Patent Publication Number: US-2012038513-A1

Title: Centralized antenna interface for wireless networks

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to wireless networks such as deployment, self-healing, self-organizing and optimization networks. In particular, the present invention relates to real-time wireless network tuning by making adjustments to antenna parameters through a central antenna interface. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A wireless network can be optimized in real-time if the radiation patterns, e.g., azimuth directions and elevation tilt, of the remote controllable antennas are adjusted without removing the remote controllable antennas from service. In conventional wireless systems, in order to optimize performance of the remote controllable antennas, the wireless system must be equipped with Antenna Line Devices (ALDs) that contain remote control and monitoring facilities (e.g., ALD controllers). The Antenna Interface Standards Group (AISG) defined one data interface between the ALD controllers and the remote controllable antennas. In particular, the AISG defines the requirements of a three-layer (1, 2, and 7) protocol model that is a compact form of an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) seven-layer reference model. 
     An Operational Maintenance Center (OMC) controls the ALDs located at different sites based on certain network management protocols. The ALD controllers are installed at every base transceiver station (BTS) and are set as nodes in the network to provide as a data interface between the OMC and remote controllable antennas. In this conventional wireless system structure, the ALD controllers are operated as proprietary controllers, known also in the industry as Central Control Units (CCU) or Master Control Units (MCU). As noted above, the ALD controllers must be distributed at each BTS, and include control software to compile the high level commands from the OMC as well as management software executed by an associated processor. 
     An example of a conventional wireless system is shown in  FIG. 1 . The wireless network  100  of  FIG. 1  refers to any type of computer network that includes at least some wireless connections, and is commonly associated with a telecommunications network whose interconnections may be implemented without the use of wires such as with electromagnetic waves or radio waves. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes an OMC network management device  101 , an OMC network server  102 , an operator internal network  103  and a proprietary AISG controller  104 . The proprietary AISG controller is connected to a plurality of antennas  105 , which provide wireless services to respective coverage areas  106 . 
     The OMC device  101  is part of the OMC and provides command signals to the AISG controller  104  for optimizing operation of the antennas  105  in the wireless network  100 . The OMC device  101  provides command signals to the AISG controller  104  through OMC network server  102  and the operator internal network  103 . In this conventional wireless system  100 , the OMC device  101  sends command signals to AISG controller  104  and the antennas  105  through the Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN) based on network management protocols such as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), TCP/IP, even Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI). 
     The proprietary AISG controller  104  is installed at a base transceiver station (not shown) and controls adjustments to the antennas  105  based on command signals from the OMC device  101  of the OMC. Every AISG controller must be able to compile high level commands signals from the OMC device  101 . Additionally, the AISG controller  104  also includes management software executed by an associated processor in order to make adjustments to the antennas  105  for optimizing the wireless services provided to the coverage areas  106 . 
     Thus, the AISG controller  104  requires sophisticated control and management software for effecting adjustments to the antennas, which makes the AISG controller  104  a central controlling component for making adjustments to the antennas  105 . Additionally, the sophisticated management and control software included in the AISG controller  104  is expensive to develop and maintain, which increases the cost of maintaining optimization of the wireless network  100 . 
     Therefore, it would be useful to implement a central antenna interface for performing real-time adjustment of antenna parameters in a wireless network, which is less expensive than the conventional approach of using the proprietary ALD controllers (i.e., distributed at each BTS) that can be fully removed from an operator&#39;s network. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the invention is directed to an antenna interface system for providing command signals to antennas in a wireless network. The antenna interface system includes, in part, an access device, a server, converters and antennas. The access device can be a portable device that allows a user to access the antenna interface system by establishing connection to the server via a first network connection, wherein the server includes a user interface configured to establish a communication connection between the antenna interface system and a user of the access device. The user interface can be an application program interface or a graphical user interface. 
     Additionally, the server includes one or more antenna control programs that when executed provide the command signals to the antennas. The server also includes application programs, wherein the antenna control programs are among the application programs. The application programs are stored on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, and a processor in the server executes the application programs so as to provide the command signals to the antennas. The converters are configured to transmit the command signals from the server to the antennas. Specifically, a second network connection establishes a communication connection between the server and the converters, which is for example an Ethernet connection. 
