Controlling uplink transmit power in a plurality of basestations

1. A method for controlling uplink transmit power for a plurality of basestations in a mobile communications network, wherein the basestations form a second layer within the network, and wherein the network comprises another plurality of basestations forming a first layer, the method comprising:

clustering the plurality of second layer basestations according to association with first layer basestations;

exchanging second layer basestation loading information between second layer basestations belonging to the same cluster; and

dynamically setting uplink transmit power limits for individual second layer basestations based on the exchanged loading information, wherein dynamically setting uplink transmit power limits for individual second layer basestations comprises, at a second layer basestation:

setting an initial uplink transmit power limit;

checking for a report from an attached user equipment device that a higher limit is required;

on receipt of a report from an attached user equipment device, calculating the total noise rise contribution at a first layer basestation from second layer basestations in the cluster based on the exchanged loading information; and

if the total noise rise contribution is less than a maximum tolerable noise rise contribution, incrementing the uplink transmit power limit for the second layer basestation.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein dynamically setting uplink transmit power limits for individual second layer basestations comprises setting the power limits such that an uplink power budget for each cluster of second layer basestations is distributed between the second layer basestations of the cluster according to current loading conditions at individual second layer basestations.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the uplink power budget for a cluster of second layer basestations corresponds to the uplink power causing a maximum tolerable noise rise at a first layer basestation.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein clustering the plurality of second layer basestations comprises clustering according to path loss to first layer basestations, such that each cluster of second layer basestations is associated with a dominant first layer basestation.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein clustering comprises, at each second layer basestation:

scanning the second layer basestation environment for neighbouring first layer basestations and second layer basestations; and

sending measurement information gathered in the scan to an authority; and at the authority:

assembling second layer basestations into clusters based on the received measurement information; and

informing the second layer basestations of the assembled clusters.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein assembly of second layer basestations into clusters comprises placing all second layer basestations reporting a smallest path loss to the same first layer basestation in the same cluster.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising updating the clustering of at least one of the second layer basestations on occurrence of a trigger.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the trigger comprises a change in the second layer basestation uplink transmit power limit, wherein the change is of a magnitude exceeding a threshold value.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the loading information comprises the current noise rise contribution of the second layer basestation towards a first layer basestation.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein exchanging second layer basestation loading information comprises distribution by a second layer basestation of its current loading information to all other second layer basestations within the same cluster, and reception by the second layer basestation of loading information from other second layer basestations within the same cluster.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising calculating the total noise rise contribution at first layer basestations from second layer basestations in each cluster of which the second layer basestation is a member.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising checking for a confirmation from attached user equipment devices that a higher limit is no longer required; and

on receipt of the confirmation, returning the uplink transmit power limit to its initial value.

13. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a report that a higher limit is required comprises a report that a user equipment device attached to the second layer basestation is operating at a transmit power that has attained a threshold level.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein a confirmation that a higher limit is no longer required comprises a confirmation that all user equipment devices attached to the second layer basestation are operating at a transmit power that is below the threshold level.

15. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the loading information comprises radio resource use of the second layer basestation.

16. A basestation, comprising a processor, for use in a mobile communications network, wherein the basestation is adapted to control its uplink transmit power in accordance with the method according to claim 1 .