System and method for creating a wireless picocell

• US 20060217121A1
• Filed: 03/25/2005
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Antonio, Franklin Peter, Soliman, Samir S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,494,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/446
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system and method are provided for creating a picocell service alternate to a wireless network service. The method comprises: detecting a multiple access (MA) wireless communications network, such as a terrestrial or satellite network; and, generating a first picocell in a response to detecting the MA wireless network. Typically, the method comprises receiving requests for picocell service from mobile stations, in response to generating the first picocell. In one aspect, the service requests made by the mobile stations are denied. In another aspect, the method further comprises: establishing a first picocell MSC; and, providing network services to mobile stations via the first picocell, in response to the requests for picocell service. For example, the first picocell MSC may provide the same network services that are provided by a conventional terrestrial network, for example. Alternately, the method establishes an alternative wireless network (a second picocell) to provide services.

Claims

1. A method for creating a picocell service alternate to a multiple access wireless network service, the method comprising:

detecting a multiple access (MA) wireless telephone communications network; and

generating a first picocell in response to detecting the MA wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving requests from mobile stations for picocell service, in response to generating the first picocell.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

establishing a first picocell mobile services switching center (MSC); and

providing network services to mobile stations via the first picocell MCS, in response to receiving requests for picocell service.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

establishing a second picocell;

generating second picocell control signals;

wherein generating the first picocell includes generating first picocell control signals; and

the method further comprising;

in response to receiving requests for picocell service, using the first picocell control signals to direct the mobile stations to the second picocell control signals.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting the MA wireless network includes:

receiving control signals originating from a MA wireless network base station;

identifying the MA wireless network in response to the base station control signals; and

wherein generating the first picocell includes generating first picocell control signals equivalent to the base station control signals.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein detecting the MA wireless network includes detecting a MA wireless network providing a service;

and

wherein generating first picocell control signals includes generating picocell control signals identifying a picocell service equivalent to the MA wireless network service.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein receiving control signals originating from the MA wireless network base station includes receiving the base station control signals at a first power level in the picocell;

and

wherein generating first picocell control signals includes generating picocell control signals having a second received power level in the picocell, greater than the first received power level.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein generating a first picocell includes controlling the transmit power levels of mobile stations in the picocell.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein receiving control signals originating from the MA wireless network base station includes the base station control signals being received in a first medium;

wherein generating first picocell control signals includes;

generating first picocell control signals in the first medium;

sending messages in the first picocell control signals directing mobile stations to control signals broadcast in an alternate medium; and

the method further comprising;

establishing a second picocell network;

generating second picocell control signals in the alternative medium.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein generating second picocell control signals in the alternate medium includes generating control signals in a medium selected from the group including an alternate frequency, an alternate time slot, an alternate channel, an alternate spreading code, and alternate frequency band, an alternate wireless telephone protocol, and an alternate technology, respective to the first medium.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting the MA wireless network includes:

scanning a frequency spectrum;

identifying signals in a spectrum band;

identifying a signal modulation;

identifying a system associated with the modulation; and

measuring the detected signal power level.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein identifying the system associated with the modulation includes identifying a cellular wireless telephone system;

and

wherein detecting the MA wireless network service further includes identifying a serving sector in the cellular telephone system.

13. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

denying all service requests made by mobile stations communicating in the picocell.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

preventing mobile stations, which are communicating in the first picocell, from making requests for network service.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting the MA network includes generating picocell management information, responsive to MA network information selected from the group including base station location, antenna height, antenna coverage, antenna type, morphology, control channel gains, traffic channel gains, frequency usage, and time slot usage;

and,

the method further comprising;

transceiving communications between the MA network and a mobile station, via the first picocell, using the management information.

16. The method of claim 3 wherein detecting the MA network includes generating picocell management information, responsive to MA network information selected from the group including base station location, antenna height, antenna coverage, antenna type, morphology, control channel gains, traffic channel gains, frequency usage, and time slot usage;

and,

wherein providing network services to mobile stations via the first picocell MCS includes selecting channels and communication media that minimally interfere with the MA network, in response to the management information.

17. A picocell system alternate to a multiple access wireless network service, the system comprising:

a first picocell including;

a sniffer having a receiver to accept multiple access MA wireless telephone network communications and an output to supply detected network classification signals; and

a spoofer including;

a controller having an input to accept the classification signals and an output to supply a spoofed signal responsive to the classification signals; and

a transmitter having an input to accept the spoofed signal and an output to transmit first picocell control signals in response to the spoofed signals.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the spoofer further includes a receiver having an input to accept requests for picocell service from mobile stations, received in response to generating the first picocell control signals.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

a first picocell mobile services switching center (MSC) having an interface connected to the spoofer; and

wherein the first picocell MSC provides network services to mobile stations, using the spoofer as a base station.

20. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

a second picocell including an access point for supplying wireless network control signals; and

wherein the spoofer transmitter generates control signals directing the mobile stations to the second picocell access point control signals.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the second picocell includes an MSC connected to the access point, supplying network services.

22. The system of claim 17 wherein the sniffer receiver accepts control signals originating from a MA wireless network base station, and supplies classification signals responsive to identifying the wireless network;

wherein the spoofer transmitter generates first picocell control signals equivalent to the MA wireless network base station control signals.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein the sniffer receiver detects a MA wireless network providing a service;

and

wherein the spoofer transmitter generates first picocell control signals identifying a picocell service equivalent to the network service.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the sniffer receiver accepts MA wireless network control signals received at a first power level;

and

wherein the spoofer transmitter generates first picocell control signals at a second received power level, greater than the first received power level.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the spoofer generates first picocell control signals that regulate the transmit power levels of mobile stations in the first picocell.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the sniffer receiver accepts control signals originating from a MA wireless network base station transmitting in a first medium;

wherein the spoofer transmitter generates first picocell control signals in the first medium, directing mobile stations to control signals being broadcast in an alternate medium; and

the system further comprising;

a second picocell having an access point to transmit second picocell control signals in the alternative medium.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the second picocell access point generates control signals in an alternate medium selected from the group including an alternate frequency, an alternate time slot, an alternate channel, an alternate spreading code, and alternate frequency band, an alternate wireless telephone protocol, and an alternate technology, respective to the first medium.

28. The system of claim 17 wherein the sniffer receiver scans a frequency spectrum, identifies signals in a spectrum band, identifies the signal modulation, identifies a system associated with the modulation, and measures the detected signal power level.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the sniffer receiver identifies a terrestrial cellular wireless telephone system, and identifies a serving sector.

30. The system of claim 17 wherein the spoofer controller denies all service requests made by mobile stations communicating in the first picocell.

31. The system of claim 17 wherein the spoofer controller prevents mobile stations, which are communicating in the first picocell, from making requests for network service.

32. The system of claim 19 wherein spoofer transceives communications between a MA network and a mobile station, via the transmitter and receiver.

33. The system of claim 32 further comprising:

a predictor having an output to supply picocell management information to the spoofer in the classification signal, responsive to MA network information selected from the group including base station location, antenna height, antenna coverage, antenna type, morphology, control channel gains, traffic channel gains, frequency usage, and time slot usage; and

,

wherein the spoofer schedules high-burst communications between the MA network and the spoofer responsive to the management information.

34. The system of claim 19 further comprising:

a predictor having an output to supply picocell management information to the spoofer in the classification signal, responsive to MA network information selected from the group including base station location, antenna height, antenna coverage, antenna type, morphology, control channel gains, traffic channel gains, frequency usage, and time slot usage; and

,

wherein the spoofer selects the channels and communication medium used to communicate with mobile stations in the first picocell, in response to the management information.