     Each converter is located in the vicinity of one or more antennas, and the antennas are connected to the converters so as to receive the command signals. In alternative embodiments, the converters can be embedded in base station transceivers or antennas. The converters perform communications to and from the antennas by being configured to receive control signals or messages from the server, wherein the control messages are encoded into Layer 2 frames encapsulated in Ethernet message format. The converters can identify the Layer 2 frames from the Ethernet message format and send the Layer 2 frames to the antennas using a physical layer protocol in conformance with antenna control specification of the plurality of antennas. The converters can also receive reply messages from the antennas, wherein the reply messages are encoded into Layer 2 frames sent using the physical layer protocol in conformance with the antenna control specification of the antennas. The converters then encapsulate the Layer 2 frames of the reply message in Ethernet message format, and send the Ethernet message format representative of the replay message to the server. 
     The command signals are used for making adjustments to and gathering information for antenna parameters of the antennas. The antenna parameters are related to, for example, elevation tilt, azimuth steering, azimuth bandwidth, antenna calibration, information for enabling and disabling an antenna, firmware downloads and antenna inventory information. The antenna inventory information includes, but is not limited to, manufacturer information, model numbers and serial numbers related to the antennas. 
     As an alternative to connecting the access device to the server via the first network connection, in another embodiment, the access device establishes a network connection to the server via a third network connection. Additionally, in another embodiment, the access device establishes a connection directly to at least one converter via a fourth network connection. In this embodiment, the access device would include a user interface and one or more antenna control programs configured to provide command signals to the antennas via the fourth network connection. The access device also includes application programs, wherein the antenna control programs would be among the application programs. The application programs are stored on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, and a processor executes the application programs so as to provide the command signals to the antennas. 
     The first, third and fourth network connections include, but are not limited to, a coaxial cable interface, Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface; or wireless interface that also allows the exchange of information across one or more wireless communication networks such as cellular or short-range (e.g., IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks (WLANS)). 
     The antenna interface system also includes a database configured to store network parameters and information related to the antenna parameters and the antennas. Additionally, in an embodiment, a switch is configured to be connected to the communication network connection and to two or more converters so as to switch between the two or more converters for sending command signals to respective antennas. 
     An embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of establishing an antenna interface for providing command signals from a server to antennas in the wireless network. The method includes establishing the first network connection between an access device and the server; providing the user interface configured to establish a communication connection between the server and the access device; establishing the second network connection between the server and the converters; and providing the command signals from the server to the antennas via the converters. 
     The method also includes identifying all the antennas connected to the converters based on antenna parameters stored in a database, and if the connected antennas are not able to be identified, creating new antenna parameters. All the connected antennas are assigned a unique address, which is stored in the database. Additionally, the status of the antennas connected to the converters is checked, and it is determined if the antennas are ready to receive commands signals from the server. If an antenna or group of antennas are determined not to be ready to receive command signals for a predetermined amount time, then the antenna or group of antennas are considered not to be operational and a repair message is sent. The method further includes determining if the command signals sent to the antennas have been executed, and updating the status of the antennas in the database. A confirmation message is sent to the server regarding the execution of the command signals by the antennas. 
     In another embodiment, a method is directed to establishing an antenna interface for providing command signals from an access device to the antennas. This method includes establishing a network connection between the access device and at least one of the converters; providing a user interface configured to establish a communication connection between the access device and a user of the access device; and providing the command signals from the access device to the antennas via the converters and the network connection. 
     An embodiment of the invention is directed to a program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for establishing an antenna interface for providing command signals from the server to the antennas, wherein the program causes the server to execute the method of the present invention noted above. Additionally, an embodiment of the invention is directed to a program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for establishing an antenna interface for providing command signals from the access device to the antennas, wherein the program causing the access device to execute the method of the present invention noted above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar and/or structurally similar elements. Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional system for providing command signals to antennas in a wireless network; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an antenna interface system for providing command signals to antennas in a wireless network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart of a method for providing an antenna interface for providing command signals to antennas in a wireless network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another flowchart of a method for providing an antenna interface for providing command signals to antennas in a wireless network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates in more detail an antenna interface device for providing command signals to antennas in a wireless network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates in more detail an access device for providing command signals to antennas in a wireless network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Additional features are described herein, and will be apparent from the following description of the figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the invention. Well-known elements and processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the invention. 
