KR20020010358A - Apparatus and method for testing base station transceiver subsystem service state in cdma mobile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A base station service state diagnosing apparatus and method in a CDMA communication system are provided to provide a stable service through a quick measure on a failure occurrence by sequentially performing a test for an added diagnosis function according to a scheduling and informing an operator of a failure of a base station and a path and apparatus where the failure has occurred. CONSTITUTION: A controller(310) controls a general operation of a TM(Test Mobile) unit(320), a radio switch(330) and a power detector(340). The TM unit(320) communicates with a base station of a CDMA communication system through a CAI(Common Air Interface) and performs a function of checking a call service state of a remote base station. the RF switch(330) selects a signal coming from the base station or the RF signal to perform a function of allowing the TM unit(320) to connect a call with the base station. The power detector(340) performs a function of measuring a power of a signal outputted after being selected from the RF switch(330) by each frequency. The RF switch(330) includes one preliminary port(c) required for forming a diagnosis path, and further includes a plurality of switches(332_a-332_f) connected to the preliminary port(c) and dividers(334_a-334_c), 336_a-336_c) for dividing a signal applied to one port to two ports or outputting a signal applied to two ports to one port. The power detector(340) includes a signal generator(342) for generating a signal having a certain power level and a frequency, a switch(346) for switching the generated signal, a switch(348) for receiving a generated signal provided through a certain port(b) of each divider(336_a-336_c) through the switch(346) and switching one of the inputs, a divider(362) for outputting a generated signal through the switch(346) and an output of a variable attenuator(364) as one signal, and a switch(360) for switching the output of the divider(362) to one of the certain port(c) of the dividers(336_a-336_c).

Description

Apparatus and method for diagnosing base station service state in code division multiple access communication system {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TESTING BASE STATION TRANSCEIVER SUBSYSTEM SERVICE STATE IN CDMA MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to a maintenance apparatus and method of a code division multiple access communication system, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for diagnosing a base station service state through self-diagnosis of a corresponding base station using a base station test apparatus installed in a base station.

In general, mobile communication systems can be roughly divided into synchronous and asynchronous. In the meantime, the asynchronous method is one that is adopted in Europe, and the synchronous method is one that is adopted in the United States.

In addition, with the rapid growth of the mobile communication industry, mobile communication systems are emerging as next generation mobile communication systems capable of providing services such as data and video as well as normal voice services. However, as mentioned above, the United States and Europe, which implement mobile communication systems in different ways, are working on different types of standardization. Among them, the European next-generation mobile communication system in Europe is UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems), and the mobile communication system in the United States is CDMA-2000.

Meanwhile, the code division multiple access communication system classified as described above has a base station transceiver subsystem (BTS), which plays an important role in performing wireless communication with a terminal. The BTS transmits a device that provides an air interface using a CDMA scheme with a terminal and a base band signal on a radio frequency carrier. It is provided with a device and the like to be transmitted to the terminal. The base station should be diagnosed as to whether normal service is being performed, and it should be determined whether the base station is abnormal based on the result of the diagnosis.

In addition, as described above, a diagnostic function for remotely checking a transmission / reception path of a base station located at a remote location and providing a normal service to the base station has a significant cost reduction in operational maintenance. Therefore, how to provide such a diagnostic function effectively and to provide the convenience of the operator can be said to be the key. In addition, the above-described diagnostic function should be able to comprehensively determine whether there is an abnormality of the base station.

1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a conventional radio frequency switch, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a conventional transmission power detector (TPD).

However, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the related art, a BTU self test, a transmission output measurement test, a transmission antenna diagnosis test, Diagnostic functions for outgoing call testing using a test terminal (TM) were independently performed. In addition, due to the independently performed diagnostic function, each diagnosis result is notified to the operator and does not have much correlation with other diagnostic functions. Therefore, in the conventional method of performing the above-described diagnostic function, the operator cannot be comprehensively informed of the presence or absence of the system and the part of the path determined to be abnormal, so that the operator cannot be provided with an effective and convenient diagnostic function. There was a problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide an apparatus and method for comprehensively determining whether there is an abnormality of a corresponding base station by performing different diagnostic functions to be related.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for sequentially testing different diagnostic functions by scheduling and notifying an operator of an abnormality of a base station based on the result.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a diagnostic function of a base station test apparatus, a wireless switch path (BTU RF Switch path), a periodic call test function using a TM, and a baseband transmission output signal. Diagnostic functions such as level measurement, RF output signal measurement of TRXA, and receiving AGC measurement were added, and each function was sequentially tested by scheduling using the added diagnostic functions. And a base station service state diagnosis apparatus and method for providing a stable service through the operator's quick action by informing the operator of a path and a device that are expected to be abnormal.

1 is a view showing a hardware structure of a conventional radio frequency switch.

2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a conventional transmission power detector (TPD).

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for diagnosing self-reliability of a base station diagnostic apparatus (BTU) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for measuring transmission power in a base station diagnostic apparatus (BTU) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for determining whether an antenna is abnormal in a base station diagnosis apparatus (BTU) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for receiving path diagnosis in a base station diagnostic apparatus (BTU) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram illustrating a control flow for an outgoing call test according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the drawings according to the embodiment of the present invention show a configuration corresponding to a sequential scenario for self testing of the base station itself. The sequential scenarios for the self-test of the base station itself include hardware configuration and test method for BTU self-reliability test, transmission path diagnosis (transmission output measurement, antenna abnormality diagnosis), reception path diagnosis, and transmission using TM. Call tests, etc.

First, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for diagnosing self-reliability of a base station diagnostic apparatus (BTU) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a base station diagnostic apparatus (BTU) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 310, a terminal diagnostic unit (hereinafter referred to as “TM”) 320, and a wireless switch ( The RF switch 330 and the power detector 340 have four large configurations.

Looking at the functions of the respective components, the control unit 310 controls the overall operation of the TM unit 320, the wireless switch 330 and the power detector 340. The TM unit 320 is a device that communicates with a base station of a code division multiple access communication system through a common air interface (CAI) and performs a function for checking a call service state of a remote base station. The RF switch 330 selects a signal from the base station or selects an RF signal to perform the function of allowing the TM unit 320 to call the base station. The power detector 340 is a device that performs a function of measuring the power for each frequency of the signal selected and output from the RF switch 330.

The RF switch 330 has one spare port (c) required to form a diagnostic path, and the plurality of switches 332_a to which the port (c) is connected to the spare port (c) of the corresponding switch. 332_f) and dividers 334_a to 334_c and 336_a to 336_c for dividing a signal applied to one port into two ports or outputting a signal applied to two ports to one port. In this case, the dividers 334_a to 334_c divide a signal applied to one port c into a predetermined port d of any two switches among the switches 332_a to 332_f or output a predetermined port of the two switches. The signal applied from (d) is output to one port (c). In addition, the dividers 336_a through 336_c receive a signal output from a predetermined port c of the dividers 334_a through 334_c as one port a, and divide the output into two ports b and c. A signal applied to the two ports (b, c) is output to the port (a). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the RF switch 330 is composed of six switches, six dividers will be required. Meanwhile, the switches 332_a to 332_f perform a switching operation under the control of the controller 310.

The power detector 340 includes a signal generator 342 for generating a signal having a predetermined power level and frequency, a switch 346 for switching the generated signal, and dividers 336_a to 336_c constituting the RF switch 330. A switch 348 for switching between any one of the inputs and the generated signal provided through the switch 346 and the predetermined signal b) and the switch 346. The divider 362 outputting the output of the attenuator 364 as one signal, and any one of predetermined ports c of the dividers 336_a to 336_c constituting the RF switch 330 to output the divider 362. It includes a switch 360 to switch to one.

An operation for diagnosing self-reliability of a base station diagnostic apparatus (BTU) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3, which discloses the configuration as described above. In this case, since the operation of performing the diagnosis on all the paths is the same, only the operation of performing the diagnosis on the specific path is started. In addition, the operation for diagnosing self-reliability to be described below will be described by dividing the diagnosis operation for the power detector and the diagnosis operation for the RF switch.

