System for estimating configuration of a radio equipment and method thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of present disclosure provide system (300) and method (600,700) for estimating configuration of radio equipment (302) arranged in wireless network. The system (300) comprises movable platform (304) arranged to make movement in geographical area at an appropriate distance from radio equipment (302) and capture radio measurement data while moving. Radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of radio equipment (302). Processing circuitry arranged to estimate one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data obtained from the movable platform (304) to identify configuration of radio equipment (302) during the movement. Processing circuitry further compares each estimated radio equipment parameter value with corresponding reference configuration data and verify the configuration of the radio equipment (302) based on the comparison.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING CONFIGURATION OF A RADIO EQUIPMENT AND METHOD THEREOF

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to a field of communications technologies. More particularly, it relates to a system, a movable platform, ground equipment, and a method for estimating a configuration of a radio equipment.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] One aspect which plays a crucial role in effective communication is accurate set up or proper configuration of radio equipment, for example, antennas, in a telecommunication network. This is because the configuration of the antenna directly affects propagation of radio signals in real world.

[0006] A base station and antenna work together to enable communication in a wireless network. The base station is characteristically a tower arranged to transmit and receive radio signals to and from mobile devices. For base station deployment, two key antenna configuration parameters, antenna azimuth and antenna tilt are crucial.

[0007] The antenna azimuth refers to an angle of a directional antenna as projected in a horizontal plane. The directional antenna focuses radio signals in a specific direction given by the angle, measured in relation to a reference direction. The reference direction is often a true north direction. The antenna tilt is characteristically an angle at which the antenna is physically inclined from its vertical axis. Error! Reference source not found, provides illustrative examples of the antenna azimuth and the antenna tilt configuration.

[0008] Currently, key antenna configuration parameter values are set manually by engineers. The engineers provide the key antenna configuration parameter values as an input into a central database. The central database often referred to as Configuration Management, CM inside a Service Management and Orchestration, SMO system.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] A process by which the input is provided manually, prone to errors. Common issues include incorrect data entry, missing updates during site visits or even corrupted data during updates, etc. By providing the input manually, discrepancies between the antenna configuration parameters values stored in the central database and actual antenna configuration parameter values may occur.

[0011] There are many existing solutions such as manual estimation processes, sensor-based estimation, computer vision-based estimation, etc. which provide estimation of the antenna configuration parameters. In the manual estimation process, a person physically climbs the tower and estimates / measures the azimuth and the tilt of the antenna using a compass. However, the manual estimation process requires a human to climb up the tower, which is a dangerous and time-consuming activity. Furthermore, since the estimation process is manual, the quality of results depends on an individual performing measurements.

[0012] The sensor-based estimation employs specialized tools like Antenna Alignment Tools, AATs. The AATs are generally combined with telescopes to remotely measure the azimuth and the tilt of the antenna. However, specialized sensors are required for the estimation. These specialized sensors are characteristically expensive. Also, it is characteristically time consuming to set up the AATs. Moreover, the cost of taking such measurements increases linearly with an increasing number of installed antennas on the tower. In addition, various sensors may require periodic calibration over time, which adds additional cost to the approach.

[0013] The computer vision-based estimation method utilizes mobile phone cameras operated by a person on the tower to capture images of the antenna. By comparing the images to a three- dimensional, 3D model of the antenna, computer vision techniques may estimate the azimuth of the antenna based on the mobile phone's location. However, in computer vision-based solution, the person has to climb up the tower to capture images from multiple angles using a mobile phone. Further, it may be necessary to place an object with known dimensions (e.g., a checkerboard) close to the antenna. This adds operational cost and makes it less likely to be viable in practice. For example, there might not even be space to put the checkerboard close to antennas in real towers. Furthermore, availability of the 3D models of all installed antennas to take measurements is another concern.

[0014] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide system, movable platform, ground equipment, and method for estimating configuration of a radio equipment which mitigates, alleviates, or eliminates all or at least some of the above-discussed drawbacks of presently known solutions.

[0015] This and other objects are achieved by means of a system, a movable platform, a ground equipment and methods for estimating configuration of a radio equipment defined in the appended claims. The term exemplary is in the present context to be understood as serving as an instance, example or illustration.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a system for estimating a configuration of a radio equipment is provided. The system comprises a movable platform implemented in a wireless network arranged to make a movement in a geographical area at an appropriate distance from the radio equipment. The movable platform is further arranged to capture radio measurement data while moving in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment. The radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment in the wireless network. The system further comprises a processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is arranged to estimate one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data obtained from the movable platform (304). The estimated one or more radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment during the movement of the movable platform in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment.

[0017] Optionally, the processing circuitry is further arranged to compare each estimated radio equipment parameter value with corresponding reference configuration data. The processing circuitry is further arranged to verify the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison.

[0018] Optionally, the one or more radio equipment parameter values comprises at least one of azimuth data for the radio equipment and / or tilt data for the radio equipment.

[0019] Optionally, the movement comprises a horizontal movement and / or a vertical movement.

[0020] Optionally, the horizontal movement comprises at least one lap of orbiting movement in a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction at one or more radius from the radio equipment. Optionally, the vertical movement comprises movement at a plurality of different elevation points with reference to the radio equipment, in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment.

[0021] Optionally, the measurement data comprises first measurement data and second measurement data. The first measurement data is captured during the horizontal movement and the second measurement data is captured during the vertical movement.

[0022] Optionally, the first radio measurement data are of use to estimate the azimuth data for the radio equipment.

[0023] Optionally, the second radio measurement data is of use to estimate the tilt data for the radio equipment.

[0024] Optionally, the radio measurement data comprises at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP value, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ value, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI value.

[0025] Optionally, the processing circuitry is arranged in at least one of: the movable platform and a ground equipment arranged in the wireless network.

[0026] Optionally, the movable platform is an airborne platform.

[0027] Optionally, the movable platform is a drone and / or an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and / or a quadcopter.

[0028] Optionally, the radio equipment comprises an antenna. Optionally, the reference configuration data comprises a threshold parameter value for each estimated radio equipment parameter value stored in a database.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in the system for estimating configuration of a radio equipment arranged in the wireless network. The method comprises capturing radio measurement data while moving in a geographical area at an appropriate distance from the radio equipment. The radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment in the wireless network. The method further comprises estimating one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data, wherein the estimated radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment during the movement of the movable platform.

[0030] Optionally, the method further comprises comparing each estimated radio equipment parameter with a reference configuration data. The method further comprises verifying the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison.

