Method and Apparatus for Facilitating Network Coexistence

Abstract

A method of sending information to a radio access node (RAN) of a first radio access technology (RAT) regarding one or more coexisting RAN's of a second RAT is provided. In particular, the information comprises a number of parameters and operating modes used by the one or more coexisting radio access nodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method in a wireless device configured for operation in a wireless communication network that uses spectrum associated with Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) use, said method comprising:
 receiving a beacon from a WLAN Access Point (AP) operating in the spectrum; and   reporting any one or more of the following parameters to the wireless communication network:
 an indicator or indicators of a duration and/or a data rate of the received beacon; and 
 an indicator of the Received Signal Strength of the received beacon, as measured by the wireless device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received beacon is a WiFi beacon. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received beacon is a beacon frame 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spectrum associated with WLAN use is unlicensed spectrum. 
     
     
         5 . A wireless device configured for operation in a wireless communication network that uses spectrum associated with Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) use, said wireless device comprising:
 at least one processor; and   a memory including software instructions configured to control said at least one processor to implement a method comprising steps of:
 receiving a beacon from a WLAN Access Point (AP) operating in the spectrum; and 
 reporting any one or more of the following parameters to the wireless communication network:
 an indicator or indicators of a duration and/or a data rate of the received beacon; and 
 an indicator of the Received Signal Strength of the received beacon, as measured by the wireless device. 
 
   
     
     
         6 . The wireless device of  claim 5 , wherein the received beacon is a WiFi beacon. 
     
     
         7 . The wireless device of  claim 5 , wherein the received beacon is a beacon frame 
     
     
         8 . The wireless device of  claim 5 , wherein the spectrum associated with WLAN use is unlicensed spectrum.