WO2011074011A1

WO2011074011A1 - A base station subsystem configuring apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2011074011A1
Application number: PCT/IN2010/000820
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ajit Singh; Krishankant Jingar
Original assignee: Nsg Networks Private Limited
Priority date: 2009-12-16
Filing date: 2010-12-16
Publication date: 2011-06-23

Abstract

A Base Station Subsystem (BSS) configuring apparatus comprises an input device (601), an authentication unit (602), a resource analyzer (603), and a transceiver configurator (604). The input device (601) receives service requirement specifications. The authentication unit (602) is coupled to the input device (601) for authorizing an operator/user to provide the service requirement specifications. The resource analyzer (603) is coupled to the authentication unit (602) for determining the resources required to fulfill the specified service requirements. The transceiver configurator (604) is coupled to the output of the resource analyzer (603) for defining the configurations of transceivers required to provide said resources. The complete setup provides cost effective and error free BSS configuration.

Description

A BASE STATION SUBSYSTEM CONFIGURING APPARATUS

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to telecommunication systems and more specifically, station subsystem configuring apparatus.

Background

Following abbreviations are defined herewith:

BCCH Broadcast Channel

SDCCH Standalone Dedicated Control Channel

PBCCH Packet Broadcast Control Channel

PDCH Packet Data Channel

MAIO Mobile Allocation Index Offset

LTRX Logical Transceiver

PTRX Physical Transceiver

OMC Operation and Maintenance Center

LAI Location Area Identity

CS Circuit Switched

PS Packet Switched

MT Mobile Terminal

BTS Base Transceiver Station

BSC Base Station Controller

BSS Base Station Subsystem

MSC Mobile Switching Center

NSS Network Switching Subsystem

OMS Operation and Maintenance Subsystem

LAC Location Area Code

ARPU - Average Revenue Per User

WLL Wireless local loop

SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node A GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) network is a hierarchically structured system, which includes various network elements. The lowest. hierarchicaUevel_of_the . network is formed by the mobile terminals (MT) which are dynamically connected to base transceiver stations (BTS). These mobile terminals communicate with base transceiver stations (BTS) forming the next hierarchical level. A^" GSM network contains a large number of base transceiver stations. These base transceiver stations operate together in regions for leading and controlling the data traffic between them. The next higher-level network elements provided for network Communication are called base station controllers (BSC). The base transceiver stations, the base station controllers and other network elements such as the transcoder and rate adapter units, form a base station subsystem (BSS) of the Cellular network. The transcoder and rate adapter unit (TRAU) are provided for format conversion across multiple voice codecs.

The BSC communicate with one or more MSC, one or more SGSN and other core network nodes. The MSC and SGSN do manage mobile subscriber's activities with the help of network data base registers, e.g., HLR, VLR.

Apart from the network element hierarchies described above, there is an operation and maintenance subsystem (OMS). The operation and maintenance subsystem is used for configuring and monitoring all network elements. For this purpose, monitoring and configuration functions are in most cases remotely controlled from operation and maintenance centers (OMC). .

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the general architecture of a Cellular Network. The Base Station Sub-system (BSS) comprises the base station controller (BSC) and Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs). The BSC is connected to core network nodes, e.g. MSC for voice calls and SGSN for data services. The BSC is also connected to several BTS units for providing radio access. The base station controller (BSC) provides multiple services. On the core network interface, there are multiple core network nodes connected to the BSC. Each core network node provides a distinct set of services. On the access network interface, all services are provided over a single interface to the BTS. The BSC performs aggregation and segregation function. It analyzes traffic received from the BTS and forwards it to the appropriate core network node. The BSC has common control function which is necessary for all services.

To implement desired requirements, the BSS (BSC and BTS) needs to be configured for common control and service specific controls. The configuration is based on the rules defined by the relevant Cellular Communication standards and requires an elaborate understanding of the standards. An improper configuration could result in sub-optimal operation of the Mobile Handset or the Network or total service unavailability under certain conditions. As such the configuration activity requires high levels of individual human skills and is a time-consuming and expensive activity.

