Simulating a mobile network with shared access channels

A method for simulating a mobile telephone network with shared-access channels. The simulation method includes the steps of simulating at least a first and a second configuration of the mobile telephone network that are statistically independent one from the other. Each one of the steps of simulating includes at least the steps of: determining a number of mobile terminals generating a packet data traffic; assigning to a list of mobile terminals included in the number of mobile terminals generating a packet data traffic, at least one shared-access channel of the mobile telephone network to be simulated; and performing a scheduling management algorithm of the list of mobile terminals on the shared-access channel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a national phase application based on PCT/IB2004/003710, filed Nov. 12, 2004, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention refers in general to the field of mobile telephones and in particular to a mobile telephone network. More in particular, the present invention refers to a method and a system for simulating the behaviour of a mobile telephone network, that can provide services through shared-access channels, based for example on the GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) standard or on the EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) standard or on the HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) standard or on the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) standard.

2. Description of the Related Art

Planning of a network requires the designers to evaluate performances of a network based on geographic data, on network configurations and on expected service requests. The tools that simulate the operation of a network provide a practical method for planning the network itself. The network planning tools allow the designers to simulate the operation of various network configurations by performing modifications on the network based on statistical data obtained as simulation output.

Currently-available cellular network planning tools are generally based on simulators of the static type or of the dynamic type.

In static simulations, the time variable is not taken into account, but the network is analysed in a particular state, as if it were analysed through a photograph. By carrying out many network analyses (many “photographs” called “snapshots”) in different states, it is possible to obtain a global network evaluation.

A static simulation of a GSM network is described, for example, in T. M. Gill “A simulation of a GSM network with frequency hopping”, 1991 Sixth International Conference on Mobile Radio and Personal Communications (Conf. Pul. No. 351) p. 167-74.

In dynamic simulations, the time variable is instead taken into account and the subsequent changes of the network state are regulated by “events”; each “event” represents the realisation of a condition that determines the change of the network state. By carrying out a simulation that takes into account the network state evolution for a certain time length, it is possible to obtain a global network evaluation.

In WO 02/104055, in the name of the Applicant itself, a dynamic simulation system is for example disclosed, characterised by a modular structure based on interchangeable objects that are able to be selectively activated, which comprises a simulation engine and a plurality of modules representative of apparatuses and elements of the network to be simulated. Due to such structure, the system allows simulating highly complex networks.

Dynamic simulators are also used for simulating the mobile telephone networks with shared-access channels (such as for example the GPRS network). The shared-access channels are physical channels, generally used for packet data transmission, which can be shared among many users. For example, the shared-access channels can be used when the packet data transmission is of the intermittent type (such as the download of a Web page) or when a mobile terminal uses a service of the Best-Effort type, namely a service for which the mobile telephone operator cannot guarantee a high quality level. Suitable algorithms, so-called scheduling algorithms, which are part of the set of procedures/algorithms for managing radio resources (Radio Resource Management or RRM) in a mobile telephone network, schedule, in time, the sharing of a single physical channel among different users.

Dynamic simulators, taking into account the time variable, are able to simulate the behaviour of the mobile telephone networks with shared-access channels. In particular, the use of dynamic simulators allows evaluating the effect/impact of scheduling algorithms on performances of this type of networks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant has however observed that the use of dynamic simulators implies rather high simulation times if compared with simulation times obtained by using static simulators, above all when networks to be simulated are big-sized and with high complexity.

The Applicant therefore posed itself the problem of making a static simulator that is able to simulate a mobile telephone network with shared-access channels with adequate accuracy and reliability, though without taking into account the time variable.

The invention solves the above-stated technical problem by introducing, in a static simulator, a module that is able to simulate the management of user scheduling on the shared-access channels of the mobile telephone network to be simulated.

According to the present invention, during each analysis (“photograph or snapshot”) of the mobile telephone network to be simulated, the module that manages the user scheduling in turn enables all (or a substantial portion of) the users, that generate a packet data traffic, to transmit/receive on at least one of the shared-access channels being present in the network itself. At the end of the simulation, the mean throughput can be calculated, namely the mean of information transferred, per time unit, from each mobile terminal onto the shared-access channels on which it has been enabled to transmit/receive during the simulation.

