(12) United States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,275,695 B1
`
`Obhan
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`U8006275695B1
`
`(54) SPECTRUM YIELD MANAGEMENT IN A
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTENI
`
`5,796,722 *
`5,864,617 *
`5,903,843 *
`
`8/1998 Kotzin et al.
`1/1999 Donnelly ......
`5/1999 Suzuki et al.
`
`........................ 370/252
`.. 379/266
`.. 455/452
`
`
`
`~~ 455/466
`7/1999 Houde et a1.
`579207822 *
`.. 455/444
`8/1999 FapOJuwo .....
`5,937,353 *
`5,991,378 * 11/1999 Apel
`..................................... 379/114
`6,009,331 * 12/1999 Ueda .................................... 455/450
`6,112,101 *
`8/2000 Bhatia et al.
`........................ 455/512
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—Dwayne Bost
`Assistant Examiner—Sonny Trinh
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Bruce Garlick;
`Harrison
`
`James
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Prem A. Obhan, Plano, TX (US)
`~
`.
`,
`-
`-
`(73) ASSlgnee. @fitel Networks Limited, Montreal
`(
`)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`t
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`d
`35
`{Gage}? 1185161); 021232713115 e un er
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`(21) Appl. N0.. 09/169,022
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`7
`
`""""""""""""""""""""""" """""" H94Q 7/20
`Int. Cl'
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl' “““““““““““““““ 455/423’ 455/446’ 455/422
`(58)
`led M Search ------------------------------------- 457/453, 403:
`455/512> 405> 408> 422> 466> 446; 379/243:
`120
`
`(56)
`
`455/450
`.......................... 340/8255
`
`A spectrum yield management (SYM) system manages
`available spectrum Within a Wireless communication system.
`The SYM system includes at least one computer and con-
`nections Within the Wireless communication system to other
`components of the Wireless communication system. The
`y
`P
`g
`SYM s stem collects real—time and otential loadin infor—
`mation for the Wireless communication system and receives
`system operator parameters. The SYM system may support
`a plurality of classes with each class having subscriber
`members that receives services commensurate With [he
`class. The SYM system may also support a plurality of
`corridors Within the Wireless communication system, with
`each corridor including at least once cell/sector. The SYM
`SYStem PFOVldeS Signals t0 theFompoPems 9f the Whales?
`communica ion an
`o su sen er um s o in uence
`eir
`t
`d 1
`b
`b
`t
`t
`fl
`th
`operation in a manner that Will realize system operator goals
`with respect to spectrum usage. Examples of such signals
`include service option signals which provide either an
`incentive for a subscriber to increase its use or a disincentive
`
`for the subscriber to reduce its use. The SYM system may
`also operate to provide reserved spectrum Within the Wire-
`less communication system and to perform other functions
`in managing available spectrum.
`
`_
`References Clted
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`.
`1/1994 Meldan ................................ 455/436
`5,276,907 :
`
`455306
`4/1994 H111“,"""""
`513037297 *
`
`Iéiicmk et al.
`357132;:
`2,3272%:
`* $133:
`
`2/1995 Ash etal"""
`5’392’344 *
`379/221
`
`2/1996 Redden et 41.
`...................”564/514 C
`5,490,087 *
`~
`5,546,455
`8/1996 Dennison.
`5,570,411 * 10/1996 Sicher
`
`5,592,154 *
`1/1997 Lin et a1.
`5,638,412
`6/1997 Blakeney.
`5,659,601
`8/1997 Chesloq.
`5,729,542 *
`3/1998 Dupont ................................. 370/346
`5,790,534
`8/1998 Kokko.
`5,790,954
`8/1998 'l'avloe.
`5,790,955
`8/1998 Tomoike.
`.......................... 379/115
`5,793,852 *
`8/1998 Kang et al.
