Remote testing and monitoring to a cell site in a cellular communication network

• US 8,085,677 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2009
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Daniel, J. Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Moe, Aung S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mered, Habte
• Application Number:
  US12/486,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20090252043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 370217-228, 370241-254, 455/67.11, 455/67.14, 455/423, 379/9, 379/10.2, 379/10.3, 379/24, 379/32.01
• US Class Current: 370/251
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13076 Distributing frame, MDF, cross-connect switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13092 Scanning of subscriber lines, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13162 Fault indication and localisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0087 Network testing or monitoring arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic

Abstract

Systems and methods provide remote performance monitoring and testing to a cell site in a cellular communications network. The systems and methods include a network management center having remote monitoring and testing capabilities utilizing an intelligent customer service unit that traps and makes available alarm information on the transport link.

Claims

1. A method, by an intelligent customer service unit, for remotely monitoring a transport link operatively connecting a cell site, the method comprising:

gathering performance data of the transport link;

recognizing which of a plurality of spare digital signal zero channels is a digital signal zero management channel, the plurality of spare digital signal zero channels coupling a network management center and the cell site; and

sending a message, to the network management center, as a management signal responsive to the performance data of the transport link not meeting a quality indicator.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving test signals on the digital signal zero management channel to diagnose the transport link not meeting the quality indicator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the message comprises transmitting a trap to the network management center.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the message to the network management center comprises sending the message on the digital signal zero management channel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the intelligent customer service unit recognizes the digital signal zero management channel.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising responsive to the network management center recognizing the digital signal zero management channel and responsive to the intelligent customer service unit recognizing the digital signal zero management channel, receiving a request for the performance data.

7. A system configured to remotely monitor a transport link operatively connecting a cell site comprising:

a customer service unit configured to obtain performance data of the transport link;

the transport link having a plurality of spare digital signal zero channels;

the customer service unit configured to recognize which of the plurality of spare digital signal zero channels is a digital signal zero management channel, the plurality of spare digital signal zero channels coupling a network management center and the cell site; and

the customer service unit configured to communicate with the network management center on the digital signal zero management channel.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the customer service unit is configured to send a message to the network management center on the digital signal zero management channel responsive to the performance data of the transport link not meeting a quality indicator.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the message indicates that the performance data of the transport link does not meet the quality indicator.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the customer service unit is configured to receive test signals from the network management center on the digital signal zero management channel.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the message is a trap comprising the performance data.

12. A system configured to remotely monitor a transport link operatively connecting a cell site comprising:

a network management center configured to receive performance data of the transport link from a customer service unit;

the transport link having a plurality of spare digital signal zero channels;

the network management center configured to recognize which of the plurality of spare digital signal zero channels is a digital signal zero management channel, the plurality of spare digital signal zero channels coupling the network management center and the cell site; and

the network management center configured to communicate with the customer service unit on the digital signal zero management channel.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the network management center is configured to receive a message on the digital signal zero management channel from the customer service unit.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the message is received by the network management center responsive to the performance data of the transport link not meeting a quality indicator.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the message indicates that the performance data of the transport link does not meet a quality indicator.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the network management center is configured to send test signals on the digital signal zero management channel to the customer service unit.