[0031] Optionally, the one or more radio equipment parameter values comprises at least one of azimuth data for the radio equipment and / or tilt data for the radio equipment.

[0032] Optionally, the movement comprises a horizontal movement and / or a vertical movement.

[0033] Optionally, the horizontal movement comprises at least one lap of orbiting movement in a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction at one or more radius from the radio equipment.

[0034] Optionally, the vertical movement comprises movement at a plurality of different elevation points with reference to the radio equipment, in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment.

[0035] Optionally, the measurement data comprises first measurement data, second measurement data. The first measurement data is captured during the horizontal movement and the second measurement data is captured during the vertical movement.

[0036] Optionally, the first radio measurement data are of use to estimate the azimuth data for the radio equipment.

[0037] Optionally, the second radio measurement data is of use to estimate the tilt data for the radio equipment.

[0038] Optionally, the radio measurement data comprises at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP value, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ value, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI value.

[0039] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a movable platform implemented in a wireless network for estimating configuration of a radio equipment arranged in the wireless network. The movable platform comprises a control module arranged to enable a movement of the movable platform in the wireless network. The movement is performed in a geographic area at an appropriate distance from the radio equipment. The movable platform comprises a capture module arranged to capture radio measurement data during the movement. The radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment in the wireless network.

[0040] Optionally, the movable platform comprises a processing unit. The processing unit is arranged to estimate one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data. The estimated one or more radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment during the movement of the movable platform in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment.

[0041] Optionally, the processing unit is further arranged to compare each estimated radio equipment parameter value with corresponding reference configuration data. The processing unit is further arranged to verify the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison.

[0042] Optionally, the movable platform comprises a transceiver. The transceiver is arranged to receive the measurement data and transmit the radio measurement data to the ground equipment. The radio measurement data is captured by the capture module at the time of the movement, and wherein the radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment in the wireless network.

[0043] Optionally, the movable platform is an airborne platform.

[0044] Optionally, the movable platform is a drone and / or, an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and / or a quadcopter.

[0045] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a ground equipment for estimating configuration of a radio equipment arranged in the wireless network. The ground equipment comprises a processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is arranged to receive radio measurement data from a movable platform. The movable platform captures the radio measurement data while moving in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment. The radio measurement data is of use to verify the configuration of the radio equipment in the wireless network. The processing circuitry is further arranged to estimate one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data. The estimated one or more radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment at time of the movement of the movable platform in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment.

[0046] Optionally, the processing circuitry is further arranged to compare each estimated radio equipment parameter value with corresponding reference configuration data. The processing circuitry is further arranged to verify the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison.

[0047] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in the ground equipment for estimating configuration of a radio equipment arranged in the wireless network. The method comprises receiving, from a movable platform, radio measurement data. The movable platform captures the radio measurement data while moving in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment. The radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment in the wireless network. The method further comprises estimating, one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data. The radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment during the movement of the movable platform in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment.

[0048] Optionally, the method further comprises comparing each radio equipment parameter with corresponding reference configuration data. The method further comprises verifying the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison.

[0049] Optionally, the one or more radio equipment parameter values comprises at least one of azimuth data for the radio equipment and / or tilt data for the radio equipment.

[0050] Optionally, the movement comprises a horizontal movement and / or a vertical movement.

[0051] Optionally, the horizontal movement comprises at least one lap of orbiting movement in a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction at one or more radius from the radio equipment. Optionally, the vertical movement comprises movement at a plurality of different elevation points with reference to the radio equipment, in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment.

[0052] Optionally, the measurement data comprises first measurement data, second measurement data. The first measurement data is captured during the horizontal movement and the second measurement data is captured during the vertical movement.

[0053] Optionally, the first radio measurement data are of use to estimate the azimuth data for the radio equipment.

[0054] Optionally, the second radio measurement data is of use to estimate the tilt data for the radio equipment.

[0055] Optionally, the radio measurement data comprises at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP value, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ value, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI value.

[0056] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium, having thereon a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program is loadable into a data processing unit and configured to cause execution of the method according to the first and second aspects when the computer program is run by the data processing unit.

[0057] Some embodiments disclosed herein have one or more of the following advantages:

[0058] - Enables verification of a configuration of a radio equipment by capturing radio measurement data related to the radio equipment by a movable platform while moving in a geographical area at an appropriate distance from the radio equipment.

[0059] - Enables verification of the configuration of the radio equipment by eliminating human, manual operations.

[0060] - Saves operational cost by reducing human efforts.

[0061] - Improves accuracy of configuration data used for configuring the radio equipment or antenna. By using more accurate configuration data the efficiency of the radio equipment is improved. Other advantages may be readily apparent to one having skill in the art. Certain embodiments may have none, some, or all of the recited advantages.

[0062] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of the example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the example embodiments.

[0064] FIG. 1 discloses illustrative examples of azimuth and tilt of an antenna;

[0065] FIG. 2 discloses a wireless communication system according to some examples;

[0066] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example system for estimating configuration of a radio equipment;

[0067] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example movable platform arranged in the system;

[0068] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example ground equipmentarranged in the system;

[0069] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating example steps for a method performed through the system for estimating configuration of a radio equipment;

[0070] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating example steps for a method performed through the ground equipment estimating configuration of the radio equipment;

[0071] FIG. 8 is an example flowchart illustrating example steps for a method performed the system for estimating configuration of the radio equipment;

[0072] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the system for estimating configuration of the radio equipment;

[0073] FIG. 10 is an example plot showing distribution of radio measurement data for different cells at different radius; and

[0074] FIG. 11 discloses an example computing environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] Aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The systems and methods disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the aspects set forth herein. Like numbers in the drawings refer to like elements throughout.

[0076] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only and is not intended to limit the invention. It should be emphasized that the term "comprises / comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0077] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described and exemplified more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The solutions disclosed herein can, however, be realized in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0078] It will be appreciated that when the present disclosure is described in terms of a system and a method, it may also be embodied in one or more processors and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the one or more memories store one or more programs that perform the steps, services and functions disclosed herein when executed by the one or more processors.

[0079] FIG. 1 discloses illustrative examples of azimuth 102 and tilt 104 of an antenna 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna azimuth 102 refers to an angle of a directional antenna as projected in a horizontal plane. The directional antenna focuses radio signals on a specific direction given by the angle, measured in relation to a reference direction. The reference direction is often a true north direction. The origin of the coordinate system is a tower antenna. The tilt 104 refers to an angle at which the antenna is physically inclined from its vertical axis.