The Applicant has observed that the above-stated problem can be solved by a method for simulating a mobile telephone network with shared-access channels comprising at least the steps of:simulating a first configuration of said mobile telephone network;simulating a second configuration of said mobile telephone network;
said first and second configuration of said mobile telephone network being statistically independent one from the other;
each one of said steps of simulating comprising at least the steps of:determining a number of mobile terminals generating a packet data traffic;assigning to a list of mobile terminals, included in said number of mobile terminals generating a packet data traffic, at least one shared-access channel of said mobile telephone network to be simulated; andexecuting a scheduling management algorithm of said list of mobile terminals on said shared-access channel.

Another aspect of the present invention refers to a system for simulating at least a first and a second configuration of a mobile telephone network, said first and second configuration of said mobile telephone network being statistically independent one from the other and each comprising a number of mobile terminals to be simulated generating a packet data traffic, said simulating system including:at least one object representing a network controller belonging to said mobile telephone network; said at least one object comprising modules configured for:assigning to a list of mobile terminals, included in said number of mobile terminals generating a packet data traffic, at least one shared-access channel of said mobile telephone network to be simulated; andexecuting a scheduling management algorithm of said list of mobile terminals on said shared-access channel.

A further aspect of the present invention refers to a computer program product that can be loaded in the memory of at least one electronic processor and comprising portions of software code for performing the process according to the invention when the product is executed on a processor: in this context such statement must be deemed wholly equivalent to the mention of means that can be read by a computer comprising instructions for checking a network of computers in order to perform a process according to the invention. The reference to “at least one electronic processor” is obviously aimed to enlighten the chance of performing the arrangement according to the invention in a de-centralised context.

Further preferred aspects of the present invention are described in the dependent claims and in the present description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIG. 1, the method for simulating a mobile telephone network, providing services through shared-access channels according to the invention, can operate through a client-server architecture1, of a known type, described below. As a non-limiting example, the mobile telephone network which will be referred to in the following description is a mobile telephone network of the GSM/GPRS type (herein below called “GSM/GPRS network”). However the simulation method according to the invention can be applied also to mobile telephone networks based for example on the EDGE or HSDPA or UMTS standards.

Moreover, the following description will define as GSM mobile terminals all mobile terminals that are able to generate a voice-type traffic and as GPRS mobile terminals all mobile terminals that are able to generate a packet data traffic. In particular, the packet data traffic generated by the GPRS mobile terminals can be, for example:a continuous traffic from/to the GPRS mobile terminal, for example a file transfer using a FTP (File Transfer Protocol) protocol;a traffic of the WWW (World Wide Web) type, namely the downloading of Web pages as packets representing the various objects forming each Web page.

Always with reference toFIG. 1, the client-server architecture1comprises: a client processor2, for example a Personal Computer, on which a graphic interface program3, of a known type, is installed; a server processor4, for example a Work Station, on which a simulator5, of the static type, is installed, for simulating the GSM/GPRS network.

Specifically, the simulator5receives as input:a configuration file6comprising a set of network configuration parameters, listed in the following description, describing the characteristics of the GSM/GPRS network. Network configuration parameters are defined by the mobile telephone operator by using the graphic interface program3;a structured set of territory data extracted from a territory data base7. This set of territory data can comprise data regarding: expected traffic, height, morphology, buildings on each territory element (pixel) forming the area in which the GSM/GPRS network will be planned;
and provides as output:a set of statistical data, listed herein below in the description, describing the performance of the GSM/GPRS network. These statistical data are then stored, in a structured way, in a simulation data base8and afterwards are sent to the graphic interface program3that displays them.

As shown inFIG. 1, client processor2and server processor4are mutually interconnected through a data network9, of a known type, based for example on a protocol of the TCP/IP type. Alternatively, client processor2and server processor4can be a single processor.

The network configuration parameters included in the configuration file6can for example comprise:the number of cells including in the GSM/GPRS network;the geographic position of the cells themselves;the number of transceiver stations (Base Transceiver Station or BTS) being present in the network;the indication, for each transceiver station BTS, of the cells associated therewith;the characteristics of each transceiver station BTS, such as for example: antenna gain, radiation diagram; maximum radiation direction (defined in terms of azimuth and tilt); noise digit of receivers included in each transceiver station BTS; antenna connection losses; transmission powers associated with common channels;characteristics of mobile terminals to be simulated, such as for example noise figure of the receiver included in each GSM/GPRS mobile terminal, gain and losses associated with the terminal antenna, maximum transmission power available for the uplink connection (namely the communication occurring from mobile terminal to transceiver station), power dynamics of the mobile terminal; andcontrol parameters for radio resources managing procedures/algorithms, comprising, for example: number of radio resources that can be assigned to GSM mobile terminals and number of radio resources that can be assigned to GPRS mobile terminals.

