Patent Publication Number: US-2013250827-A1

Title: Devices and methods for modifying performance attributes based on device capabilities

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This patent application claims priority to Provisional Application Nos. 61/613,452 and 61/613,454, both filed on 20 Mar. 2012, assigned to the assignee hereof, and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth below in their entireties and for all applicable purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The technology discussed in this patent application relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically, to methods and devices for modified network performance attributes in response to identifying access terminal capabilities. Some embodiments can enable a network controller to detect terminal types in a network and based on detected types, altering existing communication arrangements to improve communications and/or efficiently utilize power resources. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be accessed by various types of devices adapted to facilitate wireless communications, where multiple devices share the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such wireless communications systems include code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time-division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) systems and orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) systems. 
     Multiple types of devices are adapted to utilize such wireless communications systems. Such devices may be generally referred to as access terminals. In many wireless communications systems, various access terminals may exhibit one or more unique features. For instance, although many access terminals are adapted for mobility, some access terminals may experience little to no change in location. Similarly, many access terminals operate on a limited power source, such as a battery, while other access terminals are coupled to a much more consistent power source, such as being plugged into a power grid. For terminals with limited power resources, enabling efficient power usage is generally desired. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES 
     The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated features of the disclosure, and is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in summary form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     Since various types of access terminals can employ different characteristics and features, it may be desirable to facilitate disclosure of such features so network entities can employ different performance attributes for access terminals with different capabilities. Various examples and implementations of the present disclosure facilitate identification of access terminal capabilities and adaptation of one or more network performance attributes to such capabilities. 
     According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, access terminals may include a communications interface and a storage medium each coupled with a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be adapted to send a capability indication message adapted to identify at least one capability associated with the access terminal. The processing circuit may further employ one or more altered performance attributes associated with the at least one capability identified in the capability indication message. 
     Further aspects of the present disclosure provide methods operational on an access terminal and/or access terminals including means to perform such methods. One or more examples of such methods may include identifying at least one capability associated with the access terminal, and transmitting a capability indication message adapted to identify the at least one identified capability associated with the access terminal. At least one adjusted performance attribute associated with the at least one capability identified in the capability indication message may be employed by the access terminal. 
     Still further aspects include computer-readable storage mediums comprising programming operational on a computer, such as an access terminal. According to one or more examples, such programming may be adapted for causing a computer to transmit a capability indication message adapted to identify at least one capability associated with an access terminal, and to employ at least one altered performance attribute associated with the at least one capability identified in the capability indication message. 
     According to at least one additional aspect of the present disclosure, network nodes may include a communications interface and a storage medium each coupled with a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be adapted to receive a capability indication message via the communications interface. The capability indication message can identify at least one capability associated with an access terminal. The processing circuit may further be adapted to employ at least one adjusted performance attribute for the access terminal, where the at least one adjusted performance attribute is associated with the at least one capability identified in the received capability indication message. 
     Yet further aspects of the present disclosure provide methods operational on a network node and/or network nodes including means to perform such methods. One or more examples of such methods may include receiving a capability indication message identifying at least one capability associated with an access terminal. In response to the received capability indication message, at least one adjusted performance attribute may be employed for the access terminal. The at least one adjusted performance attribute may be selected based on the at least one capability identified in the received capability indication message. 
     Still further aspects include computer-readable storage mediums comprising programming operational on a computer, such as a network node. According to one or more examples, such programming may be adapted for causing a computer to receive a capability indication message identifying at least one capability associated with an access terminal. The programming may further be adapted for causing a computer to employ at least one adjusted performance attribute for the access terminal, where the at least one adjusted performance attribute is selected based on the at least one capability identified in the received capability indication message. 
     Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, upon reviewing the following description of specific, exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. While features of the present invention may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures below, all embodiments of the present invention can include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments it should be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a network environment in which one or more aspects of the present disclosure may find application. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating select components of the wireless communication system of  FIG. 1  according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating an example for adapting one or more network features for a particular access terminal according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating select components of an access terminal according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method operational on an access terminal according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating select components of a network node according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating a method operational on a network node according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts and features described herein may be practiced. The following description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known circuits, structures, techniques and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the described concepts and features. 
