Dynamic load distribution in a wireless communication system to equalize

Abstract

A wireless communication system includes a plurality of base stations, a plurality of base station controllers and a plurality of mobile switching centers. The plurality of base stations each support wireless communications within a respective cell and service load therein relating to subscribing units operating therein. Each of the base station controllers couples to a plurality of base stations and each of the mobile switching centers couples to at least one base station controller. The plurality of base station controllers and the plurality of mobile switching centers are managed to dynamically route load between the base station controllers and the mobile switching centers in an effort to equalize load on the plurality of mobile switching centers. At least one base station controller of the plurality of base station controllers may route its load to a first mobile switching center during a first period and route its load to the second mobile switching center during a second period. The first period and the second period may correspond to differing time periods and/or differing days. Such periods may be determined based upon historical loadings of the wireless communication system and simulation results. However, in other operations, the load is switched based upon actual system loading and the periods are determined according to the actual system loading. In other operations of the wireless communication system, a base station controller routes its load concurrently to both a first mobile switching center and a second mobile switching center of the plurality of mobile switching centers. In such operations, a first amount of load is routed to the first mobile switching center and a second amount of load routed to the second mobile switching center, such levels determined based upon loading of at least one of the first mobile switching center and the second mobile switching center.