecting detect the out-of-cell interference based in part on an increase in RoT and/or NR. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the means for detecting the out-of-cell interference comprises:
 means for obtaining signals from the first set of one or more devices; and   means for determining a received signal power of the signals.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for adjusting adjust the RoT or NR threshold as a function of one or more of:
 the out-of-cell interference;   a data rate desired for one or more devices in the second set of one or more devices;   a fixed increment;   an upper limit; or   combinations thereof.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the means for commanding command based on an increase in RoT or NR threshold caused by the detected out-of-cell interference. 
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium for adjusting a rise-over-thermal (RoT) or noise rise (NR) threshold, comprising:
 code for causing at least one computer to detect out-of-cell interference from a first set of one or more devices communicating with another base station;   code for causing the at least one computer to adjust an RoT or NR threshold based on the out-of-cell interference; and   code for causing the at least one computer to command a second set of one or more devices to increase transmission power.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to detect the out-of-cell interference detects based in part on an increase in RoT and/or NR. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to detect the out-of-cell interference comprises:
 code for causing the at least one computer to obtain signals from the first set of one or more devices; and   code for causing the at least one computer to determine a received signal power of the signals.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to adjust the RoT or NR threshold adjusts as a function of one or more of:
 the out-of-cell interference;   a data rate desired for one or more devices in the second set of one or more devices;   a fixed increment;   an upper limit; or   combinations thereof.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to command the second set of one or more devices to increase transmission power commands based on an increase in RoT or NR threshold caused by the detected out-of-cell interference.