     The various concepts presented throughout this disclosure may be implemented across a broad variety of telecommunication systems, network architectures, and communication standards. Certain aspects of the disclosure are described below for CDMA and 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) 1x protocols and systems, and related terminology may be found in much of the following description. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be employed and included in one or more other wireless communication protocols and systems. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a network environment in which one or more aspects of the present disclosure may find application is illustrated. The wireless communications system  100  is adapted to facilitate wireless communication between one or more base stations  102  and access terminals  104 . The base stations  102  and access terminals  104  may be adapted to interact with one another through wireless signals. In some instances, such wireless interaction may occur on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). Each modulated signal may carry control information (e.g., pilot signals), overhead information, data, etc. 
     The base stations  102  can wirelessly communicate with the access terminals  104  via a base station antenna. The base stations  102  may each be implemented generally as a device adapted to facilitate wireless connectivity (for one or more access terminals  104 ) to the wireless communications system  100 . Such a base station  102  may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a base transceiver station (BTS), a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), and extended service set (ESS), a node B, a femto cell, a pico cell, or some other suitable terminology. 
     The base stations  102  are configured to communicate with the access terminals  104  under the control of a base station controller (see  FIG. 2 ). Each of the base station  102  sites can provide communication coverage for a respective geographic area. The coverage area  106  for each base station  102  here is identified as cells  106 - a ,  106 - b , or  106 - c . The coverage area  106  for a base station  102  may be divided into sectors (not shown, but making up only a portion of the coverage area). The system  100  may include base stations  102  of different types. 
     One or more access terminals  104  may be dispersed throughout the coverage areas  106 . Each access terminal  104  may communicate with one or more base stations  102 . An access terminal  104  may generally include one or more devices that communicate with one or more other devices through wireless signals. Such an access terminal  104  may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a terminal, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology. An access terminal  104  may include a mobile terminal and/or an at least substantially fixed terminal. Examples of an access terminal  104  include a mobile phone, a pager, a wireless modem, a personal digital assistant, a personal information manager (PIM), a personal media player, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a television, an appliance, an e-reader, a digital video recorder (DVR), a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, and/or other communication/computing device which communicates, at least partially, through a wireless or cellular network. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram illustrating select components of the wireless communication system  100  is depicted according to at least one example. As illustrated, the base stations  102  are included as at least a part of a radio access network (RAN)  202 . The radio access network (RAN)  202  is generally adapted to manage traffic and signaling between one or more access terminals  104  and one or more other network entities, such as network entities included in a core network  204 . The radio access network  202  may, according to various implementations, be referred to by those skill in the art as a base station subsystem (BSS), an access network, a GSM Edge Radio Access Network (GERAN), a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), etc. 
     In addition to one or more base stations  102 , the radio access network  202  can include a base station controller (BSC)  206 , which may also be referred to by those of skill in the art as a radio network controller (RNC). The base station controller  206  is generally responsible for the establishment, release, and maintenance of wireless connections within one or more coverage areas associated with the one or more base stations  102  which are connected to the base station controller  206 . The base station controller  206  can be communicatively coupled to one or more nodes or entities of the core network  204 . 
     The core network  204  is a portion of the wireless communications system  100  that provides various services to access terminals  104  that are connected via the radio access network  202 . The core network  204  may include a circuit-switched (CS) domain and a packet-switched (PS) domain. Some examples of circuit-switched entities include a mobile switching center (MSC) and visitor location register (VLR), identified as MSC/VLR  208 , as well as a Gateway MSC (GMSC)  210 . Some examples of packet-switched elements include a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)  212  and a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)  214 . Other network entities may be included, such as an EIR, a HLR, a VLR and/or a AuC, some or all of which may be shared by both the circuit-switched and packet-switched domains. An access terminal  104  can obtain access to a public switched telephone network (PSTN)  216  via the circuit-switched domain, and to an IP network  218  via the packet-switched domain. 
