Base Station Cell Type Signaling via X2 Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular radio systems face inefficiencies in exchanging neighbor cell type information, which is crucial for inter cell load balancing, interference coordination, and mobility control, as existing methods rely on collecting statistical handover information, making the process slow and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A method for quickly updating base stations with neighbor cell type information, including cell size and hierarchical level, through signaling over the X2 interface during setup or configuration updates, eliminating the need for additional statistical data from user equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If statistical handover information is collected to determine neighbor cell type information, then the information can be obtained, but the process becomes slow and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having base stations proactively signal their cell type information (macro, micro, pico, femto) to neighboring base stations in advance through X2 interface signaling. This eliminates the need to collect statistical handover information later, as the neighbor cell type information is already available when needed for handover decisions, load balancing, or interference coordination.
2Loss of information
If neighbor cell type information is exchanged through statistical handover data collection, then comprehensive information is obtained, but the procedure becomes complex and inflexible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential neighbor cell type information (cell type classification) from the complex statistical handover data collection process. Instead of collecting and analyzing extensive statistical data, the system directly signals the pre-determined cell type category through X2 interface messages, simplifying the information exchange while maintaining completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being exchanged from complex statistical handover metrics to a simplified cell type classification parameter (macro/micro/pico/femto). This parameter transformation maintains the essential information needed for network operations while dramatically reducing the complexity of the information exchange procedure.
3Ease of operation
If cell type information is signaled during handover, then the information is available for handover decisions, but additional statistical data collection is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential cell type classification information needed for handover decisions, eliminating the requirement to collect and process additional statistical data. The cell type parameter is directly signaled in X2 setup and configuration update messages, providing all necessary information for efficient handover management.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and arrangement for cell type information sharing between neighbour base stations (310, 330) in a telecommunications system (300). One embodiment comprises informing a second radio base station (330) serving a second cell (340) and having a neighbour relation with a first cell served by a first base station (310), of at least the cell type of the first cell. This is accomplished by adding (410) the cell type information to a set of information to be signaled to the second base station, and then signalling (420) the set of information to the second base station.