[0080] FIG. 2 discloses an example wireless communication system 200. Although the subject matter described herein may be implemented in any appropriate type of system using any suitable components, the examples disclosed herein are described in related to a wireless communication system / wireless network, such as the example wireless communication system 200 described in FIG. 2.

[0081] The wireless communication system 200 may comprise and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, and / or radio network or other similar type of system. The wireless communication system 200 may be configured to operate according to specific standards or other types of predefined rules of procedures. Thus, the wireless communication system 200 may implement communication standards, such as, but are not limited to, global system for mobile communications, GSM, universal mobile telecommunications system, UMTS, long term evolution, LTE, and / or other suitable 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G standards, wireless local area network, WLAN, standards such as, IEEE 802.11 standards, and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standards, such as, worldwide interoperability for microwave access, WiMax, Bluetooth, Z-Wave and / or ZigBee standards.

[0082] For simplicity, as depicted in FIG. 2, the wireless communication system 200 comprises a system 300, a network node 204, and a network 206. The system 300 and the network node 204 operate together in orderto provide wireless connections in the wireless communication system 100. The network 206 may comprise one or more backhaul networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched telephone networks, PSTNs, packet data networks, optical networks, wide-area networks, WANs, local area networks, LANs, wireless local area networks, WLANs, wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks to enable communication between devices (for example, wireless devices and network node).

[0083] The network node 204 may refer to equipment capable, configured, arranged, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the system 300 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the wireless communication system 100 to enable and / or provide wireless access to the system 300 and / or to perform other functions (for example, administration) in the wireless communication system 100. Examples of the network node 204 may include, but are not limited to, access points, APs (for example, radio access points), base stations, BSs (for example, radio base stations, nodeBs, evolved NodeBs, eNBs, new radio, NR, nodes (gNBs), or the like). The BSs may be categorized based on an amount of coverage the BSs provide (or, stated different, their transmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto BSs, pico BSs, micro BSs, macro BSs. The BS may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay.

[0084] The system 300 may refer to a device capable, configured, arranged and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network node 204 and / or other wireless devices.

[0085] In some examples, the system 300 may include one or more of: computing devices, wireless devices, ultra-low power wireless devices, Internet of Things, loT, devices, and so on.

[0086] Examples of the computing devices may include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a cell phone, a voice over Internet Protocol, IP, VoIP, phone, a wireless local loop phone, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant, PDA, a wireless camera, a gaming console or device, a wearable terminal device, a wireless endpoint, a mobile station, a tablet, a laptop, a laptop-embedded equipment, LEE, a laptop-mounted equipment, LME, a smart device, a wireless customer-premise equipment, CPE, a vehicle- mounted wireless terminal device, and so on.

[0087] It should be understood that the system 300 may not be limited to the above-described wireless devices. The system 300 may be extended to other wireless devices of different classes or categories providing different services while supporting, for example, Enhanced Mobile Broadband, eMBB, massive Machine-Type Communication, MTC, Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication, URLLC, Time Sensitive Networking, TSN, or the like.

[0088] In the wireless communication system 200, the network node 204 and the system 300 are connected through 3GPP 5G core network where specific network services and operations are provided through software components called network functions (NFs). The wireless communication system 200 hosts large scale applications.

[0089] In the existing solutions for antenna configuration includes several issues such as incorrect data entry, missing updates during site visits or even corrupted data during updates, etc. This leads to discrepancies between the antenna configuration parameter values stored in the central database and actual antenna configuration parameter values.

[0090] Thus, the present disclosure enables the wireless communication network 200, the network node 204, and the system 300 in the system. The radio equipment or antenna is implemented in a tower of the network node 204. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example system 300 for estimating a configuration of a radio equipment 302 arranged in the wireless network. The system 300 is a radio equipment configuration parameters estimting system. The system 300 comprises a movable platform 304 arranged to make a movement in a geographical area at an appropriate distance from the radio equipment 302. The movable platform 304 is further arranged to capture radio measurement data while moving in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment 302. The radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment 302 in the wireless network 206.

[0091] The system 300 further comprises a processing circuitry (not shown in FIG. 3). The processing circuitry is arranged to estimate one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data obtained from the movable platform 304. The estimated one or more radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment 302 during the movement. The processing circuitry is further arranged to compare each estimated radio equipment parameter value with corresponding reference configuration data.

[0092] Optionally, the processing circuitry is further arranged to verify the configuration of the radio equipment 302 based on the comparison. Details of collection of the measurement data and estimation of the one or more radio equipment parameter values (characteristically azimuth data and tilt data) are described in FIG. 10.

[0093] In an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the system 300 includes three cells, cel 11 308, cel 12 310 and cel 13 312. The radio equipment 302 is shown in each cell 308, 310, 312. Details of collection of the measurement data for each cell 308, 310, 312 is described in FIG. 10.

[0094] Optionally, the one or more radio equipment parameter values comprises at least one of azimuth data for the radio equipment 302 and / or tilt data for the radio equipment 302.

[0095] Optionally, the movement comprises a horizontal movement and / or a vertical movement.

[0096] Optionally, the horizontal movement comprises at least one lap of orbiting movement in a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction at one or more radius from the radio equipment 302. In an example, the orbiting movement may include elliptical movement or circular movement, etc. Further, in an example the horizontal movement may comprise a part of a lap, for example at least half a lap or at least three-quarters of a lap. Optionally, the vertical movement comprises movement at a plurality of different elevation points with reference to the radio equipment 302, in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment 302. In an example, the vertical movement may comprise purely vertical movement or a vertical movement which may also comprise a horizontal component.

[0097] Optionally, the measurement data comprises first measurement data, second measurement data. The first measurement data is captured during the horizontal movement and the second measurement data is captured during the vertical movement.

[0098] Optionally, the first radio measurement data are of use to estimate the azimuth data for the radio equipment 302.

[0099] Optionally, the second radio measurement data is of use to estimate the tilt data for the radio equipment 302.

[0100] Optionally, the radio measurement data comprises at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP value, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ value, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI value.

[0101] Optionally, the processing circuitry is arranged in at least one of: the movable platform and a ground equipment306 arranged in the wireless network. In an example, the ground equipment 306 may comprise at least one ground station or a remote data processor.

[0102] Optionally, the movable platform 304 is an airborne platform.

[0103] Optionally, the movable platform 304 is a drone and / or an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and / or a quadcopter.

[0104] Optionally, the radio equipment 302 comprises an antenna.

