Network Replacement Method for WCDMA Cell Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network replacement methods in WCDMA networks cause service disruptions, increased workload, inter-manufacturer frequency issues, and poor user experience due to sequential area replacement, leading to high risks for operators and vendors.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where a second cell replaces the first cell by rejecting location area updates initially, adjusting quality offset parameters, and permitting updates at regular intervals, with cells belonging to the same PLMN and using different location area codes, allowing controlled user migration without service interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sequential area replacement method is used, then network equipment can be replaced, but service disruption occurs during replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidreplacement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the new network equipment with all necessary data and adjacent area relationships before the old equipment is removed. This ensures that when the replacement occurs, service continuity is maintained because the new equipment is already prepared and can immediately take over without causing service disruption or requiring extensive data production during the replacement window.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If area-by-area replacement is performed, then network equipment can be replaced systematically, but large amount of data production and updating is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement process controlVSAvoiddata production time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the data production and updating operations into a single preparatory phase that occurs before equipment removal. Instead of producing and updating data repeatedly during each area replacement, all necessary data including adjacent area relationships is generated once in advance and loaded onto the new equipment, significantly reducing the time and effort required during the actual replacement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple manufacturers' equipment inter-operate during replacement, then network coverage is maintained, but key performance indicator cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidnetwork performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully configuring quality offset parameters and other technical parameters during the replacement process. These parameter adjustments ensure that the new equipment from different manufacturers can inter-operate smoothly with the existing network while maintaining key performance indicators, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining coverage and ensuring performance precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of time

If rapid network replacement is performed, then replacement time is reduced, but operational errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement durationVSAvoidoperation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action extensively by preparing all configuration data, adjacent area relationships, and operational parameters in advance before the replacement begins. This pre-preparation allows the actual replacement to be executed quickly with minimal operational steps, reducing both the replacement time and the risk of human error during the critical replacement window.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

5Productivity

If extensive data production and operation steps are required, then complete network replacement can be achieved, but rollback becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement completenessVSAvoidrollback capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the copying principle by creating complete backups of the old equipment's data and configuration before replacement, and by preparing identical copies of necessary data structures in advance. This ensures that if rollback is needed, the system can quickly restore to the previous state without having to re-produce complex data relationships, making the rollback process as easy as copying and restoring data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2487956B1Network replacement method, cell and system
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 ZTE CORP
  • EP2487956B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2487956B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2487956B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a network replacement method, an apparatus and a system. The method comprises: setting a second cell for replacing a first cell to reject that users update through a location area; adjusting a quality offset parameter value of the first cell to be less than a quality offset parameter value of the second cell; setting the second cell to permit the user to update through the location area. With the present invention, during the whole network replacing process, there is relative litter operations are made during each phase, the probability of occurring errors is small and a large amount of manpower and time are saved.