Neighbor relation information management

Abstract

Neighbor relation information management involves, for example: acquiring, reporting, and exchanging neighbor relation information. In some cases, neighbor relation information is acquired and/or reported in a manner that does not significantly impact other functionality of the access terminal. For example, an access terminal may be configured to acquire and/or report neighbor relation information only during one or more defined radio states. In some cases, the acquisition of neighbor relation information is based on a neighbor relation threshold. In some cases, an access terminal does not immediately report measured neighbor relation information and instead stores the information for reporting at a later time. In some cases, a transmitted indication is used to facilitate retrieval of neighbor relation information from an access terminal. In some cases, neighbor relation information acquired from an access terminal is exchanged over a direct interface between access points.

1 . A method of acquiring neighbor relation information, comprising:
 maintaining a threshold for neighbor relation measurements;   receiving a signal;   comparing the received signal to the threshold; and   determining, based on the comparison, whether to conduct a measurement for neighbor relation information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the threshold from a serving access point. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the threshold from a minimization of drive tests server. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received signal comprises a pilot signal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received signal comprises a system information signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising maintaining another threshold for conducting measurements for handover operations. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neighbor relation information comprises a unique cell identity of at least one neighbor cell. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for acquiring neighbor relation information, comprising:
 at least one processor configured to:
 maintain a threshold for neighbor relation measurements; 
 receive a signal; and 
 compare the received signal to the threshold, and 
 determine, based on the comparison, whether to conduct a measurement for neighbor relation information, wherein the neighbor relation information comprises a unique cell identity of at least one neighbor cell; and 
   a memory coupled to the at least one processor.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the threshold from a serving access point. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the threshold from a minimization of drive tests server. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the received signal comprises a pilot signal. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the received signal comprises a system information signal. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to maintain another threshold for conducting measurements for handover operations. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the neighbor relation information comprises a unique cell identity of at least one neighbor cell. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for acquiring neighbor relation information, comprising:
 means for maintaining a threshold for neighbor relation measurements;   means for receiving a signal;   means for comparing the received signal to the threshold; and   means for determining, based on the comparison, whether to conduct a measurement for neighbor relation information, wherein the neighbor relation information comprises a unique cell identity of at least one neighbor cell.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising means for receiving the threshold from a serving access point. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising means for receiving the threshold from a minimization of drive tests server. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the received signal comprises a pilot signal. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the received signal comprises a system information signal. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising means for maintaining another threshold for conducting measurements for handover operations. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the neighbor relation information comprises a unique cell identity of at least one neighbor cell. 
     
     
         22 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to:
 maintain a threshold for neighbor relation measurements;   receive a signal;   compare the received signal to the threshold; and   determine, based on the comparison, whether to conduct a measurement for neighbor relation information, wherein the neighbor relation information comprises a unique cell identity of at least one neighbor cell.   
     
     
         23 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , further comprising code for causing the computer to receive the threshold from a serving access point. 
     
     
         24 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , further comprising code for causing the computer to receive the threshold from a minimization of drive tests server. 
     
     
         25 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the received signal comprises a pilot signal. 
     
     
         26 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the received signal comprises a system information signal. 
     
     
         27 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , further comprising code for causing the computer to maintain another threshold for conducting measurements for handover operations. 
     
     
         28 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the neighbor relation information comprises a unique cell identity of at least one neighbor cell.