Abstract:
A method of providing a framework for efficient scanning and session establishment may include receiving vocabulary independent property information indicative of a property request and corresponding setting information of an application associated with a device capable of communication with a network communication environment, determining capabilities of the network communication environment relative to the received property information, and enabling generation of a selected scan function having selected scan parameters based at least in part on the determined capabilities and the property information. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/317,569, filed Mar. 25, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to wireless communication technology and, more particularly, relate to a method and apparatus for providing interference avoidance in a network including a femtocell, for example, by selectively muting a control channel for the femtocell. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There is a growing interest among operators to deploy broadband access networks including one or more small scale base stations known as Femto base stations or home nodeBs. More recently, more advanced versions of these devices, known sometimes as ABS (advanced base stations) or home eNodeBs have been proposed for use in order to improve the service coverage and provide a better broadband experience for users attempting to access wireless networks in their houses and small offices. Hereinafter, we will refer generally to such devices as “Femto ABS” to represent a broadband access base station that may employ example embodiments of the present invention. A Femto ABS may be a low-power wireless base station that may operate in the licensed or unlicensed spectrum to connect standard mobile devices to a mobile operator&#39;s network using residential DSL or cable broadband connections. As such, a wireless connection may be provided to communication devices within range of the Femto ABS, but the Femto ABS may be connected to the wireless network itself using a wired backhaul interface. The Femto ABS may therefore provide wireless coverage to an area that overlaps to some degree with resources of the wireless network (e.g., the coverage area of a Macro ABS). The spectrum employed by the Femto ABS may be the same as or different than the spectrum that is employed by the Macro ABS. 
         [0004]    A Femto ABS may be inserted into the wireless network as a plug-and-play product. When initializing, the Femto ABS may be configured to measure its environment and make configurations by itself to optimize the network. The configurations made may include frequency assignment, interference control, and other activities. When providing services to users, there are generally two classifications of Femto ABSs including closed-access Femto ABSs and open-access Femto ABSs. A closed-access Femto ABS may only allow a registered and authorized AMS (advanced mobile station) that is in the white list of the Femto ABS to access the network. Meanwhile, an open-access Femto ABS may allow an AMS to access without being required to be on the white list. 
         [0005]    To obtain relatively high spectrum efficiency, a Femto ABS using the same spectrum as a Macro ABS (e.g., co-channel operation) may be employed. Unfortunately, co-channel situations may introduce interference that can even be large in some cases.  FIG. 1  illustrates two scenarios in which poor performance may result while employing a co-channel. As such,  FIG. 1  illustrates two example situations that may commonly be encountered in typical communication environments in which example embodiments may be employed. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a Macro ABS  10  may provide a coverage area  12  that extends over a relatively wide area. Two Femto ABSs (e.g., Femto ABS  1  and Femto ABS  2 ) may be located within the coverage area  12  of the Macro ABS  10 , and each may define its own respective smaller coverage area (e.g., coverage areas  21  and  22 , respectively). Two AMSs may also be within the example network of  FIG. 1  including a Macro AMS  30  and a closed service group (CSG) AMS  32 . 
         [0006]    When the location of a Femto ABS is close to the location of the Macro ABS  10  (e.g., as is the case for Femto ABS  1 ), the downlink power of the Macro ABS  10  may interfere with the downlink power of the Femto ABS. Thus, for example, the CSG AMS  32 , which is served by the Femto ABS  1 , may receive signals with a relatively strong downlink power from the Macro ABS  10  and the received signals may interfere with the downlink signals transmitted by the Femto ABS  1  that is serving the CSG AMS  32 . 
