OAM System Aggregating MDT Measurements for PM Counters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3GPP networks face challenges in efficiently collecting and processing Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) measurements, as they often result in large amounts of detailed data that are unnecessary for certain use cases, requiring significant storage and processing resources, and lack mechanisms to configure and trigger required measurements for Performance Measurement (PM) counters.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that combine MDT and PM features by using an MDT activation request to transport PM measurements, allowing for aggregation and reporting of MDT measurements as PM measurements, and enabling MDT measurements to be initiated for all UEs in a cell irrespective of user consent, with new job types and configurations to manage data efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If MDT measurements are collected for all UEs in a cell, then measurement coverage and statistical relevance are improved, but data volume and storage requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement coverageVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary MDT measurement data needed for PM counter calculations, discarding redundant per-UE level information. The OAM system selectively collects aggregated measurement results rather than all raw MDT data, reducing data volume while maintaining measurement coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the MDT measurement collection process into two stages: first collecting comprehensive MDT measurements from all UEs, then aggregating and filtering the data to extract only the portions needed for PM counters. This segmentation allows full measurement coverage while minimizing stored data volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If detailed per-UE MDT data is stored, then data completeness is improved, but processing resources and storage costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary aggregation of MDT measurements at the OAM system level before detailed processing. By pre-aggregating data into PM counter formats, the system maintains data completeness for analysis while reducing the processing burden of handling individual UE records.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If MDT measurements are collected with user consent checks, then privacy protection is improved, but measurement coverage decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidmeasurement coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges MDT measurement collection with PM counter functionality, where the primary purpose is network performance measurement rather than detailed UE behavior analysis. This merging allows aggregated collection of measurement data for statistical purposes while minimizing privacy intrusions, as individual UE identities are not the focus of the measurement objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If aggregated PM measurements are implemented, then data processing efficiency is improved, but flexibility in analyzing individual UE performance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidanalysis flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal MDT measurement framework that serves multiple functions: it collects comprehensive MDT data for detailed UE analysis when needed, while simultaneously generating aggregated PM counter data for efficient network-wide performance monitoring. The same measurement infrastructure supports both individual UE performance analysis and aggregated network performance evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2982162B1Technique for aggregating minimization of drive test, MDT, measurements in a component of an operating and maintenance, OAM, system

Publication Date: 2017.02.01 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A technique for aggregating Minimization of Drive Test, MDT, measurements is disclosed. In a first method aspect, the method is performed by a component of an Operation And Maintenance, OAM, system and comprises the steps of receiving an activation request configuring MDT measurements for a plurality of User Equipments, UEs, and requesting a Performance Measurement, PM, activating the MDT measurements for the UEs, receiving the MDT measurements from the UEs, and aggregating the MDT measurements to obtain the requested PM measurement. In a second method aspect, the method is performed in another component of the OAM system and comprises the steps of generating the activation request configuring MDT measurements for the plurality of UEs, and requesting the PM, and transmitting the activation request towards the component of the OAM system.