Figure 2 illustrates the block diagram of a base station controller .200 according to the conventional art. The base station controller 200 comprises at least one service handling unit 201 , a BTS control unit 202, a Communication resource unit 203, a MUX/DEMUX unit 204, and a common control unit 205. The base station controller further comprises one or more configuration units (206, 207, 208, 209, and 210) for configuring the controller based on the configuration parameters. The configuration unit includes a common configuration unit 206, at least one service configuration unit 207, a BTS configuration unit 208, a Communication resource configuration unit 209, and a MUX/DEMUX configuration unit 210.

Service handling unit 201 controls and processes service specific data, such as protocol stacks / state machines for mobile stations. BTS control unit 202 implements state machine for controlling the BTS, for example implementing the configuration provided in the BTS configuration unit 208 on the actual BTS. It also manages software provided to the BTS. Communication resource unit 203 contains Communication resource information for BTS which are necessary to implement services. MUX/DEMUX unit 204 routes the traffic coming from the BTS to appropriate service handling unit. The MUX-DEMUX unit is instructed and controlled by the input provided by the MUX-DEMUX configuration unit. Common control unit 205 controls the apparatus level functions which are necessary and common for all service handling units. Common configuration unit 206 receives common configuration and provides these to common control unit 205. Service configuration unit receives configuration information for configuring the service handling unit 201. BTS configuration unit 208 receives configuration information required for implementing each service at the BTS. The BTS configuration unit 208 implements configuration for each BTS. The configuration can be a radio configuration of the BTS, hardware configuration of the BTS, and service specific configuration at the BTS. Communication resource configuration unit 209 receives configuration information for configuring Communication resources required to implement services. MUX/DEMUX configuration unit 210 receives configuration information from a user for configuring the MUX/DEMUX unit 204.

Figure 3 illustrates the block diagram of a base transceiver station (BTS) 300 according to the conventional art. Base transceiver station (BTS) is equipment that facilitates wireless communication between a user equipment (UE) and the network. User equipment (UEs) is devices such as mobile phones, WLL phones, computers with wireless internet connectivity, WiFi and WiMAX gadgets etc. The network can be of any of the wireless Communication technologies such as GSM, CDMA, WLL, WAN, WiFi, WiMAX etc. The base transceiver station comprises at least one baseband unit 301 , at least one radio unit 302, a common control unit 303, at least one service control unit 304, and a MUX-DEMUX Unit 305. The base transceiver station further comprises at least one baseband configuration unit 306, at least one radio configuration unit 307, and at least one service configuration unit 308. Service configuration unit 308 receives configuration information for configuring the service control unit 304. Baseband configuration unit 306 receives data for configuring the baseband units 301. Radio configuration unit 307 receives parameters for configuring the radio units 302. Each configuration unit is configured by user independently. Since the configuration is error prone, it can only be done by a skilled user to avoid any inconsistencies across.

Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of network object hierarchy according to the conventional art. The network hierarchy includes various stages such as Transceiver (TRX), cell, Location Area Code (LAC), Base station controller (BSC), and Radio network. The lowest hierarchical level of the network is formed by the Transceivers (TRX). The Transceiver does transmission and reception of signals. Specifically, Transceivers (TRX) sends and receives signals to/from higher network entities (like the base station controller in mobile telephony). The TRX facilitates wireless Communication between user equipment (UE) and a network. UEs are devices such as mobile phones, or handsets. The next hierarchical level is Cell which includes multiple transceivers (TRXs). The Cell is the basic service area and is covered by one BTS. Each cell is given a Cell Global Identity (CGI), a number that uniquely identifies the cell. A group of cells form a Location Area. This is the area that is paged when a subscriber gets an incoming call. Each Location Area is assigned a Location Area Code (LAC). In other words, the Location area code is a unique number assigned to each location area. Each Location Area is served by one or more BSCs. The location area includes a set of base stations that are grouped together to optimize signaling. The location area code is broadcasted by each base station for specifying their position. In GSM, the mobiles cannot communicate directly with each other but, have to be channeled through the BTSs and the network. The Base Station Controller (BSC) is the functional entity within the GSM architecture that is responsible for RR (Radio Resource) allocation to a MS (Mobile Station), frequency administration and handover between BTSs controlled by the BSC. The BSC function may be physically located with the BTS. The next hierarchically level is a Radio network which includes one or more Base Station Controller (BSC).

