Remote transmission testing and monitoring to a cell site in a cellular communications network
AssigneeBellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
InventorJ. Scott Daniel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims32
A method for remotely testing and monitoring at least one transport link from a switch to a cell site in a communications network, comprising:
- establishing a communication channel from the cell site to a network management center;
- trapping performance data pertaining to communications carried over the transport link at the cell site and generating a message when the communications do not meet quality indicators;
- and
- sending the message over the communications channel to the network management center.
A system for providing remote testing and monitoring of at least one transport link to a cell site in a communications network, comprising:
- a communication link between the cell site and a network management center, the communications link having a spare channel for use as a management channel, the network management center remotely accessing the management channel;
- and
- a customer service unit (CSU) in communication with the network management center through use of the management channel of the communication link, the CSU adapted to capture data on quality levels of the at least one transport link and to transmit the data to the network management center.
An apparatus adapted to provide remote testing and monitoring of a cell site in a communications network, comprising:
- a customer service unit (CSU) in communication with a management channel and at least one transport link;
- and
- a trap coupled to the intelligent CSU adapted to trap quality indicators when the management channel is out of limits, whereby the management channel can be remotely tested and monitored by remote personnel.
A method for monitoring communications on at least one transport link between a cell site and a hub, comprising:
- monitoring at the cell site the communications carried over the at least one transport link;
- trapping performance information pertaining to the communications on the at least one transport link;
- and
- sending the performance information to the hub over a management channel wherein the management channel does not degrade performance of the at least one transport link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.