Moreover, the statistical data obtained as output from the simulator5and stored in the simulation data base8can, for example, comprise:mean throughput for each GPRS mobile terminal, namely the mean of information transferred per time unit from each GPRS mobile terminal onto the shared-access channels assigned thereto during the simulation; andmean value of signal/noise ratio measured from each GPRS mobile terminal onto the shared-access channels assigned thereto during the simulation.

For each shared-access channel, the signal/noise ratio measured from the GPRS mobile terminal corresponds to the ratio between power associated with data packets that the mobile terminal is receiving on such channel and the remaining power received by the mobile terminal on the same channel.

With reference toFIG. 2, the simulator5, implemented for example in ANSI C++ programming language by means of a project platform of the UML (“Unified Modelling Language”) type, comprises, according to a so-called object-oriented approach:a simulation engine10, providing for management and evolution of the simulation; anda plurality of objects, designated by reference number12, each one representing a physical device of the GSM/GPRS network, as better described in the following description.

According to the object-oriented approach, the elementary decomposition unit is not the operation (procedure), but the object, represented as an aggregation of variables, data structures and procedures which are considered a single entity by the simulator. In the examined case, the simulation objects correspond, in general, to real entity models (real world objects).

Moreover, it can be noted that, during the simulation, each simulation object directly interacts with the remaining objects, by sending information elements called “messages”. Specifically, the communication through messages is characterised in that the reception of information by the destination object occurs simultaneously with the transmission by the source object.

With reference toFIG. 3, the plurality of objects12can comprise:at least one object of the BSC_MC type, designated by reference number17, comprising at least three modules BSC_RRM_MC20, BSC_RR_MC21and BSC-MAC_MC22, shown in more detail in the following description, simulating the behaviour of a Network Controller (“Base Station Controller”). Within a mobile telephone network, the Network Controllers manage radio resources and control the radio transport;a plurality of objects of the BTS_MC type, each one designated by reference number18, simulating the behaviour of transceiver stations BTS of the GSM/GPRS network. Each object18of the BTS_MC type comprises at least one module BTS_PHY_MC23, shown in more detail in the following description; anda plurality of objects of the MS_MC type, each one designated by reference number19, simulating the behaviour of the mobile terminals of the GSM/GPRS network. Each object of the MS_MC19type comprises at least two modules MS_RR_MC24and MS_PHY_MC25, shown in more detail in the following description. In a preferred embodiment, each object19of the MS_MC type can be of the GSM type, namely it can simulate the behaviour of a GSM mobile terminal or can be of the GPRS type, namely it can simulate the behaviour of a GPRS mobile terminal.

More in detail:module BSC_RRM_MC20, included in object17of the BSC_MC type, simulates the assignment of radio resources for calls related to objects19of the MS_MC type. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, module BSC_RRM_MC20receives from module BSC_RR_MC21a request message for assigning radio resources for each object19of the MS_MC type, processes such request and sends a message to module BSC_RR_MC21for assigning radio resources to each object19of the MS_MC type for which a request has been made;module BSC_RR_MC21, included in object17of the BSC_MC type, simulates the configuration of each one of modules BSC_MAC_MC22, BTS_PHY_MC23and MS_RR_MC24, respectively included in object17of the BSC_MC type and in each object18of the BST_MC type and each object19of the MS_MC type, and activation/deactivation of calls related to objects19of the MS_MC type. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, module BSC_RR_MC21sends to each one of modules BSC_MAC_MC22, BTS_PHY_MC23and MS_RR_MC24a configuration message, so that these modules appropriately use radio resources assigned thereto by module BSC_RRM_MC20. Moreover, module BSC_RR_MC21sends to each one of modules BSC_MAC_MC22, BTS_PHY_MC23and MS_RR_MC24a message containing indications about activation/deactivation of calls related to objects19of the MS_MC type, for example indications dealing with beginning and end of activation of calls;module BSC_MAC_MC22, included in object17of the BSC_MC type, according to the present invention, simulates the scheduling management (“scheduling algorithm”) of objects19of the MS_MC type, simulating the behaviour of GPRS mobile terminals, on the shared-access channels of the GSM/GPRS network;module BTS_PHY_MC23, included in each object18of the BTS_MC type, simulates the physical level of the transceiver station BTS of the GSM/GPRS network and comprises a plurality of objects of the cell type, not shown inFIG. 2;module MS_RR_MC24, included in each object19of the MS_MC type, simulates the configuration of radio resources assigned to GSM and GPRS mobile terminals by module BSC_RRM_MC20and the management of activation/deactivation of calls for each of the above mobile terminals. As already previously illustrated, module MS_RR_MC24receives from module BSC_RR_MC21a configuration message for radio resources and a message containing indications about activation/deactivation of calls. In turn, module MS_RR_MC24sends these messages to module MS_PHY_MC25, included in each object17of the MS_MC type, in order to correctly set such module8(arrow30inFIG. 3); andmodule MS_PHY_MC25simulates the physical level of GSM and GPRS mobile terminals.

