Base Station ANR Optimization for 5G Beamforming Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automatic neighbor relation (ANR) and self-organizing networks (SON) approaches are not sufficient for 5G base stations operating in the higher frequency range of FR2, as they do not account for the unique coverage characteristics of beamforming in this frequency range, leading to inefficiencies in user equipment handovers and coverage optimization.
Innovation Solution
A method for a first base station to send instructions for automatic neighbor relation measurements to user equipment within its cell area, evaluate the received messages to determine if user equipment is within the coverage area of a second base station using beamforming, and omit user equipment outside this area from further measurements, thereby optimizing beamforming adjustments based on user equipment location and signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automatic neighbor relation measurements are performed for all user equipment in FR2, then neighbor relation management is comprehensive, but power consumption increases and measurement accuracy decreases for equipment outside coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary actions by determining coverage areas of beamforming cells before initiating ANR measurements. User equipment is pre-screened to check whether they are located within the coverage area of a second base station's beamforming cell. Only user equipment within the coverage area are instructed to perform ANR measurements, avoiding unnecessary measurements for equipment outside coverage and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If beamforming adjustments are made for all user equipment, then coverage optimization is comprehensive, but network complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station applies local quality by differentiating treatment for user equipment based on their location relative to beamforming cell coverage areas. For user equipment within the coverage area, ANR measurements are performed and beamforming adjustments are made. For user equipment outside the coverage area, no measurements or adjustments are performed. This localized approach optimizes coverage where needed while reducing unnecessary processing complexity.
3Productivity
If continuous ANR measurements are performed in FR2, then neighbor relation updates are frequent, but user equipment hopping increases and network stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary determination of whether user equipment is within the coverage area of a beamforming cell before initiating ANR measurements. This pre-screening action prevents user equipment outside coverage from performing measurements and potentially triggering unnecessary handovers, thereby maintaining connection stability while still enabling frequent updates for equipment that actually needs them.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for a first base station operating with a cellular network, covering a first cell area and being connectively coupled to a second base station supporting beamforming, covering a second cell area, wherein a plurality of user equipments is located in said first cell area. It includes sending a message representative of an instruction to perform at least one automatic neighbor relation measurement to at least one of the plurality of user equipments located in said first cell area, receiving at least one automatic neighbor relation message from said at least one user equipment, and omitting said at least one user equipment from further considering for further automatic neighbor relation evaluation, when said automatic neighbor relation message indicates that said user equipment is located outside of the second cell area.