FI107428B - Process and system for testing the usefulness of the channels in a telecommunication system - Google Patents

Description

107428

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING THE AVAILABILITY OF COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM CHANNELS

The present invention relates to a method as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and to a system as defined in the preamble of claim 8 for testing the usability of channels in a telecommunications system.

WLL (Wireless Local Loop) refers to a system in which a subscriber is connected to a pu-10 via a wireless communication system. The subscriber connection is provided by means of a special terminal. The terminal operates in principle as a cell phone known per se, but can only be set to operate within a limited range of mobility. To implement the wireless communication system 15, a mobile communication system technology, e.g. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) technology, may be applied.

Since the WLL subscriber terminal is typically fixed, the functionality of the terminal is strongly dependent on the existence of a base station coverage. If the base station's normal coverage base base station deactivates as a result of a fault or operation, and the • neighboring cell's coverage is insufficient to establish a connection, the terminal will be down. cells «· with which the call is most successful, thus i» · access to measurement results during a call is limited to .30 cells where the terminal is locked.

1 · · '* ·' The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above problems. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel method. ”·. which improves the reliability of the WLL system \ 35 through backup system testing.

The characteristic features of the present invention are referred to in the claims.

2 107428

The communication system according to the invention includes a local exchange which is connected to a subscriber network element. The access node is connected to the terminal by means of a wireless communication system. The mobility range of the terminal is limited to predefined cell areas according to the WLL system. From the cell areas of the mobility area, the one with which the connection is most successful is selected as the terminal cell. Adjacent cell-10 of the communication cell is referred to herein as the Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) frequencies of adjacent cells defined as adjacent cells of that cell range. The BCCH allocation list contains the BCCH frequencies of adjacent cells that the terminal wants to measure. A spare cell belonging to the cell neighbor list and / or the BCCH allocation list of the communication cell may be defined as a spare cell of the Yh-15 cell.

According to the invention, the usability of the terminal is tested during a call via spare cells and / or adjacent cells defined in the mobility range.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a test call is made, for example, to a suitable test number, wherein the state and network element tests the connectivity of each cell defined as a spare cell. A subscriber network element performs a handoff through each cell range defined as a spare cell.

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In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a test call is made, for example, to a suitable test number 30, wherein the access node tests the functionality of the connection I »· * · 'through each cell area defined as a neighboring cell. The access node performs a handover over each cell area defined as a neighboring cell. This ensures the functionality of the mobility area.

i.i: In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the subscriber network element activates the subscriber tracking, which results in a report during the call of the used cell and its spare cells.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the subscriber network element activates the subscriber's network, which results in call-time measurement results of the communication cell used and its neighboring cells.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mobility area is verified by moving the terminal within the mobility area during testing, thus avoiding, among other things, unexpected disturbances due to uneven terrain.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wireless communication system used is based on a digital mobile communication system, preferably a GSM system.

The system of the invention includes means for testing the usability of the terminal during a voice call via spare cells and / or adjacent cells within the range of mobility.

In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises means for conducting a test call, wherein the access node tests the connection functionality over a defined cell range.

/ "* In a preferred embodiment, the system includes means for making a test call, whereby the access network element tests the connectivity over a defined cell range to a neighboring cell.

In a preferred embodiment, the system includes means for activating subscriber tracking in the subscriber network element to provide a report on the measurement of the cell used during the call. and its spare cells.

In one preferred embodiment, the system comprises means for activating subscriber tracking in a subscriber network element, thereby obtaining report 107428 4 call measurements of the cell being used and its neighboring cells.

In a preferred embodiment, the system includes means for verifying the mobility area when the terminal is moved within the mobility area during testing.

An advantage of the invention is that the method can be used to test the functionality of the terminal device, the mobility area and the spare cells in the event of installation or after any changes in the radio-10 conditions.

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example 15 system employing the method of the invention, Figure 2 illustrates an example method of the invention and Figure 3 schematically shows a detail

Fig. 1 is a wireless access network WLL in which subscriber terminals MS are connected via radio link BS to the access node AN and from the access node to the fixed network LE with a V5 interface according to ETS 300 347-1 '.

*; * Order open connections (V5.1 and V5.2) between the network element and the telephone exchange '\\ · ° are defined in the ETS 300 324 and ETS 300 347 of ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). standard series:, V sa. V5 interfaces allow subscribers in a physically separate Γ: access network, which may be wired or wireless, to be connected using a standard PBX interface.

In Figure 2, the mobile station 1 is depicted inside a cell 1. The base station of the connection cell 1 is BS1. The base station BS2 is surrounded by a cell area 2. In total, cells 1 5 107 428 and 2 form a mobility area 3. The mobility area may also consist of several cells.

Define cell area 2 as a spare cell 1 for communication cell 1. The range of cells to be designated as a spare cell must belong to the neighbor cell list and / or the BCCH allocation list of the communication cell. According to the invention, the usability of the terminal MS is tested during a call via spare cells and / or neighboring cells. For testing purposes, the system includes means 4 which are, for example, program processes for the t-10 wide area network element AN. The neighbor list also contains non-motile cells that touch the motility range. The information of these cells is ignored by the access node AN.

Testing is carried out during installation or during operation by making a test call to a specific test number by mobile station MS, whereby means 5 and 7 are activated in the access node element AN, such as suitable program processes. During this test call, the subscriber network element AN performs a handover to the first spare cell, at intervals, from which the handover to the next spare cell is further performed until all cells defined as spare cells are tested. This determines the call performance through each cell range '· t 25 defined as a spare cell.

From this call to a specific test number the active subscriber network element 4 ('; **) in the subscriber network element AN can be followed by the subscriber tracking means 4, · which results in two-way measurement results of the voice II · V * call, from base station BS to MS. .

