Patent · US Active

Methods and systems for assigning a wireless communication device to a carrier frequency

US8325648B1 · kind B1 · utility

8Cited by
53References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 29, 2009
Grant dateDec 4, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 2, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04W72/0453
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and systems for assigning a wireless communication device to a carrier frequency are presented. In an exemplary embodiment, a radio access network (RAN) radiates to define one or more wireless coverage areas using at least two different carrier frequencies. A given wireless communication device (WCD) seeks to engage in a call, and accordingly transmits a probe message to the RAN. In response to receiving the probe message, and based at least on information associated with the probe message, the RAN determines an initial carrier frequency assignment for the given WCD. Preferably, this initial carrier frequency assignment is performed to balance load across at least some of the at least two different carrier frequencies. The RAN then transmits an indication of the carrier frequency assignment to the given WCD. The given WCD may then tune to the assigned carrier frequency and conduct communications using the assigned carrier frequency.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.