`5,794,140 *
`8/1998 Sawyer ................................. 455/408
`5,794,156 *
`8/1998 Alanara ................................ 455/517
`68 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
`
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`SERVER
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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 2 0f 17
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 5 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 6 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 7 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 8 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 9 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
`
`CLASS
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`

`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 10 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`B/W - 1006
`
`RESERVATION
`
`LEVEL - 1004
`
` RESERVED
`
`TOTAL NUMBER
`
`OF CHNLS. - 1002
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`FIG. 10
`
`11
`
`11
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 0f 17
`
`US 6,275,695 B1
`
`WAIT TO PERFORM
`CORRIDOR UPDATE
`
`1102
`
`CORRIDOR UPDATE TRIGGERED
`
`1104
`
`RECEIVE POTENTIAL DEMAND AT
`BASE STATIONS IN CORRIDOR
`
`RECEIVE CURRENT DEMAND AT
`BASE STATIONS IN CORRIDOR
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`1106
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`FOR CORRIDOR
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 0f 17
`
`US 6,275,695 B1
`
`MSC PERFORMS NORMAL OPERATIONS
`
`1202
`
`CALL RECEIVED FOR
`SUBSCRIBER
`
`1204
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`MSC SENDS LOCATE REQUEST TO VLR
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`DENY COMPLETION OR
`TAKE VOICE MESSAGE
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`1218
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`FIG. 12
`
`13
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`13
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 0f 17
`
`US 6,275,695 B1
`
`
`
`MESSAGING PLATFORM PERFORMS
`NORMAL OPERATIONS
`
`
`MESSAGE TRIGGERING
`CONDITION OCCURS
`
`1 304
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`1302
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`MESSAGE PLATFORM QUERIES ACB FOR
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`SELECTED DESTINATION CORRIDOR
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`
`FIG. 13
`
`14
`
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
`
`SMS PLATFORM WAITS FOR NEXT
`
`MESSAGE CYCLE
`
`NEXT CYCLE TRIGGERED
`
`MESSAGE PLATFORM QUERIES ACB FOR
`TARGET LOCATION
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`TARGET LOCATION
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`FIG. 14
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`

`

`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 15 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 16 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2001
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`Sheet 17 0f 17
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`

`

`US 6,275,695 B1
`
`1
`SPECTRUM YIELD MANAGEMENT IN A
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`The present application was filed on even date with
`related US. application Ser. No. 09/168,946, filed Oct. 8,
`1998, co-pending, claims priority to such application, and is
`hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`1. Technical Field
`
`The present invention relates generally to wireless com-
`munication systems and more particularly to a system and
`method of operation for effectively managing spectrum in a
`wireless communication system to maximize usage of the
`wireless spectrum and to meet system operator goals for
`servicing subscribers.
`2. Related Art
`
`Cellular wireless communication systems are generally
`known in the art
`to facilitate wireless communications
`
`within respective service coverage areas. Such wireless
`communication systems include a “network infrastructure”
`that service the wireless communications with subscriber
`
`units operating in the service coverage areas. The network
`infrastructure typically includes a plurality of base stations
`dispersed throughout
`the service coverage area, each of
`which includes a base station transceiving subsystem (BTS),
`a tower and at least one antenna. The base stations couple to
`base station controllers (BSCs), with each BSC serving a
`plurality of base stations. Each BSC couples to a mobile
`switching center (MSC) which couples to the PSTN,
`the
`Internet and/or to other MSCs. Subscribing wireless units
`operating within the service coverage area communicate
`with one or more of the base stations. The communications
`
`are routed from the base stations to the MSC via a respective
`BSC. The MSC then routes the call to another subscribing
`wireless unit via a BSC/base station route or via the PSTN/
`Internet/other network route to another destination.
`
`The cost of installing the network infrastructure is sub—
`stantial. Thus, once the network is installed,
`the system
`operator attempts to load the network by increasing the
`number of subscribers having access to the network infra—
`structure and to increase the usage by each subscriber via
`aggressive pricing strategies. But, the system operator has
`no direct control in regulating the usage across the system
`and must attempt
`to elicit loading goals via the pricing
`strategies. In determining the effectiveness of the pricing
`strategies, the system operator monitors system usage, typi-
`cally by collecting Operational Measurement (OM) data.
