Autonomous Neighbor Relation Management in Wireless Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing neighbor relation information in wireless communication networks are inefficient and costly, as they often rely on centralized and human-based schemes that fail to identify all neighbor cells and require significant operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves techniques for access terminals to autonomously acquire, report, and exchange neighbor relation information, minimizing impact on other functions and power consumption, using defined radio states and signal thresholds, and establishing direct interfaces between access points for efficient information exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If centralized and human-based schemes are used to manage neighbor relation information, then operational control is maintained, but operational costs and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling access points to autonomously discover and update their own neighbor relation information through automated measurement and reporting mechanisms, eliminating the need for centralized human-based configuration while reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where access terminals continuously measure and report neighbor cell signal conditions to access points, which then automatically update neighbor relation information based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that maintains operational control without human intervention
2Measurement precision
If centralized schemes are used to identify neighbor cells, then comprehensive neighbor information can be obtained, but operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each access point to autonomously identify its own neighbor cells through automated measurement procedures performed by access terminals, eliminating the need for expensive centralized drive tests and manual configuration while maintaining accurate neighbor cell identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical field-based methods (drive tests) with electronic automated measurement and reporting systems, where access terminals electronically measure and report neighbor cell signal conditions, significantly reducing operational costs while maintaining measurement precision
3Reliability
If access terminals continuously acquire and report neighbor relation information, then neighbor relation tables are kept up-to-date, but power consumption and impact on other functions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by configuring access terminals to acquire and report neighbor relation information at specific intervals or under specific conditions (such as when signal thresholds are met), rather than continuously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining neighbor relation table accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic measurement and reporting strategies where access terminals adjust their measurement and reporting behavior based on current radio conditions, terminal state, and network configuration, optimizing the balance between neighbor relation information freshness and power consumption
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Neighbor relation information management involves, for example: acquiring, reporting, and exchanging neighbor relation information. In some cases, neighbor relation information is acquired and/or reported in a manner that does not significantly impact other functionality of the access terminal. For example, an access terminal may be configured to acquire and/or report neighbor relation information only during one or more defined radio states. In some cases, the acquisition of neighbor relation information is based on a neighbor relation threshold. In some cases, an access terminal does not immediately report measured neighbor relation information and instead stores the information for reporting at a later time. In some cases, a transmitted indication is used to facilitate retrieval of neighbor relation information from an access terminal. Neighbor relation information acquired from an access terminal is exchanged over a direct interface between access points.