     In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, often both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) may be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as being limiting. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an antenna interface system for providing command signals to antennas in a wireless network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  is an exemplary implementation of a centralized interface system  200  for controlling and monitoring antennas  207  remotely according to, but not limited by, the AISG standards. 
     The antenna interface system  200  shown in  FIG. 2  includes, in part, an access device  201 , an Advanced Antenna Management System (AAMS) server  202 , converters  205  and antennas  207 . The access device  201  can be, for example, a portable access device such as a laptop or other portable computing device that allows a user to access the antenna interface system  200  by establishing a connection to the AAMS server  202 , wherein the AAMS server  202  includes a user interface configured to establish a communication connection between the antenna interface system  200  and a user of the access device  201  via a first network connection. The user interface can be an application program interface or a graphical user interface. 
     The AAMS server  202  also includes one or more AAMS antenna control programs that when executed provide command signals for making adjustments to and/or obtaining information from the antennas  207  via the converters  205 . The antennas  207  are most likely remote electrical tilt (RET) antennas, but could also be tower-mounted amplifiers (TMAs). The AAMS control programs are software that is installed and run on the AAMS server  202 . The AAMS server  202  generates commands signals that are transmitted via a second network connection through the communication network  203  to the converters  205 , and the converters  205  are configured to transmit the command signals from the AAMS server  202  to the antennas  207 . The second network connection that establishes a communication connection between the server AAMS server  202  and the converters  205  is, for example, an Ethernet connection. 
     The AAMS control programs can be installed on a stand-alone AAMS server  202 , or can also be integrated into the ensemble radio network management software platform provided by an operator. The AAMS server  202  running the AAMS antenna control programs or software is able to manage hundreds of antennas  207  remotely through the communication network  203 . 
     The AAMS server  202  communicates commands signals to the converters  205  by encapsulating Layer 2 (e.g., high-level data link (HDLC)) antenna interface messages into Ethernet (e.g., TCP/IP) format. The creation of Layer 2 messages at the centralized AAMS server  202  eliminates the need for heavy control software at an Antenna Line Device (ALD) controller, Central Control Unit (CCU) or Master Control Unit (MCU). The AAMS antenna control programs running on the AAMS server  202  results in the AAMS server  202  being the central control device for making adjustments to and/or gathering information from the antennas  207 , instead of the individual ALDs controller, CCUs and MCUs in conventional wireless systems. Thus, control and monitoring of the antennas  207  in the system  200  are centralized by the AAMS server  202 . 
     Each converter  205  is located in the vicinity of one or more antennas  207 , and the antennas  207  are connected to the converters  205  so as to receive the command signals. In alternative embodiments, the converters  205  can be embedded in a base station transceiver  208  or an antenna  207 . The command signals are used for making adjustments to and gathering information for antenna parameters of the antennas  207  for optimizing the service provided to the coverage areas  209 . The antenna parameters relate to, for example, elevation tilt, azimuth steering, azimuth bandwidth, antenna calibration, information for enabling and disabling an antenna, firmware downloads and antenna inventory information. The antenna inventory information includes, but is not limited to, manufacturer information, model numbers and serial numbers related to the antennas  207 . 
     The converters  205  are compatible with a commonly used AISG ALD control and monitoring protocol specifications that call for the use of an AISG protocol (Layer 7) over the HDLC (Layer 2), over RS-485 (Layer 1), and the provisions of DC power for antenna line devices requiring power to operate. For example, on the downstream side, a converter  205  takes AISG antenna status and control messages that are already encoded into HDLC frames and encapsulated into TCP/IP messages by the AAMS server, discovers the HDLC frames from the TCP/IP messages, and sends the HDLC frames out over an RS-485 physical layer protocol in conformance with the AISG antenna control specification. On the upstream side, the converter  205  encapsulates HDLC frames containing AISG control and status signals from the ALDs (e.g., antennas  207 ) into TCP/IP messages to the AAMS server  202 . Because the converter  205  does not process HDLC frames or AISG status and control messages, it is less expensive to build and operate than conventional proprietary ALD controllers, CCU or MCUs. Each antenna site can be equipped with one or more converters  205  that can control multiple antennas  105 , for example, by using a daisy chain structure. 