`The OM data is collected on a periodic basis and analyzed
`thereafter. Based upon the determined actual system usage,
`the system operator may adjust pricing strategies and goals
`to better load the system.
`In loading the system, the system operator typically seeks
`to maintain a minimum safety margin between a peak-
`loading level and a total-capacity in each portion of the
`service coverage area. Based upon historical loading, current
`operating goals and projected loading levels,
`the system
`operator may determine that additional
`infrastructure is
`required and install
`the additional infrastructure. Such a
`determination is typically only made periodically or when
`actual operating problems exist. Network infrastructure
`expansions can take several months to implement since they
`involve RF-planning, ordering equipment from vendors,
`
`10
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`acquiring cell-sites etc. Thus, network problems typically
`last for several months after they are detected. During this
`period, significant subscriber dissatisfaction may result.
`Thus, in loading its network infrastructure,
`the system
`operator generally obtains uncontrolled growth within some
`areas and ineffective spectrum utilization in other areas.
`Cellular providers throughout the world have made signifi-
`cant investments in spectrum licenses and infrastructure.
`Current yield management techniques are limited to time—
`of—day and day-of-the-week pricing schedules. Because
`spectrum is a perishable commodity, if it goes unsold and
`unused, revenue that could have otherwise been made, is
`lost. Conversely, having portions of the spectrum overused
`results in blocked calls and causes dissatisfaction of sub-
`scribers.
`
`Wireless communication systems service primarily voice
`communications. System resources are required when
`people initiate voice communications. Thus,
`the system
`operator has little control over when the voice users access
`the system and can do nothing (absent blocking access) to
`alter
`the access times/durations of these voice users.
`However, as technology progresses, systems will be shared
`by voice users, data users and video users, each of these
`users having their own service characteristics. Hence, the
`spectrum must be properly managed to service the differing
`user demands and requirements in an economically efficient
`manner. Thus, there is a need in the art for a system and
`associated method of operation for intelligently managing
`spectrum within a wireless communication so that system
`operator revenue may be increased, subscriber loyalty may
`be maintained and differing service types may be managed
`together so that the needs of each service type are met.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`to overcome the above described
`in order
`Thus,
`shortcomings, among others, a Spectrum Yield Management
`(SYM) system and method of operation tracks spectrum
`usage in real-time. Spectrum usage is measured in both
`real-time usage (of active subscribers) and in potential usage
`(of inactive subscribers that have registered with the
`system). Based upon the actual subscriber loading levels,
`potential subscriber loading levels, historical loading levels
`and the system capacity, the SYM system performs opera-
`tions that manage use of the available spectrum according to
`the operating goals of the system operator.
`One particular operating goal of a system operator is to
`increase revenue generated by the system. To increase
`revenue generation from an installed wireless infrastructure,
`the SYM system manages the system operator’s subscriber
`priorities and spectrum resource allocation priorities by
`dividing the coverage area into corridors and managing the
`unique demand and supply characteristics over each corri-
`dor. Depending on subscriber preferences, network usage
`patterns, competitive pressures and the regulatory
`environment, a system operator can deploy the SYM system
`in a variety of ways so that service incentives and service
`disincentives are provided so as to reach desired loading
`patterns. Further, using the same and similar techniques, a
`system operator may use the SYM system to shift load from
`one time period to another time period.
`According to the SYM system, a service coverage area is
`divided into “corridors” that make sense from a system
`operator’s standpoint. Based upon system operating goals
`for each corridor, operating rules are generated for each
`corridor. These operating rules relate to the manner in which
`the available spectrum in each corridor will be managed.
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`US 6,275,695 B1
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`3
`The spectrum for each corridor is monitored in a real-time
`basis as is the unused spectrum. Active and idle subscribers
`are also tracked in each corridor. Based upon the demands
`placed on the resources of the corridor, subscribers needs are
`matched to available resources in the corridor and, when
`required, operations are taken to alter loading within the
`corridor according to the operating rules. By identifying
`unused capacity and filling such capacity, the SYM system
`enables the system operator to raise extra revenues Via the
`SYM system managed voice/data/advertising services.