     One or more of the access terminals  104  operating within the wireless communications system  100  may include one or more capabilities (e.g., features and/or characteristics) for which one or more performance attributes can be beneficially modified. For example, one or more access terminals  104  may be stationary or substantially stationary, may be relatively power sensitive, and/or some other feature or characteristic. 
     At least one example of a stationary or substantially stationary access terminal  104  includes an access terminal  104  adapted for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications (also sometimes referred to as machine-type communication or MTC). An M2M adapted access terminal  104  may be adapted to wirelessly communicate with one or more devices over the wireless communication system  100 , at least substantially without user interaction. M2M access terminals  104  may include a communications device adapted to capture an event (e.g., a sensor that captures temperature, a meter to capture inventory level, etc.), which is relayed through the wireless communication system  100  to an application (e.g., software program), where the event data can be translated into meaningful information (e.g., temperature needs to be lowered/raised, items need to be restocked, etc.). By way of example and not limitation, an M2M access terminal  104  may include a thermostat, an electric meter, a gas meter, a water meter, a sprinkler system, a smart-meter, an appliance, an alarm system, etc. 
     At least one example of a power sensitive access terminal  104  may include an access terminal employing a battery as a power source. For such an access terminal  104 , recharging and/or replacement of the battery may be inconvenient and/or expensive. For instance, it may be difficult to recharge and/or replace a battery employed by an M2M adapted access terminal  104 . As a result, it may be desirable to significantly prolong battery life in such access terminals  104 . 
     According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, access terminals can be adapted to indicate to a network node one or more features and/or characteristics, and network nodes can be adapted to implement one or more optimizations in response to each indicated feature or characteristic.  FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating an example for adapting one or more network features for a particular access terminal. As shown, an access terminal  104  can communicate with a network node  302 . The network node  302  may represent one or more network elements, such as a base station  102  and/or a base station controller  206 , which are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Initially, the access terminal  104  may identify one or more capabilities  304 . For instance, the access terminal  104  may identify one or more features it is capable of facilitating, and/or one or more characteristics associated with the access terminal  104 . In at least some examples, the access terminal  104  may identify capabilities including the access terminal  104  being a stationary device and/or a power-sensitive device. The access terminal may be provisioned with initial capability settings stored in memory. In some embodiments, capability settings can be modified by either an access terminal  104  and/or a network node  302 . 
     When one or more capabilities are identified by the access terminal  104 , the access terminal  104  may send a capability indication message  306  to the network node  302 . The capability indication message is adapted to identify one or more capabilities (e.g., characteristics and/or features) associated with the access terminal. In some examples, the capability indication message can be transmitted with another conventional message by extending the conventional message using a general extension message (GEM). For instance, the capability indication message may be conveyed in a general extension message together with a registration message, an origination message, a page response message, etc. 
     When the network node  302  receives the capability indication message, the network node  302  can identify  308  one or more performance attributes that can be adjusted (e.g., altered or optimized) in response to the indicated capabilities. In response to the indicated capabilities, the network node  302  can alter and/or optimize  310  the one or more identified performance attributes with respect to the access terminal  104 . 
     The network node  302  can employ  312  the one or more altered or optimized performance attributes in operations involving the access terminal  104 . Similarly, the access terminal  104  can employ  314  the one or more altered or optimized performance attributes in operations with the network. For example, the network node  302  and the access terminal  104  can employ altered or optimized messaging, timers, and/or other operations. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , a block diagram is shown illustrating select components of an access terminal  400  according to at least one example of the present disclosure. The access terminal  400  includes a processing circuit  402  coupled to or placed in electrical communication with a communications interface  404  and a storage medium  406 . 
     The processing circuit  402  is arranged to obtain, process and/or send data, control data access and storage, issue commands, and control other desired operations. The processing circuit  402  may include circuitry adapted to implement desired programming provided by appropriate media in at least one example. For example, the processing circuit  402  may be implemented as one or more processors, one or more controllers, and/or other structure configured to execute executable programming. Examples of the processing circuit  402  may include a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic component, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may include a microprocessor, as well as any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processing circuit  402  may also be implemented as a combination of computing components, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a number of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, an ASIC and a microprocessor, or any other number of varying configurations. These examples of the processing circuit  402  are for illustration and other suitable configurations within the scope of the present disclosure are also contemplated. 
