Abstract: An enhanced radio network controller (RNC) node of a radio access network stores context information for a user equipment unit which is in a Connected Mode, and initiates a cell update-prompting message which is transmitted the user equipment unit. The stored context information is used by the context-enhanced radio network controller (RNC) node for addressing the cell update-prompting message to the user equipment unit. After the user equipment unit (which is in its Connected Mode) performs the prompted cell update procedure, such user equipment unit (UE) can be paged with a conventional paging message. The invention with its context-enhanced radio network controller (RNC) node is particularly suitable to user equipment units which are in a critical state of the Connected Mode, such as (for example) either a CELL_PCH state or a URA_PCH state of the Connected Mode.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for improving the quality of data calls within a cellular network by dynamically changing the air interface data rate for transparent and non-transparent data services. As the quality of a higher data rate radio link deteriorates below a specified upper quality threshold due to interference, a change of channel coding to a lower data rate is ordered by the network. If the radio link quality measurements after a specified period of time indicate that the quality level has exceeded a specified lower quality threshold, the data rate is changed back to the higher data rate.

Abstract: A system for TOA positioning of a GPRS mobile station (20) in a GSM network (10) comprises a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) (32) providing an interface to an LCS application (52) and adapted to communicate with the GPRS mobile station (20). The system further comprises a Base Station Subsystem (14) serving the GPRS mobile station (20). The BSS (14) is communicably accessible by the LCS application (52) through the GGSN (12). The system also comprises a plurality of Location Management Units predisposed about the GSM network (10) and configured to be utilized to measure the TOA of an access burst delivering positioning coordinates corresponding to an approximate position for the GPRS MS (20). A Packet Control Unit (16) is provided and adapted to communicate directly with LMUs (44) that are GPRS capable and indirectly with non-GPRS LMUS (44) through the BSS (14).

Abstract: A wireless communications system (40b) capable of delivering Time Of Arrival (TOA) positioning data to at least one externally operated and maintained requesting agent (12), including a gateway (14a, 14b) to the external agent (12), which provides an interface to the requesting agent (12). The system (40b)also includes a Base Station Subsystem (BSS) (62) and an array of Location Management Units (LMUs) (24). The BSS (62) serves at least one mobile set (26) for which TOA positioning data is requested and is accessible by the requesting agent (12) through the gateway (14a, 14b). The LMUs (24) are configured to compute positioning coordinates for the mobile set (26), wherein the BSS (62) includes positioning functions (16) are moved to the BSC (20) or integrated within the BTS (22) so that control of the LMUs (24) is accomplished at the BSS (62).

Abstract: An enhanced radio network controller (RNC) node of a radio access network stores context information for a user equipment unit which is in a Connected Mode, and initiates a cell update-prompting message which is transmitted the user equipment unit. The stored context information is used by the context-enhanced radio network controller (RNC) node for addressing the cell update-prompting message to the user equipment unit. After the user equipment unit (which is in its Connected Mode) performs the prompted cell update procedure, such user equipment unit (UE) can be paged with a conventional paging message. The invention with its context-enhanced radio network controller (RNC) node is particularly suitable to user equipment units which are in a critical state of the Connected Mode, such as (for example) either a CELL_PCH state or a URA_PCH state of the Connected Mode.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing mobile telecommunications networks utilizing geographical positioning information. Initially, a particular telecommunications event, such as a handover event, call set-up event, a dropped call event, or a high bit error rate event, is designated, such that an occurrence of the particular telecommunications event automatically triggers geographical positioning of a mobile unit within a mobile telecommunications network. A geographical positioning request is then transmitted to a mobile location center within the telecommunications network, in response to an occurrence of the particular telecommunications event. Thereafter, geographical positioning information associated with the particular telecommunications event and the mobile unit is determined, in response to the transmission of the geographical positioning request to the mobile location center. The geographical positioning information is thereafter stored in a database within the mobile telecommunications network.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting radio network trends in a telecommunications network. A data mining tool (52) is provided and adapted to search through the various operations and maintenance database systems belonging to one or more communications network(s) (60). The data mining tool searches through the databases to find correlations and dependencies among the parameters of the data collected and stored in the database systems. The correlations and dependencies found are then reported for further analysis which can, in turn, be used in optimization, maintenance and trouble shooting of the network.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for transmitting and receiving group calls are illustrated. The group call register includes a counter value which identifies particular calls. The counter value is transmitted in the notification message, thereby identifying both the group and the group call. After the subscriber finishes listening to the group call, the subscriber can cause the mobile station to store the group identification number and the counter value in the group call history memory to prevent being alerted of the same group call in the event that the call is repeated. Additionally, the mobile station establishes a point-to-point call to an acknowledgment center and transmits the group identification number as well as the counter value. The group identification number and the counter value are stored in the acknowledgement center, thereby establishing a record of mobile stations that have listened to particular calls.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for determining a position of a mobile station in a mobile telecommunications network is disclosed. Speech interruptions during mobile station positioning are reduced or eliminated by controlling the number of access bursts transmitted by the mobile station. The number of access burst transmitted by the mobile station is controlled to a level commensurate with the degree of positioning accuracy required by the requesting application. The number of access bursts is calculated by the Mobile Location Center (MLC) and communicated to the Base Transceiver Station (BTS) via the Base Station Controller (BSC). After the requisite number of access bursts are received, the BTS transmits a signal to the mobile station, causing the mobile station to cease transmitting access bursts.

