Cell Antenna Fault Detection Using Best Signal Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated monitoring systems in cellular communication networks fail to detect malfunctions in antenna systems, leading to inefficiencies and interference issues due to unaccounted antenna behavior deviations from specifications.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for analyzing cell operation by collecting signal level performance indicators, calculating characteristic values, and identifying antenna system malfunctions by comparing differences against preset thresholds, thereby distinguishing between antenna and radio issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current automated monitoring arrangements are used to detect network problems, then general network operation can be monitored, but antenna system malfunctions are not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring approach is segmented by separating antenna system analysis from general network monitoring. The patent divides the detection process into specific components: collecting measurement samples, calculating characteristic values for different cell types, and comparing against thresholds. This segmentation allows targeted detection of antenna malfunctions without requiring a complete overhaul of the monitoring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary analysis layer that processes measurement samples between the raw data collection and final malfunction detection. This intermediary layer calculates characteristic values and performs statistical analysis, acting as a mediator that translates raw measurements into meaningful diagnostic information without directly modifying the underlying antenna systems or network infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If all measurement samples are used to calculate characteristic values, then comprehensive data analysis is achieved, but accuracy is reduced due to including poor quality samples
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different measurement samples differently based on their quality. Instead of uniform processing, the system identifies and selects the best measurement samples (e.g., top 10-20% of samples) for calculating characteristic values. This selective approach ensures that high-quality data drives the analysis while excluding noisy or unreliable measurements, thereby improving precision without requiring all available samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by utilizing only a portion of the available measurement samples rather than all samples. By selecting and processing only the best samples (partial subset), the system achieves more accurate characteristic values. This partial approach is preferable to using all samples, demonstrating that less data processed with selective criteria yields better results than comprehensive processing of all data.
3Ease of operation
If the monitoring system uses simple threshold comparison, then implementation is straightforward, but it cannot distinguish between antenna and radio issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the diagnosis by analyzing multiple cell types (e.g., macro cells, micro cells, pico cells) with different characteristic values. Instead of a single threshold comparison, the system performs multi-dimensional analysis across different cell configurations and propagation conditions. This dimensional expansion enables differentiation between antenna issues (affecting multiple cell types) and radio issues (affecting specific configurations), while maintaining operational simplicity through automated multi-dimensional comparison.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method for analyzing operation of a cell of a communications network includes collecting data with measurement samples of signal level performance indicators from multiple cells of the communications network; calculating a characteristic value for a signal level performance indicator for a first cell type based on the collected data, wherein a part of the best measurement samples of the signal level performance indicator of the first cell type are taken into account in the calculation of the characteristic value; calculating a difference between the calculated characteristic value and a measurement sample of signal level performance indicator of a first cell of the first cell type; and providing output information indicating that an antenna system of the first cell is operating incorrectly in response to detecting that the calculated difference is greater than a preset threshold.