The simulation method according to the invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 3and to the flow diagram shown inFIG. 4. In detail, the flow diagram inFIG. 4shows a simulation algorithm100that operates according to the invention.

It can be stated that the evolution of the simulation algorithm100depends on the simulation engine10that controls the sequence of simulation steps included in the algorithm itself.

In detail, the simulation algorithm100according to the invention can comprise a step of initialisation of the simulation110and one or more iterative steps of event-based micro-simulation120.

In each event-based micro-simulation step120, a network configuration is simulated (in terms of mobile terminals distribution), and all network configurations simulated during the simulation are statistically independent one from the other.

In the following description and claims, the term “statistically independent” means that two network configurations simulated in two following event-based micro-simulations are not the temporal evolution one of the other.

In detail, the step of initialisation of the simulation110can comprise the following steps performed by the simulation engine10:reading the parameters included in the configuration file6;creating the simulation objects depending on network configuration parameters read from the configuration file6. More specifically, the simulation engine10instantiates the objects17of the BSC_MC type, the objects18of the BTS_MC type and the objects19of the MS_MC;bi-directionally connecting the simulation objects, as indicated in the configuration file6: in particular the bi-directional connection allows a simulation object to be able to interact with another simulation object and vice versa. More specifically, the simulation engine10connects objects17of the BSC_MC type with objects18of the BTS_MC type and objects19of the MS_MC type (arrows31and32inFIG. 3) and objects19of the MS_MC type with objects18of the BTS_MC type (arrow33inFIG. 3); andinitialising objects17of the BSC_MC type, objects18of the BTS_MC type and objects19of the MS_MC type so that they are configured in an initial state.

Always with reference toFIG. 4, each event-based micro-simulation120step can comprise the following steps, performed by the simulation engine10:a step of initialisation of the event-based micro-simulation130;a first step of processing a radio resources management event140in which a traffic distribution of the voice type, realised by objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GSM mobile terminals, is analysed; anda second step of processing a radio resources management event150in which a traffic distribution of the packet data type, realised by objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GPRS mobile terminals, is analysed.

