Patent ID: 8112083
Filing Date: 2012-02-07
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for handling registration requests in a cellular wireless communication system, the method comprising: determining that a load on an air interface in the cellular wireless communication system is at least a threshold level of load; and responsive to determining that the load on the air interface in the cellular wireless communication system is at least the threshold level of load, reducing a frequency at which mobile stations register with the cellular wireless communication system via the air interface, wherein reducing the frequency at which mobile stations register with the cellular wireless communication system via the air interface comprises a network element sending to the mobile stations, via the air interface, an indication of an increased registration-period for use by the mobile stations; wherein determining that the load on the air interface is at least the threshold level of load comprises detecting that there is at least a threshold level of reverse-link air interface load; wherein detecting that there is at least the threshold level of reverse-link air interface load comprises detecting that there is at least a threshold level of occupancy on an air interface access channel; wherein detecting that there is at least the threshold level of occupancy on the air interface access channel comprises detecting that at least a threshold number of access channel timeslots are occupied; and wherein detecting that at least the threshold number of access channel timeslots are occupied comprises detecting that there is at least a threshold percentage of access channel timeslots which contain energy sufficient to represent an access probe.