First, referring to the diagnostic operation of the power detector 340, the signal generator 342 generates a generated signal having a constant power level and frequency. The generated signal is applied to the input port of the switch 346, and the generated signal is provided to the switch 348 by switching of the switch 346. The switch 348 switches to select and output the generated signal provided from the switch 346. That is, the generated signal generated from the signal generator 342 is introduced through the path as described above. The generated signal flowing through the path as described above is amplified by a low noise amplifier (LAN) 350 and then applied to the mixer 352. The signal applied to the mixer 352 is mixed with a signal having the same frequency as the signal generated by the signal generator 342. The signal mixed by the mixer 352 is filtered through the SAW filter 354 and then applied to the detector 356. The detector 356 outputs a constant output voltage according to the input signal level. The output from the detector 356 is an analog signal, which is applied to the analog / digital converter 356 and converted into a digital value. When the digital value is output in this way, the power value corresponding to the output digital value is compared with the expected power value considering the path loss from the signal generator 342 to the input terminal of the detector 356 to determine whether there is an abnormal path. You will be judged. That is, when the difference between the detected power value and the expected power value is more than a predetermined level, it is determined that there is an error in the corresponding power detector 340.

Secondly, the diagnostic operation of the RF switch will be described. The signal generator 342 generates a generated signal having a constant power level and frequency. The generated signal is applied to an input port of the switch 346. The generated signal is provided to the divider 362 by the switching of the switch 346, and the divider 362 receives the provided generated signal. It is applied to the input of the switch 36. The switch 360 performs a switching operation corresponding to a path to be diagnosed determined when the generation signal is applied. As shown in the figure, when the path between the switch 332_a and the switch 332_d constituting the RF switch 330 is diagnosed, the switch 360 indicates that the generated generation signal of the RF switch 330 is The switching operation is performed to be provided to the switch 332_a. The generated signal is applied to the port c of the divider 336_a of the RF switch 330 by the switching operation of the switch 360 and is applied to the port c of another divider 334_a through the port a. The divider 334_a receiving the fish signal through the port c applies it to the switch 332_a through the port a. The switch 332_a performs a switching operation for self diagnosis to connect the port d to which the generation signal is applied to the port c. As a result, the generated signal applied to the switch 332_a is provided to the port c of the switch 332_d. Meanwhile, the switch 332_d also performs a switching operation to form a path for self-diagnosis to output the signal provided to the port c to the port d. The signal output through the port d of the switch 332_d is applied to the switch 348 provided in the power detector 340 via the divider 334_b and the divider 336_b. The switch 348 switches the applied signal and outputs the signal to the LAN 350. The output signal is provided to the detector 356 via the LAN 350, the mixer 352, the SAW filter 354, and the like. The provided signal is output by the detector 356 to a predetermined level value, and the output level value is converted into a digital value and compared with an expected power value to determine whether there is an abnormality in the path to be diagnosed. The method of determining the same may be performed in the same manner as the method of determining whether the power detector 340 is abnormal. On the other hand, the expected power value means a power value that is expected to be measured in consideration of the path loss from the signal generator 342 to the input terminal of the detector 356.

Third, the BTU performs the following operations based on the results determined by the first and second operations described above. That is, the self-diagnosis of the power detector is not abnormal by the first operation described above, but when the abnormality is checked by the self-diagnosis of the RF switch, it is determined that the path is abnormal. However, in the diagnosis of the RF switch, if the abnormality is not checked and the abnormality is checked in the self-diagnosis of the power detector, the signal is normal, but it is determined that there is an error after the switch 348 provided in the power detector 340.

As described above, the self-diagnosis performed through the first, second, and third operations is performed by the BTU self-diagnosis before performing the transmit / receive path diagnosis function. To secure.

Diagnosis of the transmission path is largely performed in two ways, one of which is to measure transmission power and the other of which is to check for an abnormality of the antenna. In the diagnosis of the transmission path, the self-diagnosis described with reference to FIG. 3 is performed, and then the output is measured for each sub cell to be diagnosed. However, since two to three antennas are used per sector, the FA selects an arbitrary FA and diagnoses an abnormality for each antenna.