More specifically, the step of initialising the event-based micro-simulation130can comprise the following steps, performed by objects17of the BSC_MC type, objects18of the BTS_MC type and objects19of the MS_MC type:configuring the common channels, namely the channels that are used for activation/deactivation of calls related to objects19of the MS_MC type. In particular, module BSC_RRM_MC20, included in object17of the BSC_MC type, configures the common channels for the cells controlled by each object18of the BTS_MC type; for each cell and each channel, module BSC_RRM_MC20sets a value of transmitted power calculated based on the configuration file6; the minimum set of common configured channels comprises at least channel BCCH (“Broadcast Control CHannel) and channel CCCH (“Common Control CHannel”).calculating one's own position by each object19of the MS_MC type that, for example, randomly extracts it within the area in which the GSM/GPRS network will be planned;calculating by module MS_RR_MC24, included in each object of the MS_MC type, the value of SAF (Service Activity Factor) parameter, for example by randomly extracting a value included between 0 and 1 for such parameter. In particular, the SAF parameter represents the activity probability associated with each GSM and GPRS mobile terminal for a certain simulated traffic distribution;calculating by module MS_RR_MC24, included in each object19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of a GPRS mobile terminal, the TBC (Total Block Count) parameter, for example by randomly extracting a value included between 0 and 1 for such parameter. In particular, the TBC parameter represents the amount of packet data traffic that each GPRS mobile terminal can generate during the simulation;managing the camping: each object19of the MS_MC type determines which common BCCH channel receives with the higher signal level;recording in module BSC_RR_MC21, included in object17of the BSC_MC type, all modules MS_RR_MC24included in each object19of the MS_MC type whose calculated SAF value is, for example, lower than a threshold (SAF_THRESHOLD) read in the configuration file6. The total number of objects19of the MS_MC type that take part in each step of event-based micro-simulation120can be calculated, in a known way, by using data contained in the territory data base7. Moreover, in the configuration file6the total number of objects19of the MS_MC type is divided into objects19of the MS_MC type19simulating the behaviour of the GSM mobile terminals and objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GPRS mobile terminals. Module BSC_RR_MC21records modules MS_RR_MC24by dividing them, according to what is established in the configuration file6, into: modules MS_RR_MC24included in objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GSM mobile terminals and modules MS_RR_MC24included in objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GPRS mobile terminals;sending to module BSC_RRM_MC20, by module BSC_RR_MC21, a request for radio resources related to each module MS_RR_MC24recorded by module BSC_RR_MC21(arrow34inFIG. 3);sending by module BSC_RRM_MC20a message for assigning radio resources to each module MS_RR_MC24recorded by module BSC_RR_MC21(arrow35inFIG. 3); if there are no more radio resources available, module BSC_RRM_MC20sends a message for refusing the assignment of radio resources to the remaining modules MS_RR_MC24;sending by module BSC_RR_MC21a configuration message, for each assignment message received in the previous step, to modules MS_RR_MC24so that they use the radio resources assigned thereto by module BSC_RRM_MC20(arrow36inFIG. 3); in this way, module BSC_RR_MC21performs the configuration of channels assigned to objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GSM mobile terminals (dedicated-access channels, namely channels reserved to a single mobile terminal) and of channels assigned to objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GPRS mobile terminals (shared-access channels, namely channels used by one or more mobile terminals);sending by module BSC_RR_MC21a configuration message of the starting power to modules BTS_PHY_MC23, associated with cells in which there are objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GSM mobile terminals, and to modules MS_RR_MC24included in such objects (arrows37and38inFIG. 3).

Moreover, the first step of processing a radio resources management event140comprises at least a step of processing a power control event, performed by objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GSM mobile terminals (defined herein below as “GSM-type objects”). During such step, the GSM-type objects transmit/receive on dedicated-access channels assigned thereto by module BCS_RRM_MC20and, simultaneously, through the respective modules MS_PHY_MC25, perform measures on such channels, for example of the RXLEV parameter representing the level of received power and the RXQUAL parameter representing the quality level of the received service. Correspondingly, modules BTS_PHY_MC23perform, on the same channels, the measures of RXLEV and RXQUAL parameters received by them. These parameters are useful to obtain, at the end of the step of processing the power control event, the update of its own transmission power by each GSM-type object and each module BTS_PHY_MC23.

In a preferred embodiment, the updated of its own transmission power by each GSM-type object and each module BTS_PHY_MC23can provide for the cyclic repetition, for a number of times established in the configuration file6, of the following steps:

sending to module BSC_RRM_MC20by modules MS_PHY_MC25a report message containing the measured values of RXLEL and RXQUAL parameters (arrow39inFIG. 3);sending to module BSC_RRM_MC20by modules BTS_PHY_MC23a report message containing the measured values of RXLEL and RXQUAL parameters (arrow44inFIG. 3);processing by module BSC_RRM_MC20the measured values of RXLEL and RXQUAL parameters contained in the report message to calculate the new transmission power of modules MS_PHY_MC25and modules BTS_PHY_MC23;sending by module BSC_RRM_MC20a configuration message of the new transmission power value to modules MS_PHY_MC25(arrow39inFIG. 3);sending by module BSC_RRM_MC20a configuration message of the new transmission power value to modules BTS_PHY_MC23(arrow44inFIG. 3);updating by modules MS_PHY_MC25their own transmission power depending on the received configuration message of module BSC_RRM_MC20; andupdating by modules BTS_PHY_MC23their own transmission power depending on the received configuration message of module BSC_RRM_MC20.