         [0007]    Another potential interference scenario may be created when an inaccessible AMS (e.g., the Macro AMS  30 , which is not allowed to be served by the Femto ABS  2  since it is not a member of the CSG of the Femto ABS  2 ) enters into the coverage area of a Femto ABS that is relatively far away from the Macro ABS  10  (as is the case for Femto ABS  2  in  FIG. 1 ). Because the Macro AMS may be within the coverage area  22  of the Femto ABS  2 , but is not allowed to access the network via the Femto ABS  2 , the downlink power of the Femto ABS  2  may interfere with the downlink power of the Macro ABS  10  and transmissions by the Macro ABS  10  may fail to be discernable at the Macro AMS  30 . This scenario may occur dynamically and may be dependent upon the location of an AMS served being within an area of overlapping coverage of the Macro ABS  10  and a Femto ABS with which the AMS is not associated or cannot associate. 
         [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a conventional frame structure to further explain typical operation in conventional equipment. The conventional frame structure includes an SA-Preamble  50 , a super frame header (SFH)  52 , followed by a downlink (DL) frame  54  and an uplink (UL) frame  56 . In a conventional situation, an AMS may typically attempt to find the synchronization signal or channel (e.g., similar to the SA-Preamble  50  in  FIG. 2 ) for downlink synchronization when it powers on. After completing the synchronization, the AMS may be enabled to receive system information (including, for example, the primary SFH (P-SFH) and secondary SFH (S-SFH)), which may be carried in the control channel. The control channel is typically allocated at a predetermined frame structure as shown in  FIG. 2 . After successful decoding of the system information, the AMS may know the parameters for the corresponding ABS and further proceed to network entry (e.g., by uplink synchronization through a ranging channel, authorization and registration, capability negotiation, etc.). If interference occurs, the interference may be avoided by resource reservation, by partition or by other interference mitigation schemes. However, the allocation of the control channel should typically be fixed and thus, those schemes may not be able to be applied. Since the control channel carries the system information and an AMS couldn&#39;t operate without the system information, it may be desirable to develop an improved interference mitigation scheme on the control channel. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0009]    A method and apparatus are therefore provided for enabling the provision of a method of interference avoidance. For example, some embodiments may provide for selectively muting a control channel for the Femtocell to provide interference avoidance. Accordingly, for example, an alternative procedure and structure may be provided to enable users to access a Femtocell without decoding the control channels. Coverage holes caused by interference between Macrocell base stations and Femtocell base station may then be removed or further mitigated to improve overall system capacity by enabling users to avoid interference with respect to acquisition of system information. 
         [0010]    In one exemplary embodiment, a method of providing interference avoidance in a Femtocell network is provided. The method may include receiving, at a Femtocell, a mobile station generated-message relating to provision of system information of the Femtocell to the mobile station, and selectively providing the system information of the Femtocell to the mobile station based on the mobile station-generated message. 
         [0011]    In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for providing interference avoidance in a Femtocell network is provided. The apparatus may include processing circuitry configuring the apparatus to receive, at a Femtocell, a mobile station generated-message relating to provision of system information of the Femtocell to the mobile station, and selectively provide the system information of the Femtocell to the mobile station based on the mobile station-generated message. 
         [0012]    In another exemplary embodiment, an alternative method for providing interference avoidance in a Femtocell network is provided. The method may include generating, at a mobile station, a message relating to provision of system information of a Femtocell to the mobile station, and providing the message to a network entity to initiate selective provision of the system information of the Femtocell to the mobile station based on the message. 
         [0013]    In another exemplary embodiment, a system for providing interference avoidance in a Femtocell network is provided. The system may include a Femto base station having a coverage area overlapping with at least one neighbor cell, and a mobile station capable of receiving signaling from the Femto base station. The mobile station may be configured to generate a message relating to provision of system information of the Femto base station to the mobile station, and provide the message to the Femto base station or the neighbor cell. The Femto base station may be configured to selectively provide the system information of the Femto base station to the mobile station based on the message. 