     The processing circuit  402  is adapted for processing, including the execution of programming, which may be stored on the storage medium  406 . As used herein, the term “programming” shall be construed broadly to include without limitation instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. 
     The communications interface  404  is configured to facilitate wireless communications of the access terminal  400 . For example, the communications interface  404  may include circuitry and/or programming adapted to facilitate the communication of information bi-directionally with respect to one or more wireless network devices (e.g., network nodes). The communications interface  404  may be coupled to one or more antennas (not shown), and includes wireless transceiver circuitry, including at least one receiver circuit  408  (e.g., one or more receiver chains) and/or at least one transmitter circuit  410  (e.g., one or more transmitter chains). 
     The storage medium  406  may represent one or more computer-readable, machine-readable, and/or processor-readable devices for storing programming, such as processor executable code or instructions (e.g., software, firmware), electronic data, databases, or other digital information. The storage medium  406  may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processing circuit  402  when executing programming The storage medium  406  may be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose processor, including portable or fixed storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable of storing, containing and/or carrying programming By way of example and not limitation, the storage medium  406  may include a computer-readable, machine-readable, and/or processor-readable storage medium such as a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical storage medium (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., card, stick, key drive), random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a register, a removable disk, and/or other mediums for storing programming, as well as any combination thereof. 
     The storage medium  406  may be coupled to the processing circuit  402  such that the processing circuit  402  can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium  406 . That is, the storage medium  406  can be coupled to the processing circuit  402  so that the storage medium  406  is at least accessible by the processing circuit  402 , including examples where the storage medium  406  is integral to the processing circuit  402  and/or examples where the storage medium  406  is separate from the processing circuit  402  (e.g., resident in the access terminal  400 , external to the access terminal  400 , distributed across multiple entities). 
     Programming stored by the storage medium  406 , when executed by the processing circuit  402 , causes the processing circuit  402  to perform one or more of the various functions and/or process steps described herein. For example, the storage medium  406  may include or store device capability operations  412 , which can also be referred to as performance attribute alteration operations. The device capability operations  412  are adapted to cause the processing circuit  402  to identify device capabilities, send a capability indication message, and employ altered performance attributes, as described herein. Thus, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the processing circuit  402  is adapted to perform (in conjunction with the storage medium  406 ) any or all of the processes, functions, steps and/or routines for any or all of the access terminals (e.g., access terminal  104 , access terminal  400 ) described herein. As used herein, the term “adapted” in relation to the processing circuit  402  may refer to the processing circuit  402  being one or more of configured, employed, implemented, and/or programmed (in conjunction with the storage medium  406 ) to perform a particular process, function, step and/or routine according to various features described herein. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating at least one example of a method operational on an access terminal, such as the access terminal  400 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an access terminal  400  can identify one or more capabilities associated with the access terminal  400  at step  502 . Such capabilities may relate to one or more characteristics of the access terminal  400  and/or one or more features the access terminal  400  is capable of facilitating. In at least one implementation, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  can identify the one or more capabilities associated with the access terminal  400 . By way of example only, capabilities associated with the access terminal  400  which the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  may identify can include the device mobility and/or the power sensitivity of the device. 
     In determining device mobility, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  may determine whether the access terminal  400  is stationary or substantially stationary. In some implementations, this determination may include the processing circuit  402  accessing pre-provisioned data (or pre-configured information) stored in the storage medium  406  and adapted to define a mobility type. The mobility type can be adapted to indicate to the processing circuit  402  that the access terminal  400  is at least substantially stationary. The mobility type may include an indication that the access terminal  400  is a M2M configured access terminal  400  that is fixed in a stationary location. Mobility type may be represented by a stored value (e.g., bits, description, etc.), and the stored value can be modified depending on operational and/or performance characteristics. 
