Method and apparatus for controlling carrier frequency in multi-carrier/cell system

A Node B configured to be applied in a multi-carrier/cell High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) system and operable to control activation/deactivation of a carrier frequency in the multi-carrier/cell HSPA system, the Node B comprising:

• a controller configured to determine whether to activate or deactivate a subsidiary carrier frequency of the multi-carrier/cell HSPA system according to a parameter associated with the subsidiary carrier frequency;
• a transmitter configured to transmit, upon a determination to activate or deactivate the subsidiary carrier frequency, a High-Speed Shared Control Channel (HS-SCCH) order to a terminal to instruct the terminal to activate or deactivate the subsidiary carrier frequency;
• and
• a receiver configured to receive a feedback message responsive to the HS-SCCH order from the terminal.

A multi-carrier/cell High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) system comprising:

• a radio network controller (RNC);
• and
• a Node B configured to communicatively couple with the RNC and to control activation or deactivation of a subsidiary carrier frequency of the multi-carrier/cell HSPA system, wherein the Node B is configured to:
• determine whether to activate or deactivate the subsidiary carrier frequency according to a parameter associated with the subsidiary carrier frequency;
• transmit, when the Node B determines to activate or deactivate the subsidiary carrier frequency, a High-Speed Shared Control Channel (HS-SCCH) order to a terminal to instruct the terminal to activate or deactivate the subsidiary carrier frequency;
• and
• receive a feedback message responsive to the HS-SCCH order from the terminal.