Abstract: A method for predicting the percentage of real-time a processor in a base station is being utilized (i.e., processor occupancy) based only on calling rates, given measured call control event (i.e., origination, termination, handoff, paging, registration, and locate rates) data for the base station. Constant ratios between the various call control events and the calling rates (e.g., originations+terminations) are determined for the base station. Given the actual time spent by the processor on each type of call control event and the constant ratios, the processor occupancy is accurately predicted using call originations+terminations or call origination rates as variables. The processor occupancy may be fixed at some value (e.g., 90%) and the calling capacity of the base station (i.e., the total number of call originations and terminations which will result in such processor occupancy) is determined from the determined relationship between processor occupancy and calling rates.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of allocating new telecommunications cells to one of a plurality of processors, and to control acceptance of new calls when in overload. The method is based on measuring the real time occupancy of each processor periodically, and allocating new calls for the following period in such a way as to attempt to make each processor's occupancy approach the average occupancy of all the processors. An overload state is detected when the average occupancy of the processors in one period exceeds a predetermined threshold, e.g., 90%. When this happens, load is shed in an amount calculated to restore the average occupancy to the threshold value over a number of periods of time. Advantageously, this method optimizes the call processing capacity of the processors.