Automated Network Access Unit Recovery via Self-Service Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network access units, such as mobile radio base stations, experience malfunctions that lead to disruptions in broadband connections, causing prolonged downtime and requiring manual technician intervention for resolution.

Innovation Solution

A method for automated troubleshooting, where a faulty network access unit detects its malfunction and initiates a recovery algorithm by searching for and establishing a 'recovery link' with a functional network access unit, exchanging recovery data to restore operations, and notifying the operator for further action if necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual technician intervention is used to fix network access unit malfunctions, then the troubleshooting can be performed with simple equipment, but the downtime is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service through automated diagnostic and recovery algorithms that enable network access units to detect their own malfunctions and execute recovery procedures without external intervention. The system autonomously identifies faults, scans for available radio services, establishes recovery links, and restores operations, eliminating the need for manual technician intervention and significantly reducing downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring recovery algorithms and diagnostic procedures within network access units before malfunctions occur. The system maintains ready-to-execute recovery logic, pre-established communication protocols, and automated response mechanisms that can be immediately activated upon fault detection, enabling rapid restoration without waiting for technician arrival or manual analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If automated troubleshooting algorithms are implemented, then the downtime is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedowntimeVSAvoidalgorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the automated troubleshooting system into distinct functional modules: diagnostic modules that detect malfunctions, analysis modules that identify fault types, recovery modules that execute restoration procedures, and communication modules that manage recovery links. This modular segmentation allows complex automated troubleshooting to be achieved through coordinated simple functions, managing overall system complexity while enabling rapid automated response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the network access unit autonomously recovers, then manual intervention is reduced, but the risk of incorrect recovery actions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecovery speedVSAvoidrecovery accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the automated diagnostic and recovery systems continuously monitor system state, verify recovery success, and adjust operations based on real-time conditions. The system receives feedback from network status sensors, performance metrics, and recovery outcome indicators, using this information to validate automated decisions and ensure recovery actions are appropriate and effective, thereby maintaining high reliability while enabling autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3965458B1Techniques for automated troubleshooting of network access units
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3965458B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3965458B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to techniques for the automated troubleshooting of network access units, in particular mobile communication base stations (BTS) in the event of a faulty broadband connection, comprising the following steps: • Detection of a malfunction of a faulty network access unit and initiation of a recovery algorithm based on the detection of the malfunction, wherein the recovery algorithm comprises the following steps: • Scanning for available radio services by the faulty network access unit, wherein the available radio services are provided by at least one functioning network access unit; • Selection of a radio service of a functioning network access unit; • Establishing a connection between the faulty network access unit and the selected network access unit and initiating a "recovery link"; • Exchange of recovery data via the "recovery link" between the faulty and the functioning network access unit;Terminating the recovery algorithm after successful recovery of the previously faulty network access unit.