Automatic Base Station Configuration
A basestation in a cellular communications network is configured such that it has a different Location Area Identification from other local basestations in the cellular network. This has the effect that a Location Area Update procedure is performed when a mobile device wishes to camp onto that basestation. The basestation is able to configure itself automatically, to ensure that its Location Area Identification differs from other local basestations.
1 . A method of allocating a Location Area Identification to a basestation in a cellular wireless communications network, the method comprising:
in the basestation itself, configuring the basestation such that it has a different Location Area Identification from other local basestations of said network.
2 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , comprising:
requesting a list of available Location Area Identifications from a management node of the network; and
selecting a Location Area Identification from said list.
3 . A method as claimed in claim 2 , comprising:
monitoring transmissions from surrounding nodes of the network; and
selecting a Location Area Identification from said list, wherein the selected Location Area Identification differs from Location Area Identifications in the monitored transmissions.
4 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , comprising:
requesting a new Location Area Identification from a management node of the network; and
applying a Location Area Identification supplied by the management node.
5 . A method as claimed in claim 4 , comprising:
monitoring transmissions from surrounding nodes of the network; and
applying a Location Area Identification supplied by the management node only if the Location Area Identification supplied by the management node differs from Location Area Identifications in the monitored transmissions.
6 . A basestation, for use in a cellular wireless communications network, wherein the basestation is adapted to configure itself such that it has a different Location Area Identification from other local basestations of said network.
7 . A basestation as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the basestation is adapted to requesting a list of available Location Area Identifications from a management node of the network; and to selecting a Location Area Identification from said list.
8 . A basestation as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the basestation is adapted to monitor transmissions from surrounding nodes of the network; and select a Location Area Identification from said list, wherein the selected Location Area Identification differs from Location Area Identifications in the monitored transmissions.
9 . A basestation as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the basestation is adapted to request a new Location Area Identification from a management node of the network; and to apply a Location Area Identification supplied by the management node.
10 . A basestation as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the basestation is adapted to monitor transmissions from surrounding nodes of the network; and to apply a Location Area Identification supplied by the management node only if the Location Area Identification supplied by the management node differs from Location Area Identifications in the monitored transmissions.
11 . A management node for a basestation in a cellular wireless communications network, the management node being adapted to receive a request for a list of available Location Area Identifications from a management node of the network, and to provide a list of available Location Area Identifications in response thereto.
12 . A method of identifying a Location Area in a cellular communications network, the method comprising, in a basestation of said network:
including a first Location Area Identification in radio transmissions from said basestation, said first Location Area Identification being selected from a first set of Location Area Identifications;
including a second Location Area Identification in messages sent to a core network of said cellular communications network, said second Location Area Identification being selected from a second set of Location Area Identifications.
13 . A method as claimed in claim 12 , comprising including said first Location Area Identification in all radio transmissions from said basestation.
14 . A method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the second Location Area Identification included in a message sent to a core network of said cellular communications network is selected from said second set of Location Area Identifications based on an identity of a mobile device communicating with said basestation.
15 . A method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the first set of Location Area Identifications and the second set of Location Area Identifications are mutually exclusive.
16 . A method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the first set of Location Area Identifications comprises more than 100 Location Area Identifications.
17 . A method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the second set of Location Area Identifications comprises less than 10 Location Area Identifications.
18 . A basestation for a cellular communications network,
wherein the basestation identifies itself in radio transmissions therefrom by means of a first Location Area Identification, and
wherein the basestation includes a second Location Area Identification in messages sent to a core network of said cellular communications network, said second Location Area Identification being selected based on an identity of a mobile device communicating with said basestation.
19 . A method of restricting access to a basestation in a cellular wireless communications network, the method comprising:
maintaining in said basestation a list of authorized devices; and
when an unauthorized device camps onto the basestation, sending a “Location Area Not Allowed” message to said unauthorized device.
20 . A method as claimed in claim 19 , comprising sending said “Location Area Not Allowed” message to said unauthorized device only when said unauthorized device camps repeatedly onto the basestation.
21 . A method as claimed in claim 20 , comprising sending said “Location Area Not Allowed” message to said unauthorized device only when said unauthorized device camps onto the basestation for a second time within a predetermined time period.
22 . A method as claimed in claim 19 , comprising sending said “Location Area Not Allowed” message to said unauthorized device only after checking that the unauthorized device is not authorized to access a different basestation having the same Location Area Identification.
23 . A basestation for a cellular wireless communications network, wherein the basestation comprises a memory for maintaining a list of authorized devices; and wherein, when an unauthorized device camps onto the basestation, the basestation is adapted to send a “Location Area Not Allowed” message to said unauthorized device.
24 . A basestation as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the basestation is adapted to send said “Location Area Not Allowed” message to said unauthorized device only when said unauthorized device camps repeatedly onto the basestation.
25 . A basestation as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the basestation is adapted to send said “Location Area Not Allowed” message to said unauthorized device only when said unauthorized device camps onto the basestation for a second time within a predetermined time period.
26 . A basestation as claimed in claim 23 , wherein the basestation is adapted to send said “Location Area Not Allowed” message to said unauthorized device only after checking that the unauthorized device is not authorized to access a different basestation having the same Location Area Identification.
27 . A basestation for a cellular wireless communications network, wherein the basestation is adapted to provide coverage in a coverage area within a macro network, and wherein the basestation is identified by a PLMN that is defined by an Equivalent PLMN within the macro network.
28 . A basestation as claimed in claim 27 , wherein the basestation has a different Location Area Identification from other local basestations of said network.