Each Transceiver (TRX) has eight physical radio time slots as shown in Figure 5. Each radio time slot can be configured for one channel combination. Cellular Networks require a very complex planning exercise with respect to the configurations of capacity and geographical coverage and the associated frequency re-usage strategy. The total traffic requirements, in nominal and peak traffic handling scenarios, are converted into the specific Traffic and Signaling resources requirements. These requirements lead to required equipment planning. A huge set of configuration parameters for all equipments (network elements) of the complete network are worked out before configuring them at the Installation and Commissioning time of these networks.

Summary

The present disclosure discloses a base station subsystem configuring apparatus designed to automatically configure the units of the BSS based on simple service requirement parameters that do not require high levels of skill on the part of the individual performing the configuration. As such, the apparatus ensures optimal system performance at low cost and in less time. The apparatus comprises an input device, an authentication unit, a resource analyzer, and a transceiver configurator. The input device is configured to receive service requirement specifications. The authentication unit authenticates to the source of the service requirement specifications prior to implementation. The resource analyzer determines the resources required to fulfill the specified service requirements. The transceiver configurator is coupled to the output of the resource analyzer for defining the configurations of transceivers required to provide the resources.

The present disclosure further discloses a method of configuring base station subsystem. The source of the service requirement specifications is authenticated prior to implementation of the configuration. Capability and availability information of PTRX is received from a BTS control unit, which is then mapped to the logical transceiver (LTRX) requirements that are generated from the service requirements, so as to determine the physical resources required and thereafter the individual resource configurations are defined.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The aforementioned aspects and other features of the present disclosure will be explained in the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a general architecture of GSM Network

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a base station controller according to the conventional art

Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a base transceiver station (BTS) according to the conventional art.

Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of network object hierarchy according to the conventional art.

Figure 5 illustrates physical radio time slots on each transceiver according to the conventional art. Figure 6 a block diagram of a base station subsystem configuring apparatus according to the present disclosure.

Figure 7 illustrates a block diagram of a base station subsystem configuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 8 illustrates a block diagram of a base station controller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 9 illustrates a block diagram of a base transceiver station (BTS) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 10 illustrates a block diagram of network object hierarchy according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 1 illustrates physical radio time slots on each transceiver according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 12 illustrates a flow chart of a method of configuring base station subsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

While the disclosure will be described in conjunction with the illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

The embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. The present disclosure can be modified in various forms. Thus, the embodiments of the present disclosure are only provided to explain more clearly the present disclosure to the ordinarily skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like components. Figure 6 illustrates a block diagram of a base station subsystem configuring apparatus 600 according to the present disclosure. The base station subsystem configuring apparatus comprises an input device 601, an authentication unit 602, a resource analyzer 603, and a transceiver configurator 604. The input device 601 receives service requirement specifications. The authentication unit 602 is coupled to the input device 601 for authenticating the source of the service requirements specification. The resource analyzer 603 is coupled to the output of said authentication unit 602 for determining the resources, such as number and type of transceiver units, required to fulfill the specified channel requirements. The transceiver configurator 604 is coupled to the output of the resource analyzer for defining the configurations of transceivers required to provide said resources.