4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for measuring transmission power in a base station diagnostic apparatus (BTU) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the transmission output measurement is performed, when the base band signal of the base station is applied as a TRXA (transceiver, hereinafter referred to as "TRXA") 410, the TRXA 410 is the above. An RF carrier is generated to carry an applied baseband signal to a carrier. In addition, the applied baseband signal is loaded on the generated RF carrier and transmitted to the lower power amplifier (LPA) 412. The LPA 412 amplifies the signal transmitted from the TRXA 410 and applies it to a band pass filter (BPF) 414. Meanwhile, the BPF 414 suppresses signals other than the base station transmission bandwidth and filters only signals having the corresponding bandwidth, and transmits the signals to the D / C (D / C) 416. The signal passing through the D / C 416 is radiated onto the air through an antenna. On the other hand, there are two ports in the D / C 416. The EQU port, one of the two ports, receives a signal attenuated by the D / C intrinsic coupling loss to the RF switch 420 of the BTU 418. The other port, the ANT port, radiates through the D / C. This is the port from which the signal is not fully radiated by the impedance mismatching of the system and antenna, and the feed-back signal is output. At this time, the power of the transmission signal of the base station should be measured for the outgoing signal to switch the RF switch 420 to select the EQU port. The signal flowing from the EQU port by the selection of the EQU port is provided to the transmission power detection unit TPD in the BMDU 422 to determine whether there is an abnormality in the transmission output.

Assuming that the transmission power is applied to the EQP of the switch 332_a shown in FIG. 3, the operation of the TPD for determining whether there is more than that will be described in detail as follows.

The signal flowing into the EQP of the switch 332_a constituting the RF switch 330 of the BTU is applied to the switch 348 constituting the TPD 340 through the divider 334_a and the divider 336_a. In this case, the switch 348 switches the terminal connecting the divider 336_a to be connected to the output terminal so that the applied signal can be provided to the input of the detector 356 to measure power. Measuring the power in the detection unit 356 is performed when it is determined that the above-described self-diagnosis for the BTU is normal. For example, when the self-diagnosis is normal, the baseband input signal level applied from the TRXA 410 and the RF level measurement of the TRXA 410 are received, and the output value considering the gain at each stage and the TPD of the BMDU 422 are measured. By comparing with one final output value, we can infer which stage the output is abnormal.

5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for determining whether an antenna is abnormal in a base station diagnostic apparatus (BTU) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, an operation for determining an abnormality of an antenna is described. The forward power measurement for diagnosing an abnormality of an antenna is performed by the same method as the transmission output power measuring method described with reference to FIG. 4. Is measured. The signal reflected and returned by the impedance mismatch of the antenna is provided through the ANT port, and the signal provided through the ANT port is measured to diagnose an abnormality of the antenna. On the other hand, the matching state of the antenna is represented by the difference between the two signals applied, that is, the signal returned due to the impedance mismatch of the transmission output power and the antenna. If it is determined that the matching state of the antenna is normal, the base station transmission path may be regarded as normal.

6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for receiving path diagnosis in a base station diagnostic apparatus (BTU) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The check on the reception path outputs a constant tone signal in the TPD of the BMDU 422 constituting the BTU 418, and the level of the signal is measured by the base station transceiver to determine an abnormality of the reception path. This is the function to diagnose if there is.

Referring to FIG. 6, a TPD of a BMDU 422 constituting a BTU 418 selects a frequency to be measured and selects a tone signal having the selected frequency. Transmit at a constant power. The transmitted tone signal is applied to the RF switch 420 constituting the BTU (418). When the tone signal is applied to the RF switch 420, the RF switch 420 is controlled so that the tone signal can be switched to the EQP. The tone signal switched to the EQP by the switching is provided to the D / C 416 as an RF signal. The RF signal provided to the D / C 416 is input to TRXA 410 via BPF 414 and LAN 412. When the RF signal is input by the above-described operation, the RF signal is measured and compared with the value considering the gain from the base station D / C 416 to the TRXA 410 input terminal to diagnose the abnormality.

