Mobile Network Coverage Detection Using CDR Error Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile networks face challenges in systematically and efficiently detecting insufficient coverage locations, particularly indoors and during busy hours, due to the limitations of conventional drive tests, which are time-consuming, costly, and often fail to identify indoor or busy-hour coverage issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing call detail records (CDR) to identify insufficient coverage locations by analyzing error codes and end cell identifiers, generating cell lists, and determining coverage-related error rates, allowing for precise detection of coverage issues without the need for extensive testing or temporal and spatial restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drive test is performed to detect insufficient coverage locations, then RF signal quality can be directly detected, but huge amount of testing equipments, time and manpower are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing CDR data (a copy of call information) instead of performing physical drive tests to detect coverage issues. By analyzing error codes and cell identifiers in CDR entries, the system replicates the coverage detection function without requiring physical testing equipment, time, or manpower.
Solution Approach 2:
The network system automatically analyzes its own operational data (CDR entries) to detect coverage problems. The system serves itself by using existing billing data to identify insufficient coverage locations, eliminating the need for external testing teams and equipment.
2Ease of operation
If drive test is performed in non-busy hours to avoid traffic congestion, then testing can be conducted, but insufficient coverage locations at busy hours cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of CDR data that spans multiple time periods, including busy hours. By pre-processing and analyzing historical call data with various error codes, the system identifies coverage issues that occur during busy hours without needing to conduct tests at those specific times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously analyzes CDR data from all time periods, maintaining continuous detection capability. Unlike discrete drive tests scheduled at specific times, the automated analysis processes ongoing operational data, ensuring coverage issues at any time (including busy hours) are detected through the accumulated error patterns.
3Area of stationary object
If drive test is mainly performed in outdoor environment, then outdoor coverage can be detected, but insufficient coverage location at indoor buildings cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the coverage analysis by cell identifier and error code type, allowing independent analysis of different geographic areas and coverage conditions. This segmentation enables detection of indoor coverage issues within specific cells without being constrained by outdoor-only testing, as each cell's CDR data is analyzed separately for coverage-related errors.
4Measurement precision
If systematic and efficient way is implemented to detect insufficient coverage location, then detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal approach by analyzing existing CDR data structures (which already contain cell identifiers and error codes) for multiple purposes: billing, fraud detection, and coverage optimization. This multi-functionality allows accurate coverage detection without building specialized complex testing infrastructure, as the existing billing system data is repurposed for coverage analysis.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for detecting an insufficient coverage location in a mobile network is provided to detect the insufficient coverage location in a systematic and efficient way. The method generates a corresponding cell list for a registered address of a subscriber of the mobile network, where the cell list comprises at least one cell that potentially covers the registered address. Next, the call detail record (CDR) entries associated with the cell list are extracted. Then, it is determined whether the registered address is an insufficient coverage location of the mobile network according to the error codes included in the extracted CDR entries.