Northern Telecom Limited

Scott Larribeau

Luong Duy Duong

A method for assembling a microsystem neighbor list that defines control channel usage within a common operational band used by the microsystem, the overlying macrosystem and any computer microsystems. Such a method can be implemented by a frequency planning controller within the microsystem, the microsystem itself or, in the case of the computer-controlled microsystem, in a computer program product defining such method. Assembly of the microsystem neighbor list includes defining preferred and non-preferred members, wherein the preferred members of the macrosystem neighbor list include at least one control channel identified within the common operational band which determined to be available for use by the microsystem. The non-preferred members of the microsystem neighbor list will include control channels being used by adjacent macrocells of the overlying microsystem, or any competing microsystems. The assembled microsystem neighbor list may be broadcast throughout the service area of the microsystem in order to apprise all registered mobiles of active/backup control channel information (thereby improving control channel allocation flexibility control channel recovery operations), as well as control channel information for the competing Microsystems or adjacent macrocells (to improve switchover to such systems when requested by a mobile operator). Other disclosed aspects include ongoing maintenance through verification of preferred and non-preferred members of the macrosystem neighbor list.

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San Mateo, CA, United States of America

Scott Larribeau