         [0014]    Some embodiments of the invention may therefore provide a methods, apparatus and system that may provide device users with improved capabilities and user experience with respect to accessing wireless networks via mobile devices. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0015]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are examples. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates two scenarios in which co-channel operation may be provided according to an example embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a conventional frame structure to further explain typical operation in conventional equipment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a control flow diagram for the provision of system information to a mobile station via a macro base station according to an example embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a frame structure for supporting detection of the presence of an always-muting Femto base station according to an example embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5 , which includes  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C, shows examples of mechanisms by which updated system information may be provided to an on-serving mobile station according to an example embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6 , which includes  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  6 C, illustrates message sequences associated with operation of example embodiments involving a mobile station to be paged; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7 , which includes  FIGS. 7A and 7B , illustrates an example of a Femto base station support for updating system information for an idle mode mobile station with Femto base station support for a different paging group identifiers (PGIDs) or for the same PGID according to an example embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example in which a mobile station may send an interference mitigation request to inform the Femto base station that the mobile station is experiencing interference according to an example embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram according of an apparatus for providing interference avoidance in a Femtocell network according to an example embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram according to a method for providing interference avoidance in a Femtocell network according to an example embodiment; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram according to another method for providing interference avoidance in a Femtocell network according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, the term “exemplary,” as used herein, is not provided to convey any qualitative assessment, but instead merely to convey an illustration of an example. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0028]    As indicated above, control channel interference may be encountered when an AMS attempts to obtain system information while within the coverage area of both a Femtocell and a Macrocell. To overcome this interference in the control channel (e.g., the SFH in an IEEE802.16 system or the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) in a long term evolution (LTE) system), an example embodiment may employ selective muting within the Femtocell. For example, the Femto ABS may be enabled to mute its SFH (representative of a control channel herein). Accordingly, the Femto ABS may selectively provide its system information through the control channel to prevent interference. In some cases, the system information may be provided to an AMS dependent upon the state of the AMS. The state of the AMS may be one of the following including an idle mode AMS, a new or incoming AMS, an AMS that is to be paged, or an AMS being served. Different operations regarding system information transmission may be applied for each of the different states outlined above. Moreover, the selective muting described above may include an embodiment for always muting the SFH and/or an embodiment for event-based muting of the SFH. 
         [0029]    For the always-muting case mentioned above, the Femto ABS may be biased to mute the SFH and may un-mute in response to certain stimuli. For example, the Femto ABS may be configured to normally mute the SFH and stop muting the SFH in response to receipt of a request from an AMS. Once the Femto ABS stops muting the SFH, a timer may be initiated. In response to the Femto ABS receiving a response from the AMS to indicate that the receipt of system information is complete, the Femto ABS may resume muting of the SFH. Otherwise, if no response indicating completion of receipt of the system information is received, the Femto ABS may resume muting when the timer expires. 
