Cellular Basestation Classification via Identifier and Frequency Pools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for classifying basestations in cellular communications networks often misclassify neighboring cells, particularly when they belong to different Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), leading to incorrect radio resource management policies and reduced handover success rates.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining and comparing a basestation's identifier and operating frequency to a reserved pool, and analyzing broadcast attributes to accurately classify basestations as small cell or macro cell, thereby preventing misclassification and ensuring appropriate RRM policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current classification methods are used to identify neighboring basestations, then the classification process is simple and fast, but misclassification occurs particularly for basestations belonging to different PLMNs, leading to incorrect RRM policies
Solution Approach 1:
The classification process is segmented into multiple independent verification steps: first checking if the neighbor cell ID is in the reserved pool, then checking if the frequency is in the reserved pool, and finally checking PLMN ID matching. Each segment acts as a filter that must pass for correct classification, thereby improving accuracy without requiring a single complex classification algorithm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using reserved pools of identifiers and frequencies as mediators between the basestation and neighbor cells. These pools act as reference standards that mediate the classification decision, ensuring that only cells with valid reserved identifiers and frequencies belonging to the correct PLMN are classified as small cells, thereby preventing misclassification.
2Reliability
If multiple verification steps are added to improve classification accuracy, then misclassification is reduced, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring reserved pools of cell IDs and frequencies specifically for small cell basestations before the classification process begins. This preliminary organization of data allows for rapid verification during runtime, as the system only needs to check whether identifiers fall within these pre-defined ranges rather than performing complex real-time analysis, thereby maintaining fast processing while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical classification systems with a simplified verification mechanism based on identifier matching. Instead of using sophisticated algorithms to determine cell type, the system substitutes this with a straightforward check: if the cell ID and frequency are in the reserved pools and PLMN matches, then it's a small cell. This substitution of complex processing with simple verification reduces processing time while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example embodiment, a method for classifying a basestation in a cellular communications network is provided that may include obtaining an identifier used by the basestation, comparing the identifier to a pool of identifiers reserved for a class of basestations, obtaining a frequency on which the basestation is operating, comparing the frequency to a pool of frequencies used by the class of basestations, and identifying the basestation as belonging to the class of basestations if the identifier is in the pool of identifiers and the frequency is in the pool of frequencies. Another method for classifying a basestation may comprise receiving a broadcast from the basestation including an attribute of the basestation, comparing the attribute with an attribute value range corresponding to the class of basestations, and identifying the basestation as belonging to the class of basestations if the received cell attribute falls within the attribute value range.