Autonomous remote measurement unit for a personal communications service system

• US 5,752,164 A
• Filed: 04/25/1995
• Issued: 05/12/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American PCS Communications LLC (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: American PCS LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Jones, J. Barclay
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOBUTKA, PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US08/428,730
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 455/67.1, 455/67.3, 455/67.5, 455/67.4, 455/62, 455/63, 455/226.1, 455/226.2, 455/53.1, 455/56.1, 455/33.1, 455/33.2, 455/33.3, 455/33.4, 455/34.1 , 455/34.2, 379/21, 379/27, 379/29, 379/32, 379/1, 379/58, 379/59, 379/63
• US Class Current: 455/454
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/20 of receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/24 with feedback of measurements to the transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/26 using historical data, averaging values or statistics
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/373 Predicting channel quality or other radio frequency [RF] parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/12 Fixed resource partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/24 Cell structures
• 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

A Personal Communications Service (PCS) System is described. The frequency control system (30) allows PCS systems to coexist in the same frequency band as Private Operational Fixed Microwave Service (POFS) systems without mutual interference. This system (30) also controls frequency usage within a PCS system to eliminate interference from within the PCS system. This interference elimination system combines theoretical radio frequency interference analysis with measurements of actual frequency usage and allows for efficient and coordinated dynamic frequency allocation planning and management. To control frequency assignment and eliminate interference, the system (30) employs several mechanisms including an intersystem interference analysis, an intrasystem interference analysis, a channel use verification (CUV) procedure, and a measured data analysis (MDA). These mechanisms are performed by a centralized controller, channel utilization controller (CUC) (50), comprised of interference analysis/frequency planning computer programs with supporting data bases and data communication links. The FAST system makes use of an autonomous measured signal gathering system. Each base station, or other fixed site, and a Test Mobile Unit is equipped with a Remote Measurement Unit (RMU). The RMU is comprised of a microcontroller, spectrum analyzer and modem (if located at the base station). Under the automatic direction and control of the microcontroller and CUC, the spectrum analyzer is directed to take signal power measurements across a frequency band of interest. The RMU processes, packages and stores the measurements into data files for transfer to the CUC. The CUC uses these measurements as part of the CUV and MDA mechanisms.

Claims

1. An autonomous remote measurement unit in a communications system having a central controller, for autonomously measuring signal strengths in a communications environment with other communications transmissions, the remote measurement unit comprising:

a means for accepting instructions from the central controller, wherein the remote measurement unit is under the control and direction of the central controller;

a means, connected to the accepting means, for autonomously controlling the operation of the remote measurement unit, the control exercised based upon the instructions received from the central controller, wherein the instructions include desired frequency band for measurement and schedule of measurement, at least one of the instructions reformatted by the controlling means as commands to control measurement;

an antenna, operably connected to the controlling means, for receiving communications transmissions;

a means for measuring, connected to the receiving means and the controlling means, the signal strengths of any communications transmissions across the frequency band and according to the schedule of measurement contained in the commands from the controlling means;

a means for storing the signal strengths of the communications transmissions in data files; and

means, connected to the storing means, for uploading the data files containing the signal strengths to the central controller, wherein the signal strengths are used by the central controller to verify theoretical radio frequency analyses with measurements of actual frequency usage the result of which is an available channel list of permissible frequencies for transmission.

2. The remote measurement unit as described in claim 1, wherein the remote measurement unit is integrated into a base station.

3. An autonomous remote measurement unit in a personal communications system having a plurality of base stations, subscriber units and an autonomous central controller, for measuring signal strengths at a fixed site location in a communications environment with other communications transmissions, the remote measurement unit comprising:

a means for controlling the operation of the remote measurement unit, the control exercised based upon instructions received from the central controller, wherein the instructions include desired frequency band for measurement and schedule of measurement, at least one of the instructions reformatted by the controlling means as commands to control measurement;

a means, operably connected to the controlling means, for receiving communications transmissions from the base stations, the subscriber units and other communications transmissions;

a means, connected to the controlling means and the receiving means, for measuring the signal strengths of communications transmissions from base stations, subscriber units and other communications systems across the frequency band and according to the schedule of measurement contained in the commands from the controlling means;

means for storing the measured signal strengths of the communications transmissions in data files; and

means, connected to the storing means, for transmitting the data files containing the stored signal strengths of the communications transmissions to the central controller for verifying theoretical interference performance predictions with the measured signal strengths.

