User terminal assisted out-of-synchronization detection

Abstract

A control module, a computer readable medium and a method for determining when a first base station (BS1) in a telecommunication network (20) is out of synch with the network (20), the network (20) including at least a second base station (BS2) and a user terminal (26) configured to receive signals from the first and second base stations (BS1, BS2). The method includes receiving in a control module (28) of the network (20) a measuring report from the user terminal (26), where the measuring report includes a first time of arrival (Ta1) of a first signal from the first base station (BS1) to the user terminal (26) and a second time of arrival (Ta2) of a second signal from the second base station (BS2) to the user terminal (26); receiving a maximum of a travel time difference (max(T1 - T2)) between (i) a first travel time (T 1) of the first signal from the first base station (BS 1) to the user terminal (26), and (ii) a second travel time (T2) of the second signal from the second base station (BS2) to the user terminal (26); determining a minimum of a difference starting time (min(T0 - T0')), which corresponds to a time offset between a starting time (T0) of the first signal and a starting time (T0') of the second signal, as a difference between (i) a difference between the first time of arrival (Ta1) and the second time of arrival (Ta2), and (ii) the maximum travel time difference (max(T1 - T2)); comparing the determined minimum difference starting time (min(T0 - T0')) with a predetermined threshold; and identifying the pair of the first base station (BS1) and the second base station (BS2) as including one base station that lost the synch with the network, when the determined minimum difference starting time (min(T0-T0')) is larger than the predetermined threshold in the comparing step.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to radio communication systems, apparatus, software and methods, and more particularly to mechanisms and techniques for detecting base stations and / or cells that are out of synchronization with a telecommunications network. Background technique [0002] Over the past few years, there has been increased interest in radio access technologies for providing voice, video and data services. There are various telecommunication technologies used in cellular communications. The most widespread radio access technology for mobile communications is digital cellular. In 3G (Third Generation) systems there is shown increased interest. [0003] One such third generation system is Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), a 3G telecommunications standard being implemented in China. TD-SCDMA is based on spread spectrum technology. This standard has been adopted by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Pro...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0013] Furthermore, when some hardware / software error occurs in a particular base station causing the base station to lose its synchronization with the network, and either the operator or the base station itself fails to find out the timing error, the entire radio network can be affected and the operator may not be able to resolve the issue. question

[0014] All these problems may exist in current TD-SCDMA radio network configuration

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