     In some implementations, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  may store and review information relating to cell reselection procedures to determine how often cell reselection procedures have been conducted. The processing circuit  402  may also take into account whether previous cell reselections have been limited to a common group of the same cells (e.g., whether the access terminal  400  has only changed between the same two or three cells). According to various examples, the processing circuit  402  executing the overhead message operations  412  can determine the access terminal  400  is stationary or substantially stationary when there have been no cell reselections over the course of a predetermined period of time (e.g., a couple of days, a week, a month, etc.), and/or when previous cell reselections are limited to reselections between a common group of the same cells. 
     In some implementations, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  may monitor a relative pilot signal strength of each of a plurality of neighboring cell. When the relative signal strength of one or more neighboring cells remains at least substantially the same for a predetermined duration of time (e.g., the difference in signal strength from one measurement to the next is less than some predefined threshold), the processing circuit  402  executing the overhead message operations  412  may conclude that the access terminal  400  is at least substantially stationary. 
     In some implementations, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  may monitor a GPS location (e.g., via a GPS circuit (not shown) of the access terminal  400 ) to determine whether the access terminal  400  is mobile or at least substantially stationary. For example, the processing circuit  402  may monitor a GPS location at some predetermined frequency. When any change in GPS location is less than a predefined threshold, the processing circuit  402  executing the overhead message operations  412  may determine that the access terminal  400  is at least substantially stationary. Although the foregoing examples are described for determining the mobility of the access terminal  400 , other examples may also be employed, as well as various combinations of two or more examples. 
     In determining the power sensitivity of the device, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  may determine whether the access terminal  400  is power sensitive. In some implementations, this determination may include the processing circuit  402  accessing pre-provisioned data (or pre-configured information) stored in the storage medium  406  and adapted to define a power-sensitivity type. The power-sensitivity type can be adapted to indicate to the processing circuit  402  that the access terminal  400  is power sensitive. That is, the power-sensitivity type can indicate that a significantly long battery life is desired. The power-sensitivity type may include an indication that the access terminal  400  is adapted for M2M features. Power-sensitivity type may be represented by a stored value (e.g., bits, description, etc.), and the stored value can be modified depending on operational and/or performance characteristics. 
     The foregoing examples of access terminal capabilities (e.g., stationary, power sensitive) are provided by way of example only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will comprehend that any number of capabilities (e.g., device characteristics and/or features) may be conducive to one or more corresponding altered performance attributes, as described below, and may therefore be amenable to being included as an identified capability. 
     At step  504 , the access terminal  400  can transmit a capability indication message adapted to identify one or more capabilities associated with the access terminal  400 , such as one or more of the capabilities identified at step  502 . For example, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  may send a capability indication message via the communications interface identifying one or more capabilities (e.g., identifying the access terminal  400  as stationary and/or as power sensitive). In one or more implementations, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  may send the capability indication message at the time of registration with the network. In some instances, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  may convey the capability indication message together with another conventional message by extending the conventional message using a general extension message (GEM). The processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  can identify the availability of employing a general extension message by information obtained in overhead messages (e.g., sector parameters messages). Some examples of conventional messages with which the capability indication message may be conveyed include registration messages, origination messages, page response messages, etc. 
     At step  506 , the access terminal  400  can employ one or more altered performance attributes associated with the one or more capabilities identified in the capability indication message. For example, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  can employ the one or more altered performance attributes associated with the one or more capabilities identified in the capability indication message. 
     In at least one example where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal  400  as a stationary device, at least one adjusted performance attribute may include the processing circuit  402  receiving page messages via the communications interface  404 , which page messages have been transmitted by the network to a limited paging area corresponding to a location recently associated with the access terminal  400 . That is, the page messages received by the access terminal  400  are transmitted by the network to a reduced or smaller paging area (e.g., corresponding to one or two sectors) in which the access terminal  400  has recently been located by the network. The stationary access terminal  400  can still receive such page messages by virtue of it being stationary. 
