Abstract: A mechanism to handle conflict situations relating to configuration parameter value changes that can be made by two or more different self-organizing network functions is provided. The mechanism is based on storing and maintaining at least short term history information on configuration parameter value changes (33, 34, 35, 36) and utilizing the history information to determine whether or not to allow a configuration parameter value change.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of identifying interference in a cellular telecommunications network including a plurality of cells controlled by a base stations 5, each cell serving a plurality of mobile devices 1 by radio link by using communication resources allocated to each of the mobile devices, the network having a frequency band allocated thereto. The method includes detecting radio quality within the frequency band at at least one of the cells to produce measurement values; and analyzing selected ones of the measurement values to determine if the selected measurement values indicate the presence of interference, wherein the selected measurement values exclude the measurement values relating to the communication resources allocated to each of the mobile devices served by the cell.

Abstract: A network includes a network core and a node that operates in accordance with a parameter value and is operable to record performance data during a repeating measurement period. The network includes OSS for instructing the node to change the parameter value. The node includes a processor which implements the change in parameter value always at the same predetermined point in the repeating measurement period, preferably at the beginning of the period. In this way, changes to the parameter value are synchronized with the repeating measurement period. It is therefore straightforward to determine how a change in the parameter value affects the performance data as the performance data gathered during a particular measurement period will have been collected while the parameter had a particular value. The processor may automatically change the parameter repeatedly between a first value and a second value during successive measurement periods.

Abstract: A mechanism to handle conflict situations relating to configuration parameter value changes that can be made by two or more different self-organizing network functions is provided. The mechanism is based on storing and maintaining at least short term history information on configuration parameter value changes (33, 34, 35, 36) and utilizing the history information to determine whether or not to allow a configuration parameter value change.

Abstract: A method of reducing the load on a first node in a cellular telecommunications network, which network includes a plurality of nodes, each of the nodes serving a plurality of telecommunications devices by providing communication resources thereto is disclosed. The method includes selecting a target telecommunications device for handover from the first node to a second of said nodes; handing over the target device to the second node; allocating communication resources to the target device to enable the second node to serve the target device; selecting a matched telecommunications device that is served by the first node; and adjusting the communication resources allocated to the matched device, which resources enable the first node to serve the matched device, so that they correspond to the resources allocated to the target device, which resources enable the second node to serve the target device.

Abstract: A base station reselection method for a mobile terminal camped on a base station, which mobile terminal performs a cell reselection function in accordance with reselection parameters. The method characterized by according a different priority to respective radio resource types and varying the reselection parameters in dependence upon the radio resource type of the base station on which the mobile terminal is camped to cause the mobile terminal to preferentially reselect to a higher priority radio resource type when available. A further base station reselection method includes determining radio characteristics of at least one neighboring base station at a frequency, characterized by varying the frequency at which said radio characteristics are determined in dependence upon the rate of movement of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of identifying interference in a cellular telecommunications network including a plurality of cells controlled by a base stations 5, each cell serving a plurality of mobile devices 1 by radio link by using communication resources allocated to each of the mobile devices, the network having a frequency band allocated thereto. The method includes detecting radio quality within the frequency band at at least one of the cells to produce measurement values; and analysing selected ones of the measurement values to determine if the selected measurement values indicate the presence of interference, wherein the selected measurement values exclude the measurement values relating to the communication resources allocated to each of the mobile devices served by the cell.

Abstract: A network includes a network core and a node that operates in accordance with a parameter value and is operable to record performance data during a repeating measurement period. The network includes OSS for instructing the node to change the parameter value. The node includes a processor which implements the change in parameter value always at the same predetermined point in the repeating measurement period, preferably at the beginning of the period. In this way, changes to the parameter value are synchronized with the repeating measurement period. It is therefore straightforward to determine how a change in the parameter value affects the performance data as the performance data gathered during a particular measurement period will have been collected while the parameter had a particular value. The processor may automatically change the parameter repeatedly between a first value and a second value during successive measurement periods.

Abstract: A method of reducing the load on a first node in a cellular telecommunications network, which network includes a plurality of nodes, each of the nodes serving a plurality of telecommunications devices by providing communication resources thereto is disclosed. The method includes selecting a target telecommunications device for handover from the first node to a second of said nodes; handing over the target device to the second node; allocating communication resources to the target device to enable the second node to serve the target device; selecting a matched telecommunications device that is served by the first node; and adjusting the communication resources allocated to the matched device, which resources enable the first node to serve the matched device, so that they correspond to the resources allocated to the target device, which resources enable the second node to serve the target device.

