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

• US 8,654,657 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2011
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• 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): Mered, Habte
• Application Number:
  US13/303,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20120069761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 818 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 for remotely monitoring a transport link connected to a customer service unit, the method comprising:

recognizing which of a plurality of spare digital signal channels is a digital signal management channel;

wherein the plurality of spare digital channels connect the customer service unit at a cell site having a cellular tower and hub equipment;

utilizing the digital signal management channel for performance testing and monitoring; and

transmitting, by the customer service unit, a management signal to the hub equipment on the digital signal management channel responsive to performance data of the transport link not meeting a quality indicator.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising gathering the performance data of the transport link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service unit is connected to the cellular tower.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service unit utilizes the digital signal management channel recognized among the plurality of spare digital channels.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hub equipment recognizes the digital signal management channel among the plurality of spare digital channels.

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

7. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the management signal to the hub equipment comprises transmitting a trap to the hub equipment.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the management signal to the hub equipment comprises transmitting a message on the digital signal management channel.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service unit is configured to enable the performance testing and the monitoring from a remote location.

10. A system for remotely monitoring a transport link, the system comprising:

a customer service unit at a cell site having a cellular tower; and

a digital signal management channel;

wherein the customer server unit recognizes which among a plurality of spare digital channels is the digital signal management channel;

wherein the plurality of spare digital channels connect the customer service unit at the cell site having the cellular tower and hub equipment, the customer service unit permits performance testing and monitoring utilizing the digital signal management channel; and

wherein the customer service unit transmits a management signal to the hub equipment responsive to performance data of the transport link not meeting a quality indicator.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the customer service unit gathers the performance data of the transport link.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the customer service unit receives test signals on the digital signal management channel to diagnose the transport link not meeting the quality indicator.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the customer service units transmits a trap when transmitting the management signal to the hub equipment.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the customer service unit transmits a message when transmitting the management signal to the hub equipment.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the customer service unit enables the performance testing and the monitoring from a remote location.