         [0030]    For the always-muting case, when a new AMS (e.g., the term “new” referring only to the fact that the AMS was not in the coverage area of the corresponding Femto ABS in preceding moments and not referring to either the age of the AMS or whether the AMS was in the Femto ABS coverage area at some more distant prior time) enters the coverage area of the Femto ABS, the new AMS may receive system information via the overlapped Macro ABS (e.g., Macro ABS  10  of  FIG. 1 ).  FIG. 3  illustrates a control flow diagram for the provision of system information to an AMS via a Macro ABS according to an example embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 3 , an AMS  100  may power on within the coverage area of the Macro ABS  10  and the Femto ABS  1 . The AMS  100  may detect the preamble of the Femto ABS  1 , but may not be able to find the SFH of the Femto ABS  1  (since the Femto ABS  1  may be muting its SFH). The AMS  100  may then be configured to select the Macro ABS  10  as its serving cell even though the AMS  100  is still in the coverage area of the Femto ABS  1 . When the AMS  100  is served by the Macro ABS  10 , a proximity mechanism may thereafter indicate that the AMS  100  could be served by the Femto ABS  1  and handover procedures may be initiated. During handover preparation, the overlapped Macro ABS  10  may transmit the system information of the Femto ABS to the AMS  100  by sending a unicast message (e.g., an advanced air interface superframe header command (AAI_SFH-CMD) message as shown in  FIG. 3 ). The Macro ABS  10  may be configured to acquire the system information of the Femto ABS  1  through the backhaul in order to support the provision of the system information of the Femto ABS  1  to the AMS  100  without the Femto ABS  1  potentially sending interfering messages to the AMS  100 , but instead muting the SFH of the Femto ABS  1 . The Macro ABS  10  may be configured to store the system information and then directly reply to the AMS  100  when proximity conditions are met. The Femto ABS  1  may send a notification to the Macro ABS  10  if the system information updates. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , when the AMS  100  powers on, the AMS  100  may initially perform network entry via the Macro ABS  10  at operation  110 . The Macro ABS  10  may inform the Femto ABS  1  that the AMS  100  provided a notification with its STID information at operation  112 . The Femto ABS  1  may initiate monitoring accordingly at operation  114 . The Femto ABS  1  may send a monitoring notification to the Macro ABS  10  at operation  116 . The Macro ABS  10  may then send an AAI_RNG-RSP message to the AMS  100  at operation  118  and send dedicate periodic ranging information to the Femto ABS  1  at operation  120 . The AMS  100  may communicate a dedicated ranging preamble to the Macro ABS  10  at operation  122 , which may be relayed on to the Femto ABS  1  at operation  124 . The Femto ABS  1  may determine whether the received signal strength indication (RSSI) is greater than a particular threshold at operation  126  and send a message to the Macro ABS  10  at operation  128  to terminate monitoring and initiate AMS scanning. The Macro ABS  10  may send an AAI_RNG-ACK message to the AMS  100  at operation  130  and send an AAI_SCN-RSP message at operation  132 . The AMS  100  may communicate an AAI_SCN-REP at operation  134  after which the Macro ABS  10  may acquire the system information (e.g., SFH) of the Femto ABS  1  at operation  136 . The system information of the Femto ABS  1  may then be provided to the AMS  100  at operation  138  via the AAI_SFH-CMD message. 
         [0032]    As another approach, the powered up AMS  100  may request the system information of the Femto ABS in response to detecting the presence of an always-muting Femto ABS. The presence of an always-muting Femto ABS may be indicated, for example, by the receipt of a strong preamble from a Femto ABS without any SFH at the AMS  100 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a frame structure for supporting detection of the presence of an always-muting Femto ABS as described above. The SA-preamble  150  of  FIG. 4  will always be transmitted, but the SFH  152  may not be transmitted except when a request for the system information is received (e.g., via an AAI_RNG-REQ message). The DL frame  154  and the UL frame  156  may then be provided in order with synchronized ranging information  158  being provided in a portion of the UL frame  156 . The UL frame  156  may also include a special ranging channel  160  for enabling the AMS to request the SFH. 
         [0033]    In cases in which it is desirable for the Femto ABS to update its system information while the Femto ABS is serving an AMS, the Femto ABS may be configured to notify the AMS by transmitting a unicast message (e.g., the AAI_SFH-CMD message).  FIG. 5 , which includes  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C, shows examples of mechanisms by which the updated system information (e.g., SFH update) may be provided to an on-serving AMS (e.g., an AMS already being served by a Femto ABS).  FIG. 5A  illustrates an example in which the serving Femto ABS simply sends the unicast message (e.g., the AAI_SFH-CMD message) to the AMS to inform the AMS of the changed system information.  FIG. 5B  illustrates an example in which the AMS is in a sleep mode and there is a timing window defining an available interval during which scheduling information may be communicated. The Femto ABS may communicate a broadcast message initially and then send the SFH within the available interval defined.  FIG. 5C  illustrates another example in which the on-serving AMS requests system information. The request may come for any reason such as, for example, the AMS losing some portion of the information. As shown in  FIG. 5C , the AMS may send a request for the system information (e.g., via an AAI_SFH-REQ) and the Femto ABS may respond with the system information (e.g., via an AAI_SFH-CMD). In some cases, the AMS may append a change count of its stored information into the request message to help the Femto ABS to verify the system information version that is requested. 
