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

• US 9,007,925 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2014
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• 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:
  US14/159,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20140169203A1
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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, the method comprising:

recognizing, by hardware of a cell site, a digital signal management channel from a plurality of spare digital signal channels, wherein the plurality of spare digital channels connect the cell site and hub equipment; and

transmitting, by the hardware of the cell site to the hub equipment via the digital signal management channel, a management signal comprising performance data of the transport link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hardware of the cell site comprises a customer service unit and a cellular tower.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the customer service unit is connected to the cellular tower.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the customer service unit communicates over the digital signal management channel recognized among the plurality of spare digital channels.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the customer service unit enables performance testing and monitoring from a remote location.

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

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

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

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

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

gathering the performance data of the transport link.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the management signal is transmitted to the hub equipment on the digital signal management channel based on the performance data of the transport link not meeting a quality indicator.