Overshooting Cell Detection in UMTS Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Overshooting cells in UMTS radio networks cause interference, impacting Quality of Experience for users and are difficult to detect accurately due to the lack of high-resolution radio measurements and reliance on manual, error-prone detection methods.

Innovation Solution

An overshooting cell detection system employing a scoring mechanism using inter-cell and intra-cell features, combined with machine learning algorithms to autonomously identify and mitigate potentially interfering cells by adjusting configuration settings such as Remote Electrical Tilt and Common Pilot Channel settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual detection methods are used to identify overshooting cells, then detection can be performed without complex systems, but detection accuracy is low and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically collecting measurement reports from user equipment, processing the data through analysis modules, and identifying overshooting cells without manual intervention. The network infrastructure serves itself by generating and analyzing the necessary measurement data, eliminating the need for external manual detection while maintaining high accuracy through automated scoring mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution radio measurements are implemented to improve detection accuracy, then overshooting cells can be detected more precisely, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidimplementation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by using existing multi-functional measurement reports already collected by the network for other purposes (mobility management, handover decisions, etc.). These same reports are repurposed for overshooting cell detection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated measurement systems. The analysis modules process universally applicable data from multiple sources including signal strength, signal quality, and handover statistics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If automated detection systems are deployed to reduce manual effort, then productivity increases, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies segmentation by dividing the detection process into distinct modular components: a collection module that gathers measurement reports from multiple sources, an analysis module that processes the data using scoring mechanisms, and a identification module that outputs results. This modular architecture improves productivity through automated parallel processing while managing complexity through clear separation of functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Quantity of substance

If coverage area of cells is expanded to serve more users, then network capacity increases, but interference to surrounding cells increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring measurement reports from user equipment and surrounding cells, analyzing the impact of each cell's coverage on its neighbors through scoring mechanisms, and identifying overshooting cells that cause excessive interference. This feedback loop enables dynamic detection and mitigation, allowing the network to maintain optimal coverage while preventing harmful interference to surrounding cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3552423B1Overshooting cell detection
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP3552423B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3552423B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3552423B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system includes: an input/output (I/O) module operative to receive operational data for features associated with at least inter-cell performance in a mobile network, processing circuitry, a model generator application to be executed by the processing circuitry and operative to: use at least one prediction model to analyze training sets comprising examples of values for the features for at least overshooting cells, and to generate a scoring model for detection of the overshooting cells from among cells in the mobile network, and a boomer detection application to be executed by the processing circuitry and operative to: use the scoring model with the operational data to detect the overshooting cells from among cells in a mobile network, and reduce interference by the overshooting cells.