         [0034]    For an AMS that is to be paged by an always-muting Femto ABS (e.g., an on-paging AMS) when the Femto ABS attempts to update its system information, the Femto ABS may notify the on-paging AMS by providing a paging message to recommend that the on-paging AMS wake up. After AMS wake-up, the Femto ABS may transmit a unicast message to the AMS to provide the updated system information. In some cases, the on-paging AMS may request updated (or a retransmission) of the system information by either performing a network re-entry and then sending a message as if the AMS had previous system information regarding this Femto ABS or performing a request mechanism as addressed above for a new AMS. For network re-entry, the Femto ABS may precede the update process in the same manner described above for an on-serving AMS. For performing an update request, instead of updating the system information, an on-paging AMS may change the paged cell from a Femto ABS to a Macro ABS if the AMS does not desire to process the update. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6 , which includes  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  6 C, illustrates examples of operation of example embodiments involving an AMS to be paged.  FIG. 6A  illustrates a Femto ABS providing an AAI_PAG-ADV message in response to which a network entry is performed followed by the provision of system information to the AMS via the AAI_SFH-CMD message. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a network entry being performed after which the AMS issues a request for system information via a AAI_SFH-REQ message in response to which the system information is provided to the AMS via the AAI_SFH-CMD message. In  FIG. 6C , a dedicated ranging code is provided to the Femto ABS and the Femto ABS responds with a broadcast SFH to provide the AMS with the system information. 
         [0037]    For an idle mode AMS in the coverage area of a Femto ABS that practices always-muting the SFH, multiple options may be available to the idle mode AMS, examples of which are shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 7 , which includes  FIGS. 7A and 7B , illustrates an example of Femto ABS support for updating SFH for an idle mode AMS with Femto ABS support for a different PGID ( FIG. 7A ) or for the same PGID ( FIG. 7B ). For example, the AMS may be configured to listen for a paging message from the Macro ABS even if it finds a stronger SA-preamble but no SFH of a Femto ABS (indicating an always-muting Femto ABS). Alternatively, the AMS may be configured to perform a request as described above for a new oncoming AMS to obtain system information. If the Femto ABS supports different paging group identifiers (PGIDs), then the AMS may perform a location update and the ABS may re-start muting the SFH after network entry procedures are complete. If the Femto ABS supports the same PGID, the AMS may inform the Femto ABS that it may restart muting the SFH or the Femto ABS may restart muting the control channel upon timer expiry. 
         [0038]    As indicated above, as an alternative to providing an always-muting SFH Femto ABS, event-based muting of the SFH for the Femto ABS may be accomplished. Event-based muting may involve muting of the SFH by the Femto ABS only when predefined criteria are met or stopping muting of the SFH by the Femto ABS only when predefined criteria are met. For example, in some cases event-based muting may be initiated when there are AMSs served by a Macro ABS and one or more of the AMSs report interference caused by the Femto ABS. In such an example, the Femto ABS may otherwise send system information until an AMS reports interference.  FIG. 8  illustrates an example in which an AMS may send an interference mitigation (IM) request to inform the Femto ABS that the AMS is experiencing interference. Generally speaking, after receiving the IM request, the Femto ABS may stop providing the system information via its control channel (i.e., mute its SFH). 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a Femto ABS  200  and a Macro ABS  202  may initially be communicating preamble (as indicated at operation  210 ) and SFH (as indicated by operation  212 ) to an AMS  204  such that the SFH causes interference. The interference may prevent the AMS  204  from being able to decode the SFH at operation  214 . DL synchronization may then occur and the Macro ABS  202  may read the SFH from the Femto ABS  200  at operation  216 . The AMS  204  may then communicate an IM request  220  to the Femto ABS  200 . In some cases, the AMS  204  may also indicate the ABS identifier (ABSID) of the Femto ABS  200  to the Macro ABS  202  at operation  222 . In response to receipt of the IM request, the Femto ABS  200  may start muting as indicated at operation  224 . Thereafter, only the preamble from the Femto ABS  200  may be provided along with the preamble from the Macro ABS  202  as indicated at operation  226 . Only the Macro ABS  202  may send SFH thereafter as indicated at operation  228  due to muting of the SFH of the Femto ABS  200 . 