Abstract: A base station reselection method for a mobile terminal camped on a base station, which mobile terminal performs a cell reselection function in accordance with reselection parameters. The method characterised by according a different priority to respective radio resource types and varying the reselection parameters in dependence upon the radio resource type of the base station on which the mobile terminal is camped to cause the mobile terminal to preferentially reselect to a higher priority radio resource type when available. A further base station reselection method includes determining radio characteristics of at least one neighbouring base station at a frequency, characterised by varying the frequency at which said radio characteristics are determined in dependence upon the rate of movement of the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically identifying and resolving one or more discrepancies in an outsourced manufacturing supply chain in which a plurality of supply chain partners participate. According to this aspect, information representing one or more supply chain events is received from each of the supply chain partners in a database with which each of the supply chain partners may communicate over a public network. One or more rules are applied periodically to the supply chain event information, resulting in generating one or more alerts pertaining to one or more discrepancies that are found in the supply chain event information. The alerts are communicated to the supply chain partners who are participating in a transaction to which the discrepancies relate. Each alert remains active until second information is received that represents a second supply chain event that resolves the alert. According to one feature, the alerts are periodically escalated until they are resolved.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically identifying and resolving one or more discrepancies in an outsourced manufacturing supply chain in which a plurality of supply chain partners participate. According to this aspect, information representing one or more supply chain events is received from each of the supply chain partners in a database with which each of the supply chain partners may communicate over a public network. One or more rules are applied periodically to the supply chain event information, resulting in generating one or more alerts pertaining to one or more discrepancies that are found in the supply chain event information. The alerts are communicated to the supply chain partners who are participating in a transaction to which the discrepancies relate. Each alert remains active until second information is received that represents a second supply chain event that resolves the alert. According to one feature, the alerts are periodically escalated until they are resolved.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically identifying and resolving one or more discrepancies in an outsourced manufacturing supply chain in which a plurality of supply chain partners participate. According to this aspect, information representing one or more supply chain events is received from each of the supply chain partners in a database with which each of the supply chain partners may communicate over a public network. One or more rules are applied periodically to the supply chain event information, resulting in generating one or more alerts pertaining to one or more discrepancies that are found in the supply chain event information. The alerts are communicated to the supply chain partners who are participating in a transaction to which the discrepancies relate. Each alert remains active until second information is received that represents a second supply chain event that resolves the alert. According to one feature, the alerts are periodically escalated until they are resolved.

Abstract: A high temperature capable probe housing for use in a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The rake is preferably made of silicon nitride or silicon carbide and is capable of withstanding the hostile environment within a gas turbine engine at temperatures greater than 1,200 Celsius while only passively cooled. The rake is a substantially elongated member extending between an at least partially open first end and a closed second end. The rake has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface defines an internal cavity beginning at the at least partially open first end and extending toward the closed second end. The exterior surface extends between the two ends and has a leading face having a plurality of openings upon which the flow generally impinges. The openings extend between the exterior surface and interior surface and are configured to receive a sensor.

Abstract: A lift augmentation system for aircraft which comprises a plurality of propellers parallel to an aircraft wing and inset parallel to and at the trailing edge of the wing. The propellers function to both directly produce vertical lift in the manner of helicopter blades and to augment air circulation over the wing to enhance lift produced by the wing. The propellers are set into the trailing edge of the wing along the length of the wing, with the inboard propellers preferably closely spaced to the fuselage to force air flow over the reducing taper of the fuselage. Each propeller is tiltable in all directions about a vertical axis through the propeller hub and the assembly of engine and propeller is hinged to the wing for pivoting in a plane substantially parallel to the aircraft axis.

Abstract: A thread protector particularly adapted for protecting external pipe threads. The protector is comprised of a generally frusto-conical open ended metal outer shell which embraces and is affixed to a similarly formed plastic inner sleeve. Both the shell and sleeve include radially inward directed flanges at the protector inner end merging into lips which extend generally toward the protector outer end. The inner sleeve directly confronts the outer shell at the flange and lip areas but is spaced from the shell at the protector side wall areas by a plurality of spacing ribs. This spaced apart relationship between the shell and sleeve cushions blows which may be received against the protector after installation on a threaded member. The inner side wall surface of the sleeve is threaded from adjacent the outer end toward the inner end to facilitate convenient threaded mounting of the protector.