Mobile devices with femto cell functionality

Abstract

Aspects describe communications environments in which femtocell capability is provided to devices within the communications network. A non-femto-enabled device and/or a femto-enabled device can communicate with a femto-enabled device in the same geographical area for femto-enabled peer-to-peer communication. Two non-femto-enabled devices can be provided femto functionality through utilization of a femto-enabled device, which operates as a hub between the two devices. Other aspects relate to enhanced position determination, adaptive coverage enhancement, local mobile networks, open access femtocells without a backhaul, and local broadcast of media though utilization of femto-enabled devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for enabling adaptive coverage using a femto-enabled device, comprising:
 detecting poor cellular coverage;   connecting to an alternative wireless backhaul;   transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel; and   receiving a first communication from a cellular mobile device on a reverse link for forwarding via the alternative wireless backhaul; and   transmitting a second communication to the cellular mobile device on a forward link, wherein the second communication was received via the alternative wireless backhaul.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the femto-enabled device is a mobile device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 transmitting the first communication received from the cellular mobile device to the alternative wireless backhaul via a reverse link.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 receiving the second communication from the alternative wireless backhaul on a forward link.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the alternative wireless backhaul comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of a hotspot, a WiFi network, and Bluetooth. 
     
     
         6 . A wireless communication apparatus, comprising:
 means for detecting poor cellular coverage;   means for connecting to an alternative wireless backhaul;   means for transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel; and   means for receiving a first communication from a cellular mobile device on a reverse link for forwarding via the alternative wireless backhaul; and   means for transmitting a second communication to the cellular mobile device on a forward link, wherein the second communication was received via the alternative wireless backhaul.   
     
     
         7 . The wireless communication apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the wireless communication apparatus is a mobile device. 
     
     
         8 . The wireless communication apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 means for transmitting the first communication received from the cellular mobile device to the alternative wireless backhaul via a reverse link.   
     
     
         9 . The wireless communication apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 means for receiving the second communication from the alternative wireless backhaul on a forward link.   
     
     
         10 . The wireless communication apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the alternative wireless backhaul comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of a hotspot, a WiFi network, and Bluetooth. 
     
     
         11 . A wireless communication apparatus, comprising:
 a detector for detecting poor cellular coverage;   a processor for connecting to an alternative wireless backhaul;   a first transmitter for transmitting a pilot or common overhead channel; and   a first receiver for receiving a first communication from a cellular mobile device on a reverse link for forwarding via the alternative wireless backhaul;   wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a second communication to the cellular mobile device on a forward link, wherein the second communication was received via the alternative wireless backhaul.   
     
     
         12 . The wireless communication apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the wireless communication apparatus is a mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless communication apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second transmitter for transmitting the first communication received from the cellular mobile device to the alternative wireless backhaul via a reverse link.   
     
     
         14 . The wireless communication apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a second receiver for receiving the second communication from the alternative wireless backhaul on a forward link.   
     
     
         15 . The wireless communication apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the alternative wireless backhaul comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of a hotspot, a WiFi network, and Bluetooth. 
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising codes for causing a computer to:
 detect poor cellular coverage;   connect to an alternative wireless backhaul;   transmit a pilot or common overhead channel; and   receive a first communication from a cellular mobile device on a reverse link for forwarding via the alternative wireless backhaul; and   transmit a second communication to the cellular mobile device on a forward link, wherein the second communication was received via the alternative wireless backhaul.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the detecting, connecting, transmitting, receiving, and transmitting are performed by a mobile device. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , further comprising codes for causing the computer to:
 transmit the first communication received from the cellular mobile device to the alternative wireless backhaul via a reverse link.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , further comprising codes for causing the computer to:
 receive the second communication from the alternative wireless backhaul on a forward link.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the alternative wireless backhaul comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of a hotspot, a WiFi network, and Bluetooth.