Methods and apparatus for planning and managing a communications network

• US 6,058,260 A
• Filed: 06/15/1998
• Issued: 05/02/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States Government As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army, The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Vigants, Arvids, Sudnikovich, William P., Barnett, William T., Harrigan, Michael J., Chaney, Kenneth D., Brockel, Kenneth H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Teska, Kevin J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, HUGH M
• Application Number:
  US09/097,322
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 395/500.25, 395/500.34
• US Class Current: 703/4
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0083 Network planning or design; Modelling of planned or existing networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems

Abstract

A method for automatically planning and managing the performance of a communications network comprising a propagation forecasting step where propagation forrecast algorithms form a propagation forecast from weather inputs and a traffic forecasting step where traffic forecast algorithms form a traffic forecast from traffic data inputs and a network planning step where planning algorithms display an automated network model. During a forecast updating step, meteorological measurements and radio traffic measurements are continuously provided, resulting in adjusted propagation and traffic forecasts, which are then followed by a network realignment step to adjust the network. During a model comparison step, an artificial intelligence program continuously compares the model, the model adjustments, the realigned network and the network performance parameters with each other. A coefficient adjustment step adjusts the propagation, traffic and planning algorithms. In a reconfiguration instructions step, taking into account the meteorological and radio traffic measurements, the adjusted propagation forecast, the adjusted traffic forecast and network performance parameters, reconfiguration instructions are developed and transmitted to network operators. Also provided is an automated communications network planning apparatus for converting meteorological data and traffic data into a network model, capable of adjustment and updating, shown on a network terminal display.

Claims

1. An automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communications network comprising the steps of:

forming a propagation forecast output that models a plurality of communications-link locations in real-time meeting a plurality of predetermined performance parameters in a propagation forecast means from a plurality of stored meteorological forecast inputs, said propagation forecast means having a plurality of propagation algorithms;

transmitting said propagation forecast output to a plurality of planning algorithms of a network planning means;

forming a traffic forecast output from a traffic database and a plurality of communications requirements inputs, said traffic forecast output modeling a plurality of communications-link locations in real-time meeting said plurality of communications requirements inputs and said plurality of predetermined performance parameters in a traffic forecast means, said traffic forecast means having a plurality of traffic algorithms;

transmitting said traffic forecast output to said plurality of planning algorithms;

forming a dynamic network model in said network planning means in real-time, said network planning means, having a plurality of planning algorithms and a means to calculate adjustments to said dynamic network model;

continuously updating a propagation database of said propagation forecast means with a plurality of real-time meteorological measurements from a model correction means, said propagation forecast means automatically transmitting an adjusted propagation forecast to said plurality of planning algorithms of the network planning means;

continuously updating said traffic database and a predicted traffic database of the traffic forecast means with a plurality of radio traffic measurements of said network from said model correction means, said traffic forecast means automatically transmitting an adjusted traffic forecast to said plurality of planning algorithms of the network planning means;

realigning said network by said network planning means calculating a plurality of model adjustments, said network planning means being responsive to both said adjusted traffic forecast and said adjusted propagation forecast, said network planning means instructing the operators to alter the deployment of components of said network;

continuously comparing said dynamic network model, said adjusted propagation forecast, said adjusted traffic forecast and said plurality of predetermined performance parameters with an artificial intelligence program of said model correction means;

adjusting in a coefficient adjustment means a plurality of traffic coefficients of said traffic forecast algorithms, a plurality of propagation coefficients of said propagation forecast algorithms and a plurality of planning coefficients of said network planning means; and

said model correction means generating a plurality of reconfiguration instructions to the operators of said network based on said plurality of real-time meteorological measurements, said plurality of traffic measurements, said adjusted propagation forecast, said adjusted traffic forecast and said plurality of predetermined performance parameters.

2. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communications network, as recited in claim 1, further comprising said network having a plurality of radio terminals, a plurality of switching nodes and said plurality of predetermined performance parameters.

3. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communications network, as recited in claim 2, further comprising said propagation forecast means having a plurality of known responses to meteorological phenomena, along with said propagation database, said plurality of predetermined performance parameters and said plurality of propagation algorithms.

4. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communications network, as recited in claim 3, further comprising displaying said dynamic network model, said network and said reconfiguration instructions to the operator on a network terminal display means.

