Home node identification, interference reduction, and energy savings

Abstract

Systems and methods for reducing interference and saving power for home Node Bs are disclosed. Home Node Bs can be configured to remain in sleep mode until needed based on various criteria, periodically operating transmit and receive components in order to detect mobile devices that may need the services of the home Node B. Mobile devices can indicate one or several target home Node Bs using one or more node identifiers within a proximity indication message. Closed subscriber group identifiers and membership data may also be included in a proximity indication message. Node or cell identities, along with membership data, may be stored in a fingerprint database or white-list on a mobile device.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method performed by a radio network controller of a first radio access technology (RAT) for operating an eNodeB of a second RAT, the method comprising:
 determining to initiate a first activation of a first eNodeB of the second RAT in a dormant state, the first activation being limited to a duration of a predetermined time interval, the first eNode B of the second RAT serving an area covered by the radio network controller of the first RAT;   sending to the first eNodeB of the second RAT a first instruction for the first activation, the first instruction causing the first eNodeB of the second RAT to activate for the predetermined time interval;   determining to initiate a second activation of the first eNode B of the second RAT to increase inter-RAT cellular communication capacity, the second activation of the first eNodeB of the second RAT not being limited by the predetermined time interval; and   sending to the first eNodeB of the second RAT a second instruction for the second activation, the second instruction causing the first eNodeB of the second RAT to activate.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first instruction indicates that the first eNodeB of the second RAT activate for the predetermined time interval during a probing interval. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 sending, to a second eNodeB of the second RAT in a dormant state, a third instruction for a first activation of the second eNodeB of the second RAT for the predetermined time interval, the second eNodeB serving an area covered by the radio network controller, the third instruction causing the second eNodeB of the second RAT to activate for the predetermined time interval; and   determining to not initiate a second activation of the second eNodeB of the second RAT.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 receiving, from at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), an indication of a lack of communication capability with the second eNodeB of the second RAT, wherein the determining to not initiate the second activation of the second eNodeB of the second RAT is based at least on the indication.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 receiving, from at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), an indication of communication capability with the first eNodeB of the second RAT, wherein the determining to initiate the second activation of the first eNodeB of the second RAT is based at least on the indication.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first instruction indicates that the first eNodeB of the second RAT transmit a first reference signal at some time during the predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 receiving a measurement of the first reference signal from at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU).   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the determining to initiate the second activation of the first eNodeB of the second RAT is based at least on the measurement. 
     
     
         29 . A radio network controller of a first radio access technology (RAT), comprising:
 a memory;   a processor, the processor configured to:
 determine to initiate a first activation of a first eNodeB of a second RAT in a dormant state, the first activation being limited to a duration of a predetermined time interval, the first eNode B of the second RAT serving an area covered by the radio network controller of the first RAT; and 
   a transceiver, the transceiver configured to:
 send to the first eNodeB of the second RAT a first instruction for the first activation, the first instruction causing the first eNodeB of the second RAT to activate for the predetermined time interval, the processor being further configured to: 
 determine to initiate a second activation of the first eNode B of the second RAT to increase inter-RAT cellular communication capacity, the second activation of the first eNodeB of the second RAT not being limited by the predetermined time interval, the transceiver being further configured to: 
 send to the first eNodeB of the second RAT a second instruction for the second activation, the second instruction causing the first eNodeB of the second RAT to activate. 
   
     
     
         30 . The radio network controller of  claim 29 , wherein the processor is further configured such that the first instruction indicates that the first eNodeB of the second RAT activate for the predetermined time interval during a probing interval. 
     
     
         31 . The radio network controller of  claim 29 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to:
 send, to a second eNodeB of the second RAT in a dormant state, a third instruction for a first activation of the second eNodeB of the second RAT for the predetermined time interval, the second eNodeB serving an area covered by the radio network controller, the third instruction causing the second eNodeB of the second RAT to activate for the predetermined time interval, the processor being further configured to:   determine to not initiate a second activation of the second eNodeB of the second RAT.   
     
     
         32 . The radio network controller of  claim 31 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive, from at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), an indication of a lack of communication capability with the second eNodeB of the second RAT, the processor being further configured to not initiate the second activation of the second eNodeB of the second RAT based at least on the indication. 
     
     
         33 . The radio network controller of  claim 29 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive, from at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), an indication of communication capability with the first eNodeB of the second RAT, the processor being further configured to initiate the second activation of the first eNodeB of the second RAT based at least on the indication. 
     
     
         34 . The radio network controller of  claim 33 , wherein the processor is further configured such that the first instruction indicates that the first eNodeB of the second RAT transmit a first reference signal at some time during the predetermined time interval. 
     
     
         35 . The radio network controller of  claim 34 , wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a measurement of the first reference signal from at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the processor being further configured to initiate the second activation of the first eNodeB of the second RAT based at least on the measurement.