Cellular Base Station Coverage Diagnostics Using Unsupervised Clustering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network planning methods for cellular radio access networks fail to accurately assess coverage adequacy, leading to issues such as under-provisioning or over-provisioning, resulting in poor user experience due to signal voids or sub-optimal resource deployment.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing unsupervised machine learning to analyze connection metrics from base stations, generating probability density functions, and clustering cells based on diagnostic features to identify inadequate coverage areas, suggesting configuration changes for improvement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drive test methods are used to measure coverage, then coverage information can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The network device autonomously generates and sends reference signals without external intervention, and automatically measures uplink signals from user equipment to determine coverage. This self-measuring mechanism eliminates the need for manual drive tests, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical drive test system (physical vehicles, equipment, and personnel) with an electronic signaling system. The network device uses reference signals and uplink measurements to obtain coverage information electronically, substituting the time-consuming mechanical process with a rapid electronic measurement approach while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used, then coverage data can be collected, but user equipment power is consumed and signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network device acts as an intermediary that generates reference signals and processes measurements centrally. Instead of requiring user equipment to actively transmit measurement signals (consuming power), the network device sends reference signals and measures uplink transmissions, transferring the measurement function to the network side while minimizing user equipment energy expenditure.
3Reliability
If comprehensive coverage evaluation is performed, then network performance can be assessed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs multiple functions using the same measurement mechanism: it evaluates coverage, assesses network performance, and supports optimization decisions. By making the measurement system multi-functional, the patent achieves comprehensive evaluation without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same infrastructure serves multiple purposes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to methods, apparatuses and computer readable media for use in evaluating the coverage provided by base stations of a cellular radio access network. The method includes receiving, for cells provided by base stations of a radio access network, data representative of a connection metric reported by each base station for user equipment having an established connection to one of the base stations. the connection metric being collected over an operation period and being indicative of a distribution of connections throughout the coverage area for that base station. The method further includes, for each cell, generating a probability density function for the connection metric, and determining a set of connection diagnostic features from the probability density function. The method further includes clustering, using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm, cells based on the determined connection diagnostic features for the cells into clusters of similar distributions of the connection metric, the data representative of the cell clusters being evaluated to determine diagnostics for the adequacy of the coverage provided by the cells in the cell cluster, and determining, based on the evaluation of the cell clusters, one or more suggested changes to the configuration of base stations providing the radio access network to improve the adequacy of the coverage of the radio access network.