Abstract:
A method is provided of adjusting the position of a picocell base station (30) having at least one associated preferred user terminal (44). The method includes the steps of the picocell base station (30) : determining a rate of receipt of requests from user terminals for handover to the picocell base station; and dependent upon the rate of receipt exceeding a threshold, sending an indicator signal to a controller of the picocell base station indicating that the picocell base station should be repositioned.
Abstract:
A communications system (1) includes an underlay network (2), which a cellular communications network implemented using UMTS technology, and an overlay home cell (8) set up by a user using a base station router (7), or other similar access device. A call may be transferred from the home cell (8) to a cell of the underlay network (2) and vice versa. If these operate at different tariffs, the user may find that handover between them results in extra charges for an on-going call. The user terminal (10) is enabled so as to allow the user to determine if handover should be performed, and thus retain control of costs incurred in making a call. The user terminal (10) may give an alert if there is a risk of imminent handover, allowing the user to take avoiding action if desired, or the user may configure preferences to control under what conditions handover may be performed.
Abstract:
A method is provided of configuring nodes of a telecommunications network, in which nodes react to changes in configuration of at least one of their respective neighbour nodes. The method includes the steps of: identifying a cluster of neighbouring nodes, identifying which nodes in a cluster are in a frontier region adjacent another cluster, adapting the configuration of nodes in the frontier region in response to the configuration of other nodes in the frontier region, and adapting the configuration of nodes in the cluster in response to the adapted configuration of other nodes in the cluster whilst considering the configuration of the nodes in the frontier region as set.
Abstract:
A method is provided of evolving algorithms for network node control in a telecommunications network node by updating a model of the network node, and genetic programming by (a) generating algorithms, (b) determining fitness level of the algorithms based on the model of the network node, and (c) selecting the algorithm that meet a predetermined fitness level, The steps (a), (b) and (c) are repeated automatically to provide a series of algorithms over time adapted to the changing model of the network node for possible implementation in the network node.
Abstract:
A method is provided in a base station having multiple directional antenna elements (48) each providing a corresponding radio coverage lobe to identify which subset of the lobes covers a user terminal. The base station is a picocell base station (30). A user terminal is positioned within the coverage area of the base station (30). A subset of the lobes is selected. The base station applies for a period an adjusted signal power in respect of the selected subset of the lobes. The signal power is detected and information dependent upon the detected pilot signal power is provided. The base station uses said information to determine whether or not the user terminal is located in the selected subset of lobes. A sub-group of the subset of lobes is then selected and a corresponding determination is made whether or not the user terminal is located in the selected sub-group.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of automatically allocating an area code to a first femtocell (f 7 ). The first femtocell (f 7 ) is surrounded by a plurality of second femtocells (f 1 - f 6 ). A plurality of area codes (C 1 - C 4 ) is already allocated to the plurality of second femtocells (f 1 - f 6 ). According to the method, an area code (C 1 ) of the plurality of area codes (C 1 - C 4 ) is determined which is used furthest away from the first femtocell (f 7 ) by a second femtocell (f 2 ), without being used by a closer second femtocell. The determined area code (C 1 ) is allocated to the first femtocell (f 7 ).
Abstract:
A method is provided of adjusting transmission power of pilot signals from a picocell base station for radio communications to a user terminal in radio connection with the picocell base station. The method comprises: the base station sending a signal at a first signal power; the user terminal measuring received signal level and sending an information signal indicating received signal level; and the base station adjusting its pilot signal power dependent upon said received signal level indicated in the information signal.
Abstract:
A wireless communication technique provides mobility for a mobile station (52) to communicate with an overlay network device (40), which is within a coverage area (34) of an underlay network device (24), when the mobile station (52) is within a coverage area (42) of both devices. The overlay network device (40) broadcasts at least two downlink channels. A cell code (e.g., a scrambling code or pseudo noise offset) of a first one of the downlink channels identifies an overlay network device (40) exclusively. The mobile station (52) can detect the first downlink channel responsive to an indication of the exclusive cell code from the underlay network device. A second one of the downlink channels allows for subsequent, ongoing communications between the mobile station and the overlay network device.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods of managing interference in a wireless communication system. The methods may include receiving information indicative of a portion of an interfering signal (120) received by a first wireless communication device, decoding the portion of the interfering signal (120), and providing at least one back-off instruction destined for a second wireless communication device (115) based on the decoded portion of the interfering signal (120).
Abstract:
A method is provided of allocating a location area identifier to a cellular base station for wireless communications. The method comprises the following steps. Information is received of geographic location of a base station. For each of a plurality of location areas, each having a location area centre, distance of the base station from the respective location area centre is calculated and a function dependent upon said distance is calculated. The location area giving the lowest function value is selected as the location area for the base station.