Scrambling Code Resolution

A method of processing data reported by wireless terminals in a code division multiple access wireless network, the wireless network comprising a plurality of base stations which operate asynchronously with respect to one another, wherein a set of scrambling codes are allocated to the base stations for scrambling signals transmitted from the base stations, the method comprising, at a node of the wireless network:

• receiving a first type of measurement report from wireless terminals, wherein each first type of measurement report received from one of the wireless terminals comprises an observed time difference measurement acquired by the wireless terminal for a signal received from one of an active set of base stations that currently serve the wireless terminal;
• determining a timing reference for each of the base stations using a plurality of the observed time difference measurements;
• receiving a second type of measurement report from a wireless terminal, the second type of measurement report comprising both:
• an observed time difference measurement acquired by the wireless terminal for a signal received from a base station which is not currently serving the wireless terminal;
• and
• a scrambling code of the received signal;
• determining an identity of the base station in the second type of measurement report by using:
• the scrambling code of the signal received from the base station which is not currently serving the wireless terminal;
• the observed time difference measurement in the second type of measurement report;
• and
• the determined timing reference for that base station.

An apparatus for use at a node of a code division multiple access wireless network, the wireless network comprising a plurality of base stations which operate asynchronously with respect to one another, wherein a set of scrambling codes are allocated to the base stations for scrambling the transmissions of the base stations, the apparatus comprising:

• a communications interface configured to:
• receive a first type of measurement report from wireless terminals, wherein each first type of measurement report received from one of the wireless terminals comprises an observed time difference measurement acquired by the wireless terminal for a signal received from one of an active set of base stations that currently serve the wireless terminal;
• receive a second type of measurement report from a wireless terminal which comprises both an observed time difference measurement acquired by the wireless terminal for a base station which is not currently serving the wireless terminal and a scrambling code of the received signal;
• a processor configured to:
• determine a timing reference for each of the base stations using a plurality of the observed time difference measurements in the first type of measurement report;
• determine an identity of the base station in the second type of measurement report by using:
• the scrambling code of the received signal;
• the observed time difference measurement in the measurement report;
• the determined timing reference for that base station.

A code division multiple access wireless network, comprising:

• a plurality of base stations which operate asynchronously with respect to one another, wherein a set of scrambling codes are allocated to the base stations for scrambling the transmissions of the base stations;
• a node having an apparatus comprising:
• a communications interface configured to:
• receive a first type of measurement report from wireless terminals, wherein each first type of measurement report received from one of the wireless terminals comprises an observed time difference measurement acquired by the wireless terminal for a signal received from one of an active set of base stations that currently serve the wireless terminal
• receive a second type of measurement report from a wireless terminal which comprises both an observed time difference measurement acquired by the wireless terminal for a base station which is not currently serving the wireless terminal and a scrambling code of the received signal;
• a processor which is configured to:
• determine a timing reference for each of the base stations using a plurality of the observed time difference measurements in the first type of measurement report;
• determine an identity of the base station in the second type of measurement report by using:
• the scrambling code of the received signal;
• the observed time difference measurement in the measurement report;
• the determined timing reference for that base station.

A computer program product stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium for processing data reported by wireless terminals in a code division multiple access wireless network, the wireless network comprising a plurality of base stations which operate asynchronously with respect to one another, wherein a set of scrambling codes are allocated to the base stations for scrambling signals transmitted from the base stations, the computer program product comprising software instructions which, when run on a processor of a node of the wireless network, causes the node to:

• receive a first type of measurement report from wireless terminals, wherein each first type of measurement report received from one of the wireless terminals comprises an observed time difference measurement acquired by the wireless terminal for a signal received from one of an active set of base stations that currently serve the wireless terminal;
• determine a timing reference for each of the base stations using a plurality of the observed time difference measurements;
• receive a second type of measurement report from a wireless terminal, the second type of measurement report comprising both:
• an observed time difference measurement acquired by the wireless terminal for a signal received from a base station which is not currently serving the wireless terminal;
• and
• a scrambling code of the received signal;
• determine an identity of the base station in the second type of measurement report by using:
• the scrambling code of the signal received from the base station which is not currently serving the wireless terminal;
• the observed time difference measurement in the second type of measurement report;
• and
• the determined timing reference for that base station.