[0105] Optionally, the reference configuration data comprises a threshold parameter value for each estimated radio equipment parameter value stored in a database (not shown in FIG. 3).

[0106] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example movable platform 304 arranged in the system 300. As shown in FIG. 4, the movable platform 304 comprises one or more modules. The one or more modules may comprise a memory 402, a processor 404, a controlling circuitry 406 (also may referred to as a processing unit), a transceiver 408, a control module 410 and a capture module 412. The controlling circuitry 406, may be adapted to control the other modules.

[0107] The memory 402, the processor 404, the transceiver 408, the control module 410 and the capture module 412 as well as the controlling circuitry 406, may be operatively connected to each other.

[0108] The controlling circuitry 406 may be adapted to control the steps as executed by the movable platform 406. For example, the controlling circuitry 406 may be adapted to estimate the one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data, compare each radio equipment parameter with the reference configuration data and verify the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison (as described above in conjunction with the system 300 and FIG. 3).

[0109] The memory 402 may be adapted to store the one or more radio equipment parameter values.

[0110] The transceiver 408 may be adapted to transmit the radio measurement data to the radio equipment 302 or the ground equipment306.

[0111] The control module 410 may be adapted to enable the movement of the movable platform 304 in the wireless network.

[0112] The capture module 412 may be adapted to capture radio measurement data at the time of the movement.

[0113] The processor 404 may be adapted to enable the transceiver 408 to transmit / receive the radio measurement data to the radio equipment 302 or the ground equipment 306.

[0114] Optionally, the movable platform 304 comprises a processing unit. The processing unit is arranged to estimate one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data. The estimated one or more radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment 302 during the movement of the movable platform 304 in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment 302. The processing unit is further arranged to compare each estimated radio equipment parameter value with corresponding reference configuration data. The processing unit is further arranged to verify the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison.

[0115] Optionally, the movable platform comprises a transceiver 408. The transceiver 408 is arranged to transmit the radio measurement data to the radio equipment 302 or the ground equipment 306. The radio measurement data is captured by the capture module 412 at the time of the movement, and wherein the radio measurement data is of use to estimatethe configuration of the radio equipment 302 in the wireless network.

[0116] Optionally, the movable platform 304 is an airborne platform.

[0117] Optionally, the movable platform 304 is a drone and / or, an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and / or a quadcopter.

[0118] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example ground equipment306 arranged in the system 300. As shown in FIG. 5, the ground equipment 306 comprises one or more modules. The one or more modules may comprise a memory 502, a processor 504, a controlling circuitry 506 (also may referred to as a processing circuitry) and a transceiver 508. The controlling circuitry 506, may be adapted to control the other modules.

[0119] The memory 502, the processor 504 and the transceiver 508, as well as the controlling circuitry 506, may be operatively connected to each other.

[0120] The controlling circuitry 506 may be adapted to control the steps as executed by the ground equipment 306. For example, the controlling circuitry 506 may be adapted to receive radio measurement data from the movable platform 304). The controlling circuitry 506 may further be adapted to estimate the one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data. The controlling circuitry 506 may further be adapted to compare each radio equipment parameter with the reference configuration data and verify the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison (as described above in conjunction with the system 300 and FIG. 3).

[0121] The memory 502 may be adapted to store the one or more radio equipment parameter values. The transceiver 508 may be adapted to transmit / receive the radio measurement data to the radio equipment 302.

[0122] The processor 504 may be adapted to enable the transceiver 508 to transmit / receive the radio measurement data to the radio equipment 302.

[0123] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating example steps for a method 600 performed through the system 300 for estimating the configuration of the radio equipment 302.

[0124] The order in which the steps of the method 600 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method steps may be combined in any order to implement the method 600 or alternate methods. Additionally, individual steps may be deleted from the method 600 without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0125] At step 602, the method 600 comprises capturing the radio measurement data while moving in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment 302. The radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment 302 in the wireless network. The radio measurement data are captured though the movable platform 304.

[0126] At step 604, the method 600 comprises estimating the one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data. The one or more radio equipment parameter values identify the configuration of the radio equipment 302 during the movement of the movable platform. The estimation is performed through the processing circuitry.

[0127] Optionally, at step 606, the method 600 comprises comparing each radio equipment parameter with the reference configuration data. The comparison is performed through the processing circuitry.

[0128] Optionally, at step 608, the method 600 comprises verifying, the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison. The verification is performed through the processing circuitry.

[0129] Optionally, the one or more radio equipment parameter values comprises saidat least one of azimuth data for the radio equipment 302 and / or said tilt data for the radio equipment 302. Optionally, the movement comprises the horizontal movement and / or the vertical movement.

[0130] Optionally, the horizontal movement comprises the at least one lap of orbiting movement in a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction at the one or more radius from the radio equipment 302.

[0131] Optionally, the vertical movement comprises movement at the plurality of different elevation points with reference to the radio equipment 302, in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment 302.

[0132] Optionally, the measurement data comprises the first measurement data, the second measurement data. The first measurement data is captured during the horizontal movement and the second measurement data is captured during the vertical movement.

[0133] Optionally, the first radio measurement data are of use to estimate the azimuth data for the radio equipment 302.

[0134] Optionally, the second radio measurement data is of use to estimate the tilt data for the radio equipment 302.

[0135] Optionally, the radio measurement data comprises at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP value, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ value, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI value.

[0136] Optionally, additional details of the method 600 are similar to the details of the system 300 and hence are not repeated for the sake of brevity.

[0137] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating example steps for a method 700 performed through the ground equipment 306 for estimating the configuration of the radio equipment 302.

[0138] The order in which the method 700 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks may be combined in any order to implement the method 700 or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 700. At step 702, the method 700 comprises receiving by the ground equipment 306, the radio measurement data from the movable platform 304. The movable platform 304 captures the radio measurement data while moving in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment 302.

[0139] At step 704, the method 700 comprises estimating the one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data. The radio equipment parameter values identify the configuration of the radio equipment 302 at the time of the movement of the movable platform 304 in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment 302.

[0140] Optionally, at step 706, the method 700 comprises comparing each radio equipment parameter with the reference configuration data.

[0141] Optionally, at step 708, the method 700 comprises verifying the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison.

[0142] Optionally, the one or more radio equipment parameter values comprises the at least one of azimuth data for the radio equipment and / or the tilt data for the radio equipment 302.

[0143] Optionally, the movement comprises the horizontal movement and / or the vertical movement.

[0144] Optionally, the horizontal movement comprises the at least one lap of orbiting movement in the clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction at said one or more radius from the radio equipment 302.

