IP Library Granted Patent US 10,321,329
Granted Patent B2
US 10,321,329 · App. 15/911,399 · Granted Jun 11, 2019

Method for deploying a cellular communication network

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,321,329
App. No.
15/911,399
Granted
Jun 11, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for managing communication networks. In a communication network that includes a plurality of cells, one or more antennas in a first cell from the plurality of cells may be configured to support operations in a second cell from the plurality of cells. The configuring may include arranging or causing the arrangement of the one or more antennas of the first cell to be directed towards the second cell, and configuring the one or more antennas of the first cell to use at least one same channel resource as used by antennas of the second cell, for communicating of signals of the second cell. The same channel resource may include a common channel. In some instances, the second cell may be configured to communicate with at least one communication device located within the second cell without use of any antenna of the second cell.

Claims (28)

1. A method for managing communication resources in a communication network that comprises a plurality of cells, the method comprising:

configuring one or more antennas in a first cell from the plurality of cells to support operations in a second cell from the plurality of cells, wherein the configuring comprises:

arranging or causing the arrangement of the one or more antennas of the first cell to be directed towards the second cell; and

configuring the one or more antennas of the first cell to use at least one same channel resource as used by one or more antennas of the second cell, for communicating of signals of the second cell, wherein the at least one same channel resource comprises a common channel.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising configuring at least one antenna of the second cell to communicate, in coordination or cooperation with the one or more antennas of the first cell.

3. The method of claim 1 , comprising configuring the second cell to communicate with at least one communication device located within the second cell without use of any antenna of the second cell.

4. The method of claim 1 , comprising configuring the one or more antennas of the first cell to point towards the center of the second cell.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein configuring the one or more antennas of the first cell comprises adjusting an angle or sector covered by at least one antenna or antenna array of the first cell to lie within the second cell.

6. The method of claim 1 , comprising configuring the second cell to increase or optimize distribution of data rate in communicating with at least one communication device located within the second cell, while maintaining transmission power used prior to configuring the one or more antennas of the first cell to support operations in the second cell.

7. The method of claim 6 , comprising optimizing the distribution of the data rate based on minimizing data rate of communication over a plurality of the communication devices.

8. The method of claim 1 , comprising configuring the second cell to increase failure tolerance within the second cell.

9. The method of claim 1 , comprising configuring the second cell to reduce transmission power of the one or more antennas of the second cell while maintaining a quality of service.

10. The method of claim 1 , comprising configuring the common channel for use in accordance with a time division multiplex, a frequency division multiplex, or a code division multiplex based communication scheme.

11. A system comprising:

one or more circuits for use in managing communication resources in a communication network that comprises a plurality of cells, wherein each cell comprises at least a base station and one or more antennas;

wherein the one or more circuits are operable to configure one or more antennas in a first cell from the plurality of cells to support operations in a second cell from the plurality of cells, the configuring comprising:

arranging or causing the arrangement of the one or more antennas of the first cell to be directed towards the second cell; and

configuring the one or more antennas of the first cell to use at least one same channel resource as used by one or more antennas of the second cell, for communicating of signals of the second cell, wherein the at least one same channel resource comprises a common channel.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more circuits are operable to configure at least one antenna of the second cell to communicate, in coordination or cooperation with the one or more antennas of the first cell.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more circuits are operable to configure the second cell to communicate with any communication device located within the second cell without use of any antenna of the second cell.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more antennas of the second cell comprise at least one omnidirectional antenna or omnidirectional antenna array.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein at least one of the one or more antennas of the first cell comprises a directional antenna or antenna array.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more circuits are operable to configure the one or more antennas of the first cell to point towards the center of the second cell.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more circuits are operable to configure one or more antennas of the second cell to increase the data rate or to optimize distribution of the data rate in communicating with at least one communication device located within the second cell, while maintaining transmission power used prior to configuring the one or more antennas of the first cell to support operations in the second cell.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the one or more circuits are operable to optimize the distribution of the data rate based on minimizing data rate of communication over a plurality of the communication devices.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more circuits are operable to configure the second cell to increase failure tolerance within the second cell.

20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the one or more circuits are operable to configure the second cell to reduce transmission power of the one or more antennas of the second cell while maintaining a quality of service.

21. The system of claim 11 , comprising configuring the common channel for use in accordance with a time division multiplex, a frequency division multiplex, or a code division multiplex based communication scheme.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: SWISSCOM AG
To: INTERDIGITAL CE PATENT HOLDINGS, SAS
Reel/Frame 060435/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 8, 2018
From: ZASOWSKI, THOMAS; KUHN, MARC; ROLNY, RAPHAEL
To: SWISSCOM AG
Reel/Frame 045145/0964 →