Calling the second test number also provides a corresponding handover sequence as above, but with respect to the mobility area defined for the terminal MS, whereby space 5 and 6 are activated in the network element AN, such as suitable controls. jelmaprosessit. The access node AN executes · · · *; ·. | handover with each cell of the 107428 6 communication cell 1 in the mobility area 3, which is in the adjacent configuration, while the terminal MS is stationary. By testing the terminal MS across all cellular areas of the mobility area, the means 9 can be used to verify the operation of the terminal MS throughout the mobility area.

In this case, the actual communication cell is changed and handovers are still performed in a similar manner. In order for handovers to be successful in all directions, adjacent cell areas in the mobility areas must be in the adjacent definitions. Also from this second test number, the subscriber network element activates in the subscriber network element, which provides similar reports as above. In one embodiment of the invention, the terminal is moved within the range of motion during testing, whereby the effects of local disturbances, such as uneven terrain, on the signal levels of the area of movement can be investigated.

Figure 3 schematically shows a detail of a system according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 illustrates a Network Management System NMS connected to a Subscriber Network Element AN. In the example, the backup cell is determined by means 10 of the network management system NMS. 25 through. When specifying a spare cell, a limit is also specified for the minimum acceptable signal level of the spare cell. The threshold value is transmitted to the backup cell availability analyzing means 14. The analyzing means transmits a message to the alerting means 30, if necessary 13. The network management system NMS has means for receiving an alert: .V from the access node AN.

: T: The subscriber network element AN has means for transmitting 12 cell lists to the terminal MS. The terminal * device MS includes means for receiving a list of cells t <35 16, means for measuring the signal level of the spare cell 17 and means 18 for transmitting measurement information to the subscriber network element AN. The subscriber network element 7 107428 establishes means 15 for receiving measurement data from the terminal MS.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments only, but many modifications are possible within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the claims.

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Claims (13)

A method for testing the usefulness of a communication system's channels, to which communication system belongs a local exchange (LE), a subscriber network element (AN), which is connected to the local exchange, a wireless connection system (WLL), which is connected to the subscriber network element, a terminal equipment (MS) which is connected to the subscriber network element (AN) by means of the wireless connection system (10), the mobility area (3) of the terminal equipment (3) being limited to the inner side of the wireless connection system. predetermined cells say that a call can be disconnected from the circuit of all cells belonging to the mobility area, the calls being mediated via the most appropriate cell of the mobility area or a connecting cell (1) and someone within the mobility area connecting cell tangent (2) being defined as the neighbor cell of the connecting cell and / or to a BCCH allocation list, wherein the cell (2) is defined at t be the reserve cell of the connection cell (1), characterized in that the usefulness of the terminal equipment (MS) during the course of the call is tested via the reserve cells and / or the adjacent neighboring mobility area. t «« '. (25 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a test call is made, whereby at the subscriber network element (AN) tests the function of the connection via the defined cell as reserve cell. cell. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a test call is called, where the subscriber network element (AN) tests the functionality of the connection via the neighbor cell defined as the neighbor cell. , "" "35 Method according to any one of claims 1 ·: ··· - 3, characterized in that a follow-up of the subscriber is activated in the subscriber network element (AN), of which the result is obtained as a report measuring the result during the call of the cell. to be used and its reserve cells. 5. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the subscriber network element (AN) a follow-up of the subscriber is activated, the result of which is obtained as a report the measurement results during the conversation of the cell to be used and its neighbor cells. . 10 Method according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the mobility area (3) is verified by touching the terminal equipment within the circuit of the mobility area during the testing. 15 7. A method according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the wireless connection system is based on the GSM system. A system for removing interruptions in a communication system to which a system includes a local exchange (LE), a subscriber network element (AN), which is connected to the local exchange, a wireless connection system, which is connected to the subscriber network element,. a terminal equipment (MS) which, by means of the wireless connection system, is joined to the subscriber network element (AN), the mobility area (3) of the terminal equipment (3) being restricted to the inner side of the ... * of the predetermined cellular system of the predetermined • cells say that a call can be set up from the circle of all cells belonging to the mobility area, whereby the calls are transmitted via the most appropriate cell or connection cell (1) of the mobility area and anyone within the mobility area the connection cell tangent cell (2) is defined as the neighbor cell of the connecting cell and / or »·» in a BCCH allocation list, wherein the cell (2) is defined as the reserve cell of the connecting cell (1), characterized by it, that the system hears means »· (4) -for testing the usefulness of the terminal equipment (MS) during the call through the backup cell a (2) and / or the neighboring cells (2) of the mobility region. The system of claim 8, characterized in that the system includes means (5, MS) for conducting the test call, wherein the subscriber network element (AN) tests the functionality of the connection via the cell (2) defined as a reserve cell. 10. A system according to claim 8, characterized in that the system belongs to means (6, MS) for conducting a test call, wherein the subscriber network element (AN) tests the functionality of the connection via the cell defined as a neighbor cell (2). . System according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the system includes means (7) for activating the subscriber follow-up in the subscriber network element (AN), the result of which is obtained as a report measuring the results during the call of the cell (1). ) to be used and its reserve cells (2). 12. A system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the system includes means (8) for activating the subscriber follow-up in the subscriber network element (AN), the result of which is the result. , As a report, the measurement results are poured over the course of the conversation by the cell (1) to be used and its neighbor · 1 cells (2). • · System according to any one of claims 8 - 12, characterized in that the system 30 includes means (9) for verification of the mobility area, where the terminal equipment (MS) is moved within the circuit for the mobility area (3) during the test. . «·« • · · f «« \ • · «