[0145] Optionally, the vertical movement comprises movement at a plurality of different elevation points with reference to the radio equipment 302, in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment 302.

[0146] Optionally, the measurement data comprises first measurement data, second measurement data. The first measurement data is captured duringthe horizontal movement and the second measurement data is captured during the vertical movement.

[0147] Optionally, the first radio measurement data are of use to estimate the azimuth data for the radio equipment 302. Optionally, the second radio measurement data is of use to estimate the tilt data for the radio equipment 302.

[0148] Optionally, the radio measurement data comprises at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP value, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ value, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI value.

[0149] Optionally, additional details of the method 700 are similar to the details of the system 300 and hence are not repeated for the sake of brevity.

[0150] FIG. 8 is an example flowchart illustrating example steps for a method 800 performed the system 300 for estimating configuration of the radio equipment 302. In an example, the movable platform 304 or the ground equipment 306 may receive a request from an external system (not shown in FIG. 8) to estimate configuration of the radio equipment 302 (also be referred to as antenna) at a location L (the geographical area at an appropriate distance) . Examples of the external system may include but are not limited to a Service Management & Orchestration, SMO, Ericsson Network Manager, ENM.

[0151] At step 802, the movable platform 304 (also be referred to as an aerial vehicle) initiates a horizontal movement around the radio equipment 302 at various radius Dh. In an example, Dh comprises distance of 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, and so on. The horizontal movement may be performed either in the clockwise direction or the anti-clockwise direction.

[0152] At step 804, the method 800 comprises estimating the azimuth data of each radio equipment 302 / antenna using the radio measurement data and corresponding horizontal coordinates of the movable platform 304. The radio measurement data are collected through the movable platform 304.

[0153] At step 806, the movable platform 304 (also referred to as an aerial vehicle) initiates the vertical movement at a plurality of different elevation points with reference to the radio equipment 302, following an azimuth line, i.e. following from direct front of the radio equipment 302 at various heights {Ho, Hi, H2, ...., Hk}.. All the vertical movements are configured at the movable platform 304 after the azimuths are estimated. In an example, if the azimuths are estimated at angle 60, 180, 300, then three pure vertical movements are performed at that locations to collect measurements at different heights. At step 808, the method 800 comprises estimating the tilt value for each radio equipment 302 using the radio measurement data and corresponding elevation points of the movable platform 304. The radio measurement data are collected through the movable platform 304. In an example, the estimation of the tilt value and azimuth value is described in FIG. 10.

[0154] At step 810, the method 800 comprises comparing the estimated azimuth data and the estimated tilt data with a reference configuration data. The reference configuration data comprises a threshold parameter value for each estimated radio equipment parameter stored in a database. Examples of the database may include but are not limited to a Configuration Management, CM database.

[0155] Optionally, at step 812, the method 800 comprises triggering an alarm for a resolution action.

[0156] Optionally, at step 814, the method 800 comprises sending a response to the external system upon successful verification of the configuration data of the radio equipment 302 or antenna.

[0157] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram 900 illustrating an example of the system 300 used for verifying configuration of the radio equipment. As shown in FIG. 9, Al - A5 represent steps of the method 600, 700 implemented in an apparatus 904. The apparatus 904 is similar to the ground equipment 306 as described in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. S1-S6 represent signals between an external system 902, the apparatus 904 and an autonomous aerial vehicle 906. Examples of the apparatus 904 may include, but are not limited to, a centralized device, a distributed device having distributed logical and / or physical entities, a standalone device in a location near the site (e.g., a base station), a border device, or an edge device.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 9, the apparatus 904 may receive a request (SI) from the external system 902 to verify configuration of the radio equipment 302 (shown in FIG. 3) at a location L. Examples of the external system may include but are not limited to a Service Management & Orchestration, SMO, Ericsson Network Manager, ENM.

[0159] At step Al, the apparatus 904 may send a command (S2) to the autonomous aerial vehicle 906 (similar to the movable platform 304 as shown in FIG. 3) to initiates a horizontal movement around the radio equipment 302 at various radius Dh. In an example, Dh comprises distance of 100 meters, 200 meters, 300 meters, and so on. The horizontal movement may be performed either as a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction. After receiving the command (S2) from the apparatus 904, the autonomous aerial vehicle 906 starts the horizontal movement to capture the radio measurement data. The captured radio measurement data are sent (S3) to the apparatus 904.

[0160] At step A2, the apparatus 904 estimates the azimuth data of each radio equipment 302 / antenna using the radio measurement data and corresponding horizontal coordinates of the autonomous aerial vehicle 906.

[0161] At step A3, the autonomous aerial vehicle 906 may send a command (S3) to the apparatus 904 to initiate the vertical movement in the direction where the radio equipment 302 is positioned, at a direct front of the radio equipment 302 or antenna following the azimuth line at various vertical distances DY {...., -1, -2, 0, 1, 2, ...} meters from the radio equipment 302. In an example, the direct front of the radio equipment 302 is referring to a direction of the radio equipment 302 or antenna where signal strength is strongest.

[0162] After receiving the command (S4) from the apparatus 904, the autonomous aerial vehicle 906 starts the vertical movement to capture the radio measurement data. The captured radio measurement data are sent with corresponding elevations (S5) of the autonomous aerial vehicle 906 to the apparatus 904.

[0163] At step A4, the tilt data for each antenna is estimated using the radio measurement data and corresponding elevations of the autonomous aerial vehicle 906.

[0164] At step A5, the apparatus 904 compares the estimated azimuth data and the estimated tilt data with the reference configuration data to verify the configuration of the radio equipment. The reference configuration data comprises antenna tilt and azimuth values. The reference configuration data are threshold parameter values for each configuration data stored in the database for use in comparison with the estimated data. Optionally, a response (S6) / verification result data is sent to the external system 902.

[0165] Details of collection of the measurement data and estimation of the one or more radio equipment parameter values (azimuth data and tilt data) are now described in FIG. 10.

[0166] FIG. 10 is an example plot 1000 showing distribution of radio measurement data for different cells at different radius. In conjunction with FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, collection of the measurement data and estimation of the one or more radio equipment parameter values (azimuth data and tilt data) are now described. In an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the system 300 includes three cells celll 308, cell2 310 and cell3 312. There are a plurality of radio equipments 302 / antennas.Each antenna has in the illustrated example three cell 308, 310, 312. Each radio equipments 302 / antenna has an azimuth and tilt.