     As an alternative to connecting the access device  201  to the AAMS server  202 , the access device  201  can establish a network connection to the AAMS server  202  via a third network connection and the communication network  203 . Additionally, the access device  201  can also establish a connection directly to at least one converter  205  via a fourth network connection. In this embodiment, the access device  201  would include a user interface and one or more AAMS antenna control programs or software configured to provide command signals to the antennas  207 . The first, third and fourth network connections include, but are not limited to, a coaxial cable interface, Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface; or wireless interface that also allows the exchange of information across one or more wireless communication networks such as cellular or short-range (e.g., IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks (WLANS)). 
     The antenna interface system  100  also includes a database  210  configured to store network parameters and information related to the antenna parameters and the antennas  207 . The network parameters may include locations of base stations (BS) and satellite stations (SS), and height of BS and SS antennas relative to terrain and sea level. Antenna parameters may include, elevation tilt, azimuth steering, azimuth bandwidth, antenna calibration, information for enabling and disabling an antenna, firmware downloads and antenna inventory information. The antenna inventory information includes, but is not limited to, manufacturer information, model numbers and serial numbers related to the antennas  207 . 
     Additionally, in an embodiment, a switch  206  is configured to be connected to the AAMS server  202  via the communication network  203  and to two or more converters so as to switch between the two or more converters for sending command signals to antennas  207 . By using the switch  206 , antennas  207  located at several base stations can be adjusted as a group provided that they are connected to the switch  206  and controlled by the AAMS server  202 , which is also connected to the switch  206  through the communication network  203 . 
     In another embodiment, the antennas  207  can be controlled via their coaxial RF ports without interfering with existing communications in a base station system. In this case, the use of separate AISG ports is not necessary because current local ALD control units or future converter box are built into the base station (BS) transceivers  208 . Therefore, the centralized AAMS server  202  or the access device  201  only needs to communicate with the remote BS transceivers  208  through certain socket connections to perform local command and data transmission to and from the antennas  207 . In yet another embodiment, the converters  205 , which are of simple construction, can be embedded in the antennas  207  so that a Layer 1 interface is not needed in network connections. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate flowcharts of methods for providing an antenna interface for transmitting command signals to antennas in a wireless network in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  shows the method  300 . In step  301 , the AAMS server  202  establishes a connection with the converters  205  though the communication network  203 . As an alternative to the use of the AAMS server  202 , the access device  201  can establish a connection directly to at least one converter  205 . In this embodiment, the access device  201  would include a user interface and one or more AAMS antenna control programs or software configured to provide command signals to the antennas  207 . 
     In step  302 , the AAMS server  202  attempts to identify all the antennas  207  connected to the converters  205  based on antenna parameters stored in a database  210 . In step  303 , it is determined if the connected antennas  207  are able to be identified. In step  304 , if the antennas  207  connected to the converters  205  cannot be identified, then the AAMS server  202  creates new antenna parameters to be stored in the database  210  for the connected antennas  207  that could not indentified. In step  305 , all the antennas  207  connected to the converters  205  are assigned unique addresses, which are stored in the database  210  in step  306 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the method  400 . In step  401 , the status of the antennas  207  connected to the AAMS server  205  is checked. In step  402 , it is determined by the AAMS server  202  if the antennas connected to the converters  205  are ready to receive command signals from the AAMS server  202 . In step  402 , if it is determined that the antennas are not ready, then in step  403 , it is determined if a threshold value has been reached. The threshold value may include a number of attempts or a predetermined time period in which to receive information indicating that the antennas  207  are in an operational or ready state. If it is determined in step  403  that the threshold value has been reached, then a repair message is sent regarding the antennas  207 . Failure to receive information indicating that the antennas  207  are in an operational or ready state could be an indication that the antennas  207  are in need of repair. 
     On the other hand, in step  403 , if it is determined that the threshold value has not been reached, then the AAMS server  202  will continue to try to determine if the antennas  207  are in an operational or ready state until either the information is received or the threshold value has been reached. In step  402 , if it is determined that the antennas  207  are in an operational or ready state to receive command signals from the AAMS server  202 , then is step  405  the command signals are sent from the AAMS server  202  to the antennas  207  via the converters  205  and the communication network  203 . 