5. An automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network comprising the steps of:

forming a propagation forecast output in real-time in a propagation forecast means, said propagation forecast output modeling a plurality of communications-link locations meeting a plurality of predetermined performance parameters, said propagation forecast means having a plurality of stored meteorological forecast inputs, a plurality of predetermined network performance parameters and a plurality of programmed propagation algorithms;

said propagation forecast means transmits said propagation forecast output to a plurality of planning algorithms of a network planning means;

forming a traffic forecast output in a traffic forecasting means from a plurality of communications requirements inputs, said traffic forecast output modeling a second plurality of communications-link locations meeting said plurality of predetermined performance parameters, said traffic forecast means having a traffic database and a predicted traffic database, said predicted traffic database, having a plurality of programmed traffic forecast algorithms;

said traffic forecast means transmits said traffic forecast output to said plurality of planning algorithms;

said network planning means forming a network output plan and combining said network output plan with a link reliability output to generate a baseline network model, said baseline network model having a means responsive to a plurality of real-time meteorological measurements, a plurality of radio traffic measurements and a plurality of network change inputs from said model correction means;

forming a dynamic network model in real-time from said baseline network model, said network planning means having said plurality of planning algorithms and a means to calculate adjustments to said dynamic network model;

continuously updating a propagation database of the propagation forecast means with said plurality of real-time meteorological measurements, said propagation forecast means automatically transmitting an adjusted propagation forecast to said plurality of planning algorithms;

continuously updating said traffic database and said predicted traffic database of the traffic forecast means with said plurality of radio traffic measurements, said traffic forecast means automatically transmitting an adjusted traffic forecast to said plurality of planning algorithms;

realigning said network by said network planning means calculating a plurality of model adjustments, said network planning means being responsive to both said adjusted traffic forecast and said adjusted propagation forecast;

continuously comparing said dynamic network model, said adjusted traffic forecast, said adjusted propagation forecast and said plurality of predetermined network performance parameters in an artificial intelligence program of said model correction means;

adjusting in a coefficient adjustment means a plurality of propagation coefficients of said propagation forecast algorithms, a plurality of traffic coefficients of said traffic forecast algorithms and a plurality of planning coefficients of said planning algorithms of the network planning means; and

said model correction means generating a plurality of reconfiguration instructions based on said plurality of real-time meteorological measurements, said plurality of traffic measurements, said adjusted propagation forecast, said adjusted traffic forecast and said predetermined network performance parameters to the operators of said network.

6. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communications network, as recited in claim 5, further comprising said network having a plurality of radio terminals, a plurality of switching nodes and said plurality of predetermined performance parameters.

7. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communications network, as recited in claim 6, wherein:

said plurality of stored meteorological forecast inputs includes a plurality of known responses to meteorological phenomena;

said traffic database receives a plurality of communications requirements inputs, a plurality of operational facility data inputs and a plurality of operator-adjusted performance criteria;

said plurality of operator-adjusted performance criteria further comprise a plurality of maximum link, node blocking and delay probabilities;

a portion of said traffic database is copied onto said predicted traffic database; and

said predicted traffic database, having said plurality of programmed traffic forecast algorithms, calculates a percentage of network-bound traffic output and provides a traffic forecast input to said traffic forecast means.

8. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

said plurality of operational facility data inputs describe a plurality of telephones and computers at each of a plurality of subscriber units of said network;

a plurality of call holding data inputs for circuit switch calls, a plurality of packet length data inputs for packet switch calls and a plurality of data inputs from each subscriber unit under different battlefield scenario dependent criteria are provided to said traffic database; and

said traffic database is rolled up from each of said plurality of subscriber units of said network to a particular subscriber unit.

9. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 8, further comprising the operator selecting from a plurality communications equipment options, scenarios and types of battlefield criteria during said traffic forecasting step.

10. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 9, further comprising said traffic forecast means accessing a plurality of traffic meter and throughput data inputs from a plurality of switches of said network.

11. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

a network management work station, having an applications software program, accessing said meteorological forecast data input and a real-time meteorological information input during said propagation forecasting step;

said network provides an equipment availability and characteristics input through said model correction means to said propagation forecasting means; and

said equipment availability input is combined with a projected link reliability factor as part of said propagation forecast output provided to said planning algorithms of the network planning means.

12. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 11, further comprising:

said responsive means of the network planning means receives a switch disability input;

a unit readiness input is provided to said network planning means to account for communications equipment outages when a piece of equipment of said network is inoperable;

a subscriber access input is calculated by said planning algorithms of the network planning means based on a comparison of subscriber unit demand and asset supply of said network; and

a plurality of circuit and packet traffic requirements are received by said network planning means during said network planning step.

13. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 12, wherein said network planning means utilizes a plurality of traffic formulas for a plurality of single access links while a plurality of circuit and packet switch performance simulation model inputs, derive a plurality of near-instantaneous performance data on a plurality of complex components of said network.

14. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 13, wherein said responsive means of the network planning means measures a plurality of blocking and delay performance calculation results based on a proposed configuration of said network against said plurality of inputted performance criteria.

15. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 14, further comprising:

utilizing an electronic warfare threat input in forming said network output plan; and

utilizing a previous deployment data input in forming said network output plan.

16. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 15, wherein said baseline network model, having a plurality of specific subscriber unit name inputs and a plurality of supporting team inputs, forms an initial configuration of the network.

17. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 16, further comprising:

showing a plurality of visual display images on said network terminal display means;

said network terminal display means is color-graphics oriented and achieved by a plurality of windows interfaces integrating operation of said network and operator interaction;

said network model provides a color-coded status input to said network terminal display means;

said network terminal display means provides a plurality of mouse click and drag, database and keyboard inputs;

said network terminal display means allows clicking on a plurality of equipment sites providing an exploded view and obtaining a plurality of more detailed data inputs;

said network terminal display means allows clicking on a plurality of communications-link locations to obtain a plurality of more detailed status inputs; and

said network model being automatically integrated by a network management system.

18. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 17, wherein said plurality of mouse click and drag, database and keyboard inputs are combined.

19. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 18, further comprising a display manager means.

20. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 19, wherein said network model color-codes a plurality of predicted link reliability inputs and a plurality of grade of service inputs from said traffic forecast means.

21. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 20, wherein:

said propagation forecast means is a computer program;

said traffic forecast means is a computer program;

said network planning means is a computer program; and

said coefficient adjustment means is a computer program.

22. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 13, wherein one of said plurality of traffic formulas is an Engset traffic formula.

23. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 13, wherein one of said plurality of traffic formulas is a Binomial traffic formula.

24. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 6, wherein said network is a terrestrial line-of-sight communications network.

25. The automated method for planning and managing the performance of a communication network, as recited in claim 24, further comprising a means for inputting a plurality of data inputs from a plurality of satellites.

26. An automated communications network planner for converting meteorological data and traffic data into a dynamic network model on a network terminal display means, said dynamic network model meeting a plurality of predetermined performance parameters of a communications network, comprising:

said communications network;

means for determining a propagation forecast in real-time from a plurality of stored meteorological forecast inputs, said propagation forecast means, having a propagation database and a plurality of propagation algorithms, being coupled to a network planning means;

means for determining a traffic forecast in real-time from a plurality of traffic data inputs, said traffic forecast means, having a traffic database, a predicted traffic database and a plurality of traffic algorithms, being coupled to said network planning means;

a plurality of planning algorithms of said network planning means receives a propagation output from said propagation forecast means and a traffic forecast output from said traffic forecast means;

said network planning means generates said dynamic network model;

a means for determining model corrections, controlling said network planning means, continuously updates said propagation database with a plurality of real-time meteorological measurements, said propagation forecast means automatically transmitting an adjusted propagation forecast to said plurality of planning algorithms of the network planning means;

said model correction means continuously updates said traffic database with a plurality of radio traffic measurements, said traffic forecast means automatically transmitting an adjusted traffic forecast to said plurality of planning algorithms of the network planning means;

said network planning means, having a means for calculating a plurality of model adjustments;

said model correction means, having an artificial intelligence program, continuously compares said dynamic network model and said predetermined performance parameters;

a coefficient adjustment means adjusts a plurality of propagation coefficients of said propagation traffic algorithms, a plurality of traffic coefficients of said traffic algorithms and a plurality of planning coefficients of said planning algorithms; and

said artificial intelligence program continuously compares said plurality of real-time meteorological measurements, said plurality of radio traffic measurements, said adjusted propagation forecast, said adjusted traffic forecast and said predetermined network performance parameters to generate a plurality of network reconfiguration instructions for display on said display means.

27. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 26, further comprising said network having a plurality of radio terminals, a plurality of switching nodes and said plurality of predetermined performance parameters.

28. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 27, further comprising said plurality of stored meteorological forecast inputs includes a plurality of known responses to meteorological phenomena.

29. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 28, further comprising:

said propagation forecast output models a first plurality of communications-link locations meeting said plurality of predetermined performance parameters, said plurality of first communications-link locations further comprising a description of signal power and noise power for each communications channel in each link;

said traffic forecast output models a second plurality of communications-link locations meeting said plurality of predetermined performance parameters, said plurality of second communications-link locations further comprising a description of signal power and noise power for each of said communications channels in each of said links;

said network planning means combines a network output plan with a link reliability output to generate a baseline network model;

said baseline network model, having a means responsive to said plurality of real-time meteorological measurements, said plurality of radio traffic measurements and a plurality of network change inputs from said model correction means, generates said dynamic network model; and

said network planning means being responsive to said adjusted traffic forecast and said adjusted propagation forecast.

30. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 29, further comprising:

said traffic database receives a plurality of communications requirements inputs, a plurality of operational facility data inputs and a plurality of operator-adjusted performance criteria along with said plurality of predetermined performance parameters, said plurality of operational facility data inputs describing a plurality of telephones and computers at each of a plurality of subscriber units of said network;

said plurality of operator-adjusted performance criteria includes a plurality of maximum link, node blocking and delay probabilities;

a portion of said traffic database is copied onto said predicted traffic database;

said predicted traffic database, having said plurality of traffic forecast algorithms, calculates a percentage of network-bound traffic output and provides a traffic forecast input to said traffic forecast means;

said traffic database receives a plurality of call holding data inputs for circuit switch calls, a plurality of packet length data inputs for packet switch calls and a plurality of data inputs from each subscriber unit under different battlefield scenario dependent criteria; and

said traffic database is rolled up from each of said plurality of subscriber units of said network to a particular subscriber unit.

31. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 30, further comprising:

said traffic database receives a plurality of communications requirements inputs, a plurality of operational facility data inputs and a plurality of operator-adjusted performance criteria, further comprising a plurality of maximum link, node blocking and delay probabilities; and

said plurality of traffic forecast algorithms calculates a percentage of network-bound traffic output and said predicted traffic database provides a traffic forecast input to said traffic forecast means.

32. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 31, further comprising:

said traffic forecasting means allows the operator to select from a plurality of communications equipment options, a plurality of scenarios and a plurality of battlefield criteria; and

said traffic forecast means accessing a plurality of traffic meter and throughput data inputs from a plurality of switches of said network.

33. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 32, further comprising:

a network management work station, having an applications software program, accessing said plurality of stored meteorological forecast inputs and a real-time meteorological information input;

said model correction means provides an equipment availability input of said network to said propagation forecasting means;

said propagation forecast output combines said equipment availability input with a projected link reliability factor to said planning algorithms;

said responsive means of the network planning means receives a switch disability input;

said network planning means receives a unit readiness input to account for communications equipment outages when a piece of equipment of said network is inoperable;

said plurality of planning algorithms of the network planning means calculates a subscriber access input by comparing a plurality of subscriber unit demands with the number of said components of said network;

said network planning means receives a plurality of circuit and packet traffic requirements; and

said network planning means, having a plurality of traffic formulas for a plurality of single access links, receives a plurality of circuit and packet switch performance simulation model inputs to derive a plurality of near-instantaneous performance data inputs from a plurality of complex components said network.

34. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 33, further comprising:

said responsive means of the network planning means measures a plurality of blocking and delay performance calculation results based on a proposed configuration of said network against a plurality of inputted performance criteria;

said baseline network model receives an electronic warfare threat input and a previous deployment data input to form said network output plan; and

said baseline network model, having a plurality of specific subscriber unit name inputs and a plurality of supporting team inputs, forms an initial configuration of the network.

35. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 34, further comprising:

said network terminal display means, being color-graphics oriented, allows a plurality of windows interfaces to integrate operation of said network and operator interaction;

said network model provides a color-coded status input to said network terminal display means;

said network terminal display means provides a plurality of mouse click and drag, database and keyboard inputs and allows clicking on a plurality of equipment sites to provide an exploded view and obtain a plurality of more detailed data inputs;

said display means allows clicking on a plurality of communications links to obtain a plurality of more detailed status inputs; and

a network management system automatically integrates said dynamic network model.

36. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 35, further comprising:

combining said plurality of mouse click and drag, database and keyboard inputs; and

a display manager means.

37. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 36, further comprising said network model color-codes a plurality of predicted link reliability inputs and a plurality of grade of service inputs from said traffic forecast means.

38. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 37, wherein:

said propagation forecast means is a computer program;

said traffic forecast means is a computer program;

said network planning means is a computer program; and

said coefficient adjustment means is a computer program.

39. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 33, wherein one of said plurality of traffic formulas is an Engset traffic formula.

40. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 33, wherein one of said plurality of traffic formulas is a Binomial traffic formula.

41. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 27, wherein said network is a terrestrial line-of-sight communications network.

42. The automated communications network planner, as recited in claim 41, further comprising a means for inputting a plurality of data inputs from a plurality of satellites.