[0167] In an example, the collection of radio measurement data will now be described. The example also describes estimation of the azimuth by using the collected radio measurement data. After receiving a command from the external system 902 (shown in FIG. 9) to verify the configuration of the radio equipment 302, the movable platform 304 starts the horizontal movement around the radio equipment 302 at a location, e.g. L. The movable platform 304 moves around the radio equipment 302 / antenna at N different radius from L. In an example, the movable platform 304 moves around the radio equipment 302 at 100 metres radius or 200 meters radius or at 500 meters radius from L. The larger the value of N, the estimation result comes more accurately. The movable platform 304 may capture different radio measurement data by making multiple horizontal movement around the radio equipment 302. In an example, if number of measurements to be taken for each lap of orbiting movement or circle around the radio equipment 302 is M (say 1000), then the distance between each measurement of the movable platform 304 is given by (2*pi*r) / M in the circumference of the circle.

[0168] The movable platform 304 for each radius in N, starts the horizontal movement at a random point in circumference at a height or elevation with respect to the radio equipment device 302. Direction of the horizontal movement can be either clockwise or anti-clockwise and may be chosen at equal probability. The movable platform 304 then collects the radio measurement data from each cell in the radio equipment 302 along with Global Positioning System, GPS coordinates of the movable platform 304. If the movable platform 304 encounters any obstruction on orbiting path while moving, the elevation of the movable platform 304 may be increased or decreased by a value (e.g. 10m). If the movable platform 304 further encounters any obstruction, the radius may be increased or decreased by a value, e.g. 10m. The movable platform 304 may continue the horizontal movement around the radio equipment 302 until it reaches the starting point without any obstruction.

[0169] Once the movable platform 304 reaches back to the starting point, the movable platform 304 can be moved in the opposite direction (e.g., Clockwise (CW) or Anti Clockwise (ACW)) and at different radius to collect multiple set of the radio measurement data. Once a predefined number of the radio measurement data are received, the movable platform 304 may be sent back to ground.

[0170] In an example, after the radio measurement data are collected from the movable platform 304, the estimation of azimuth (0i) (as shown in FIG. 10) for each cell 308, 310, 312 is calculated as shown in below table 1. Cl refers to cell identification, ID of cel 11308 or antenna ID, C2 refers to ID of cel 12 310 and C3 refers to ID of cel 13 308,

[0171] Table 1: Where "k" refers to the number of measurements recorded by the movable platform 304 for a given cell.

[0172] In an example scenario as shown in FIG. 10, there are 3 sectors with symmetric coverage (120 degrees) which is the most common cases in practice. The methods explained here can be q coverages (each sector with 90 degrees coverage). Also, if the coverage is not symmetric, the method 600, 700 will work with some prior knowledge about the setup of the radio equipment 302.

[0173] Also, neighbour cells in the description below refers to the cells in a same base station and geographical location and not the one from any other base station. If there is symmetric coverage and 3 cells, each of the neighbouring cell will contribute to 120 degree of coverage. There are two ways in which sector of the cel I, referred to as cell sectors can be estimated depending on the number of different radius at which the movable platform 304 is performed the movement. The cell sectors are defined by the azimuth data. At step 1, the azimuth (0est) at which the radio data measurement (e.g. RSRP value) falls below a threshold for one cell (e.g., Cl) and goes above threshold for another cell (e.g., C2 or C3) is identified. At step 2, step 1 is repeated for all the cells 308, 310, 312. At step 3, if multiple values of the azimuth data for any of the cell 308, 310, 312 (using measurements in different directions and radius) are there, then an average value of the Qest can be used as the azimuth data.

[0174] In an example, if the movable platform 304 perform the movement in only one radius from the radio equipment 302, only one distribution of the radio measurement data is captured at different angles. The azimuth data (herein referred to as azimuth) of the cell 308, 310, 312 is estimated using single distribution approach as follows.

[0175] At step 1, for each cell 308, 310, 312 assume the azimuth (centre of sector) to be an angle measurement with largest value of the radio measurement data. The radio measurement data include the RSRP value or RSSI value or RSRQ value.

[0176] At step 2, endpoints of the cell sector are calculated using equations as described below in equation 1 and 2.

[0177] Sector startceut= Azimuthceut— 60 (1)

[0178] Sector endceu i = Azimuthceut+ 60 (2)

[0179] At step 3, verify if the radio measurement data (say RSRP values) at the Sector startceu. and Sector endceu. is identified as higher than the captured or recorded RSRP value for the neighbor cells.

[0180] At step 4, arc of the sector (Sector startcem , Sector endcem ) may be adjusted if the radio measurement data (say RSRP values) at the Sector startceu. and Sector endceu. is identified as lower than the captured or recorded RSRP value for the neighbor cells. In an example, the arc of the cell sector may be adjusted to left or right until the radio measurement data or the RSRP value for a current cell (308, 310 or 312) is higher than that of the neighbour cell. At step 5, centre of a new cell sector is used as a new azimuth if arc of the cell sector is adjusted as described at step 4. If the arc of the cell sector is not adjusted, the azimuth is defined as described in step 1.

[0181] In an example, if the movable platform 304 performed the movement in different radius around the radio equipment 302, multiple measurements are taken at the different radius to capture multiple distributions of the radio measurement data. For each measurement (say Theta_k), there are N radio measurement data, i.e., N RSRP / RSRQ / RSSI measurements. The azimuth for each cell 308, 310, 312 is estimated by combining the multiple distribution in two ways as described below.

[0182] In a first example scenario, the multiple distributions are combined first and then the azimuth is calculated. For each angle of measurement (theta_k), if there are N number of RSRP measurements from different radius, mean and standard deviation of the N RSRPs are calculated for each k. Then the measurements which are for example 3 standard deviations from the mean are removed. A new mean value of the measurements is calculated and assigned the new value of measurement to theta_k. After getting the single distribution, the azimuth can be calculated or estimated like the estimation as described above for the single distribution approach.

[0183] In a second example scenario, for each distribution from radius n(n G N), the azimuth is for estimated using the single distribution approach. Likewise, multiple azimuth data can be estimated for each distribution. As a next step, mean and standard deviation of the multiple azimuth data are calculated. An outlier azimuth may be deleted. Then the mean of the multiple azimuth data is estimated which is assigned to a respective cell.