`The SYM system, in another embodiment, divides the
`subscribcrs into a plurality of classcs, cach of which is
`treated differently with respect to services provided. In such
`case, some classes may receive reduced rate offerings or
`zero rate offerings to increase system usage while increasing
`customer satisfaction. The SYM system may also reserve
`spectrum within corridors for premium subscribers. In per-
`forming such reservation, the SYM system may preclude
`access of the reserved spectrum except for members of a
`particular class. In another operation, the SYM system may
`queue calls and call requests until a channel becomes
`available.
`
`In dividing the subscribers into classes, differing types of
`access may be provided over time. For example, voice users
`will have access to the system on an as-needed basis, subject
`to class restraints that may limit the access of certain classes
`of voice users during heavy loading periods. Machine users
`of the system, such as vending machines, oil heads, elec-
`tronic billboards, copiers, data terminals, short message
`service recipient machines and other machines that do not
`require access at any particular time, may be managed to
`access the system during reduced loading periods. For
`example, an electronic billboard that is updated periodically
`may access the system during lightly loaded periods.
`Likewise, short message services may access the system
`when spectrum is available, subject to required message
`latency limitations. In this fashion, the available spectrum
`may be managed to satisfy the various requirements of the
`users of the system.
`Moreover, other aspects of the present invention will
`become apparent with further reference to the drawings and
`specification which follow.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A better understanding of the present invention can be
`obtained when the following detailed description of the
`preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the
`following drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a spectrum yield
`management system constructed according to the present
`invention that
`is coupled to a wireless communication
`system so that it may manage available spectrum within the
`system;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a spectrum yield
`management system centralized server constructed accord-
`ing to the present
`invention and its intercoupling with
`components of a wireless communication system;
`FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating the deployment of
`a spectrum yield management system constructed according
`to the present invention within a wireless communication
`system;
`FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of cells serviced
`by a wireless communication system that are divided into a
`plurality of corridors according to thc prcscnt invention;
`FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of cells serviced
`by a wireless communication system that are divided into a
`plurality of sub-corridors along a highway;
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`FIG. 6 is block diagram illustrating the structure of a
`spectrum yield management system employed in determin-
`ing subscriber load within a plurality of corridors according
`to the present invention;
`FIGS. 7A and 7B are block diagrams illustrating classes
`of subscribers contemplated according to the present inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 8 is block diagram illustrating the structure of a
`spectrum yield management system employed in determin-
`ing subscriber demographics within a plurality of corridors
`according to the present invention;
`FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating examples of
`admission control blocks compiled and constructed accord-
`ing to the present invention;
`FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the manner in
`which BTS watermarks are used according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 11 is a logic diagram illustrating operation according
`to the present invention in collecting subscriber load data in
`a plurality of corridors and updating system operator param-
`eters accordingly;
`FIG. 12 is a logic diagram illustrating operation according
`to the present invention in selectively completing a call to a
`subscriber unit;
`FIG. 13 is a logic diagram illustrating operation according
`to the present invention in delivering short messages to a
`plurality of subscriber units in a plurality of corridors;
`FIG. 14 is a logic diagram illustrating operation according
`to the present invention in delivering time sensitive and time
`insensitive messages;
`FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating load serviced by a base
`station throughout a twenty—four hour period and its rela—
`tionship to BTS watermarks;
`FIG. 16 is a logic diagram illustrating operation according
`to the present invention in receiving loading information;
`and
`
`FIG. 17 is a logic diagram illustrating operation of a base
`station/BTS according to the present invention in recording
`load and transmitting the load to a spectrum yield manage-
`ment system.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a spectrum yield
`management system 100 constructed according to the
`present invention that is coupled to a wireless communica-
`tion system. The spectrum yield management (SYM) system
`100 includes a SYM analytical engine 102, system operator
`parameters 104 and a database 106, which together may be
`implemented by a separate computing device or a plurality
`of computing devices. These computing devices may be
`constructed as personal computers, server computers, main-
`frame computers or other forms of computing devices. In
`any case, the computing device(s) has sufficient computing
`capacity to perform the operations required by the present
`invention. The structure of computing devices is generally
`known in the art and will not be further described herein
`except as to expand upon the teachings of the present
`invention. The computing device may be tightly coupled
`with an MSC, BSC or other wireless network device or may
`be a part of the MSC, BSC or other wireless network device.