         [0040]    However, if the Femto ABS  200  ends up being a large enough distance away from the AMS  204  to reduce the interference below acceptable levels, the muting may be stopped. The criteria for determining the distance at which muting may be stopped can be varied in different embodiments. Thus, for example, in some cases the RSSI from the Femto ABS may be measured with respect to a threshold value by the AMS  204  (as indicated at operation  230 ) and the AMS  204  may report (as indicated at operation  232 ) to the Macro ABS  202  when the RSSI declines to below the threshold value. The Macro ABS  202  may then notify the Femto ABS  200  at operation  234  so the Femto ABS  200  may stop muting as indicated at operation  236 . Thereafter, the Femto ABS  200  and the Macro ABS  202  may each communicate preamble (as indicated at operation  240 ) and SFH (as indicated by operation  242 ) to the AMS  204  such that the SFH causes only a small amount of interference to the AMS  204 . 
         [0041]    In an example embodiment, the decision on whether to begin muting may also be made based on distance. Thus, for example, either or both of initiating and stopping muting may be accomplished based on distance information that may be gathered via any of a plurality of different methods. In some cases, distance may be determined based on RSSI measurements as indicated above. However, in other instances, GPS distance or another mechanism by which to determine distance may be employed. As such, when the distance between the Femto ABS  200  and the AMS  204  decreases below a threshold distance, muting may be initiated to reduce interference. However, if the distance increases to above a threshold value (that may be the same or different as the threshold distance for initiating muting), the muting may be stopped. 
         [0042]    In some cases, the AMS may obtain or update system information based on its state in the event-based muting paradigm. State classifications may be similar to those discussed above including a new oncoming AMS, an on-serving AMS, an on-paging AMS and an idle mode AMS. For a new oncoming AMS, the AMS may select the Macro ABS as its serving cell and, if the AMS desires a handover to the Femto ABS, the Macro ABS may reject the handover request until the Femto ABS stops muting its SFH. In some cases, the Macro ABS may negotiate with the Femto ABS to result in the Femto ABS stopping the muting of the SFH. As an alternative, the Macro ABS may give the system information of the Femto ABS to the AMS during handover preparation. 
         [0043]    For an on-serving AMS for which event-based muting is to be employed, the on-serving AMS may receive a system information update via the messaging sequences described above in connection with  FIG. 5 . For an on-paging AMS for which event-based muting is to be employed, the on-paging AMS may receive a system information update via the messaging sequences described above in connection with  FIG. 6 . For an idle mode AMS for which event-based muting is to be employed, the idle mode AMS may perform cell selection and receive paging messages from the Macro ABS when the Femto ABS mutes its SFH. 
         [0044]    For event-based muting of the SFH of a Femto ABS, the Femto ABS may be configured to stop muting its SFH until the Femto ABS receives the notification (e.g., from message  234  of  FIG. 8 ) from the Macro ABS. When an AMS served by the Macro ABS sends the IM request (e.g., message  220  of  FIG. 8 ), the IM request may also inform the Macro ABS of the Femto ABS&#39;s ID as indicated at message  222  of  FIG. 8 . Thereafter, the AMS may continue to monitor the received signal strength of the Femto ABS or other indications of distance of the Femto ABS to determine whether muting can be stopped based on a likelihood of low interference for the current distance. In some cases, the AMS may send a report message to the Macro ABS and then the Macro ABS may notify the Femto ABS to stop muting its SFH and return to normal operation. 
