Enterprise Level Management in a Multi-Femtocell Network
Aspects of a method and system for enterprise level management in a multi-femtocell network are provided. In this regard, one or more endpoint devices may receive traffic management information from a hybrid network controller for enabling handoff of calls and/or communication sessions among femtocells and/or access points. The received traffic management information may comprise set-up instructions, handoff instructions, transmit power, neighbor list information, signal quality thresholds, frequency assignments, transmission time, code assignments and/or antenna pattern assignments. The endpoint device may control handoffs between a communication device external to the communication system and the femtocells, access points and/or end-point devices.
1 .- 20 . (canceled)
21 . A hybrid network controller, comprising:
a memory that stores operating parameters for the hybrid network controller; and
a processor configured to:
manage, based on the operating parameters, communications among one or more of: a plurality of endpoint devices, a plurality of femtocells, or a plurality of access points (APs); and
communicate one or more control parameters to the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, or the plurality APs to manage the communications.
22 . The hybrid network controller of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to communicate traffic management information to an endpoint device from among the plurality of endpoint devices to manage handoffs between and/or among one or more of: the plurality of femtocells and/or the plurality of APs.
23 . The hybrid network controller of claim 22 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
receive network status information from the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, or the plurality of APs; and
determine a handoff candidate based on the received network status information.
24 . The hybrid network controller of claim 22 , wherein the processor is further configured to manage handoffs between the plurality of femtocells and the plurality of APs.
25 . The hybrid network controller of claim 22 , wherein the processor is further configured to manage handoffs among the plurality of femtocells or among the plurality of APs.
26 . The hybrid network controller of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to assign the plurality of femtocells and/or the plurality of APs to handle communications for the plurality of endpoint devices.
27 . The hybrid network controller of claim 21 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
receive network operating conditions from the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, or the plurality of APs; and
determine, based on the network operating conditions, traffic management information for the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, or the plurality of APs.
28 . The hybrid network controller of claim 27 , wherein the traffic management information comprises instructions indicating when an endpoint device from among the plurality of endpoint devices should handoff to a femtocell from among the plurality of femtocells or an AP from among the plurality of APs.
29 . A method, comprising:
storing operating parameters for a hybrid network controller in a memory;
managing, based on the operating parameters, communications among one of more of: a plurality of endpoint devices, a plurality of femtocells, or a plurality of access points (APs); and
communicating one or more control parameters to the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, and the plurality of APs to manage the communications.
30 . The method of claim 29 further comprising:
communicating traffic management information to an endpoint device from among the plurality of endpoint devices to manage handoffs between and/or among one or more of: the plurality of femtocells and/or the plurality of APs.
31 . The method of claim 30 , further comprising:
receiving network status information from the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, or the plurality of APs; and
determining a handoff candidate based on the received network status information.
32 . The method of claim 29 , further comprising:
assigning the plurality of femtocells and/or the plurality of APs to handle communications for the plurality of endpoint devices.
33 . The method of claim 29 , further comprising:
receiving network operating conditions from the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, or the plurality of APs; and
determining traffic management information for the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, or the plurality of APs based on the network operating conditions.
34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein the traffic management information comprises instructions indicating when an endpoint device from among the plurality of endpoint devices should handoff to a femtocell from among the plurality of femtocells or an AP from among the plurality of APs.
35 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes said processor to execute a method, the method comprising:
storing operating parameters for a hybrid network controller in a memory;
managing, based on the operating parameters, communications among one of more of: a plurality of endpoint devices, a plurality of femtocells, or a plurality of access points (APs); and
communicating one or more control parameters to the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, and the plurality of APs to manage the communications.
36 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises communicating traffic management information to an endpoint device from among the plurality of endpoint devise to manage handoffs between and/or among one or more of the plurality of femtocells and/or the plurality of APs.
37 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 36 , wherein the traffic management information comprises instructions indicating when an endpoint device from among the plurality of endpoint devices should handoff to a femtocell from among the plurality of femtocells or an AP from among the plurality of APs.
38 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 36 , wherein the method further comprises:
receiving network status information from the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, or the plurality of APs; and
determining handoff candidates based on the received network status information.
39 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises assigning the plurality of femtocells and/or the plurality of APs to handle communications for the plurality of endpoint devices.
40 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 35 , wherein the method further comprises:
receiving network operating conditions from the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, or the plurality of APs; and
determining, based on the network operating conditions, traffic management information for the one or more of: the plurality of endpoint devices, the plurality of femtocells, or the plurality of APs.