The second step of processing a radio resources management event150provides for the simulation of a scheduling management algorithm of objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GPRS mobile terminals (defined herein below as “GPRS-type objects”) on the shared-access channels of the GSM/GPRS network.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the simulated scheduling management algorithm uses a time division mode for managing the scheduling. In this mode, time is divided into elementary units (for example 20 ms long) called block periods: for each block period, the scheduling management algorithm assigns to at least one mobile terminal at least one shared-access channel: such mobile terminal is then enabled to transmit on such channel during such block period.

Specifically, the scheduling management algorithm is simulated through module BSC_MAC_MC22, included in object17of the BSC_MC type, that during the second step of processing a radio resources management event150, performs one or more scheduling events (each simulating one block period) as will be better described in the following description.

More in detail, the second step of processing a radio resources management event150starts when module BSC_RR_MC21sends to module BSC_MAC_MC22a configuration message (arrow40inFIG. 3) containing at least the following elements:number (NumRBslot) of scheduling events to be performed;time length of each scheduling event, for example 20 ms (this parameter is contained in the configuration file6); andlist of GPRS-type objects to which radio resources have been assigned in transmission/reception for the current step of event-based micro-simulation120. This list is divided into one or more sub-lists, each one comprising the number of GPRS-type objects that, for the current step of event-based micro-simulation120, are assigned to each shared-access channel included in the GSM/GPRS network; such list is determined depending on the assignment of radio resources performed by module BSC_RRM_MC20during each step of initialisation of the event-based micro-simulation130, by counting, for each shared-access channel how many GPRS-type objects received such channel as assignment; andstarting power to be assigned to modules BTS_PHY_MC23included in each object18of the BTS_MC type, associated with cells in which there are objects19of the MS_MC type simulating the behaviour of the GPRS mobile terminals (arrow41inFIG. 3).

Module BSC_MAC_MC22, through the simulation engine10, performs the NumRBslot scheduling events provided in the configuration message sent by module BSC_RR_MC21, with a timing that, for example, is 20 ms. During each scheduling event, module BSC_MAC_MC22performs the following operations:reviews (150a) every GPRS-type object belonging to the list of GPRS-type objects with radio resources assigned in transmission/reception for the current step of event-based micro-simulation120and, for each sub-list, and therefore for each shared-access channel, selects the GPRS-type object occupying the first place of the related sub-list, keeping memory of the latest selected GPRS-type object in the sub-list itself;enables (150b) to transmission/reception, on the respective shared-access channel, each GPRS-type object selected in the previous step (arrows42and43inFIG. 3). Under this condition, each GPRS-type object can transmit/receive on at least one shared-access channel assigned thereto simultaneously performing measures about the signal/noise ratio being present in that channel;disables (150c) each previously-enabled GPRS-type object, once this latter one has performed the respective measures of signal/noise ratio on the shared-access channels assigned thereto;removes (150d) each previously-disabled GPRS-type object from the first position of the respective sub-list, inserting it at the bottom of the sub-list itself. In this way, the GPRS-type objects that will be enabled to transmission/reception in the scheduling event to be simulated are those that in the just simulated scheduling event occupied the second position of the respective sub-list, and so on for all following scheduling events to be simulated.

The operation proceeds similarly to what is described above for each one of the NumRBslot scheduling events provided in the configuration message sent by module BSC_RR_MC21to module BSC_MAC_MC22at the beginning of the second step of processing a radio resources management event150.

At the end of each scheduling event, a step for collecting and processing150eall measures of signal/noise ratio performed by each GPRS-type object, is also provided. During this step, the mean signal/noise ratio measured by each GPRS-type object is also calculated. All mean signal/noise ratios calculated in the step of collecting and processing150eare then stored in the simulation data base8.

Now the simulation engine10verifies whether the module BSC_MAC_MC22has performed all scheduling events provided in the configuration message sent by module BSC_RR_MC21. If the check has a positive result, the simulation engine10ends the second step of processing a radio resources management event150and, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, controls the execution of a step for calculating160the mean throughput associated with each GPRS-type object. If instead, the check has a negative result, the simulation engine10controls the execution of a new scheduling event.

In particular, the mean throughput is calculated depending on the formula:

TMS=∑i=1NTS⁢TTS,i*NRB,TXnumRBslot
where TTS,iis the mean throughput related to the i-th shared-access channel assigned to the GPRS-type object (this value is calculated by using curves, set in the configuration file6, that, for each shared-access channel assigned to the GPRS-type object during the step of executing the event-based micro-simulation140, link the values of mean signal/noise ratio to the values of mean throughput); NRB,TXis the number of scheduling events in which the GPRS-type object has been enabled to transmission/reception by module BSC_MAC_MC22; numRBslot is the number of scheduling events performed by module BSC_MAC_MC22; NTSis the number of shared-access channels assigned to the GPRS-type object during the second step of processing a radio resources management event150. All values of mean throughput calculated during the step of calculating160are then stored in the simulation data base8.