Figure 7 illustrates a block diagram of a base station subsystem configuring apparatus 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The input device 601, such as CLI (command line interface), web based interface, receives input from a user. The authentication unit 602 authenticates the user based on his/her credentials and rejects inputs received from a user with insufficient privileges. The resource analyzer 603 comprises an input analyzer unit 701, a logical transceiver (LTRX) specification generator unit 702, and a PTRX modeling unit 703. The input analyzer 701 analyzes service requirement specifications for carrying out defined functions such as classifying each input as service control or resource control, applying consistency checks across inputs and returning appropriate errors where applicable, determining the number of radio resources required for a service, and establishing control requirements for providing each of the desired services. The logical transceiver (LTRX) specification generator 702 coupled to the input analyzer 701 for generating specifications of logical transceiver based on the analysis of the input. The PTRX modeling unit 703 provides available data of each PTRX. In one embodiment, the PTRX modeling unit receives characteristics of a PTRX reported by the BTS Control unit. The Characteristics can include following information

1. Band support (e.g. 900 MHz, 1800 MHz) 2. Output power

3. Service support (e.g. voice codecs, GPRS capability, EDGE capability, Frequency hopping capability etc)

The PTRX modeling unit ^'maintains inventory of all PTRX reported by the BTS control units along with their capabilities.

The transceiver configurator 604 comprises a LTRX-PTRX mapping unit 704, a MUX/DEMUX configuration unit 705, a Communication resource configuration unit 706, a BTS configuration unit 707, and a service configuration unit 708. LTRX-PTRX mapping unit 704 is coupled to the LTRX specification generator 702 and the PTRX modeling unit 707 for mapping the logical transceiver (LTRX) to available physical transceiver (PTRX) resources. There are several trigger points defined in the apparatus on which the mapping or de-mapping is initiated by the mapping unit:

1. Availability/Unavailability of PTRX

2. Availability of new user input which caused addition/deletion of LTRX

3. Fault conditions in the system

The working of the LTRX-PTRX Mapping unit is as follows: Upon receiving a trigger, this unit initiates mapping or de-mapping of LTRX to PTRX.

Mapping Procedure

1. Find all generated and unmapped LTRX from the LTRX Spec Generation Unit.

2. Arrange in priority order

3. Start with highest priority LTRX and give its specifications to the PTRX modeling unit to find suitable PTRX. 4. Get the list of PTRX suitable for this LTRX. Select one from the list and inform the PTRX modeling unit about selected PTRX. Inform the LTRX specification generation unit about the status of LTRX as mapped.

5. Map the LTRX and selected PTRX.

6. Inform the MUX-DEMUX configuration unit to configure MUX-DEMUX unit to route the data from the mapped PTRX to appropriate service handling unit.

7. Inform the Communication resource configuration unit to reserve Communication resources for the given service.

8. Inform the BTS control unit to send appropriate configuration to the configuration unit at BTS for given services.

9. Inform the service configuration unit about available services and provisioned resources on the mapped PTRX

10. Repeat (3) to (9) for other TRXs.

De-Mapping Procedure

1. Find all LTRX which should be de-mapped. An LTRX needs to be de-mapped in following conditions

a. The LTRX need to be destroyed due to user action

b. The associated PTRX is no more available

This information is gathered from the LTRX Specs generation unit.

2. For each mapped LTRX which now need to be de-mapped, do the following

a. Inform the service configuration unit to remove the resources from the service handling units.

b. Inform the BTS control configuration unit to send de-configuration request to the BTS.

c. Inform the COMMUNICATION resource configuration unit to free the resources to be used for the services provided over this LTRX. d. Inform the MUX-DEMUX configuration unit to remove the configuration so that the MUX-DEMUX device routing for the PTRX are removed.

e. Inform the PTRX Modeling unit the PTRX is now unmapped.

f. Inform the LTRX spec generation unit that the LTRX is now unmapped.