     In other examples, where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal  400  as a stationary device, at least one other adjusted performance attribute may include the processing circuit  402  receiving direct channel assignments via the communications interface  404 . That is, channel assignments received by the access terminal  400  are transmitted by the network without previously sending a page message to verify the location of the access terminal  400 . Channel assignment messages are relatively larger than page messages, and direct channel assignments can waste paging channel resources. As a result, the access terminal  400  would conventionally receive a page message sent to large area. By responding to the page message, the access terminal  400  would assist the network in verifying where the access terminal  400  is located, and the access terminal  400  would then receive a channel assignment message that is sent to a relatively smaller area corresponding to the location of the access terminal  400 . In the example of the present disclosure, the access terminal  400  has identified itself as a stationary device so the network can send the direct channel assignment to limited area associated with the access terminal&#39;s  400  location, without employing a previous page message. Accordingly, the access terminal  400  can receive a direct channel assignment that is sent without a preceding page message. 
     Reception of direct channel assignments may also be an adjusted performance attribute in other examples where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal  400  as a power-sensitive device. Since the direct channel assignments eliminate the reception of a preceding page message and the response by the access terminal  400  to the preceding page message, the direct channel assignments can reduce power consumption in the access terminal  400 . For instance, the processing circuit  402  can keep the access terminal  400  in a low-power state for a longer period of time by eliminating these communications. In addition to the access terminal  400  being identified as a power-sensitive device, the direct channel assignments would be employed when the network has additional knowledge that the access terminal  400  is a stationary device, or when the network has had recent communication with the access terminal  400  and is aware of its current location. 
     In at least one example where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal  400  as a power-sensitive device, at least one adjusted performance attribute may include a reduced dormancy timer associated with the access terminal  400 . That is, the dormancy timer associated with the access terminal  400  may have a reduced value relative to an initial or previous setting. In this way, if there is little or no activity on a traffic channel for the access terminal  400 , the traffic channel can be released or scaled down to reduce power consumption at the access terminal  400 . 
     In one or more other examples where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal  400  as a power-sensitive device, at least one adjusted performance attribute may include employing fast call setup. That is, the processing circuit  402  executing the device capability operations  412  can employ conventional fast call setup parameters in response to the capability indication message identifying the access terminal  400  as power sensitive. Fast call setup generally refers to an accelerated process in call setup (e.g., bearer resource assignment), including a set of enhancements/mechanisms that reduce the latency involved in access-terminal-terminated and access-terminal-originated call setup. Call setup involves a set of signaling message exchanges between the access terminal, a base station and the network in order to allocate resources and allow user communication to proceed. 
     In another example where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal  400  as a power-sensitive device, at least one adjusted performance attribute may include employing an increased point-to-point protocol (PPP) inactivity timer. For instance, the processing circuit  402  may receive a communication from the network including an indication that an increased point-to-point protocol (PPP) inactivity timer is employed for the access terminal  400 . Typically, the access terminal  400  may expend significant resources in establishing a PPP session, including significant power. The increased PPP inactivity timer can be significantly greater than a conventional timer period for maintaining a PPP session. In this manner, even though the access terminal  400  may be inactive for an extended period of time, the PPP session can be maintained so that there will not be a need to establish a new PPP session when communications are ready. 
     The foregoing examples of altered performance attributes are provided by way of example only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will comprehend that any number of performance attributes associated with one or more device capabilities may be conducive to being altered for the beneficial performance of the access terminal and/or the network, and may therefore be amenable to being included as an altered performance attribute. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6 , a block diagram is shown illustrating select components of a network node  600  according to at least one example. The network node  600  may include a processing circuit  602  coupled to or placed in electrical communication with a communications interface  604  and a storage medium  606 . 
     The processing circuit  602  is arranged to obtain, process and/or send data, control data access and storage, issue commands, and control other desired operations. The processing circuit  602  may include circuitry configured to implement desired programming provided by appropriate media in at least one example, and may be implemented and/or adapted according to any of the examples of the processing circuit  402  described above. 
