Wireless communication paging and registration utilizing multiple types of node identifiers

Abstract

Paging load and/or registration load in a network is reduced by using different types of identifiers to specifying which nodes page an access terminal in the network. In some aspects, the network maintains a list that specifies that certain individual nodes (e.g., cells or sectors) are to page a given access terminal and/or that one or more zones (e.g., tracking areas) are to page the access terminal. In some aspects, an access terminal in a network may be configured to provide a forward-looking paging list to the network. The list provided by an access terminal may specify different types of node identifiers (e.g., individual node identifiers, subscriber groups, etc.). The network may then use the list to determine which nodes are to page a given access terminal such that when the access terminal moves to a different node, that node may already be configured to page the access terminal. In some aspect paging load and registration load are managed in a deployment that includes different types of access points. For example, access points of a first type (e.g., macro nodes) may provide service over relatively large coverage areas and access points of a second type (e.g., femto nodes) may provide service over smaller coverage areas and/or provide restricted service.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of communication, comprising:
 receiving a registration request from a first node;   receiving, in conjunction with the registration request, a list comprising identifiers of nodes where the first node wishes to be paged, wherein the identifiers comprise at least one first type of identifier and at least one second type of identifier;   identifying a set of nodes based on the list; and   sending, to the set of nodes, at least one request to page the first node.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first type of identifier comprises an identifier of an individual node, a cell identifier, or an identifier of a subscriber group. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a paging set that identifies at least one node for paging the first node, wherein the identification of the set of nodes is further based on the paging set. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the determination of the paging set comprises identifying at least one node for the paging set based on mobility of the first node, based on an application associated with the first node, or based on how frequently the first node is paged. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein:
 if the first node is registered at a macro node, the determination of the paging set comprises excluding from the paging set any nodes from an underlay network; and   if the first node is registered at a femto node or a pico node, the determination of the paging set comprises excluding from the paging set any macro nodes that are not neighbors of the femto node or the pico node.   
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for communication, comprising:
 a registration controller configured to receive a registration request from a first node, and to receive, in conjunction with the registration request, a list comprising identifiers of nodes where the first node wishes to be paged, wherein the identifiers comprise at least one first type of identifier and at least one second type of identifier;   a list generator configured to identify a set of nodes based on the list; and   a paging controller configured to send, to the set of nodes, at least one request to page the first node.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first type of identifier comprises an identifier of an individual node, a cell identifier, or an identifier of a subscriber group. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the second type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the list generator is further configured to determine a paging set that identifies at least one node for paging the first node; and   the identification of the set of nodes is further based on the paging set.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the determination of the paging set comprises identifying at least one node for the paging set based on mobility of the first node, based on an application associated with the first node, or based on how frequently the first node is paged. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 if the first node is registered at a macro node, the determination of the paging set comprises excluding from the paging set any nodes from an underlay network; and   if the first node is registered at a femto node or a pico node, the determination of the paging set comprises excluding from the paging set any macro nodes that are not neighbors of the femto node or the pico node.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for communication, comprising:
 means for receiving a registration request from a first node, and for receiving, in conjunction with the registration request, a list comprising identifiers of nodes where the first node wishes to be paged, wherein the identifiers comprise at least one first type of identifier and at least one second type of identifier;   means for identifying a set of nodes based on the list; and   means for sending, to the set of nodes, at least one request to page the first node.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first type of identifier comprises an identifier of an individual node, a cell identifier, or an identifier of a subscriber group. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the second type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the means for identifying is configured to determine a paging set that identifies at least one node for paging the first node; and   the identification of the set of nodes is further based on the paging set.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the determination of the paging set comprises identifying at least one node for the paging set based on mobility of the first node, based on an application associated with the first node, or based on how frequently the first node is paged. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein:
 if the first node is registered at a macro node, the determination of the paging set comprises excluding from the paging set any nodes from an underlay network; and   if the first node is registered at a femto node or a pico node, the determination of the paging set comprises excluding from the paging set any macro nodes that are not neighbors of the femto node or the pico node.   
     
     
         19 . A computer-program product, comprising:
 computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to:
 receive a registration request from a first node; 
 receive, in conjunction with the registration request, a list comprising identifiers of nodes where the first node wishes to be paged, wherein the identifiers comprise at least one first type of identifier and at least one second type of identifier; 
 identify a set of nodes based on the list; and 
 send, to the set of nodes, at least one request to page the first node. 
   
     
     
         20 . The computer-program product of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the first type of identifier comprises an identifier of an individual node, a cell identifier, or an identifier of a subscriber group; and   the second type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location.   
     
     
         21 . A method of wireless communication, comprising:
 receiving, at a first node, information that identifies at least one neighboring node of a second node;   determining, based on the received information, a list identifying at least one node where the first node wishes to be paged; and   providing the list in conjunction with registering the first node.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the list comprises at least one first type of identifier and at least one second type of identifier; and   the first type of identifier comprises an identifier of an individual node, a cell identifier, or an identifier of a subscriber group.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the list comprises at least one first type of identifier and at least one second type of identifier; and   the second type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising identifying at least one other neighboring node based on received radio frequency signals, wherein the determination of the list is further based on the identified at least one other neighboring node. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the determination of the list comprises identifying at least one node for the list based on mobility of the first node, based on an application associated with the first node, or based on how frequently the first node is paged 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the determination of the list comprises adding an identifier of a home femto node to the list if: the first node is near a home macro node or the first node receives radio frequency signals from a home femto node. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising receiving, as a result of the registering, another list comprising a first type of identifier and a second type of identifier. 
     