     Each converter  205  is located in the vicinity of one or more antennas  207 , and the antennas  207  are connected to the converters  205  so as to receive the command signals. The command signals are used for making adjustments to and gathering information for the antenna parameters of the antennas  207  for optimizing the service provided to the coverage areas  209 . The antenna parameters relate to, for example, elevation tilt, azimuth steering, azimuth bandwidth, antenna calibration, information for enabling and disabling an antenna, firmware downloads and antenna inventory information. 
     In step  406 , it is determined by the AAMS server  202  if the command signals have been executed by the antennas  207 . In step  406 , if it is determined that the command signals have not be executed by the antennas  207 , then the AAMS server  202  will continue check the status of the antennas, as in step  401 . However, in step  406 , if it is determined by the AAMS server  202  that the command signals have been executed by the antennas  207 , then in step  407  the status of the antennas  207  that have executed the command signals from the AAMS server  202  are updated in the database  210 . Confirmation that the command signals from the AAMS server  202  have been executed by the antennas  207  can be based on, for example, a confirmation message received from the antennas  207  via the converters  205  and the communication network  203 . 
       FIG. 5  is a more detailed description of the AAMS server  202  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 5 , the AAMS server  202  includes a memory  501 , a processor  502 , AAMS application programs  503 , a communication interface  506 , and bus  507 . The memory  501  can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium used to store executable instructions, or computer program thereon. The memory  501  may include a read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a smart card, a subscriber identity module (SIM), or any other medium from which a computing device can read executable instructions or a computer program. The term “computer program” is intended to encompass an executable program that exists permanently or temporarily on any computer-readable storage medium as described above. 
     A computer program is also intended to include an algorithm that includes executable instructions stored in the memory  501  that are executable by the processors  502 , which may be facilitated by one or more of the application programs also stored on the memory  501 . The application programs may include, but are not limited to, an operating system or any special computer program that manages the relationship between application software and any suitable variety of hardware that helps to make-up a computer system or computing environment of the AAMS server  202 . 
     The AAMS application programs  503  provide the primary function of enabling the AAMS server to operate as a central antenna interface for performing real-time adjustment of antenna parameters of the antennas  205  in the wireless network  200 . It should be understood my one of ordinary skill in the art that the AAMS application program are stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executed by the processor  502  for providing the centralized antenna interface functions, as described above with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     The AAMS application programs  503  also include a user interface  504  configured to establish a communication connection between the antenna interface system  200  and a user of, for example, the access device  201 . The user interface  504  can be implemented as application program interface or a graphical user interface. The AAMS application programs  503  also includes one or more AAMS antenna control programs, which when executed by the processor  502  provide command signals to the antennas  207  via the converters  205  for making adjustments to and/or obtaining information from the antennas  207 . The AAMS application programs  503  executed by the AAMS server  202 , allows the AAMS server  202  to centrally control and manage hundreds of antennas  207  remotely through the communication network  203  using a low-cost converter  205 . 
     That is, each converter  205  is located in the vicinity of one or more antennas  207 , and the antennas  207  are connected to the converters  205  so as to receive the command signals from AAMS server  202 . In alternative embodiments, the converters  205  can be embedded in a base station transceiver  208  or an antenna  207 . The command signals are used for making adjustments to and gathering information for the antenna parameters of the antennas  207  for optimizing the service provided to the coverage areas  209 . 
     The communication interface  506  provides for two-way data communications from the AAMS server  202  to the rest of the wireless network  200 . By way of example, the communication interface  506  may be a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or modem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, a cable modem, or a telephone modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line for connection to the communication network  203 . 
     Further, the communication interface  506  may also include peripheral interface devices, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface, and the like. The communication interface  506  also allows the exchange of information across one or more wireless communication networks. Such networks may include cellular or short-range, such as IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks (WLANS). And, the exchange of information may involve the transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals through an antenna (not shown). Additionally, general communication between the components in the AAMS server  202  is provided via the electrical bus  507 . 