`The SYM analytical engine 102 couples to the wireless
`network infrastructure 108 of a wireless communication
`system. In its operation, the SYM analytical engine 102
`receives current demand data 118 and potential demand data
`120 from the wireless network infrastructure 108 and deliv-
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`US 6,275,695 B1
`
`5
`ers SYM operating signals 122 to the wireless network
`infrastructure 108. The current demand data 118 and poten-
`tial demand data 120 indicate the current subscriber loading
`and the potential subscriber loading, respectively, within the
`wireless communication system.
`The system operator parameters 104 include subscriber
`profiles 110 for a plurality of subscribers operating within
`the wireless communication system. The system operator
`parameters also include corridor rules for a plurality of
`corridors defined within the wireless communication sys-
`tem. The concept of corridors will be discussed in detail with
`reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The system operator parameters
`104 are typically provided by the system operator based
`upon the business goals it has for the wireless system.
`The database 106 includes network data 114 and corridor
`history data 116. The network data 114 indicates the struc-
`ture and operating limitations of the wireless communication
`system. The network data 114 typically includes topographi-
`cal network engineering information that provides a layout
`of base stations of the wireless network infrastructure, the
`capacity provided by cach ccll/scctor, constraints bctwccn
`neighboring cells/sectors and additional information relating
`to the structure of the wireless network infrastructure. The
`corridor history 116 includes the historical loading within
`each corridor of the wireless communication system, trends
`that have been developed from such loading and additional
`information regarding the corridors defined within the wire—
`less communication system. The historical loading levels
`may include loading levels for time of day, day of week,
`peak loading, minimum loading and other loading levels of
`interest for the corridors.
`The current demand data 118 includes various real-time
`
`and periodic data inputs from the wireless network including
`the spectrum usage at each base station supported by the
`wireless network infrastructure 108. Spectrum usage may be
`measured for a plurality of wireless resources. Wireless
`spectrum is allocated to each base station. The allocated
`spectrum is further divided into channels which may include
`broadcast channels, control channels and traffic channels,
`among others. Depending upon the standard, e.g., Code
`Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple
`Access (TDMA) or Global Standard For Mobile Commu—
`nications (GSM), under which the system operates, each
`channel is capacity limited and may handle only a maximum
`amount of traffic. Spectrum usage therefore may be deter—
`mined for each of the allocated channels for the base station.
`Further, available capacity for each of the allocated channels
`may also be determined. Some of the types of services
`supported by the wireless communication system 100 cori-
`structed according to the present invention load some chan-
`nels while not others. Thus, in determining loading levels
`and capacity levels, these factors must be considered and
`acted upon.
`Potcntial dcmand data 120 is based upon thc number of
`subscribers registered within the wireless communication
`system but presently not engaged in ongoing communica-
`tions. The current demand data 118 and the potential demand
`data 120 may include information pertinent to particular
`subscribers of the wireless communication system. Such
`subscriber information may include the subscriber’s
`location,
`the subscriber’s class,
`the subscriber’s current
`status and call detail records for the subscriber that show
`average call hold time and subscriber mobility during the
`call, among other characteristics.
`In its implementation, the SYM analytical engine 102 is
`parameter driven. System operators define the parameters
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`that control the computations of the analytical engine. The
`system operator input will be based upon the goals that the
`system operator has for the operation of the system. These
`goals, if met, will maximize revenue for the system operator.
`According to the present invention, the system operator
`may divide the entire coverage area into corridors. The
`system operator then defines operating rules over each
`corridor which may enable classes of subscribers with
`respective service priorities. The SYM analytical engine 102
`monitors spectrum usage, spectrum availability and demand
`for services time within the corridors and enforces respec-
`tive operating rules over each corridor. These operating rules
`may limit access to certain classes of subscribers during
`particular operating periods so that other classes will have
`access. These operating rules may also limit access to certain
`types of services during particular operating periods as well.
