Wireless telecommunications system for improving performance and compatibility

• US 6,396,820 B1
• Filed: 06/24/1997
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Towle, Thomas Trayer, Pittampalli, Eshwar, Dolan, Michael Francis, McRoberts, Thomas Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HANH N
• Application Number:
  US08/881,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20020057653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,799 Days
• Field of Search: 370/329,338,341,349,465,466,352,467,331,401,328,342,332-333 455/560,553,445,436,439,426,442
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/181 Transcoding devices; Rate adaptation devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/12 between access points and access point controllers

Abstract

Service provider flexibility in wireless network configuration is enhanced by first and second interconnection protocols which enable flexibility in mobile switching center/base station communications. This communication flexibility allows service providers to control, on a call-by-call basis, the operation of the wireless telecommunications network.

Claims

1. A wireless telecommunications system comprising:

a selection/distribution unit (SDU) interconnected to a first interconnection processor of a first base station via a first interconnection protocol, the first interconnection protocol allowing communication between the SDU and the base station for the transmission of user traffic;

the SDU interconnected to a second interconnection processor of a second base station via the first interconnection protocol;

the SDU interconnected to a first call control processor of the first base station via a second interconnection protocol wherein the second interconnection protocol allows control of the SDU; and

the SDU interconnected to a second call control processor of the second base station via the second interconnection protocol.

2. The wireless telecommunications system of claim 1 further comprising base stations which directly communicate with each other over a signaling link.

3. A wireless telecommunications system including a mobile switching center interconnected to a plurality of base stations comprising:

a selection/distribution unit (SDU) located in a first base station interconnected to a call control processor and an interconnection processor in a second base station, wherein a first interconnection protocol allows communication between the SDU and the second base station for the transmission of user traffic and wherein a second interconnection protocol allows communication between the SDU and the second base station for control of the SDU; and

the SDU interconnected to a switch fabric positioned in the mobile switching center wherein communication between the mobile switching center and base stations is transmitted via the SDU.

4. A wireless telecommunications system comprising:

an interworking processor interconnected to a mobile switching center via a first user data traffic link and a selection/distribution unit (SDU) via a second user data traffic link;

the SDU interconnected to an interconnection processor of a least one base station via a first interconnection protocol, the first interconnection protocol allowing communication between the SDU and the base station for the transmission of user traffic; and

the SDU interconnected to a call control processor of at least one base station via a second interconnection protocol for control of the SDU.

5. The wireless telecommunications system of claim 4 wherein the SDU is accessed by a plurality of base stations.