MUX/DEMUX configuration unit 705 is coupled to the LTRX-PTRX mapping unit 704 for multiplexing or de-multiplexing the desired PTRX resources. Communication resource configuration unit 706 is coupled to the LTRX-PTRX mapping unit 704 for configuring the selected PTRX units. The Communication resource configuration unit 706 receives the information about when a LTRX-PTRX mapping is established or LTRX-PTRX mapping is destroyed, from the LTRX-PTRX mapping unit. The Communication resource configuration unit sends the required allocation or de-allocation requests to the COMMUNICATION Resources unit. BTS configuration unit 707 is coupled to the LTRX-PTRX mapping unit 704 for generating configuration data for BTS units based on required BTS resources. The BTS configuration unit 707 maintains configuration for each BTS control unit. The BTS configuration unit 707 ¾lsO maintains configuration required at BTS side to realize a service. The LTRX-PTRX mapping unit informs the BTS configuration unit whenever mapping is created or destroyed. The BTS configuration unit 707 sends appropriate configuration information to the BTS control unit at BSC and configuration units at the BTS. Service configuration unit 708 is coupled to the input analyzer unit 701 and the LTRX-PTRX mapping unit 704 to configure and control one or more services at the BSC and BTS units. The service configuration unit 708 takes inputs from the Input Analyzer Unit 701 and distribute to the Service Handling Units. The service configuration unit 708 takes input from the LTRX-PTRX mapping unit to control corresponding service units. The inputs from the LTRX-PTRX mapping units are provided to identify resource availability which can be used to implement a service as well as the physical location of the resource. The Service control unit uses the resource identities at runtime.

Figure 8 illustrates a block diagram of a base station controller 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Base station controller 800 comprises a service handling unit, a BTS control unit, a Communication resource unit, a MUX/DEMUX unit, a common control unit, a coh mon configuration unit, and a base station subsystem configuring apparatus 600.

Base station subsystem configuring apparatus 600 receives service requirements at high level and configures all service configuration units automatically. The apparatus ensures that the Cellular standard specifications are complied-with. The apparatus automatically detects inter service dependencies and resolves to the extent possible so that the service definition is not affected. Otherwise, an error is reported in a simple language to the operator about conflict and possible remedies. The base station subsystem configuring apparatus replaces the configuring units which were used in the prior art such as service configuration unit, BTS configuration unit, Communication resource configuration unit, and MUX/DEMUX configuration unit.

Figure 9 illustrates a block diagram of a base transceiver station (BTS) 900 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The user configuration inputs, which were provided to service configuration, baseband configuration and radio configuration, have been removed in the present embodiment. There are no configuration inputs directly coming to the BTS. All inputs are first analyzed by the base station subsystem configuring apparatus 600 and suitable control information is sent to the BTS. The service configuration unit receives inputs from the BSC. The common control unit is configured by the inputs received from the BSC.

Figure 10 illustrates a block diagram of network object hierarchy according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition to the features available in the conventional network object hierarchy, the present disclosure provides a new element / object, called LOGICAL TRX which is coupled between Cell and TRX for simplifying the determination procedure of configuration of base station transceiver. The LOGICAL TRX has exactly same logical object properties as TRX. The mapping between LOGICAL TRX and the TRX is done dynamically based on following criteria:

^■ The TRX should be able to meet required criteria to implement LOGICAL TRX configuration.

^■ The TRX is physically available and can transmit and receive.

•Table 1 illustrates the inputs for limited channel types from the operator for resource requirement.

Table 1

combination operator>

CHAN_TYPE_SDCCH_8 One radio time slot will be <to be input by

configured to have 8 SDCCH operator>

channels

CHAN TYPE TCH Full rate circuit switched traffic <to be input by

channel operator>

CHAN TYPE PDCH GPRS channel <to be input by

operator>

CHAN TYPE DUAL MODE Dual mode channel: can be used <to be input by

either for circuit switched or operator>

packet switched channel

The apparatus inspects the operator inputs for the resources and generates the error report if any inconsistencies or incompleteness is found according to Cellular standard specifications. The service requirement inputs are converted into LTRX specifications using algorithm specified below for each cell:

BEGIN

1. Initialize requirements array for each channel type. Following is an example

a. ChannelRequirement(BCCH) = 0

b. ChannelRequirerhent(BCCH_SDCCH_4) = 1

c. ChannelRequirement(DUAL) = 7

d. ChannetRequirement(PDCH) = 0

e. ChannelRequirement(TCH) = 0

2. Assign priorities of each channel type. Following is an example:

a. Priority(BCCH) = 1000

b. Priority(BCCH_SDCCH_4) = 1200

c. Priority(SDCCH_8) = 800

d. Priority(TCH) = 600

e. Priority(PDCH) = 600

f. Priority(DUAL) - 800

3. Calculate total number of radio channels by summing-up the requirements given by the user. Designate this by TotalChannels

4. If the total number is not multiple of 8, increase number of channels to next multiple of 8. The extra channels are of type DUAL CHANNEL.