       FIG. 6  is a more detailed description of the access device  201  illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 6  is different from  FIG. 5  in that  FIG. 6  is directed to an embodiment of the invention where the access device  201  establishes a connection to at least one converter  205  without the need to connect to the AAMS server  202 . In this embodiment, the access device  201  would include the AAMS application programs and the subsystems to enable the access device  201  to perform the centralized antenna interface functions, as described above with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     More specifically, in  FIG. 6 , the access device  201  includes a memory  601 , a processor  602 , AAMS application programs  603 , a communication interface  606 , and bus  607 . The memory  601  can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium used to store executable instructions, or computer program thereon. The memory  601  may include a read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a smart card, a subscriber identity module (SIM), or any other medium from which a computing device can read executable instructions or a computer program. The term “computer program” is intended to encompass an executable program that exists permanently or temporarily on any computer-readable storage medium as described above. 
     The computer program is also intended to include an algorithm that includes executable instructions stored in the memory  601  that are executable by the processors  602 , which may be facilitated by one or more of the application programs also stored on the memory  601 . The application programs may also include, but are not limited to, an operating system or any special computer program that manages the relationship between application software and any suitable variety of hardware that helps to make-up a computer system or computing environment of access device  201 . 
     The AAMS application programs  603  are also stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executed by the processor  602  for providing the centralized antenna interface functions, as described above with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The AAMS application programs  603  also include user interface  604  configured to establish a communication connection between the access device  201  and a user of the access device  201 . The user interface  604  can be implemented as application program interface or a graphical user interface. The AAMS application program also includes one or more AAMS antenna control programs  605 , which when executed by the processor  602  provide command signals to the antennas  207  via the converters  205  for making adjustments to and/or obtaining information from the antennas  207 . The AAMS application programs  603  executed by the access device  201 , allow the access device  201  to centrally control and manage antennas  207  remotely via a low-cost converter  205 . 
     The communication interface  606  provides for two-way data communications from the access device  201 . The communication interface may include peripheral interface devices, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) interface, and the like. The communication interface  606  may also allows the exchange of information across one or more wireless communication networks. Such networks may include cellular or short-range, such as IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks (WLANS). And, the exchange of information may involve the transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals through an antenna (not shown). Additionally, general communication between the components in the AAMS server  202  is provided via the electrical bus  607 . 
     With the embodiments of the present invention as described above with reference to  FIGS. 2-6 , a large number of current computerized AISG antenna controllers (e.g., proprietary ALD controllers, CCU or MCUs) can be substituted by the simple and low-cost converters  205 . These low-cost converters  205  can complete the signal format transform between a networked technology such as TCP/IP and a local serial connection technology such as RS-485. However, the encoding/decoding of Layer 2 messages into/from Layer 1 messages can be more universal. 
     Additionally, AAMS application programs  503 ,  603  running on a dedicated AAMS server  202  or the access device  201  form a key part of the implementation of this invention. In our case, the primary station becomes the AAMS server  202  or the access device  201  instead of individual AISG controllers (i.e., proprietary ALD controllers, CCU or MCUs). The AAMS server  202  or the access device  201  will be able to manage hundreds of base station antennas  207  remotely. It is unnecessary to put an expensive antenna interface server at every base station, because the processing of all messages higher than Layer 2 will be handled by the centralized AAMS server  202  or the access device  201 . 
     The embodiments of the present invention as described with reference to  FIGS. 2-6 , provide the following distinct advantages over conventional wireless systems: 
     1) global optimization of a wireless communication network by adjusting all base station antennas simultaneously using a centralized interface control system; 
     2) management of hundreds of AISG antennas or antenna groups automatically by use of simple converter devices and one centralized antenna management device (prior art systems require time-consuming individual adjustments with site visits or the use of expensive remotely located antenna controllers to control antenna line devices); 
     3) compatibility with multiple antenna vendors, multiple network technologies, multiple communication protocols, and multiple generation base stations; 
     4) integration with an entire wireless network management system or implementation as a stand-alone system; 
     5) simplified system upgrading using a centralized interface (e.g., clicking one button on the desk device without site visits); and 
     6) reduced overall network management cost by replacing expensive individual controllers with inexpensive converters. 
     From the description provided herein, those skilled in the art are readily able to combine software created as described with the appropriate general purpose or special purpose computer hardware for carrying out the features of the invention. Additionally, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claim.