Base Station Cell Splitting via Neighbor Service Information
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Automatic Neighbour Relation (ANR) system in wireless communication networks may not have sufficient information to determine an optimal handover destination cell, especially in heterogeneous networks with densely arranged base stations, leading to increased load on macro base stations and operational expenses due to manual registration of service information.
Innovation Solution
A base station system that receives and registers service information from neighboring cells, including indicators for wireless LAN base station functionality and capacity booster cells, to construct a neighbor relation table for informed handover decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the existing ANR system is used without additional service information, then the system complexity is low, but the handover decision accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing service information from neighboring cells in advance through the X2 interface before handover decisions are needed. This pre-collected information includes cell capabilities, load status, and configuration details, which are then readily available when handover decisions must be made, improving accuracy without adding complexity to the decision process itself
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where service information is transmitted through the X2 interface between base stations. This intermediary channel carries detailed neighbor cell information that mediates between the simple ANR system and the complex handover decision requirements, enabling accurate decisions without making the entire system complex
2Reliability
If manual registration of service information is performed, then the information accuracy is high, but the operational expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base station implements self-service by automatically collecting service information from neighboring cells through the X2 interface without requiring manual operator intervention. The system autonomously performs information exchange, registration in the neighbor relation table, and updates, thereby maintaining high information accuracy while eliminating the operational expenses associated with manual registration
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism is established where the base station automatically receives service information from neighboring cells, processes it, and updates the neighbor relation table. This closed-loop feedback system ensures information accuracy is maintained through continuous automatic updates without requiring manual intervention, reducing operational expenses
3Productivity
If macro base stations handle all handovers without cell splitting, then the network structure is simple, but the load on macro base stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the network into macro cells and small cells based on traffic requirements. When traffic load exceeds thresholds, the system automatically splits traffic handling responsibilities, segmenting the load between macro base stations and small cells. This increases network capacity by utilizing underused small cell resources while maintaining a relatively simple overall network structure through conditional, dynamic segmentation
Data Source
AI summary
A base station includes a storage unit stores a neighbour relation table and a processing unit. The processing unit receives service information of a neighbour cell to its own cell, the service information being transmitted by another base station forming the neighbour cell to the own cell, the service information including at least one of an information element indicating whether the another base station has a function of a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) base station and an information element indicating whether the neighbour cell is a cell for dynamically adding a communication capacity. The processing unit registers the service information of the neighbour cell with the neighbour relation table.