Coordination Function for Self-Organizing Network Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In self-organizing networks, uncoordinated functions within mobile radio access networks often operate independently, leading to information gaps that hinder network-wide consistency and coordination, as changes made by these functions are not directly notified to the operational support systems (OSS), resulting in potential conflicts and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A mobile network apparatus is configured to request and receive information from uncoordinated functions, using defined interfaces to extract and update necessary information elements such as CM plan, activation records, and status records, ensuring that the coordination function has the required data to manage network operations effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If uncoordinated functions operate independently without OSS coordination, then network responsiveness and local decision-making speed are improved, but network-wide consistency and coordination reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where uncoordinated functions notify the coordination function of their parameter changes through notification messages. This allows the coordination function to receive real-time information about network state changes while maintaining the independence of uncoordinated functions. The feedback loop ensures network-wide consistency is maintained through information sharing without requiring constant centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordination function acts as an intermediary between uncoordinated functions and the OSS. It receives notifications from uncoordinated functions, processes this information, and maintains the necessary coordination and consistency across the network. This intermediary role allows independent local operations while ensuring overall network coherence through the coordination function's mediation.
2Productivity
If uncoordinated functions make parameter changes without OSS knowledge, then local operational speed is improved, but coordination reliability and conflict prevention deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Uncoordinated functions send notification messages to the coordination function whenever parameter changes occur. This feedback mechanism ensures the coordination function is always aware of current network state, enabling reliable coordination and conflict prevention while allowing uncoordinated functions to operate at full local speed without waiting for OSS approval.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having uncoordinated functions automatically notify the coordination function of their intended or actual parameter changes before these changes affect network coordination. This advance information sharing allows the coordination function to prepare appropriate responses and maintain reliability without slowing down local operations.
3Device complexity
If OSS functions do not have real-time information from uncoordinated functions, then OSS system complexity is reduced, but decision-making accuracy and network control capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coordination function receives feedback notifications from uncoordinated functions about parameter changes and maintains an updated view of network state. This feedback mechanism provides the OSS with accurate, real-time information about network conditions without requiring the OSS to directly manage or monitor every uncoordinated function, thus maintaining decision-making accuracy while limiting OSS complexity growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordination function serves as an intermediary that collects and processes information from uncoordinated functions, presenting summarized and processed data to the OSS. This intermediary layer provides the OSS with accurate network state information without requiring direct complex interactions with each uncoordinated function, thereby maintaining decision-making accuracy while managing OSS system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a mobile network apparatus is configured to operations support systems, OSS, including at least one processor, and at least one memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: request, by a coordination function of the OSS, information relating to an uncoordinated function or an instance of an uncoordinated function, wherein the uncoordinated function or the instance of the uncoordinated function is related to the coordination function; receive, by the coordination function, a response including the information; based on the response, control, by the coordination function, the uncoordinated function or the instance of the uncoordinated function. In other examples, a method and a computer program product have been discussed along with the features of the mobile network apparatus.