Femtocell Parameter Profiles via Nearby Access Point

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional femtocell setup methods are inefficient and inaccurate due to reliance on single-shot network listen measurements, leading to prolonged setup delays and sub-optimal parameter selection, resulting in customer dissatisfaction and high return rates.

Innovation Solution

The system selects operating parameters based on examples from nearby femtocells with similar radio conditions, using pre-optimized parameters to quickly configure and provision new femtocells, reducing setup time and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional single-shot network listen measurements are used during initialization, then the femtocell can be configured with operating parameters, but the setup delay becomes excessively long (more than 15 minutes) and measurement accuracy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter selection accuracyVSAvoidsetup delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting network listen measurements during the provisioning stage before the femtocell is activated. These pre-collected measurements are used to pre-calculate operating parameters, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time measurements during setup and reducing overall setup delay while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system copies operating parameters from nearby already-provisioned femtocells that have similar radio environments. Instead of performing new measurements and calculations, the system retrieves and adapts existing parameter profiles from neighboring cells, significantly reducing setup time while maintaining parameter accuracy through selection of similar-environment examples

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If extended measurement periods are implemented to improve accuracy, then parameter selection becomes more accurate, but the customer experiences prolonged waiting time and service disruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparameter selection accuracyVSAvoidcustomer service continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs all necessary measurements and parameter calculations during the provisioning stage before customer activation. By completing the measurement and configuration work in advance, the system ensures accurate parameters are ready without requiring extended measurement periods during customer usage, thus maintaining service continuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The femtocell system performs self-configuration by automatically collecting measurements and calculating parameters without requiring manual customer intervention or extended waiting periods. The system autonomously completes setup tasks during provisioning, eliminating service disruption and improving customer experience while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the FAP transmitter is kept off during initialization to collect measurements, then accurate interference measurements can be taken, but the customer is kept waiting with no service available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference measurement accuracyVSAvoidservice availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs interference measurements and parameter calculations during the provisioning stage before the FAP transmitter is activated for customer service. By completing all measurement and configuration tasks in advance, the system enables the transmitter to be activated immediately after provisioning, ensuring both measurement accuracy and rapid service availability without customer waiting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the initialization process into distinct phases: a provisioning phase where measurements are collected and parameters are calculated (with transmitter off), and an activation phase where the transmitter is turned on and service is provided. This segmentation allows measurement accuracy to be achieved without compromising service availability, as the two phases occur sequentially rather than simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9917734B2FEMTO parameter profiles based upon nearby access point

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Operating parameters for a femto access point (FAP) are efficiently and accurately defined. During provisioning of the FAP, the system obtains operating parameters utilized by a nearby FAP expected to have a substantially similar radio environment as the provisioning FAP. Moreover, weighting is applied to the nearby FAP to determine which set of operating parameters to utilize at the provisioning FAP. Accordingly, pre-existing operating parameters, optimized by the nearby FAP are employed to augment initial network listen measurements performed at the provisioning FAP, and thus improve speed and accuracy of initial FAP parameter provisioning.