Method for securing the operation of a telecommunications network in a cellular radio system and a base station arrangement

• US 5,551,056 A
• Filed: 08/16/1994
• Issued: 08/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Telecommunications Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Telecommunications Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Suonvieri, Jukka, Koponen, Pekka
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANKS HAROLD, MARSHA DENISE
• Application Number:
  US08/291,598
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 455/8, 455/9, 455/54.1, 455/56.1, 455/33.1, 455/67.1, 379/59, 371/20.2
• US Class Current: 455/8
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/74 for increasing reliability, e.g. using redundant or spare channels or apparatus replacing by standby devices for amplifiers H03F1/52, H03F1/542
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements

Abstract

A method for securing the operation of a telecommunications network in a cellular radio system, in which telecommunications network base stations are connected in series in such a way that at least one base station serves as a repeater for telecommunication signals of preceding base stations. For securing the operation of the telecommunications network, the base station is provided with a control unit monitoring its operation and with a repeater connected in parallel with the base station, the repeater having a power source independent of the base station. When the control unit detects a failure at the base station, the signals to be transmitted in the telecommunications network are directed to the repeater which transmits them further in the telecommunications network.

Claims

1. A base station arrangement in a cellular radio system, comprising:

a base station having a predetermined coverage area, said base station comprising first means by which the base station can establish a radio connection with active radio units currently located within said predetermined radio coverage area, and second means for receiving signals transmitted by other base stations through a first cabled communication link, for repeating said signals and for transmitting said repeated signals further via a second cabled communication link;

a control unit monitoring operation of said base station; and

a repeater connected in parallel with said base station, said repeater being responsive to said control unit for repeating signals received from said first cabled communication link for transmitting further said repeated signals via said second cabled communication link when said control unit indicates a malfunction of said base station.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

switching means being responsive to said control unit for disconnecting said base station from said first and second cabled communication links.

3. A base station arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said repeater has a power course which is independent of the base station and is a battery.

4. A base station arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base station is a GSM base station.

5. A communication network of a cellular radio system, comprising:

first, second and third base stations each having a respective coverage area;

a first cabled communication link interconnecting said first base station with said second base station;

a second cabled communication link interconnecting said first base station with said third base station, said first base station comprising first means for providing radio communication with radio units within its coverage area, and second means for repeating signals received from said first cabled communication link and for transmitting said repeated signals further via said second cabled communication link;

a control unit monitoring operation of the first base station; and

a repeater having an input connected to said first cabled communication link and an output connected to said second cabled communication link and being responsive to said control unit for repeating signals received from said first cabled communication link and for transmitting further said repeated signals via said second cabled communication link when said control unit indicates a malfunction of said first base station.

6. A communication network of a cellular radio system, comprising:

first and second base stations each having a respective coverage area;

a base station controller;

a first cabled communication link interconnecting said first base station with said second base station;

a second cabled communication link interconnecting said first base station with said base station controller;

said first base station comprising first means for providing radio communication with radio units within its coverage area, and second means for repeating signals received from said first cabled communication link and for transmitting said repeated signals further via said second cabled communication link;

a control unit monitoring the operation of the first base station; and

a repeater having an input connected to said first cabled communication link and an output connected to said second cabled communication link and being responsive to said control unit for repeating signals received from said first cabled communication link and for transmitting further said repeated signals via said second cabled communication link when said control unit indicates a malfunction of said first base station.