Patent ID: 8588139

Claim:
A method for accessing a multi-layer network, comprising: associating an advanced mobile station (AMS) with a first advanced base station (ABS) in the multi-layer network; receiving a neighbor advertisement message, wherein the neighbor advertisement message lists ABSs according to a priority of each ABS within the neighbor advertisement message, and according to an ABS type of each ABS within the neighbor advertisement message, wherein the ABS type includes a private closed subscriber group (CSG) Closed Femto ABS type or a semi-private CSG Open Femto ABS type; identifying ABSs in the neighbor advertisement message that are associated with the AMS, wherein the AMS is a member of a CSG for ABSs configured to associate with the AMS, and wherein an ABS in the identified ABSs is a private CSG Closed Femto ABS or a semi-private CSG Open Femto ABS; locating a non-macro ABS in the identified ABSs from the neighbor advertisement message; and handing over from the first ABS to the located non-macro ABS based on at least one of a channel parameter and loading conditions.