CELLULAR RADIO TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

There is described a cellular radio telecommunication system for reducing interference (both intra-cell and inter-cell) within indoor (40), and between indoor and outdoor cellular radio telecommunication coverage areas. The system comprises a plurality of head units (20) throughout the indoor coverage area (40) each being connected to a master unit (10) such that, in combination, they are seen by User Equipment (UE) (50) as a single base station using a single carrier. The master unit (10) continuously ranks the head unit's (20) by comparing their uplink quality indicators (e.g. by received power or by signal quality) and selectively routes signaling and data traffic via the highest ranked head unit(s) (20). Accordingly, the transmit power of each head unit (20) and UE (50) can be independently controlled and (24) minimised. Interference is therefore reduced by (i) ensuring minimal transmit powers; and (ii) reducing the number of cell boundaries within the indoor coverage area.