Patent ID: 9148835
Filing Date: 2015-09-29
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A heterogeneous network comprising: one or more macro cells, wherein each macro cell is configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device in accordance with a longer range air interface standard; and one or more small cells, wherein each small cell is configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile device in accordance with the longer range air interface standard and a shorter range air interface standard, wherein the longer range air interface standard corresponds to a long term evolution (LTE) air interface standard, and the shorter range air interface standard corresponds to a IEEE 802.11 air interface standard; a small cell controller, the small cell controller configured to manage at least a portion of handovers between small cells; wherein the one or more small cells are further configured to implement intra small cell handovers between communications with the mobile device within the respective cell in accordance with the longer range air interface and the shorter range air interface standards; and wherein small cell controller is configured to cause inter small cell handovers associated with communication with the mobile device in accordance with the longer range air interface standard based, at least in part, on movement associated with the mobile device.