`Capacity in wireless communication systems is planned
`for peak loading periods in each cell. During an installation,
`traffic patterns over a coverage area are estimated and cells
`are engineered to service peak loads in each cell/sector. This
`approach in planning capacity leads to surplus during non-
`peak hours. However, during heavy loading periods,
`the
`system may be overloaded in certain areas and block calls.
`According to one aspect of its operation, the SYM system
`100 manages the surplus in each corridor to maximize usage.
`The SYM system 100 tracks spectrum supply and spectrum
`demand in each corridor. When the loading within a corridor
`falls below a loading threshold, the SYM system 100 sends
`a service option signal to subscribers in underutilized cor-
`ridors within the wireless communication system that acts as
`a positive incentive for use. Some subscribers will initiate or
`continue their usage to fill idle capacity within the system.
`The scrvicc option signal may apprisc a subscriber that hc or
`she may make reduced rate calls, may continue an ongoing
`call at a reduced rate or may complete a call at no cost.
`Additionally, the service option signal may instruct various
`machines such as vending machines, billboards, etc.
`to
`transfer data during idle times.
`However, when spectrum usage exceeds a desired level of
`usage and it is likely that some calls will be blocked, the
`SYM system 100 may provide a service option signal that is
`a disincentive for use. For example, when spectrum usage
`exceeds an upper loading threshold, the SYM system 100
`provides an incentive signal to some subscribers that sub-
`scqucnt use will be billcd at a premium. At least somc of
`subscribers operating within these over-utilized corridors of
`the wireless network infrastructure 108 will be price sensi-
`tive and will reduce or discontinue usage, thus reducing
`system loading.
`In providing the service option signals, the SYM system
`100 is directed toward usage during a next time segment.
`Thus, the SYM system 100 continually predicts the spec-
`trum usage in a subsequent time segment and interacts with
`the wireless communication system to attain a desired
`operation in the subsequent time segment. However, current
`(or previous) loading data is used in these determinations.
`Thus, the SYM systcm 100 docs not directly intervcnc in
`servicing of communications by the base stations but pro-
`vides operating rules that the wireless communication sys-
`tem employs in assigning resources within the system.
`The SYM system 100 may be installed in a wireless
`communication system that services voice, video and data.
`In such an installation, the SYM system 100 will assist in
`charging subscribers other than for each minute of airtime
`used. In such case, a certain bundle of services (at a certain
`quality level) may be charged at a flat rate with the SYM
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`US 6,275,695 B1
`
`7
`system 100 recognizing demand for synchronous/
`asynchronous services, time-sensitive/time-insensitive data
`services, premium/regular services over each corridor and
`controlling these services at a session layer to service the
`varying needs of the subscriber units operating within the
`system.
`In a wireless communication system that provides both
`voice and data services, a distinction may be made with
`respect to when the service must be provided. In the case of
`a voice call, a user accesses the system when he or she so
`desires. Responsively, the system must attempt to service the
`voice call if it is supported by the system. With some data
`services, the system must also attempt to service the data call
`when initiated. Such immediate servicing may be required
`when a user requires immediate download of data to a
`portable computer through the wireless communication sys-
`tem.
`
`During other data operations, however, the call is initiated
`by, or terminated to a machine. Examples of such machines
`include vending machines, remotely located oil well heads,
`electronic billboards, copiers and remote acquisition
`terminals, among others. Each of these types of machines
`may upload or download data to apprise a remote computer
`of its operation or to receive data updates for its future
`operations.
`the display of an electronic billboard is
`For example,
`updated periodically, for example daily, twice daily, hourly,
`every fifteen minutes, etc. However,
`instead of using a
`landline to receive its update, or have the update hand-
`entered,
`the electronic billboard communicates with a
`remote computer via a wireless link serviced by the wireless
`communication system to receive its updates. Typically, the
`update is performed at an exact
`time interval. But,
`oftentimes, the billboard must be updated at non