Base Station Router Reconfiguration for Emergency Call Completion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication systems are unable to maintain functionality during disasters or catastrophes when the wireline backhaul link is destroyed, leading to disruptions in phone calls and data services, as they rely on a physical connection to a fixed network for real-time services like voice calls and SMS.
Innovation Solution
A base station router is reconfigured to operate as a high-powered terminal, using a wireless backhaul link in the uplink frequency band to store and forward emergency calls and messages via satellite, WiMAX, or UMTS connections, even when the fixed backbone network is unavailable, allowing non-real-time data transfer and maintaining communication services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wireline backhaul link is used to complete calls over a network, then real-time services like voice calls and SMS can be delivered, but the system becomes vulnerable to infrastructure failures during disasters or catastrophes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless backhaul link as an intermediary communication path between the base station and the network. When the wireline backhaul link fails during disasters, the wireless link acts as a mediator to enable call completion through alternative routes (satellite, WiMAX, UMTS), thereby resolving the vulnerability to wireline infrastructure failure while maintaining service availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between wireline and wireless backhaul links based on their operational status. The base station router can adapt its communication path in real-time, selecting available links (satellite, WiMAX, UMTS) when wireline infrastructure fails, thus improving reliability during disasters without compromising normal operation when wireline links are functional
2Reliability
If a base station operates independently without backhaul connectivity, then it can maintain functionality during infrastructure failures, but it cannot complete calls or deliver real-time services
Solution Approach 1:
The base station router is designed with multi-functionality to perform both local service provision and network communication. It can operate independently to provide local services while simultaneously maintaining connectivity through multiple backhaul options (wireline, wireless, satellite, WiMAX, UMTS). This universal design enables the base station to complete calls and deliver real-time services by leveraging its ability to function across multiple operational modes and communication paths
3Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless backhaul link is established using uplink frequency band, then the base station can be reconfigured as a terminal to forward calls, but the system complexity increases due to frequency band swapping and multiple connection types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by swapping the transmit and receive frequency bands in the uplink frequency band to reconfigure the base station as a terminal. This frequency band parameter change enables the base station to forward calls through the wireless backhaul link. The system manages the resulting complexity by implementing standardized reconfiguration procedures and using existing wireless communication protocols (satellite, WiMAX, UMTS) that provide structured approaches to frequency and mode management
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus are provided for enabling a wireless communication over a network in response to an indication of an emergency. The method comprises causing a base station to provide a wireless backhaul link in an uplink frequency band for further sending a call over the network in response to the call associated with the emergency. Reconfiguration enables turning a base station or base station router into a high power terminal. In this way, emergency calls may be completed over a network having at least one malfunctioning backhaul communications link in a network backbone.