4. An autonomous control system in a personal communications system having a plurality of base stations, subscriber units and a central controller, for autonomously measuring signal strengths in a communications environment with other communications transmissions from other communications networks the remote measurement system comprising:

at least one autonomous remote measurement unit located at a fixed site location, comprising;

a means for accepting instructions from the central controller, wherein the remote measurement unit is under the control and direction of the central controller;

a means, connected to the accepting means, for autonomously controlling the operation of the remote measurement unit, the control exercised based upon the instructions received from the central controller, wherein the instructions include desired frequency band of measurement and schedule of measurement, at least one of the instructions reformatted as commands to control measurement;

a means, operably connected to the controlling means, for receiving communications transmissions from the base stations, the subscriber units and other communications transmissions;

a spectrum analyzer, connected to the controlling and the receiving means, for measuring the signal strengths of communications transmissions from the base stations, subscriber units and other communications systems across the frequency band and according to the schedule of measurement as indicated in the commands from the remote measurement unit controlling means; and

means for storing the measured signal strengths of communications transmissions in data files; and

the central controller, in communications with the remote measurement unit, comprising;

means for receiving the stored signal strengths of the communications transmissions;

means for discriminating between the signals from the base stations and the subscriber units and the signals from the other communications networks using the stored signal strengths; and

means, connected to the receiving means and discriminating means, for verifying theoretical interference performance predictions with the discriminated signal strengths whereby the personnel communications system adapts to a changing RF environment and shares frequencies allocated to the other communications system within the same region through the provision of centralized control.

5. An autonomous mobile remote measurement unit in a personal communications system having a plurality of base stations, subscriber units and a central controller, for measuring signal strengths in a communications environment with other communications transmissions, the mobile communications unit comprising:

input means for capturing position information at various grid point locations located around the base station location;

a means, connected to the input means, for controlling the operation of the mobile remote measurement unit;

a means for receiving communications transmissions from base stations, subscriber units and other communications transmissions;

a means for measuring, connected to the receiving means, the signal strengths of communications transmissions from base stations, subscriber units and other communications systems at different locations upon the command of the controller means; and

means for storing the signal strengths of communications transmissions so that the stored signal strengths of the communications transmissions can be used later by a central controller to verify theoretical interference performance predictions with the measured signal strengths whereby the personnel communications system shares frequencies allocated to the other communications system within the same region through the provision of centralized control.

6. A mobile remote measurement unit for measuring signal strengths of communications transmissions in a personal communications system with a central controller for controlling the mobile remote measurement system, base stations and subscriber units, in an environment with other communications networks, the mobile remote measuring unit comprising:

a central computing device for controlling the operation of the mobile remote measurement unit, the control based upon instructions received from the central controller, wherein the instructions include desired measurement frequency band and measurement schedule;

a positioning device, connected to the central computing device, for acquiring position data;

an antenna, connected to the central computing device, for receiving communications transmissions;

a radio frequency spectrum analyzer, electronically connected to the antenna and the central computing device, for measuring signal strengths of the communications transmissions, wherein the signal strengths are measured over a specified frequency range and time period as dictated by the central computing device;

means for storing the measured signal strengths of communications transmissions in data files;

means for discriminating between signals from the base stations and subscriber units and the signals from the other communications networks using the stored signal strengths;

means, connected to the discriminating means, for verifying theoretical interference performance predictions with the discriminated signal strengths whereby the personnel communications system adapts to a changing RF environment and shares frequencies allocated to the other communications system within the same region through the provision of centralized control.

7. The mobile remote measurement unit of claim 6 wherein the signal strengths are measured by the spectrum analyzer when the unit is in motion.

8. A mobile remote measurement unit for measuring signal strengths of communications transmissions in a personal communications system with a central controller for controlling the mobile remote measurement system, base stations and subscriber units, in an environment with other communications networks, the mobile remote measuring unit comprising:

a central computing device for controlling the operation of the mobile remote measurement unit, the control based upon instructions received from the central controller, wherein at least one of the instructions include desired measurement frequency band and measurement schedule;

a positioning device, connected to the central computing device, for acquiring position data;

an antenna, connected to the central computing device, for receiving communications transmissions;

a radio frequency spectrum analyzer, electronically connected to the antenna and the central computing device, for measuring signal strengths of the communications transmissions, wherein the signal strengths are measured over a specified frequency range and time period as dictated by the central computing device;

means for storing the measured signal strengths of communications transmissions in data files;

means, connected to the storing means, for uploading the data files containing the signal strengths to the central controller, wherein the signal strengths are used by the central controller to verify theoretical radio frequency analyses with measurements of actual frequency usage, the result of which is an available channel list of permissible frequencies for transmission.

9. The mobile remote measurement unit of claim 8 wherein the signal strengths are measured by the spectrum analyzer when the unit is in motion.

10. A method for autonomously controlling a personal communications system having a plurality of base stations, subscriber units, a central controller, and at least one remote measurement unit, in a communications environment with other communications transmissions from other communications networks, the method comprising the following steps:

commanding the remote measurement unit to measure signal strengths across a predetermined frequency band, wherein commands, sent from the central controller to the remote measurement unit, include a frequency band table and measurement schedule;

performing a noise self-calibration test;

measuring signal strengths across the frequency band at the remote measurement unit, as indicated in the frequency band table and according to the measurement schedule;

packaging the measured signal strengths into data records, wherein the data records include power measurements;

uploading the measured signal strength data records from the remote measurement unit to the central controller;

discriminating between the personal communications system base station and subscriber unit signals from the other communications transmission from other communications networks, the discrimination performed by comparing the measured signal strengths with theoretical signal strength values.