Methods and systems for automated activation and configuration of broadband incident area networks (IANs)

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for automated activation and configuration of broadband LTE IANs. A mobile IAN base station, an activated mode and a dormant mode, determines at least one location in a local region of the mobile IAN base station while in the dormant mode. An activation-permission request is submitted to a geo-location-database (GDB) function, and the mobile IAN base station receives an activation-permission response. The response is based on an expected level of wide-area-network (WAN) coverage associated with the determined location. Responsive to receiving an activation-permission grant, the mobile IAN base station transitions to the activated mode. Responsive to not receiving an activation-permission grant, the mobile IAN base station remains in the dormant mode.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]It is important that public-safety responders have an adequate link to communication services (e.g., telephony, data services, and the like) when responding to an incident. However, the reality of the dynamic and mobile nature of the profession is that, in many instances, incidents occur outside of the range or coverage of the established radio access networks (RANs). In other cases, the available RAN signal may not have enough capacity to support the required public-safety mission. To facilitate communication between the responders and offsite utilities, incident area networks (IANs) are often set up using mobile base stations. These mobile base stations establish a link between a given wireless-communication device (WCD) (e.g., a handheld mobile radio) and a given network resource, typically using some standard for over-the-air communication, an example of which is 3GPP's Long Term Evolution (LTE), which is one example protocol for a type of wirele...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method and system for automatically activating and configuring mobile base stations in communication networks, such as LTE, for use in public-safety incidents. These mobile base stations can be quickly set up at incident scenes to provide enhanced coverage and capacity for public-safety responders. The system takes into account factors like the range and capacity of the established radio networks and the availability of network resources. The mobile base stations can operate in a standalone fashion or in conjunction with wide area networks. The technical effect of the patent is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of communication between public-safety responders by automating the activation and configuration of mobile base stations.

Problems solved by technology

In other cases, the available RAN signal may not have enough capacity to support the required public-safety mission.

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