Microwave Link Data Classification for Interference Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Point-to-point wireless microwave links often experience performance degradation due to various operating conditions, making it challenging for network operators to accurately identify issues, leading to unnecessary maintenance and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

A method and controller entity that classify microwave link data by estimating probability values for operating conditions using signal quality measurement values and received power values, learned through training, enabling accurate identification of operating conditions and detection of interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If site visits are made to inspect link equipment when performance degradation occurs, then the operator can physically examine the equipment, but resources such as time and money are wasted when the equipment is found to be functioning properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of fault identificationVSAvoidtime for site visits and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical site visits with automated electronic classification. The controller entity uses signal quality measurement values and received power values to automatically classify operating conditions and identify interference sources, eliminating the need for manual inspection trips while improving accuracy through consistent algorithmic analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-diagnosis by automatically classifying operating conditions and identifying interference sources without human intervention. The controller entity processes microwave link data, estimates probability values for different operating conditions, and determines interference sources autonomously, allowing the network to self-monitor and self-diagnose issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If site visits are made to inspect link equipment when performance degradation occurs, then the operator can physically examine the equipment, but maintenance resources are consumed even when no faults are found

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of operating condition identificationVSAvoidmaintenance resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual maintenance resource allocation with automated electronic classification. The system uses signal quality measurement values and received power values to accurately identify operating conditions and interference sources, eliminating unnecessary maintenance trips and optimizing resource allocation through precise automated diagnosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback by monitoring microwave link data and automatically classifying operating conditions. The controller entity processes real-time signal quality and power measurements, compares them against trained models, and provides actionable information about interference sources, enabling proactive rather than reactive maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If traditional classification methods are used without probability estimation, then the classification process is simpler, but the accuracy of identifying operating conditions and detecting interference is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of operating condition classificationVSAvoidcomplexity of classification algorithm

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms classification from a deterministic process to a probabilistic one. By estimating probability values for each operating condition based on signal quality measurement values and received power values, the system achieves higher accuracy in identifying operating conditions and detecting interference, with the complexity justified by the significant improvement in diagnostic precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4073961B1Classification of microwave link data

Publication Date: 2024.07.31 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

There is provided mechanisms for classifying microwave link data of a microwave system comprises a point-to-point wireless microwave link. A method is performed by a controller entity. The method comprises obtaining, in time windows, microwave link data in terms of signal quality measurement values and received power values for the point-to-point wireless microwave link. The method comprises classifying per time window, the microwave link data per time window to operating conditions in a set of operating conditions by, from the signal quality measurement values and received power values per time window, estimating probability values for each of the operating conditions according to a mapping, as learned through training, between pieces of microwave link data and operating conditions.