Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for determining network growth information for a radio access network (RAN) and a wired network supporting communications of the RAN (denoted as a core network). The method includes obtaining RAN configuration information including RAN component configuration information and RAN component connectivity information, obtaining actual traffic information and forecast traffic information for the RAN, and determining RAN growth information by correlating the actual traffic information and the forecast traffic information with the RAN configuration information, the RAN growth information indicating whether at least one additional RAN component is necessary to support the actual and forecast traffic. The method may further include determining network growth information associated with the core network using core network configuration information and at least a portion of the RAN growth information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing and designing various network configuration scenarios. A modular design allows market assessment and network planning functions to be performed more efficiently and accurately using a single integrated design tool. Wired and wireless access technologies can be modeled and evaluated. In an exemplary implementation for modeling and evaluating fixed wireless access networks, the network planning tool comprises a market scenario planner, a cluster analysis tool, a hub sector planner and a network architecture planner. Generally, the market scenario planner analyzes a listing of potential customers to generate a list of target customers. The cluster analysis tool allows the network planner to identify “clusters” of demand for potential hub placement. The hub sector planner analyzes the hub assignments generated by the cluster analysis tool and allocates each building in a given hub to a particular sector.

Abstract: User nodes are homed to network nodes in an IMS network or other communication system by determining a function hierarchy for functions provided by the network nodes. Starting with a function at an initial level of the function hierarchy, a predetermined criterion such as throughput-weighted distance is applied to assign a given user node to a particular network node providing that function. The homing process then proceeds through one or more additional levels of the function hierarchy to assign the given user node to at least one additional network node providing at least one other function identified in the additional level(s) of the function hierarchy. These operations are repeated for one or more additional user nodes until each of the user nodes is homed to one or more of the network nodes providing all of its required functions.

Abstract: User nodes are homed to network nodes in an IMS network or other communication system by determining a function hierarchy for functions provided by the network nodes. Starting with a function at an initial level of the function hierarchy, a predetermined criterion such as throughput-weighted distance is applied to assign a given user node to a particular network node providing that function. The homing process then proceeds through one or more additional levels of the function hierarchy to assign the given user node to at least one additional network node providing at least one other function identified in the additional level(s) of the function hierarchy. These operations are repeated for one or more additional user nodes until each of the user nodes is homed to one or more of the network nodes providing all of its required functions.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for determining network growth information for a radio access network (RAN) and a wired network supporting communications of the RAN (denoted as a core network). The method includes obtaining RAN configuration information including RAN component configuration information and RAN component connectivity information, obtaining actual traffic information and forecast traffic information for the RAN, and determining RAN growth information by correlating the actual traffic information and the forecast traffic information with the RAN configuration information, the RAN growth information indicating whether at least one additional RAN component is necessary to support the actual and forecast traffic. The method may further include determining network growth information associated with the core network using core network configuration information and at least a portion of the RAN growth information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing and designing various network configuration scenarios. A modular design allows market assessment and network planning functions to be performed more efficiently and accurately using a single integrated design tool. Wired and wireless access technologies can be modeled and evaluated. In an exemplary implementation for modeling and evaluating fixed wireless access networks, the network planning tool comprises a market scenario planner, a cluster analysis tool, a hub sector planner and a network architecture planner. Generally, the market scenario planner analyzes a listing of potential customers to generate a list of target customers. The cluster analysis tool allows the network planner to identify “clusters” of demand for potential hub placement. The hub sector planner analyzes the hub assignments generated by the cluster analysis tool and allocates each building in a given hub to a particular sector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing and designing various network configuration scenarios. A modular design allows market assessment and network planning functions to be performed more efficiently and accurately using a single integrated design tool. Wired and wireless access technologies can be modeled and evaluated. In an exemplary implementation for modeling and evaluating fixed wireless access networks, the network planning tool comprises a market scenario planner, a cluster analysis tool, a hub sector planner and a network architecture planner. Generally, the market scenario planner analyzes a listing of potential customers to generate a list of target customers. The cluster analysis tool allows the network planner to identify “clusters” of demand for potential hub placement. The hub sector planner analyzes the hub assignments generated by the cluster analysis tool and allocates each building in a given hub to a particular sector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transmitting a synchronization beacon from a wireless base station to a wireless terminal in a wireless communication network installed in a building. The wireless network comprises a private branch exchange (PBX) connected to a wireless fixed base station (WFB) having a plurality of cell antennae units (CAUs) connected thereto. In a first embodiment, the plurality of CAUs are located in a single cell of the wireless network and are configured to receive two synchronization beacons from the WFB. In a second embodiment, each CAU is located in a separate cell in the network and is configured to receive a single synchronization beacon from the WFB. The synchronization beacon(s) is/are managed by the WFB and WT to virtually eliminate loss of synchronization between the WFB and WT if the frequency-timeslot at which the beacon is transmitted is changed or if transmission of the beacon is temporarily discontinued.