Methods of Incorporating an Ad Hoc Cellular Network Into a Fixed Cellular Network

• US 20140348024A1
• Filed: 06/23/2014
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parallel Wireless, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Parallel Wireless, Inc.
• Inventors: Mishra, Rajesh Kumar, Papa, Steven Paul, Agarwal, Kaitki, Donepudi, Sridhar, Raval, Kartik Shashikant
• Granted Patent: US 9,232,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/00 Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/04 Reselecting a cell layer in multi-layered cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/302 due to low signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/04 based on wireless node resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/02 Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

In this invention, we disclose methods directed toward integrating an ad hoc cellular network into a fixed cellular network. The methods disclosed herein automate the creation and integration of these networks. In additional embodiments, we disclose methods for establishing a stand-alone, ad hoc cellular network. In either of these implementations, we integrate or establish an ad hoc cellular network using mobile ad hoc cellular base stations configured to transmit and receive over a variety of frequencies, protocols, and duplexing schemes. The methods flexibly and dynamically choose an access or backhaul configuration and radio characteristics to optimize network performance. Additional embodiments provide for enhancing an existing network'"'"'s coverage as needed, establishing a local network in the event of a loss of backhaul coverage to the core network, and providing local wireless access service within the ad hoc cellular network.

Claims

1. A method of establishing an ad hoc cellular network having an ad hoc cellular base station comprising the steps of:

a. a first ad hoc cellular base station establishing a first primary connection with a core cellular network;

b. a second ad hoc cellular base station establishing a connection with the first ad hoc cellular base station;

c. the second ad hoc cellular base station establishing a second primary connection with the core cellular network;

d. determining if the quality of the first primary connection falls below a threshold parameter; and

e. replacing the first primary connection with the second primary connection if the quality of the first primary connection falls below the threshold parameter.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the threshold parameter is determined by aggregating more than one threshold parameter and averaging the aggregated threshold parameters.

3. A method of integrating an ad hoc cellular base station into a fixed cellular network comprising the steps of:

a. a first ad hoc cellular base station establishing a first primary connection with a core cellular network;

b. a second ad hoc cellular base station establishing a connection with the first ad hoc cellular base station;

c. the second ad hoc cellular base station establishing a second primary connection with the core cellular network;

d. determining if the quality of the first primary connection falls below a threshold parameter; and

e. replacing the first primary connection with the second primary connection if the quality of the first primary connection falls below the threshold parameter.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the threshold parameter is determined by aggregating more than one threshold parameter and averaging the aggregated threshold parameters.