Now the simulation engine10verifies whether the simulation algorithm100has performed all event-based micro-simulations steps120provided in the configuration file6. If the check has a positive result, the simulation engine10ends the simulation algorithm100(stop), otherwise it controls the execution of a new event-based micro-simulation step120.

InFIG. 5an operating example of module BSC_MAC_MC22is shown. In particular, in the example inFIG. 5a first200, a second210and a third220scheduling event are simulated in succession regarding four GPRS-type objects (MS_MC1, MS_MC2, MS_MC3, MS_MC4) on a first230, a second240and a third250shared-access channel for the uplink connection (namely for the communication occurring from mobile terminal to transceiver station).

As shown inFIG. 5, the sub-list of GPRS-type objects (MS_MC1, MS_MC2) is assigned to the first shared-access channel230; the sub-list of GPRS-type objects (MS_MC1, MS_MC2, MS_MC4) is assigned to the second shared-access channel240; the sub-list of GPRS-type objects (MS_MC2, MS_MC3) is assigned to the third shared-access channel250.

During the first scheduling event200, module BSC_MAC_MC22selects on each shared-access channel230,240,250, the GPRS-type object that occupies the first position of the sub-list assigned to such channel, namely: the GPRS-type object (MS_MC1) is selected on the first shared-access channel230, the GPRS-type object (MS_MC4) is selected on the second shared-access channel240, the GPRS-type object (MS_MC3) is selected on the third shared-access channel250.

After having selected the GPRS-type objects MS_MC1, MS_MC4, MS_MC3, occupying the first place of the respective sub-list, module BSC_MAC_MC22enables them for receiving on the shared-access channel assigned thereto, namely: the GPRS-type object (MS_MC1) is enabled for receiving on the first shared-access channel230, the GPRS-type object (MS_MC4) is enabled for receiving on the second shared-access channel240, the GPRS-type object (MS_MC3) is enabled for receiving on the third shared-access channel250.

After each GPRS-type object (MS_MC1, MS_MC4, MS_MC3) enabled for receiving has performed the respective measures of signal/noise ratio, module BSC_MAC_MC22disables it and removes it from the first position of the respective sub-list in order to insert it at the bottom of the sub-list itself. In this way, the following is obtained: the first position of the sub-list assigned to the first shared-access channel230is now occupied by the GPRS-type object (MS_MC2) while the GPRS-type object (MS_MC1) is at the bottom of the sub-list; the first position of the sub-list assigned to the second shared-access channel240is also occupied by the GPRS-type object (MS_MC2), while object MS_MC4is at the bottom of the sub-list; the first position of the sub-list assigned to the third shared-access channel250is also occupied by the GPRS-type object (MS_MC2) while the GPRS-type object (MS_MC3) is at the bottom of the sub-list.

Now, module BSC_MAC_MC22performs the second scheduling event210in which it selects on each shared-access channel230,240,250, the GPRS-type object that now occupies the first position of the sub-list assigned to such channel. In this case on all three shared-access channels230,240,250, the GPRS-type object (MS_MC2) is selected.

After the GPRS-type object (MS_MC2) has been selected, module BSC_MAC_MC22enables it for receiving on the shared-access channels230,240,250and, after the GPRS-type object (MS_MC2) has performed the respective measures of signal/noise ratio, module BSC_MAC_MC22disables it and removes it from the first position of each sub-list in order to insert it at the bottom of the sub-list itself. In this way, the following is obtained: the first position of the sub-list assigned to the first shared-access channel230is now occupied again by the GPRS-type object (MS_MC1) while the GPRS-type object (MS_MC2) is at the bottom of the sub-list; the first position of the sub-list assigned to the second shared-access channel240is now occupied by the GPRS-type object (MS_MC1), while the GPRS-type object (MS_MC2) is at the bottom of the sub-list; the first position of the sub-list assigned to the third shared-access channel250is again occupied by the GPRS-type object (MS_MC3) while the GPRS-type object (MS_MC2) is at the bottom of the sub-list.

