Antenna Configuration Adjustment via Cell State Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Self-Organizing Network (SON) solutions for Coverage Capacity Optimization (CCO) require accurate UE location and antenna configuration parameters, which are costly and error-prone, and are not scalable to small cells and heterogeneous networks (HetNets).

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine cell states based on measurement reports from user equipment devices, performing weak coverage, overshooting, interference, and quality analyses to adjust antenna configuration parameters without needing UE location or accurate antenna configuration information, using a closed-loop process with incremental and biased random adjustment phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Automatic Cell Planner (ACP) modeling approach is used, then accurate propagation modeling and user quality of experience optimization can be achieved, but costly drive testing and human verification are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepropagation modeling accuracyVSAvoidoptimization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-configuration and self-optimization automatically using measurement reports from user equipment. The radio access node autonomously determines cell states (weak coverage, overshooting, interference, quality) and adjusts antenna configuration parameters without requiring human verification or costly drive testing, making the system self-sufficient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously receives measurement reports from user equipment and uses this feedback to iteratively optimize antenna configuration parameters. The closed-loop process monitors network performance and automatically adjusts parameters based on actual network conditions, enabling continuous improvement without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If accurate UE location and antenna configuration parameters are required, then accurate propagation modeling can be achieved, but the solution is not scalable to small cells and heterogeneous networks

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE location accuracyVSAvoidscalability to small cells and HetNets
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a universal optimization approach that works across different network types including small cells and heterogeneous networks. By using measurement reports from user equipment rather than requiring accurate UE location and antenna configuration parameters, the system achieves scalability and adaptability across diverse network deployments while maintaining optimization effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses readily available measurement reports from user equipment instead of expensive and difficult-to-obtain accurate UE location data and precise antenna configuration parameters. This substitution of cheap, easily obtainable data for expensive, hard-to-obtain data enables scalability to small cells and heterogeneous networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Manufacturing precision

If manual setup and verification effort is increased, then accurate antenna configuration parameters can be obtained, but the process becomes non-scalable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna configuration parameter accuracyVSAvoidmanual effort requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radio access node automatically determines cell states and adjusts antenna configuration parameters based on measurement reports from user equipment. The system performs self-configuration and self-optimization without requiring manual setup and verification, eliminating the trade-off between parameter accuracy and manual effort while enabling scalability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3225046B1Method and apparatus for determining cell states to adjust antenna configuration parameters
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3225046B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3225046B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3225046B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3E

AI summary

A method for determining cell states to adjust antenna configuration parameters includes receiving, at a radio access nodes in a network, measurement reports from a plurality of user equipment devices. The radio access node performs a weak coverage analysis in response to the measurement reports to determine whether a cell provided by the radio access node is assigned a good coverage state or a weak coverage state. The radio access node performs an overshooting analysis in response to the measurement reports to determine whether the cell provided by the radio access node is assigned an overshooter state or a non-overshooter state. The radio access node performs an interference analysis in response to the measurement reports to determine whether the cell provided by the radio access node is assigned an interferer state or a non-interferer state. The radio access node performs a quality analysis in response to the measurement reports to determine whether the cell provided by the radio access node is assigned a good quality state or a bad quality state. Adjustments are made to antenna configuration parameters of the cell provided by the radio access node in response to the various states assigned to the cell.