Methods and apparatus for resolving pilot pseudorandom noise code conflicts in a communication system

An apparatus for use in a communication system:

• comprising:
• means for determining a set of a plurality of access points from at least one response to a request to identify access points sent by an access point;
• means for determining a set of (Pilot Pseudorandom Noise) PilotPN codes used by the set of the plurality of access points;
• means for detecting, by the access point, whether at least two access points of the plurality of access points have conflicting PilotPN codes;
• means for allocating a first PilotPN code to one of the at least two access points having conflicting PilotPN codes;
• means for allocating at least one second PilotPN code distinct from the first PilotPN code to at least one remaining access point of the at least two access points having conflicting PilotPN codes, wherein the at least one second PilotPN code is additionally distinct from each PilotPN code in the set of PilotPN codes used by the set of the plurality of access points;
• and means for sending at least one message from the access point causing an allocation of the first PilotPN code and the at least one second PilotPN code and to instruct the at least one remaining access point to change to the at least one second PilotPN code.

An apparatus for use in allocating PilotPN codes in a communication network, comprising:

• a processor for:
• determining a set of PilotPN codes used by a set of a plurality of access points from at least one response to a request to identify access points sent by an access point;
• detecting, by the access point, whether at least two access points of the plurality of access points have conflicting PilotPN codes;
• allocating a first PilotPN code to one of the at least two access points having conflicting PilotPN codes;
• allocating at least one second PilotPN code distinct from the first PilotPN code to at least one remaining access point of the at least two access points having conflicting PilotPN codes, wherein the at least one second PilotPN code is additionally distinct from each PilotPN code in the set of PilotPN codes used by the set of the plurality of access points;
• and
• sending at least one message from the access point causing an allocation of the first PilotPN code and the at least one second PilotPN code and to instruct the at least one remaining access point to change to the at least one second PilotPN code;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor.

A program recorded on a non-transitory computer recordable medium and executable on a computer, comprising the steps of:

• determining a set of a plurality of access points from at least one response to a request to identify access points sent by an access point;
• determining a set of (Pilot Pseudorandom Noise) PilotPN codes used by the set of the plurality of access points;
• detecting, by the access point, whether at least two access points of the plurality of access points have conflicting PilotPN codes;
• allocating a first PilotPN code to one of the at least two access points having conflicting PilotPN codes;
• allocating at least one second PilotPN code distinct from the first PilotPN code to at least one remaining access point of the at least two access points having conflicting PilotPN codes, wherein the at least one second PilotPN code is additionally distinct from each PilotPN code in the set of PilotPN codes used by the set of the plurality of access points;
• and sending at least one message from the access point causing an allocation of the first PilotPN code and the at least one second PilotPN code and to instruct the at least one remaining access point to change to the at least one second PilotPN code.