Integration of remote microcell with CDMA infrastructure

• US 6,366,571 B1
• Filed: 06/01/1998
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Original Assignee: Ameritech Corp. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Joyce, Timothy Jason, Fiut, Brian Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, STEVEN H D
• Application Number:
  US09/088,506
• Time in Patent Office: 1,401 Days
• Field of Search: 370/335, 370/246, 370/342, 370/243, 370/503, 370/508, 370/516-519, 370/350, 370/252, 455/503-504, 455/295-296, 455/522, 455/560, 455/561, 455/100, 455/63, 455/67-- 6, 375/130, 375/213, 375/224, 375/227, 359/110, 359/136
• US Class Current: 370/342
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2201/70702 Intercell-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2609 Arrangements for range control, e.g. by using remote antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2628 using code-division multiple access [CDMA] or spread spectrum multiple access [SSMA] H04B7/2618 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals

Abstract

A method of interconnecting a CDMA cellsite having signal advancing capabilities with at least one remote microcell without re-synchronization capabilities. The method of the present invention sufficiently advances the signal to compensate for the time delay induced by communication signal travel over a fiber optic connection between a base station cellsite and a remote microcell.

Claims

1. A method for integrating at least one remote of a microcellular communication system with at least one face of a code division multiple access (CDMA) communication system, said CDMA system being capable of advancing a CDMA signal, said method comprising the steps of:

measuring fiber length and remote power output;

interconnecting hardware between said at least one remote and said at least one face;

performing calculations using data obtained from said step of measuring to determine how much to advance said CDMA signal;

translating said calculations to a database for advancing a signal allowing said at least one remote to communicate with said at least one face; and

setting output levels of said CDMA system, said output levels determined based upon said measurement data and said calculations.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of testing said method for proper operation.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of testing further comprises testing said system at said at least one face and at said at least one remote.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said microcellular communication system further comprises a stand alone microcellular communication system.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of interconnecting hardware further comprises the steps of:

installing a combiner for each face to be integrated;

connecting a meter to said CDMA system for taking output power readings;

connecting a transmit cable to each of said combiners;

connecting a receive cable to each of said combiners; and

terminating said receive cable.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said microcellular communication system further comprises a simulcast microcellular communication system.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said step of interconnecting hardware further comprises the steps of:

connecting a transmit cable to said at least one face;

connecting a combiner to said transmit cable;

connecting said transmit cable to an interface module for said remote;

connecting a receive cable to said interface module for said remote;

connecting a combiner to said receive cable;

connecting an attenuator to said combiner;

connecting said attenuator to said receive cable; and

connecting said receive cable to said at least one face.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of measuring further comprises the steps of:

verifying said at least one remote is in normal condition;

isolating said at least one face;

measuring said fiber length of said at least one remote;

measuring said power output of said at least one remote; and

recording additional data necessary for said steps of performing calculations and translating.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said step of measuring said power output further comprises the steps of recording said CDMA output power level.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of performing calculations further comprises the steps of:

calculating propagation delay for a transmit antenna for said at least one remote;

calculating propagation delay of a receive antenna for said at least one remote;

selecting and recording a lowest value of said propagation delay calculations for both said transmit and said receive antennas;

calculating a maximum differential delay of all delay calculations completed for said at least one remote;

calculating a sector size;

determining a cell search window size;

calculating actual input analog composite power;

determining total gain for said at least one remote;

determining actual gain for said at least one remote;

calculating CDMA input power for said at least one remote; and

checking power calculations.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein for a simulcast CDMA said step of selecting and recording a lowest value of said propagation delay calculations for both said transmit and said receive antennas further comprises selecting a fixed value for said propagation delay for each of said transmit and said receive antennas, said fixed value based on an equipment specification.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of translating further comprises the step of updating a database for said at least one remote and said at least one face to be integrated by loading said database with values derived in said steps of calculating and translating to compensate for time delay by advancing said CDMA signal.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of setting output levels further comprises the steps of:

ensuring output levels are properly set by using values derived in said steps of measuring and performing calculations; and

restoring said at least one face to normal service.