         [0045]    In either the always-muting or the event-based muting case, the Femto ABS may be configured to allow the corresponding allocation to remain empty when the SFH is muted. This may avoid interference with the SFH of the Macro ABS, but force un-use of the corresponding resources. Alternatively, the Femto ABS may be configured to allocate data regarding allocation when the Femto ABS does not provide SFH. When transmitting, the Femto ABS may use small power or apply scheduling with location information in order to avoid interference between the data of the Femto ABS and the control channel of the Macro ABS. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  illustrates an example of structure that may be employed to execute some example embodiments. In this regard,  FIG. 9  illustrates an apparatus  300  that may be embodied at or as either a mobile station (e.g., an AMS) or a base station (e.g., a Femto ABS) configurable to perform example embodiments of the present invention. The apparatus  300  may include a processor  310 . The processor  310  may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor  310  may be embodied as various processing means such as a processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a hardware accelerator, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the processor  310  may be configured to execute instructions stored in a memory device or otherwise accessible to the processor  310 . By executing stored instructions or operating in accordance with hard coded instructions, the processor  310  may control the operation of the apparatus  300  by directing functionality of the apparatus  300  associated with implementing event-based muting on always-muting embodiments described above from the mobile station or base station perspective according to the respective configuration provided to the apparatus  300  by the processor  310  and/or the instructions stored in memory for configuring the processor  310 . As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor  310  may represent an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. 
         [0047]    The apparatus  300  may also include a storage module  320 . The storage module  320  may include, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory. The storage module  320  may be configured to store information, instructions and/or the like. For example, the storage module  320  could be configured to buffer data for processing by the processor  310  or prior to transmission. Additionally or alternatively, the storage module  320  could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor  310 . The storage module  320  may be an integrated part of the apparatus  300  or may be a removable memory device. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the apparatus  300  may further include an interface module  330 . The interface module  330  may include hardware, and in some cases also software for configuring the hardware, for enabling the apparatus  300  to interface with other devices and users, if applicable. Thus, for example, if the apparatus  300  is embodied as a mobile station, the interface module  330  may include a user interface providing, for example, display, keyboard, soft keys, touch screen interface, mouse, joystick, microphone, speaker, and/or any other user interface capabilities that a mobile station may employ. The interface module  330  may also include circuitry and/or components to enable inter-device interface as well. As such, the interface module  330  may include wired and/or wireless interface circuitry such as an antenna (or antennas) and corresponding transmit and receive circuitry to enable wireless communication with other devices over a radio access technology. 
         [0049]    In an example embodiment, the processor  310  and/or the storage module  320  may comprise portions of processing circuitry configured to cause the apparatus  300  to perform functionality according to the configuration either hardwired into the processor  310  or provided by the execution of instructions stored in the storage module  320 . As such, the apparatus  300  may be configured to control SFH muting as described above according to the perspective of the mobile station or the base station in which the apparatus  300  is employed. As such, if employed in a base station, the apparatus  300  may be configured to receive, at the base station, a mobile station generated-message relating to provision of system information of the base station to the mobile station, and selectively provide the system information of the Femtocell to the mobile station based on the mobile station-generated message. As such, the apparatus  300  may be configured to perform the method described in connection with  FIG. 10  below, with or without the modifications described below. 
         [0050]    Meanwhile, when employed in a mobile station, the apparatus  300  may be configured to generate a message relating to provision of system information of a Femtocell to the mobile station, and provide the message to a network entity to initiate selective provision of the system information of the Femtocell to the mobile station based on the message. As such, the apparatus  300  may be configured to perform the method described in connection with  FIG. 11  below, with or without the modifications described below. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are flowcharts of a system, method and program product according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block or step of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, and/or software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, in an example embodiment, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above are stored by a memory device and executed by a processor or controller. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (i.e., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowcharts block(s) or step(s). In some embodiments, the computer program instructions are stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowcharts block(s) or step(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowcharts block(s) or step(s). 
