A method and device for measuring of the local traffic in a cellular telephone network

摘要

A method and apparatus for measuring telephone traffic volume in a cellular telephone system (100) is disclosed. In a first embodiment, a receiver (150) is located at the proposed micro-cell site (120) and measures the strength of signals transmitted by mobile stations (130) to determine the cellular telephone traffic in the proposed micro-cell site (120). In a second embodiment of the present invention, a test base station (500) is located at the proposed micro-cell site (120). A processor (510), communicating with the base station controller (300) serving the macro-cell (110) surrounding the proposed micro-cell site (120), extracts signal strength measurement reports transmitted to the cellular telephone network (100) from mobile stations (130) in and around the proposed micro-cell site (120). The processor (510) uses the signal strength measurements to calculate the cellular telephone traffic volume in the proposed micro-cell site (120). In a third embodiment of the present invention, a test base station (700) is located at the proposed micro-cell site (120) and is assigned a location area identity different from that of the macro-cells (110) surrounding the proposed micro-cell (120). Mobile stations (130) operating in and around the proposed micro-cell site (120) are required to register in the new location area and transmit a signal strength report which includes the signal strength of the test base station (700). A processor (710) connected to the test base station (700) uses the received signal strength reports to calculate cellular telephone traffic volume in the proposed micro-cell site (120).