5. Calculate total number of LTRX required implementing given service requirements. LtrxNeeded = TotalChannels/8.

For Ltrx = 0 to LtrxNeeded, do following

BEGIN

For timeSlot = 0 to 7, do following

BEGIN

For each channelType in the ChannelRequirement array do following BEGIN

/* check for BCCH or BCCH_SDCCH_4 first */

• If currentType— BCCH and timeSlot == 0 and

ChannelRequirement(currentType) > 0

Then

LtrxSpec[ltrx][ts].type = BCCH

ChannelRequirement(currentType)- - timeSlot++

Endif

• If currentType = BCCH_SDCCH_4 and timeSlot = 0 and ChannelRequirement(currentType) > 0

Then

LtrxSpec[ltrx][ts].type = BCCH_SDCCH_4

ChannelRequirement(currentType)- - timeSlot++

Endif

• If currentType == SDCCH_8 and

ChannelRequirement(currentType) > 0

Then

LtrxSpec [ltrx] [ts] .type = SDCCH_8

ChannelRequirement(currentType)- - timeSlot++

Endif

• If currentType -= DUAL and

ChannelRequirement(currentType) > 0

Then

LtrxSpec [ltrx] [ts] .type = DUAL

ChannelRequirement(currentType)- - timeSlot++

Endif

• If currentType == TCH and ChannelRequirement(currentType) > 0

Then

LtrxSpec[ltrx][ts].type - TCH

ChannelRequirement(currentType)- - timeSlot++

Endif

• If currentType == PDCH and

ChannelRequirement(currentType) > 0

Then

LtrxSpec[ltrx][ts].type = PTCH

ChannelRequirement(currentType)- - timeSlot++ Endif

END /* channelType */

END /* timeSlot */

- Assign frequencies for this LTRX

- Assign other ratio network configuration parameters for this LTRX

- Assign other configuration parameters which will associate this LTRX to given cell

- Generate priority for this LTRX by summing priorities of channel type

assigned to each time slot of the LTRX

- Mark the LTRX as GENERATED and UN-MAPPED

END /* Ltrx */

END /* Cell */ A very simple cell can have following channel configuration

I. CH AN TYPE BCCH COMB : 1 Number

II. CH AN TYPE TCH : 7 Number

The LOGICAL TRX configuration is shown in Figure 11 in accordance with a physical radio time slots of TRX.

Figure 12 illustrates a flow chart of a method for configuring base station subsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. One or more service requirements are received 1201. The service requirement source is authenticated 1202. Logical TRX specifications are generated for service requirements 1203. The capability and availability information of each PTRX is obtained 1204. The logical transceiver (LTRX) is mapped to an appropriate physical transceiver (PTRX) 1205. The resources are determined which are required to fulfill the specified service requirements 1206. The individual resource configuration is defined 1207

The method for configuring base station subsystem according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is explained below: Inputs are provided for the desired services. The input is received by an input analyzer unit. The input analyzer unit also triggers the Service configuration unit. The LTRX specification generation unit generates LTRX specification for given service requirement inputs and triggers the LTRX-PTRX mapping unit. The LTRX-PTRX mapping unit provides the LTRX specifications to the PTRX modeling unit for selection of PTRX units. The PTRX modeling unit returns the list of the PTRX capable of serving LTRX requirements. The LTRX-PTRX mapping unit maps LTRX on the returned PTRX and informs the LTRX specification generation unit that the LTRX is now mapped. The LTRX-PTRX unit also informs the PTRX modeling unit that the PTRX is now mapped. The LTRX-PTRX mapping unit triggers MUX- DEMUX configuration unit to configure the MUX-DEMUX unit so that traffic from the PTRX is routed to appropriated service handling units. The LTRX-PTRX mapping unit triggers the Communication Resource Configuration unit to reserve resources for the mapped PTRX. The LTRX-PTRX mapping unit triggers the BTS configuration unit so that the PTRX can be configured to provide services based on the mapped LTRX. The BTS configuration unit triggers the BTS control unit at the BSC to configure the configuration units at the BTS. The BTS control unit sends required triggers to the BTS. The LTRX-PTRX mapping unit finally informs the service control unit that resources for the services are available from the given PTRX.

