Centralized Cell Identifier Allocation for Small Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heterogeneous wireless telecommunications networks, the limited pool of cell identifiers for small cells leads to collisions and confusion due to inefficient reuse, especially in multi-vendor deployments where individual vendors' algorithms lack a comprehensive network overview.
Innovation Solution
A centralized method determines cell identifiers for small cell base stations based on neighbor information received from the stations themselves, minimizing identifier reuse and collisions by considering the entire network structure, and updating identifiers periodically or in response to network activity changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If individual vendors implement their own cell identifier assignment algorithms, then device complexity is reduced for each vendor, but collisions and confusion increase due to lack of comprehensive network overview
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized network node acts as an intermediary that collects neighbor information from all small cell base stations, determines optimal cell identifiers globally, and assigns them to individual base stations. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable network-wide identifier assignment without requiring complex algorithms in each vendor's equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cell identifier determination function from individual base stations into a centralized network node. By combining the decision-making authority at a central point that has access to complete network information, the system achieves both simplicity at the device level and reliability through global optimization.
2Quantity of substance
If cell identifiers are reused to maximize the limited pool of identifiers, then the quantity of usable identifiers increases, but collisions and confusion occur between neighbouring cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing cell identifier reuse only in specific locations where it does not cause conflicts. The centralized node analyzes the spatial distribution of base stations and their neighbor relationships, assigning identifiers that can be reused in non-adjacent cells while maintaining unique identifiers for neighbouring cells, thus maximizing identifier utilization without causing collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional approach (simple sequential assignment) to a multi-dimensional approach by considering spatial relationships, neighbor information, and network topology. This dimensional expansion enables intelligent identifier reuse patterns that avoid collisions while maximizing the use of the limited identifier pool.
3Productivity
If cell identifiers are changed frequently to optimize network performance, then network performance improves, but network stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized network node performs cell identifier determination periodically or in response to specific network events such as base station additions, removals, or performance degradation. This periodic reassessment allows the system to optimize identifier assignments when beneficial while maintaining stability during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between performance optimization and network stability.
4Reliability
If a centralized node determines all cell identifiers using complete network information, then collisions are minimized, but the complexity of the network node increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized network node segments the identifier assignment process into distinct functional modules: collecting neighbor information from base stations, analyzing spatial relationships and potential conflicts, determining optimal identifier assignments, and distributing assignments back to base stations. This segmentation manages the complexity of the centralized node while enabling comprehensive network-aware identifier determination.
Data Source
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Figure 2
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AI summary
A network node method, a network node and a computer program product are disclosed. The network node method is for determining cell identifiers for small cell base stations within a wireless telecommunications network and comprises determining a cell identifier to be allocated to each of a plurality of small cell base stations which minimises reuse of cell identifiers between each small cell base station based on neighbour information obtained by each of the plurality of small cell base stations. In this way, a centralized approach is provided where a network node determines the cell identifiers using neighbour information received from the small cell base stations themselves. This helps to ensure that cell identifiers are allocated based on a more complete understanding of the small cell base stations within the wireless telecommunications network and avoids individual vendors allocating cell identifiers themselves.