O-RAN Sleeping Cell Detection Using Network Traffic Criteria
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cells in a radio access network can enter a sleep state, becoming unresponsive to uplink transmissions and causing coverage gaps, which are not addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
Detection and recovery techniques for sleeping cells in an open radio access network using network traffic criteria, including metrics such as RACH requests, channel measurements, and resource utilization, to identify and restore cells from a sleep state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a cell enters sleep state to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but network coverage and service reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network entity continuously monitors uplink transmissions from user equipment to detect sleeping cells. When a cell is detected as sleeping through analysis of uplink transmission patterns and network traffic criteria, the system triggers a recovery process that restarts the cell, thereby restoring network coverage while maintaining energy efficiency through targeted rather than continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting sleeping cells through monitoring uplink transmissions and autonomously initiating recovery procedures without manual intervention. The network entity evaluates network traffic criteria and automatically restarts sleeping cells, allowing the system to self-correct coverage issues while managing energy consumption.
2Reliability
If cell monitoring is increased to detect sleeping cells, then service reliability is improved, but network complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential monitoring function by focusing specifically on uplink transmission patterns from user equipment to detect sleeping cells, rather than monitoring all cell parameters. This selective monitoring approach reduces network complexity while maintaining reliable detection of sleeping cells through analysis of specific traffic criteria such as RACH requests and channel measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects sleeping cells, evaluates network traffic criteria, identifies coverage holes, and triggers recovery processes. This multi-functional approach reduces overall network complexity by consolidating multiple monitoring and management functions into a unified system that handles various aspects of cell health assessment.
3Device complexity
If sleeping cells are not detected, then network operation is simple, but coverage holes and service gaps occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of sleeping cells by continuously monitoring uplink transmissions and evaluating network traffic criteria before coverage holes significantly impact service quality. By detecting sleeping cells early through analysis of transmission patterns and traffic metrics, the system can initiate recovery procedures proactively, preventing service gaps while maintaining relatively simple network operations through automated monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism continuously monitors uplink transmissions and network traffic to detect sleeping cells, providing real-time information about cell status. This feedback enables the system to identify and address coverage holes before they significantly degrade service quality, maintaining network reliability without requiring complex manual monitoring or intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for cell sleep state detection and recovery are provided. In the method and apparatus, an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) network entity evaluates one or more network traffic criteria indicative of whether a cell is in a sleep state to determine whether the one or more network traffic criteria are met. The one or more network traffic criteria are selected from a interface data rate criterion, a tunnel identity criterion, a bearer criterion, a software package criterion or a configuration change criterion. The network entity determines whether the cell is in the sleep state based on whether at least one of the one or more network traffic criteria are met and in response to determining that the cell is in the sleep state, causes the cell to exit the sleep state.