7 is a diagram illustrating a control flow for an outgoing call test according to an embodiment of the present invention. The originating test call function is a test for confirming whether a call is normally serviced for each sub cell.

Referring to FIG. 7, the BCP 740 of the base station (BTS) transmits a channel list massage through the CAI 750 (step 710). The list message is a message for tuning to the FA that the TM 770 is to test at the base station. The channel list message is provided to the TM 770 via the CAI 750. On the other hand, the BCP 740 transmits a command to the BTU 760 requesting the initiation of a call to the corresponding sector to be tested (step 712). 760 switches the RF switch to the sector to be tested, and periodically checks the state of the TM 770. (Steps 714 to 720) The test corresponds to a pilot PN of the TM 770 corresponding to the sector. Check whether the TM 770 is in a paging state. The inspection is performed a predetermined number of times. In FIG. 7, the predetermined number of times is defined as five times. That is, the check made a predetermined number of times is for checking whether the TM 770 has tuned to the corresponding base station.

If the BTU 760 determines that the corresponding TM 770 is normally tuned through the inspection, the BTU 760 transmits a packet for requesting call initiation to the base station to the corresponding TM 770 (step 722). The TM 770 performs the outgoing call response corresponding to the outgoing call request command to the BTU 760. (Step 724) In addition, the TM 770, which has received the packet, receives the packet from the higher layer. The call initiation message having the number is transmitted to the access channel 750 through the CAI (step 726). The access channel 750 reports the incoming call to the BCP 740 (step 728). The BCP 740 compares the MIN reported through the access channel 750 and releases a call through a paging channel when the TM is a call. Is transmitted to the corresponding TM 770. (732) However, BC The P 740 determines that the corresponding subcell is normally serviced when the call is normally raised to the corresponding sector / FA by the comparison.

As described above, the present invention adds a predetermined diagnostic function to the general diagnostic function, and tests the added diagnostic function sequentially by the scheduling, and the path and the device where the abnormality and abnormality of the base station are caused by the result to the operator. By notifying, there is an effect that can provide stable service through quick action on abnormal occurrence.

Claims (3)

An apparatus for self-diagnosing a service state of a base station in a code division multiple access communication system, A control unit which performs overall control to self-diagnose the service state of the base station; A test terminal connected to the base station through a common air interface and inspecting a call service state of the base station; A radio signal switch for switching and selecting any one of signals from the base station under control of the controller or switching and selecting a radio signal for call connection with the test terminal; And a power detector for inputting a signal from the base station selected from the radio signal switch, and measuring the power of each signal for each frequency. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit, The abnormality of the power detector is determined by comparing the power level of the signal provided with a signal having a predetermined power level and frequency to the power of the signal having the predetermined power level and frequency with respect to the power of the signal having the predetermined power level and frequency. An abnormality of the radio signal switch by comparing a power level of a signal provided with a signal having a predetermined power and a frequency through the radio signal switch with a power considering path transmission with respect to a power of a signal having the predetermined power level and a frequency; Apparatus for diagnosing service status of a base station in a code division multiple access communication system characterized in that it is determined. A method for diagnosing a service state of a base station in a code division multiple access communication system, Performing self-diagnosis of the power detector and the wireless signal switch using a signal having a predetermined power level and frequency; Measuring power of a signal applied to an antenna for wireless transmission when the self-diagnosis is normally completed, and measuring a transmission path by the measured power; When the self-diagnosis is completed normally, the power of the signal applied to the antenna for wireless transmission and the power of the signal reflected back due to the impedance mismatch of the antenna are measured, and the antenna error is caused by the difference between the two measured powers. Judging the presence or absence, Supplying a signal having a predetermined power and frequency to a reception path, measuring a power of a signal applied through the reception path, and determining whether there is an abnormality in the reception path; Checking whether the test terminal is tuned to a corresponding base station by an originating test call request command, and determining whether the service is normal by analyzing a call initiation message from the test terminal in response to the originating call request command. A service state diagnosis method of a base station in a code division multiple access communication system.