Automatic Neighbor Relation Setup in NSA 5G Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The automatic neighbor relation establishment in wireless radio communication systems is hindered in Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G New Radio (NR) networks, as system information is not transmitted, preventing the use of LTE's Automatic Neighbor Relation (ANR) procedure for NR base station identification.
Innovation Solution
A method where a serving radio base station receives measurement reports from wireless devices about unknown NR base stations, sends identification requests to neighboring LTE base stations, and establishes neighbor relations using received identification information, allowing for the determination of NR base station identities without direct NR system information transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If LTE ANR procedure is used for NR base station identification, then automatic neighbor relation establishment is enabled, but system information must be transmitted which increases network overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces neighboring base stations as intermediaries to obtain identification information about NR base stations. Instead of directly transmitting system information from the NR base station itself, the serving base station queries neighboring base stations which already possess this identification information, thereby avoiding redundant system information transmission while enabling automatic neighbor relation establishment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the fact that neighboring base stations have already performed the action of obtaining identification information about NR base stations in the past. By utilizing this pre-acquired information from neighboring base stations, the serving base station avoids the need for current system information transmission, thus resolving the contradiction between automation and information quantity
2Reliability
If NR system information is transmitted for base station identification, then accurate neighbor relation establishment is achieved, but PRACH resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses neighboring base stations as intermediaries that provide identification information about NR base stations. This approach eliminates the need for NR base stations to transmit their own system information via PRACH, thereby maintaining accurate neighbor relation establishment while significantly reducing PRACH resource consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent relies on neighboring base stations to provide copies of identification information that they have already obtained. Instead of each NR base station transmitting its full identification information through PRACH, the serving base station obtains this information as copies from neighboring base stations, reducing the overall information transmission load on PRACH resources
3Reliability
If manual configuration is used for neighbor relations, then network control is maintained, but operator workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling base stations to automatically discover and establish neighbor relations through measurement reports and identification requests. The network performs neighbor relation setup autonomously without requiring manual operator configuration, thus maintaining network control while significantly reducing operator workload
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes feedback mechanisms where UE measurement reports provide information about NR base stations back to the serving base station. This feedback loop enables the network to automatically update neighbor relations based on real-time measurements, maintaining network control while eliminating manual configuration tasks
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a serving radio base station (310, 510, 720) of a first radio access network, serving a wireless radio device (390, 590, 790), comprising or initiating the steps of:—receiving a measurement report, wherein the measurement report is based on a reference signal received by the wireless radio device (390, 590, 790) from a radio base station (321, 521, 711) in a further radio access network;—sending an identification request referring to the radio base station (321, 521, 711) in the further radio access network to at least one neighbor radio base station (311, 312, 320, 330, 522, 512, 530, 721, 722, 730) of the serving radio base station (310, 510, 720);—establishing a neighbor relation using the information about the identification of the radio base station (321, 521, 711) in the further radio access network, based on received identification information.