Abstract: A method of positioning a GPRS mobile in a GSM network. Methodology is provided for both Class A, Class B and Class C GPRS mobiles such that the GPRS mobile can be positioned using conventional time of arrival (TOA) methodology. For Class A and Class B mobiles, a new information element in the Paging Message is provided to indicate positioning as the reason for paging. For Class C mobiles, both a new and a modified procedure is provided to facilitate positioning of a GPRS mobile.

Abstract: A wireless communication network and methodology providing GPS assistance data for positioning of mobiles with built-in GPS receivers (GPS-MS). The system and methodology includes obtaining a site location of the BTS currently serving a GPS-MS to be located, as well as obtaining the air interface time in relation to the absolute GPS time at the BTS currently serving the GPS-MS. Knowing the geographical location of the BTS currently serving the GPS-MS, range measurement assistance data is provided with a time of calculation to the GPS-MS. This information is used by the GPS-MS to obtain GPS measurement data at the indicated time of calculation using this a priori information. The GPS-MS obtains GPS measurement data based on the a priori information quickly, and returns the GPS assistance data to a mobile location center (MLC) which ultimately determines the position of the GPS-MS. The MLC has ephermis data, and converts the air interface time to the absolute GPS time for calculation of the GPS-MS position.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for updating Group Call Registers (GCR) is presented, wherein modifications to group call areas are transmitted to neighboring Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) service areas. Information regarding cells which are either added to, removed from a group, or part of a new or terminated group is transmitted to any neighboring MSC/VLR service areas adjacent to the cell. In one embodiment, the information is transmitted over the Signaling System 7 (SS7) Network. In a second embodiment, the information is sent over a network connecting the GCRs.

Abstract: A method and system in a telecommunications network for dynamically updating data indicative of the availability of mobile stations within the telecommunications network. Periodically, a total number of mobile location updates and a total number of failed pagings occurring within the telecommunications network during a prior time interval are ascertained. Thereafter, a ratio of the total number of mobile location updates to the total number of failed pagings is determined, in response to ascertaining the total number of mobile location updates and the total number of successful paging occurring within the prior time interval. A threshold value is designated such that the threshold value is determinative of whether or not to release to the telecommunications network, data indicative of the availability of mobile stations within the telecommunications network.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method for handling positioning data acquired by a target Base Station Controller (BSC) during a positioning handover, in order to accurately determine the geographical position of a Mobile Station (MS) by a Positioning Center (PC). In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the target BSC can collect the necessary data for positioning and transmit the data to a serving Mobile Switching Center (MSC). Alternatively, the target BSC can transmit the collected data to an originating BSC, which in turn packages all of the data acquired by both the originating BSC and the target BSC and transmits this data to the MSC. In the case where a target MSC is also involved, the positioning data can be collected by the target BSC and transmitted to the target MSC for forwarding either to the originating MSC or the Positioning Center itself.