Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a location service message between a location server and a mobile station or LMU in a GPRS wireless communications system. The location server generates a location service message and transmits the location service message to a base station subsystem; the base station subsystem forwards the location service message to a serving GPRS support node; the serving GPRS support node then forwards the location service message to a mobile station or LMU), passing transparently back through the base station subsystem. This approach to system routing of location messages allows existing circuit-switched wireless communications systems to support location services in a GPRS environment with a minimum of alterations to existing hardware and software protocols.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for optimal routing of calls in an Internet Protocol-based Base Station System (IP-based BSS), whereby a plurality of new messages are introduced on the A-interface. One such message informs the BSS that the Circuit Identity Codes (CICs) included in the message can be connected to the BSS to provide optimal routing of one or more calls. Another such message informs the BSS that the CICs included in the message are to be restored as separate CICs on the A-interface. The provision of such messages overcomes the significant disadvantages of the existing and developing BSS implementations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a location service message between a location server and a mobile station or LMU in a GPRS wireless communications system. The location server generates a location service message and transmits the location service message to a base station subsystem; the base station subsystem forwards the location service message to a serving GPRS support node; the serving GPRS support node then forwards the location service message to a mobile station or LMU), passing transparently back through the base station subsystem. This approach to system routing of location messages allows existing circuit-switched wireless communications systems to support location services in a GPRS environment with a minimum of alterations to existing hardware and software protocols.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for optimal routing of calls in an Internet Protocol-based Base Station System (IP-based BSS), whereby a plurality of new messages are introduced on the A-interface. One such message informs the BSS that the Circuit Identity Codes (CICs) included in the message can be connected to the BSS to provide optimal routing of one or more calls. Another such message informs the BSS that the CICs included in the message are to be restored as separate CICs on the A-interface. The provision of such messages overcomes the significant disadvantages of the existing and developing BSS implementations.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for configuring a mobile communications network, such as for example, in an IP-based Base Station System, to ensure high availability of network elements especially during catastrophic events.

Abstract: A number of different solutions are described for gathering access delay and distance measurement information for use in determining the position of a cellular mobile station. For all of these solutions, one frequency and one uplink channel in each cell are dedicated for position determination. In one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for determining the position of a mobile station using handover procedures for all of the cells or certain predefined cells in the network. One uplink channel is dedicated within each cell in the network to be used for position determination. These positioning channels continuously listen for handover access requests. Cells detecting the access bursts can measure the access delay and determine the distance to the requesting mobile station. A triangulation calculation is used to pinpoint the mobile station's position.