Automatic neighbor identification in a cellular system
First Claim
1. A method for automatically identifying neighbors when a new cell is added in a cellular system having a mobile switching center (MSC) and a plurality of existing cells, wherein:
- the new cell measures signal strengths in different channels and transmits a list of candidate channels to the MSC; and
the MSC determines which candidate channels correspond to beacons in existing cells, queries candidate neighbor cells to measure and report back reciprocal signal strengths, and transmits configuration information to the new cell for each corresponding existing cell that measures a signal strength greater than a specified threshold.
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Abstract
In a cellular system, a new cell measures signal strengths of different channels being used by existing cells. The new cell generates a list of candidate channels corresponding to the channels with the greatest signal strength and transmits the list to the mobile switching center (MSC) of the cellular system. The MSC determines which of the candidate channels correspond to beacons in existing cells and transmits configuration information to the new cell for those corresponding existing cells. In this way, the new cell automatically receives configuration information on its neighbor cells. If the MSC determines that the number of candidate channels that are beacons is too small, the MSC will ask the new cell to transmit additional candidate channels (i.e., those having even lower signal strength).
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for automatically identifying neighbors when a new cell is added in a cellular system having a mobile switching center (MSC) and a plurality of existing cells, wherein:
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the new cell measures signal strengths in different channels and transmits a list of candidate channels to the MSC; and the MSC determines which candidate channels correspond to beacons in existing cells, queries candidate neighbor cells to measure and report back reciprocal signal strengths, and transmits configuration information to the new cell for each corresponding existing cell that measures a signal strength greater than a specified threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A cellular system, comprising:
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(a) a mobile switching center (MSC); and (b) a plurality of existing cells, communicating with the MSC, wherein, when a new cell is added to the cellular system; the new cell measures signal strengths in different channels and transmits a list of candidate channels to the MSC; and the MSC determines which candidate channels correspond to beacons in existing cells, queries candidate neighbor cells to measure and report back reciprocal signal strengths, and transmits configuration information to the new cell for each corresponding existing cell that measures a signal strength greater than a specified threshold. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A mobile switching center (MSC) for a cellular system further comprising a plurality of existing cells, wherein, when a new cell is added to the cellular system:
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the new cell measures signal strengths in different channels and transmits a list of candidate channels to the MSC; and the MSC determines which candidate channels correspond to beacons in existing cells, queries candidate neighbor cells to measure and report back reciprocal signal strengths, and transmits configuration information to the new cell for each corresponding existing cell that measures a signal strength greater than a specified threshold. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A cell for a cellular system further comprising a mobile switching center (MSC) and one or more existing cells, wherein, when the cell is a new cell added to the cellular system:
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the new cell measures signal strengths in different channels and transmits a list of candidate channels to the MSC; and the MSC determines which candidate channels correspond to beacons in existing cells, queries candidate neighbor cells to measure and report back reciprocal signal strengths, and transmits configuration information to the new cell for each corresponding existing cell that measures a signal strength greater than a specified threshold. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification