Femtocell Self-Configuration via Mobile Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of femtocell access points is hindered by the need for user intervention in configuring wireless connections, particularly in areas with poor reception, where matching the short-range wireless port of the femtocell to the broadband gateway is challenging, often requiring a user interface or wired services that can be costly or inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving connection parameters from a mobile telecommunication device, either directly using NFC or RFID, or through the operator's core network, allowing the femtocell to connect to the network and management unit without the need for a dedicated interface on the femtocell device, utilizing existing wireless interfaces in mobile terminals for configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the FAP is configured with a user interface or wired service port for manual configuration, then the installation can be completed, but the cost increases and user convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The FAP automatically discovers and configures itself by listening to wireless communications between the mobile terminal and the gateway. The device self-configures its wireless connection parameters without requiring manual user input through interfaces or wired connections, making the installation process truly plug-and-play.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile terminal acts as an intermediary that carries the configuration data from the gateway to the FAP. The FAP passively receives configuration parameters through the wireless medium during the terminal's communication with the gateway, eliminating the need for dedicated configuration interfaces on the FAP.
2Ease of operation
If the FAP uses wireless connection to the gateway, then installation simplicity is improved, but configuration difficulty increases due to need to match wireless ports
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway pre-generates and transmits the configuration data to the mobile terminal before the FAP needs to connect. This preliminary action ensures that when the FAP begins scanning for wireless networks, the configuration parameters are already available in the terminal's memory, ready to be transferred automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The FAP scans for wireless networks and provides feedback about available networks to the mobile terminal. The terminal uses this feedback to identify the correct gateway network and automatically transfer the pre-prepared configuration data, creating a closed-loop configuration process that eliminates manual matching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the FAP is installed in areas with poor reception, then coverage needs are met, but connection configuration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal serves as a relay intermediary that receives configuration data from the gateway in areas of good reception, then transfers this data to the FAP in areas of poor reception. This allows the FAP to be configured even when direct communication between the gateway and FAP would be difficult or impossible.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration data is prepared and transmitted to the mobile terminal in advance, before the FAP attempts to establish its wireless connection. This preliminary configuration transfer ensures that even if the FAP is in a poor reception area during the actual connection process, the necessary configuration parameters are already available.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the installation process by reducing user intervention, enabling seamless integration of femtocell access points into telecommunications networks while maintaining network control and minimizing disruptions to existing infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
receiving from a mobile telecommunication device, a set of parameters comprising at least one connection parameter for connecting the femtocell device to a network access device that provides an access to an Internet Protocol network, the connection being a wireless connection
Implementation Method 2
receiving from a mobile telecommunication device, a set of parameters comprising at least one connection parameter for connecting the femtocell device to a network access device
Data Source
AI summary
A method installing a femtocell device in a radiotelecommunications network, wherein the femtocell device receives from a mobile telecommunication device a set of parameters for connecting the femtocell device to a network access device that provides an access to an Internet Protocol network and connects to a management unit of the radiotelecommunications network, through the Internet Protocol network access, in order to be integrated to the radiotelecommunications network under control of the said first management unit.