     The communications interface  604  is configured to facilitate wireless communications of the network node  600 . For example, the communications interface  604  may include circuitry and/or programming adapted to facilitate the communication of information bi-directionally with respect to one or more access terminals. The communications interface  604  may be coupled to one or more antennas (not shown), and includes wireless transceiver circuitry, including at least one receiver circuit  608  (e.g., one or more receiver chains) and/or at least one transmitter circuit  610  (e.g., one or more transmitter chains). 
     The storage medium  606  may represent one or more computer-readable, machine-readable, and/or processor-readable devices for storing programming, such as processor executable code or instructions (e.g., software, firmware), electronic data, databases, or other digital information. The storage medium  606  may be configured and/or implemented in a manner similar to the storage medium  406  described above. 
     The storage medium  606  may be coupled to the processing circuit  602  such that the processing circuit  602  can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium  606 . That is, the storage medium  606  can be coupled to the processing circuit  602  so that the storage medium  606  is at least accessible by the processing circuit  602 . This can include scenarios where the storage medium  606  is integral to the processing circuit  602  and/or examples where the storage medium  606  is separate from the processing circuit  602  (e.g., resident in the network node  600 , external to the network node  600 , distributed across multiple entities). 
     Like the storage medium  406 , the storage medium  606  includes programming stored thereon. The programming stored by the storage medium  606 , when executed by the processing circuit  602 , causes the processing circuit  602  to perform one or more of the various functions and/or process steps described herein. For example, the storage medium  606  may include performance attribute operations  612  adapted to cause the processing circuit  602  to employ one or more altered or modified performance attributes for a particular access terminal in response to identification of one or more capabilities associated with the access terminal. Thus, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the processing circuit  602  is adapted to perform (in conjunction with the storage medium  606 ) any or all of the processes, functions, steps and/or routines for any or all of the network nodes described herein (e.g., base station  102 , base station controller  206 , and/or network node  302  in  FIGS. 1-3 ). As used herein, the term “adapted” in relation to the processing circuit  602  may refer to the processing circuit  602  being one or more of configured, employed, implemented, and/or programmed (in conjunction with the storage medium  606 ) to perform a particular process, function, step and/or routine according to various features described herein. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating at least one example of a method operational on a network node, such as the network node  600 . Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a network node  600  may receive a capability indication message identifying one or more capabilities associated with an access terminal at step  702 . For instance, the processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  may receive the capability indication message via the communications interface  604 . In some implementations, the capability indication message may be received by the network node  600  when the access terminal is registering with the network. In one or more examples, the capability indication message may be received together with another conventional message in a general extension message (GEM). As noted above, some examples of capabilities associated with an access terminal that may be identified by the capability indication message may include device mobility, the power sensitivity of the device, as well as any other capability (e.g., device characteristic and/or feature) that may be conducive to application of one or more altered performance attributes. 
     At step  704 , the network node  600  can identify one or more performance attributes that can be adjusted in view of the one or more capabilities identified in the received capability indication message. For example, the performance attribute operations  612  may include a table with all possible capabilities that can be identified by the capability indication message and their respective performance attribute modifications. The processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  can accordingly obtain each of the capabilities identified in the capability indication message, and then identify from the table each performance attribute associated with the identified capabilities that can be beneficially adjusted for the respective access terminal 
     At step  706 , the network node  600  can employ one or more adjusted performance attributes for the access terminal. For example, the processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  can employ one or more of the adjusted performance attributes identified in step  704 . 
     In at least one example where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal as a stationary device, an example of an adjusted performance attribute includes transmitting page messages for the access terminal to a limited paging area corresponding to a location recently associated with the access terminal For example, in response to the capability indication message identifying the access terminal as stationary, the processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  can cause page messages directed to the access terminal to be transmitted in a reduced or smaller paging area according to the last known location of the access terminal. In at least one implementation, on identifying the access terminal as a stationary device, the processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  can store information associated with the most recent active set utilized by the access terminal. In some examples, this active set information can be stored by a base station controller (BSC), such as the BSC  206  in  FIG. 2 . When a page is to be transmitted for the access terminal, the network node  600  can transmit the first page over a limited area corresponding to the last active set for the access terminal. For instance, the processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  may cause the page to be transmitted over a set of cells corresponding to the most recent active set for the access terminal. 