Now, module BSC_MAC_MC22performs the third scheduling event220, in which it selects on each shared-access channel230,240,250, the GPRS-type object that now occupies the first position of the sub-list assigned to such channel, namely: the GPRS-type object (MS_MC1) is selected on the first and on the second shared-access channel230,240, while the (MS_MC3)-type object is again selected on the third shared-access channel250.

After having selected the GPRS-type objects MS_MC1, MS_MC3, occupying the first place of the respective sub-list, module BSC_MAC_MC22enables them for receiving on the shared-access channel assigned thereto, namely: the GPRS-type object (MS_MC1) is enabled for receiving on the first and the second shared-access channel230,240, while the (MS_MC3)-type object is again enabled for receiving on the third shared-access channel250. Then, module BSC_MAC_MC22ends the scheduling events simulation.

Advantageously, the simulation method according to the invention allows to simulate, with adequate accuracy and reliability, the scheduling management procedures/algorithms used in mobile telephone networks with shared-access channels without taking into account the time variable and thereby minimising the required times for simulation.

It is finally clear that numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the inventive concept, as defined by the enclosed claims, can be made to the simulation method and its related simulator, herein described and shown.

The simulator5can for example be made using any type of computer (Intel, SUN, Apple, etc.) and operating system (Windows, Linux, Unix, MAC OS, etc.).

Moreover, the use of ANSI C++ programming language for implementing the simulator5is only one possible choice; the simulator5can be implemented also using other programming languages, such as for example Java, Delphi, Visual Basic, etc. The choice of the ANSI C++ language has been dictated by the good programming flexibility offered by said programming language and by the high level of performance that can be obtained in the finished program in terms of execution speed.

Moreover, the simulator5according to the invention can be used also for simulating other types of mobile telephone networks in which there are shared-access channels. In such case it is necessary to provide for the insertion of a module similar to the third module BSC_MAC_MC22that has been described previously, that takes care of managing the scheduling of mobile terminals, which generate a packet data traffic on the shared-access channels. For example, it is possible to simulate the UMTS-FDD (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System—Frequency Division Duplex) mobile telephone network by taking into account the DSCH (Downlink Shared CHannel) channels, or the HS-DSCH (High Speed Downlink Shared CHannel) network, or also the EDGE (Enhanced Data rate for Global Evolution) network.

A further advantage of the simulator5is given by the chance of using some of the results provided by a simulator of the dynamic type or provided by measures performed on the real network, in order to calculate, for example, the number of GPRS-type objects to be simulated, according to the type of traffic that has to be taken into account.

As already previously mentioned, the simulator5can also be used for simulating GPRS mobile terminals generating a data traffic that is different from a data traffic of the FTP (File Transfer Protocol) type. For example, the simulator5can also be used for simulating GPRS mobile terminals generating a packet data traffic of the WWW (World Wide Web) type. In this case, the number of GPRS-type objects generating a packet data traffic of the WWW type that can be simulated through the simulator5can be computed by taking into account, for example, the following factors:the characteristics of the traffic of the WWW type to be simulated, such as for example the mean number of packets forming each WWW page to be downloaded, the mean number of WWW pages forming an Internet session, the speed with which data are transmitted by the Web server from which the pages must be downloaded;the mean downloading time of a single object of a WWW page in a network similar to the one that has to be simulated, obtained for example from a simulator of the dynamic type that has simulated this network or from measures performed on the real network;the probability of allocating GPRS-type objects on shared-access channels not used by other GPRS-type objects.

Such probability value must be used for obtaining the mean number of shared-access channels to be simulated, and is calculated by taking into account the following factors:parameters related to the shared-access channels assigning algorithm, such as for example: maximum number of GPRS-type objects that can be assigned for each shared-access channel, number of shared-access channels used by each GPRS-type object for packet data transmission;characteristics of the WWW traffic to be taken into account, such as for example: mean size of packets, mean size of WWW pages packet header, mean number of packets per WWW page;mean downloading time of a single object of a WWW page in a network similar to the one that has to be simulated, obtained, for example, as described previously, from measures performed on the real network or from a simulator of the dynamic type used for simulating the network that is similar to the network that has to be simulated; andconstants characterising the scenario to be simulated, such as, for example, mean traffic per cell; such quantities are obtained, for example, from a simulator of the dynamic type that has simulated a network similar to the one that has to be simulated or from measures performed on the real network.