Following are the advantages of the present disclosure:

1. The present innovation reduces the complexity of overall Cellular radio Network Configuration process by eliminating the most complex step of the configuration procedure.

2. Only service level requirements need to be specified.

3. The configuration for the TRX is error free.

In addition to features and advantages mentioned above, the base station subsystem configuring apparatus has the additional advantage of enabling the network to be self adaptive. Since the telecommunication system requires high availability of services service interruptions need to be minimized. For GSM cells, one of the functionality known as "BCCH broadcast" is mandatory to maintain the services. When a TRX serving "BCCH" function goes down, another TRX should be configured to serve the BCCH function. In traditional systems, this is achieved by defining policies, e.g. If TRX-1 goes down, TRX-2 will take over as BCCH TRX and do on. The fault tolerance thus is driven by policies. Defining policy for several TRX is complex task. With the new approach, the BCCH function availability is achieved in very generic way. Whenever a high priority (BCCH has highest priority) LTRX becomes unmapped (due to TRX fault), the system will automatically unmap a low priority LTRX and will re-map the BCCH LTRX to the unmapped PTRX. Hence a policy for each scenario is not required and the mapping is fully dynamic. Although the disclosure of apparatus and method has been described in connection with the embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.

Claims

We claim:

1. A base station subsystem configuring apparatus comprising:

- an input device for receiving service requirement specifications;

- an authentication unit coupled to said input device for authorizing an operator/user to provide said service requirement specifications;

- a resource analyzer coupled to said authentication unit for determining the resources required to fulfill the specified service requirements; and

- a transceiver configurator coupled to the output of said resource analyzer for defining the configurations of transceivers required to provide said resources.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resource analyzer comprises:

- a input analyzer for

- classifying each input as service control or resource control;

- applying consistency checks across inputs and returning appropriate errors to users where applicable;

- determining the number of radio resources required for a service; and

- establishing control requirements for providing each of the desired services;

- a logical transceiver (LTRX) specification generator operatively coupled to said input analyzer for generating specifications of logical transceiver based on the analysis of the input; and

- a PTRX modeling unit providing availability and capability data of each PTRX.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claims 1 & 2, wherein said transceiver configurator

comprises:

- a LTRX-PTRX mapping unit operatively coupled to said LTRX specification generator and said PTRX modeling unit for mapping the logical transceiver (LTRX) to available physical transceiver (PTRX) resources;

- a MUX/DEMUX configuration unit operatively coupled to said LTRX-PTRX mapping unit for multiplexing or de-multiplexing the desired PTRX resources;

- a Communication resource configuration unit operatively coupled to said LTRX-PTRX mapping unit for configuring the selected PTRX units; - a BTS configuration unit operatively coupled to said LTRX-PTR mapping unit for generating configuration data for BTS units based on required BTS resources; and

- a service configuration unit operatively coupled to said input analyzer and said LTRX-PTRX mapping unit to configure and control one or more services at the BSC and BTS units.

4. A method of configuring a base station subsystem comprising:

receiving service requirement inputs;

authenticating the source of said service requirement inputs;

defining Logical transceiver (LTRX) units required to meet said service requirements;

receiving capability and availability information of available PTRX units;

mapping each logical transceiver (LTRX) to an appropriate physical transceiver (PTRX);

determining the Communication resources required to fulfill the specified service requirements; and

defining the individual Communication resource configurations.