PCI Allocation via RSRP-Based Near Far Lists
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE networks, the limited number of physical cell identifiers (PCIs) leads to challenges in efficient allocation, particularly in self-optimizing networks, where conventional methods face overhead issues and may result in confusion for user equipment during handovers due to improper allocation and lack of X2 interface connectivity.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent PCI configuration system that generates near and far PCI lists based on RSRP threshold values, prioritizes cell group IDs and IDs based on effective distance and RSRP values, and allocates PCIs to cells, enabling effective reuse without collisions or interference, even without X2 interface connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional PCI allocation methods are used in self-optimizing networks, then the allocation process becomes simpler, but overhead increases and handover confusion occurs due to lack of X2 interface connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PCI allocation process into distinct phases: generating near PCI list and far PCI list based on RSRP thresholds, determining cell group IDs and cell IDs from separate lists, assigning them to different bins, and prioritizing based on effective distance and RSRP values. This segmentation eliminates the need for X2 interface connectivity while maintaining accurate handover information.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of PCIs is increased to serve more cells, then network capacity improves, but PCI collision and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different PCI lists (near PCI list and far PCI list) with different characteristics based on local RSRP conditions. Cells in different geographic locations and signal strength zones receive appropriately selected PCIs from their respective lists, ensuring local optimization while avoiding collisions and interference through spatial separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection parameters dynamically by using RSRP threshold values to determine which PCI list to use and how to prioritize PCIs within each list. The effective RSRP value and effective distance parameters are calculated and used to select optimal PCIs, adapting the allocation to local propagation conditions while preventing collisions.
3Productivity
If PCI reuse is implemented to increase network capacity, then more cells can be served, but interference and collisions between reused PCIs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by generating near and far PCI lists in advance based on RSRP measurements before handover decisions are made. Cell group IDs and cell IDs are determined and prioritized beforehand using effective distance and effective RSRP calculations, ensuring that reliable PCI selections are ready when handover is needed, thus maintaining high handover reliability while enabling PCI reuse.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for allocating a physical cell identifier (PCI) to a cell are described. In one implementation, the method comprises identifying allocated physical cell identifiers based on PCI data and generating a near PCI list and a far PCI list based on the allocated PCIs and a RSRP threshold value. Further, the method comprises determining cell group IDs and a cell IDs from the near PCI list and the far PCI list. Further, the method comprises assigning the cell group IDs to a first bin and the cell IDs to a second bin. Further, the method comprises prioritizing the cell group IDs in the first bin based on effective distance and the cell IDs in the second bin based on an effective RSRP value. Further, the method comprises allocating the PCI, to the cell, determined based on the prioritized cell group IDs and the cell IDs.