Overshooting Cell Detection via Traffic Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, overshooting cells cause unnecessary interference due to excessive signal coverage beyond their dominance areas, leading to degraded network performance, and existing methods are inadequate for effective detection and counteraction.
Innovation Solution
The method involves monitoring data traffic within multiple cells by temporarily restricting data traffic in one cell, using timing advance and received signal strength values to identify overshooting cells, and remotely controlling antenna tilts to downtilt antennas of overshooting cells, thereby reducing their coverage areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data traffic is restricted in one cell to detect overshooting, then detection accuracy is improved, but network productivity deteriorates due to temporary traffic loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing overshooting detection during specific time periods when traffic is naturally lower, such as nighttime or off-peak hours. The network controller temporarily restricts data traffic in the candidate cell only during these periodic intervals, allowing detection without significant impact on overall network productivity. This resolves the contradiction by confining the traffic restriction to specific time windows rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by performing overshooting detection before it significantly impacts network performance. The system identifies candidate cells for potential overshooting and schedules detection activities in advance during periods of lower traffic demand. This allows the network to proactively detect and mitigate overshooting issues before they degrade overall network productivity, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and network performance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If antenna tilt is increased to reduce overshooting coverage, then interference is reduced, but coverage area is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing selective antenna tilt adjustment only for specific cells identified as overshooting, rather than uniformly adjusting all cells. The network controller determines which cells require tilt modification based on detection results, and applies different tilt values to different cells. This resolves the contradiction by targeting only the problematic areas (overshooting cells) while preserving adequate coverage in other cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by making antenna tilt adjustable and modifiable based on detected conditions. Rather than using fixed tilt values, the system dynamically adjusts antenna tilt in response to detected overshooting, allowing the coverage area to adapt to actual network conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to reduce interference when needed while maintaining coverage when appropriate.
3Measurement precision
If timing advance values are used to detect overshooting, then detection capability is improved, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing timing advance values that are already generated and available in the network for uplink synchronization purposes. Rather than requiring separate measurement mechanisms, the system leverages existing timing advance data from the uplink synchronization process to detect overshooting. This resolves the contradiction by using readily available measurements that serve dual purposes: synchronization and overshooting detection, thereby avoiding additional measurement complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Example embodiments may relate to detection of overshooting cells in a radio network. A computer-implemented method may comprise: communicating data traffic via a first cell of a first access node of a communication network, wherein a sector of the first access node comprises the first cell and a second cell of the first access node; restricting amount of data traffic communicated via the first cell; and determining that a third cell of a second access node is overshooting, in response to determining, after restricting the amount of data traffic communicated via the first cell, that at least part of the data traffic is communicated via the third cell and not via the second cell.