[0184] In an example, collection of the radio measurement data will now be discussed. The example also describes on estimation of the tilt data by using the collected radio measurement data. Once the azimuth is estimated (or it is already known), the movable platform 304 may be moved to middle of a cell sector based on the azimuth value. To that, the location of the radio equipment 302 or antenna can be used as a reference point. The movable platform 304 may be moved closer to the radio equipment 302 and to the middle of the cell sector with a predefined distance, e.g., 100 meters. The movable platform 304 may start collecting the one or more radio measurement data (RSRP / RSRP / RSSI) vertically. In other words, the 2D distance to the radio equipment 302, i.e. X-Y coordinate is kept fixed. The movable platform 304 moves vertically in a specified height, e.g., 100 meters, in both directions (above and below a reference height). Table 2 below shows how the collected measurement data look like after rearranging (with respect to height). The radio measurement data can be captured and collected for various radio equipment 302 or antennas.

[0185] Table 2:

[0186] In Table 2, "K" indicates the number of locations or heights from which the movable platform 304 may capture and collect the radio measurement data.

[0187] In an example, the estimation of the tilt for each radio equipment 302 by using the radio measurement data is described now. At step 1, a threshold value on signal strength is defined to identify possible coverage of the radio equipment 302. Change in antenna tilt may change main lobe coverage. The lobe is the region of the radiation pattern containing the highest power or exhibiting the greatest field strength of the radio equipment 302 or antenna.

[0188] Let it be assumed that a side lobe starts when the signal strength is less than the threshold value on signal strengthThe threshold value is identified and generalized by normalizing the radio measurement data with a maximum radio measurement data. In an example, the threshold value is identified and generalized by normalizing the RSRP value with a maximum RSRP value. After normalizing the RSRP value, the threshold value is identified based on the normalized RSRP value. In log scale, the maximum normalized RSRP corresponds to zero, and a good level to identify a side loop is -3dB. After normalizing the RSRP value at step 2, the RSRP value is sorted either in an ascending or descending order. The table 3 below shows the radio measurement data for a single radio equipment 302 / antenna, when sorted based on the RSRP value in the ascending order. Table 3:

[0189] In the table 3 as shown above, the (si, s2,....Sk) refers to corresponding value after sorting. In table 3, the column "angle" corresponds to an elevation angle between the location of the movable platform 304 and the radio equipment 302 / antenna. The angle is calculated as shown in equation 3.

[0190] Where cos-1is the arccosine function and X is the location of the radio equipment 302.

[0191] At step 3, the RSRP values which correspond a main loop of the radio equipment 302 is selected. The RSRP value is selected by selecting the RSRP values which are greater than the threshold value, e.g., -3db. Once a set of the RSRP values are selected, the angles corresponding to the RSRP values are used to estimate the tilt as shown in equation 4.

[0192] Antenna side loop coverage: max (Theta_i) - min (Theta_i) (4)

[0193] The tilt can be calculated as the angle of the line passing the middle of the arc of the cell sector.The estimated value of the tilt may be high due to issues such as blockage, or non-line- of-sight issues. Additional measurements can be carried out in a different distance to the radio equipment 302, to mitigate the issues and to verify the estimated value.

[0194] Once the tilt data and the azimuth data are estimated, the configuration of the radio equipment 302 is verified by comparing the reference configuration data (also may referred to as threshold value) from the database. Differences between the estimated data and the available measurement data (if any) may be calculated first and then compared to the threshold value. If result value of the comparison are larger than the threshold value, the configuration data in the database may be updated.

[0195] FIG. 11 illustrates an example-computing environment 1100 implementing the system 300, and method 600, 700 as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 for verifying the configuration of the radio equipment 302. As depicted in FIG. 11, the computing environment 1100 comprises at least one data processing module 1106 that is equipped with a control module 1102 and an Arithmetic Logic Unit , ALU 1104, a plurality of networking devices 1108 and a plurality Input output, I / O devices 1110, a memory 1112, a storage 1114. The data processing module 1106 may be responsible for implementing the system 300, and the method 600, 700 as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7 respectively. For example, the data processing module 1106 in some embodiments be equivalent to the controlling circuitry of the platform described above in conjunction with FIGS. 3, 6 and 7. The data processing module 1106 is capable of executing software instructions stored in memory 1112. The data processing module 1106 receives commands from the control module 1102 in order to perform its processing. Further, any logical and arithmetic operations involved in the execution of the instructions are computed with the help of the ALU 1104.

[0196] The computer program is loadable into the data processing module 1106, which may, for example, be comprised in an electronic apparatus (such as the platform). When loaded into the data processing module 1106, the computer program may be stored in the memory 1112 associated with or comprised in the data processing module 1106. According to some embodiments, the computer program may, when loaded into and run by the data processing module 1106, cause execution of method steps according to, for example, any of the methods illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, or otherwise described herein.

[0197] The overall computing environment 1100 may be composed of multiple homogeneous and / or heterogeneous cores, multiple CPUs of different kinds, special media and other accelerators. Further, the plurality of data processing modules 606 may be located on a single chip or over multiple chips.

[0198] The algorithm comprising of instructions and codes required for the implementation are stored in either the memory 1112 or the storage 1114 or both. At the time of execution, the instructions may be fetched from the corresponding memory 612 and / or storage 1114, and executed by the data processing module 1106.

[0199] In case of any hardware implementations various networking devices 608 or external I / O devices 1110 may be connected to the computing environment to support the implementation through the networking devices 1108 and the I / O devices 1110. The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the elements. The elements shown in FIG. 11 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (300) for estimating a configuration of a radio equipment (302), comprising: a movable platform (304) implemented in a wireless network arranged to make a movement in a geographical area at an appropriate distance from the radio equipment (302), wherein the movable platform (304) is arranged to capture radio measurement data while moving in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment (302), wherein the radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment (302) in the wireless network; and a processing circuitry (304) arranged to: estimate one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data obtained from the movable platform (304), wherein the estimated one or more radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment.

2. The system (300) according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further arranged to: compare each estimated radio equipment parameter value with corresponding reference configuration data; and verify the configuration of the radio equipment (302) based on the comparison.

3. The system (300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more radio equipment parameter values comprises at least one of azimuth data for the radio equipment and / or tilt data for the radio equipment (302).

4. The system (300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movement comprises a horizontal movement and / or a vertical movement.

5. The system (300) according to claim 4, wherein the horizontal movement comprises at least one lap of orbiting movement in a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction at one or more radius from the radio equipment (302).

6. The system (300) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the vertical movement comprises movement at a plurality of different elevation points with reference to the radioequipment (302), in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment (302).

7. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the measurement data comprises first measurement data, second measurement data, wherein the first measurement data is captured during the horizontal movement and wherein the second measurement data is captured during the vertical movement.

8. The system (300) according to claim 7, wherein the first radio measurement data are of use to estimate the azimuth data for the radio equipment (302).