     In another example where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal as a stationary device, an example of an adjusted performance attribute includes the network node  600  transmitting direct channel assignments to the access terminal. As described herein above, a channel assignment is relatively larger than a page. In order to conserve system resources, the network typically transmits a page for the access terminal prior to sending a channel assignment so that the channel assignment is not sent over a relatively large area. After the access terminal responds to the page, the network node  600  can transmit a channel assignment in a very limited area. In this example, the network node  600  knows that the access terminal is stationary. Accordingly, in response to the capability indication message identifying the access terminal as stationary, the processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  can transmit a channel assignment to the access terminal without sending a preceding page to the access terminal. The channel assignment can be transmitted to the reduced or smaller area corresponding to a previously known location of the access terminal without sending the page before the channel assignment. As noted above, this can be referred to as direct channel assignment. 
     The direct channel assignments can also be employed in response to the capability indication message identifying the access terminal as a power-sensitive device. In such examples, the direct channel assignments may be employed when the network node  600  has additional knowledge that the access terminal is a stationary device, or when the network node  600  is already aware of the access terminal&#39;s current location. In such instances, the page can be skipped and the channel assignment can be sent directly. 
     In an example where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal as a power-sensitive device, an example of an adjusted performance attribute includes employing a reduced dormancy timer for the access terminal. That is, in response to the capability indication message identifying the access terminal as power sensitive, the processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  can adjust the dormancy timer for the access terminal to a reduced duration. In this manner, the processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  can release or scale down a traffic channel for the access terminal when there is little or no activity with the access terminal for the duration of the dormancy timer. 
     In another example where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal as power sensitive, an example of an adjusted performance attribute includes employing fast call setup with the access terminal. For instance, in response to the capability indication message identifying the access terminal as a power-sensitive device, the processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  can employ fast call setup with the access terminal. As noted previously herein, fast call setup refers to an accelerated process in call setup (bearer resource assignment), including a set of enhancements/mechanisms that reduce the latency involved in access-terminal-terminated and access-terminal-originated call setup. Call setup involves a set of signaling message exchanges between the access terminal, a base station and the network in order to allocate resources and allow user communication to proceed. 
     In another example where the capability indication message identifies the access terminal as power sensitive, an example of an adjusted performance attribute includes employing an increased point-to-point protocol (PPP) inactivity timer. That is, in response to the capability indication message identifying the access terminal as a power-sensitive device, the processing circuit  602  executing the performance attribute operations  612  can employ a PPP inactivity timer with a significantly longer duration compared to a conventional PPP inactivity timer. 
     These examples of various capabilities and their associated altered performance attributes are for example and illustration only. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that any number of device capabilities and/or performance attributes associated with one or more device capabilities may be employed within the various features of the present disclosure to optimizing operation of access terminals and network nodes. 
     While the above discussed aspects, arrangements, and embodiments are discussed with specific details and particularity, one or more of the components, steps, features and/or functions illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and/or  7  may be rearranged and/or combined into a single component, step, feature or function or embodied in several components, steps, or functions. Additional elements, components, steps, and/or functions may also be added or not utilized without departing from the present disclosure. The apparatus, devices and/or components illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4  and/or  6  may be configured to perform or employ one or more of the methods, features, parameters, and/or steps described in  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and/or  7 . The novel algorithms described herein may also be efficiently implemented in software and/or embedded in hardware. 
     Also, it is noted that at least some implementations have been described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination corresponds to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function. The various methods described herein may be partially or fully implemented by programming (e.g., instructions and/or data) that may be stored in a machine-readable, computer-readable, and/or processor-readable storage medium, and executed by one or more processors, machines and/or devices. 
     Those of skill in the art would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or any combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. 
     The various features associate with the examples described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings can be implemented in different examples and implementations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, although certain specific constructions and arrangements have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the scope of the disclosure, since various other additions and modifications to, and deletions from, the described embodiments will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the scope of the disclosure is only determined by the literal language, and legal equivalents, of the claims which follow.