Automatic Neighbor Relationship Function for Mobile Network Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile cellular communication systems face challenges in configuring neighbor relations for User Equipment (UE) in complex urban environments, leading to delayed updates in neighboring cell information, which can result in signal degradation, increased interference, and call drops, particularly for inter-frequency and inter-system neighboring cells.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a radio network controller sends notification messages to UE to measure and report inter-frequency and inter-system cells not in the neighboring cell list, using an Automatic Neighbor Relationship Function (ANRF) information element to instruct UE to assess these cells, and update neighboring cell information based on measurement results to ensure timely handovers and maintain call continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of neighboring cell lists is used, then initial network setup is simple, but neighboring cell information cannot be updated timely when new cells are added or environment changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through the ANR function, where the network automatically detects, measures, and updates neighboring cell information without manual intervention. The UE autonomously performs measurements on cells outside the configured list and reports them, allowing the network to dynamically maintain up-to-date neighbor relations as cells are added or environments change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE continuously reports measurement results of cells outside the configured neighboring cell list to the network. This feedback loop enables the network to identify new neighboring cells and update the configuration dynamically, ensuring timely responses to network changes and environmental variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the neighboring cell list is kept comprehensive to cover all possible neighboring cells, then handover options are increased, but the complexity of network configuration and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by configuring only a subset of neighboring cells in the initial configuration, rather than attempting to list all possible neighboring cells. The ANR function then supplements this partial configuration by automatically detecting and adding missing neighboring cells through UE measurements and reporting, achieving comprehensive coverage without initial configuration complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If inter-frequency and inter-system neighboring cells are manually configured, then configuration precision can be controlled, but configuration omission problems occur particularly in multi-system environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality through the ANR function, which provides a unified automated mechanism that works across intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and inter-system scenarios. The same ANR process handles diverse cell types and frequency configurations, eliminating the need for separate manual configuration procedures and ensuring comprehensive coverage of all neighboring cells regardless of system or frequency.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a method and a system for managing neighboring cell information. The method includes: a radio network controller sends a notification message to user equipment (UE), wherein the notification message includes an indication which notifies the UE to measure inter-frequency cells which are not in an inter-frequency neighboring cell list or inter-system cells which are not in an inter-system neighboring cell list; after receiving the notification message, the UE measures the inter-frequency cells, which are not in the inter-frequency neighboring cell list, indicated in the notification message, or measures the inter-system cells, which are not in the inter-system neighboring cell list, indicated in the notification message, and reports the measurement result. In the present disclosure, the UE reports a measurement result to the network side after measuring the cells which are not in the neighboring cell list, to improve the capability of the network side to obtain neighboring cell information. Based on the measurement result reported by the UE, the network side decides inter-frequency handover or inter-system handover, so that the UE performs handover in time and the call drop is prevented effectually.