Automated Neighbor List Initialization for Cellular Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless networks face challenges in automating the initial neighbor list population for new cells added to the network, requiring manual planning and lacking efficient methods for determining nearby neighbors, which hampers the optimization process.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize known characteristics of new wireless cells to determine proximity and coverage correlation with nearby cells, automatically retrieving and remapping neighbor lists from donor cells to create an initial neighbor list for the new cell, allowing subsequent Automated Neighbor Relations (ANR) processing to optimize the list.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual planning processes are used to determine the original neighbor list at each newly added cell, then the neighbor list can be initially populated, but the process requires significant manual intervention and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneighbor list initializationVSAvoidmanual planning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically identifying donor cells and copying their neighbor lists to new cells before ANR processing begins. This preliminary automation eliminates the need for manual neighbor list creation, allowing the network to immediately benefit from automated optimization once the new cell is deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention copies existing neighbor lists from donor cells to new cells, adapting them as needed. This copying approach provides an immediate, automated neighbor list for new cells without requiring manual planning, while the copied lists can be subsequently optimized by ANR processes based on actual network performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If automated ANR processes are implemented, then ongoing neighbor list optimization is improved, but an initial neighbor list must exist before ANR can operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneighbor list optimizationVSAvoidinitial provisioning requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automation by automatically creating initial neighbor lists for new cells using donor cell data before ANR processing begins. This preliminary action removes the complexity of manual initial provisioning while enabling ANR to immediately optimize based on actual network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The new cell effectively serves itself by automatically receiving and adapting neighbor lists from donor cells. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external manual provisioning, allowing the cell to immediately participate in automated ANR optimization processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If manual planning processes are used for neighbor list determination, then initial neighbor lists can be created, but network efficiency is reduced due to manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneighbor list creationVSAvoidnetwork deployment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system copies neighbor lists from existing donor cells to new cells, automatically adapting them as needed. This copying mechanism maintains ease of creation while dramatically improving network deployment efficiency by eliminating manual intervention entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical manual planning process with an automated electronic system that identifies donor cells, copies their neighbor lists, and adapts them for new cells. This substitution maintains simplicity while dramatically improving deployment efficiency through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2949143B1Method for automated neighbor list initialization in a cellular network
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2949143B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2949143B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2949143B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Automated initialization of a neighbor list for a target cell may include determining one or more donor cell from among a plurality of candidate cells, and creating a neighbor list for the target cell based on one or more neighbor list of the one or more donor cell. A donor cell may be a co-site cell, or otherwise identified based on location, technology, coverage, and other characteristics. The neighbor list of the donor cell is used to initialize the neighbor list of the target cell, which may be refined through subsequent processing.