9. The system (300) according to any of the claims 7 or 8, wherein the second radio measurement data is of use to estimate the tilt data for the radio equipment (302).

10. The system (300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the radio measurement data comprises at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP value, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ value, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI value.

11. The system (300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing circuitry is arranged in at least one of: the movable platform and a ground equipment arranged in the wireless network.

12. The system (300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable platform is an airborne platform.

13. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable platform is a drone and / or an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and / or a quadcopter.

14. The system (300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the radio equipment (302) comprises an antenna.

15. The system (300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the reference configuration data comprises a threshold parameter value for each estimated radio equipment parameter value stored in a database.

16. A method (600) for estimating configuration of a radio equipment (302) arranged in the wireless network, the method implemented in a system (300), the method comprising: capturing radio measurement data while moving in a geographical area at an appropriate distance from the radio equipment (302), wherein the radiomeasurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment in the wireless network; and estimating one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data, wherein the estimated radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment (302) during the movement of the movable platform (304).

17. The method (600) according to claim 16, wherein the method further comprises: comparing each estimated radio equipment parameter with a reference configuration data; and verifying the configuration of the radio equipment (302) based on the comparison.

18. The method (600) according to claim 16, wherein the one or more radio equipment parameter values comprises at least one of azimuth data for the radio equipment and / or tilt data for the radio equipment (302).

19. The method (600) according to any of the claims 16-18, wherein the movement comprises a horizontal movement and / or a vertical movement.

20. The method (600) according to claim 18, wherein the horizontal movement comprises at least one lap of orbiting movement in a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction at one or more radius from the radio equipment (302).

21. The method (600) according to any of the claims 18-19, wherein the vertical movement comprises movement at a plurality of different elevation points with reference to the radio equipment (302), in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment (302).

22. The method (600) according to any of the claims 16-21, wherein the measurement data comprises first measurement data, second measurement data, wherein the first measurement data is captured during the horizontal movement and wherein the second measurement data is captured during the vertical movement.

23. The method (600) according to any of the claims 16-20 or 22, wherein the first radio measurement data are of use to estimate the azimuth data for the radio equipment (302).

24. The method (600) according to any of the claim 16-22, wherein the second radio measurement data are of use to estimate the tilt data for the radio equipment (302).

25. The method (600) according to any of the claims 16-24, wherein the radio measurement data comprises at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP value, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ value, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI value.

26. A movable platform (304) implemented in a wireless network for estimating configuration of a radio equipment (302) arranged in the wireless network, comprising: a control module (410) arranged to enable a movement of the movable platform in the wireless network, wherein the movement is performed in a geographic area at an appropriate distance from the radio equipment (302); and a capture module (412) arranged to capture radio measurement data during the movement, wherein the radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment (302) in the wireless network.

27. The movable platform (304) according to claim 26, wherein the movable platform (304) further comprising: a processing unit arranged to: estimate one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data, wherein the estimated one or more radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment (302).

28. The movable platform (304) according to any claims 26-27, wherein the processing circuitry is arranged to: compare each estimated radio equipment parameter value with corresponding reference configuration data; and verify the configuration of the radio equipment (302) based on the comparison.

29. The movable platform (304) according to claim 24, wherein the movable platform (304) further comprising: a transceiver (408) arranged to: receive and transmit, to the ground equipment (306), the radio measurement data, wherein the radio measurement data is captured by thecapture module at the time of the movement, and wherein the radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment (302) in the wireless network.

30. The movable platform (304) according to any of the claims 26-29, wherein the movable platform is an airborne platform.

31. The movable platform (304) according to any of the claims 26-29, wherein the movable platform is a drone and / or, an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, and / or a quadcopter.

32. A ground equipment (306) for estimating configuration of a radio equipment (302) arranged in the wireless network, comprising: a processing circuitry arranged to: receive radio measurement data from a movable platform (304), wherein the movable platform (304) captures the radio measurement data while moving in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment (302), and wherein the radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment (302) in the wireless network; and estimate one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data, wherein the estimated one or more radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment (302).

33. The ground equipment (306) according to claim 32, wherein the processing circuitry arranged to: compare each estimated radio equipment parameter value with corresponding reference configuration data; and verify the configuration of the radio equipment based on the comparison.

34. A method (700) implemented in a ground equipment (306) for estimating configuration of a radio equipment (302) arranged in the wireless network, the method (700) comprising: receiving, from a movable platform (304), radio measurement data, wherein the movable platform (304) captures the radio measurement data while moving in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment(302), and wherein the radio measurement data is of use to estimate the configuration of the radio equipment (302) in the wireless network; and estimating, one or more radio equipment parameter values from the radio measurement data, wherein the radio equipment parameter values identify a configuration of the radio equipment during the movement of the movable platform in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment (302).

35. The method (700) according to claim 34, wherein the method (700) further comprising: comparing, each radio equipment parameter with corresponding reference configuration data; and verifying, the configuration of the radio equipment (302) based on the comparison.

36. The method (700) according to claim 34, wherein the one or more radio equipment parameter values comprises at least one of azimuth data for the radio equipment (302) and / or tilt data for the radio equipment (302).

37. The method (700) according to any of the claims 34-36, wherein the movement comprises a horizontal movement and / or a vertical movement.

38. The method (700) according to claim 37, wherein the horizontal movement comprises at least one lap of orbiting movement in a clockwise direction or an anti-clockwise direction at one or more radius from the radio equipment (302).

39. The method (700) according to any of the claims 37, wherein the vertical movement comprises movement at a plurality of different elevation points with reference to the radio equipment (302), in the geographical area at the appropriate distance from the radio equipment (302).

40. The method (700) according to any of the claims 34-39, wherein the measurement data comprises first measurement data, and wherein the measurement data comprises second measurement data, wherein the first measurement data is captured during the horizontal movement and wherein the second measurement data is captured during the vertical movement.

41. The method (700) according to any of the claims 34-40, wherein the first radio measurement data are of use to estimate the azimuth data for the radio equipment (302).

42. The method (700) according to any of the claims 34-40, wherein the second radio measurement data are of use to estimate the tilt data for the radio equipment (302).

43. The method (700) according to any of the claims 34-42, wherein the radio measurement data comprises at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP value, Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ value, Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI value.

44. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium, having thereon a computer program comprising program instructions, the computer program is loadable into a data processing unit and configured to cause execution of the method according to any of claims 16 through 25 and 34 through 43 when the computer program is run by the data processing unit.

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