     
         28 . An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive, at a first node, information that identifies at least one neighboring node of a second node;   a list generator configured to determine, based on the received information, a list identifying at least one node where the first node wishes to be paged; and   a registration controller configured to provide the list in conjunction with registering the first node.   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein:
 the list comprises at least one first type of identifier and at least one second type of identifier;   the first type of identifier comprises an identifier of an individual node, a cell identifier, or an identifier of a subscriber group; and   the second type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location.   
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein:
 the list generator is further configured to identify at least one other neighboring node based on received radio frequency signals; and   the determination of the list is further based on the identified at least one other neighboring node.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the determination of the list comprises identifying at least one node for the list based on mobility of the first node, based on an application associated with the first node, or based on how frequently the first node is paged 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the determination of the list comprises adding an identifier of a home femto node to the list if: the first node is near a home macro node or the first node receives radio frequency signals from a home femto node. 
     
     
         33 . An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
 means for receiving, at a first node, information that identifies at least one neighboring node of a second node;   means for determining, based on the received information, a list identifying at least one node where the first node wishes to be paged; and   means for providing the list in conjunction with registering the first node.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the list comprises at least one first type of identifier and at least one second type of identifier;   the first type of identifier comprises an identifier of an individual node, a cell identifier, or an identifier of a subscriber group; and   the second type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location.   
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein:
 the means for determining is configured to identify at least one other neighboring node based on received radio frequency signals; and   the determination of the list is further based on the identified at least one other neighboring node.   
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the determination of the list comprises identifying at least one node for the list based on mobility of the first node, based on an application associated with the first node, or based on how frequently the first node is paged 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the determination of the list comprises adding an identifier of a home femto node to the list if: the first node is near a home macro node or the first node receives radio frequency signals from a home femto node. 
     
     
         38 . A computer-program product, comprising:
 computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to:
 receive, at a first node, information that identifies at least one neighboring node of a second node; 
 determine, based on the received information, a list identifying at least one node where the first node wishes to be paged; and 
 provide the list in conjunction with registering the first node. 
   
     
     
         39 . The computer-program product of  claim 38 , wherein:
 the list comprises at least one first type of identifier and at least one second type of identifier;   the first type of identifier comprises an identifier of an individual node, a cell identifier, or an identifier of a subscriber group; and   the second type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location.   
     
     
         40 . A method of wireless communication, comprising:
 determining whether to use a first type of identifier or a second type identifier for registration at a first node; and   advertising an indication for registration at the first node, wherein the indication implies that the second type of identifier and not the first type identifier shall be used for registration.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein:
 the first type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location; and   the second type of identifier: uniquely identifies the first node, is a cell identifier, or is a shared identifier for a set of nodes that includes the first node.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein:
 the first type of identifier corresponds to a location that is used to trigger registration at the first node by a second node based on a distance between that location and another location associated with a prior registration of the second node; and   the indication indicates that distance based registration is disabled.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the determination is based on a node type of the first node. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the indication further implies that the first node will not page a second node unless the second node requests to be paged by the first node. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the indication further implies that the first node will not induce neighboring nodes to page a second node. 
     
     
         46 . An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
 an identifier determiner configured to determine whether to use a first type of identifier or a second type identifier for registration at a first node; and   a transmitter configured to advertise an indication for registration at the first node, wherein the indication implies that the second type of identifier and not the first type identifier shall be used for registration.   
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein:
 the first type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location; and   the second type of identifier: uniquely identifies the first node, is a cell identifier, or is a shared identifier for a set of nodes that includes the first node.   
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein:
 the first type of identifier corresponds to a location that is used to trigger registration at the first node by a second node based on a distance between that location and another location associated with a prior registration of the second node; and   the indication indicates that distance based registration is disabled.   
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the determination is based on a node type of the first node. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the indication further implies that the first node will not page a second node unless the second node requests to be paged by the first node. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the indication further implies that the first node will not induce neighboring nodes to page a second node. 
     
     
         52 . An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:
 means for determining whether to use a first type of identifier or a second type identifier for registration at a first node; and   means for advertising an indication for registration at the first node, wherein the indication implies that the second type of identifier and not the first type identifier shall be used for registration.   
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein:
 the first type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location; and   the second type of identifier: uniquely identifies the first node, is a cell identifier, or is a shared identifier for a set of nodes that includes the first node.   
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein:
 the first type of identifier corresponds to a location that is used to trigger registration at the first node by a second node based on a distance between that location and another location associated with a prior registration of the second node; and   the indication indicates that distance based registration is disabled.   
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the determination is based on a node type of the first node. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the indication further implies that the first node will not page a second node unless the second node requests to be paged by the first node. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the indication further implies that the first node will not induce neighboring nodes to page a second node. 
     
     
         58 . A computer-program product, comprising:
 computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a computer to:
 determine whether to use a first type of identifier or a second type identifier for registration at a first node; and 
 advertise an indication for registration at the first node, wherein the indication implies that the second type of identifier and not the first type identifier shall be used for registration. 
   
     
     
         59 . The computer-program product of  claim 58 , wherein:
 the first type of identifier relates to a zone, a tracking area, a subscriber group, or a location; and   the second type of identifier: uniquely identifies the first node, is a cell identifier, or is a shared identifier for a set of nodes that includes the first node.