         [0052]    Accordingly, blocks or steps of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of operations for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks or steps of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks or steps in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
         [0053]    One embodiment of a method for providing interference avoidance in a Femtocell network as provided in  FIG. 10  may include receiving, at a Femtocell, a mobile station generated-message relating to provision of system information of the Femtocell to the mobile station at operation  400 , and selectively providing the system information of the Femtocell to the mobile station based on the mobile station-generated message at operation  410 . 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified as described below. It should be appreciated that each of the modifications or amplifications below may be included with the operations above either alone or in combination with any others among the features described herein. In this regard, for example, selectively providing the system information may include receiving a request for the system information from the mobile station and providing non-periodic system information responsive to the request. In some cases providing non-periodic system information responsive to the request may include providing the system information to the mobile station from a cell neighboring the Femtocell. In some embodiments, providing the system information to the mobile station from the cell neighboring the Femtocell may include providing the system information from a Macrocell or different Femtocell having a coverage overlap with the Femtocell. In an example case, providing non-periodic system information responsive to the request may include providing the system information to the mobile station from the Femtocell. In some cases, providing non-periodic system information responsive to the request may include providing the system information to the mobile station for a predetermined period of time after receipt of the request. The request may be either a message or a defined code. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, selectively providing the system information may include periodically providing system information and stopping provision of the system information responsive to a request from the mobile station. In such an example, receiving the mobile station-generated message may include receiving the mobile station-generated message from a mobile station that is not allowed to access the Femtocell. In some cases, selectively providing the system information may include receiving the request from the mobile station based on a distance between the mobile station and the Femtocell. In an example embodiment, receiving the request from the mobile station based on a distance between the mobile station and the Femtocell may include receiving the request based on the distance being determined via signal strength measurement or via location determination. In an example embodiment, the method may further include restarting periodically providing system information responsive to expiration of a timer or responsive to receiving a notification from a neighboring cell. The request may be a message or a defined code. 
         [0056]    In some examples, receiving the mobile station-generated message may include receiving the mobile station-generated message from a mobile station in a power saving condition, in a normal access condition, or in a powering on condition. In an example embodiment, providing non-periodic system information responsive to the request may include providing the system information to the mobile station for a predetermined period of time after receipt of the request. 
         [0057]    Another embodiment of a method for providing interference avoidance in a Femtocell network as provided in  FIG. 11  may include generating, at a mobile station, a message relating to provision of system information of a Femtocell to the mobile station at operation  450 , and providing the message to a network entity to initiate selective provision of the system information of the Femtocell to the mobile station based on the message at operation  460 . 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified as described below. It should be appreciated that each of the modifications or amplifications below may be included with the operations above either alone or in combination with any others among the features described herein. In this regard, for example, generating the message may include generating a request for the system information. The request may be communicated to the Femtocell or to a neighbor cell of the Femtocell. In some embodiments, generating the message may include generating a request for the Femtocell to stop sending the system information. In an example embodiment, generating the request for the Femtocell to stop sending the system information may include generating the request based on a distance between the Femtocell and the mobile station. 
         [0059]    The text and figures included herein provide examples of embodiments of the present invention, and provide support for a system, method, apparatus, and computer program product according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each operation of the figures and/or text, and/or combinations of operations in the figures and/or text, can be implemented by various means. Means for implementing the operations of the figures and/or text, and/or combinations of the operations in the flowcharts and/or associated text may include hardware such as circuitry, integrated circuit devices, or the like. A hardware embodiment or means may include a hardware device that is specifically designed and configured for implementation of the operations described herein, a hardware element that is configured under the direction of program code or instructions according to the operations described herein, or a combination of both. Examples of such hardware embodiments or means may include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Field Programmable Logic Array (FPGA), a processor, or other programmable apparatus. Embodiments of the present invention may also take the form of one or more of the operations described herein embodied as program code instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. As defined herein a “computer-readable storage medium,” which refers to a physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory device), can be differentiated from a “computer-readable transmission medium,” which refers to an electromagnetic signal. 
         [0060]    The program code instructions which embody the operations may be stored by or on a computer-readable storage medium, such as a memory device of an apparatus, and executed by one or more hardware devices. As will be appreciated, program code instructions may be loaded onto a hardware device to produce a particular and specially configured machine for implementing the operations described in the figures and/or text. Embodiments of the present invention may include hardware devices that load and execute the operations in a sequential manner, or hardware devices that load and/or execute some or all of the operations simultaneously. 
         [0061]    It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the example embodiments of the present invention provided herein describe some, but not all embodiments of the invention. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. 
         [0062]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.