Automatic PCI Reassignment for Overlapping Cell Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G networks face PCI collisions due to dense deployments and varying RF environments, leading to PCI confusion and poor network performance, which current manual methods like drive testing are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Automated methods using UE-reported data to map coverage areas and identify PCI collisions, allowing for automatic PCI reassignment to resolve overlap issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual drive testing is used to identify PCI collisions, then detection accuracy is improved, but operational cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network system automatically detects PCI collisions using UE measurement reports and network-side coverage area mapping, eliminating the need for manual drive testing. The system serves itself by utilizing existing UE data and network infrastructure to identify collisions autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical drive testing process with an automated information processing system that uses UE-reported data, coverage area mapping algorithms, and automated PCI collision detection logic to identify collisions without physical testing.
2Reliability
If manual PCI reassignment is performed, then PCI collision resolution is achieved, but operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network system automatically assigns new PCIs to cells involved in collisions by querying the PCI management system and implementing reassignment without manual intervention. The system autonomously resolves the collision by selecting available PCIs and updating cell configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated PCI management intermediary system that mediates between collision detection and resolution. This intermediary automatically coordinates with the PCI management system to obtain available PCIs and implements reassignment, simplifying the overall process.
3Reliability
If coverage range is reduced to prevent overshooting, then PCI collision is avoided, but network coverage quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the coverage area parameter, the patent changes the PCI parameter of cells involved in collisions. This allows the coverage area to remain unchanged while eliminating PCI confusion by assigning unique PCIs to overlapping coverage areas.
4Productivity
If dense network deployment is implemented, then network capacity is improved, but PCI collision probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where UE measurement reports continuously provide information about signal strength and cell identification. The network uses this feedback to detect PCI collisions and automatically resolve them, enabling dense deployment while maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring and correction.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for automatically identifying overshooting cells and automatically changing PCIs in cases of actual or possible PCI confusion are described. A cell with a poor KPI, e.g., indicative of failed attachment attempts, is identified. PCI confusion is considered as a possible cause of the poor KPI. A cell which uses the same PCI as the cell with the poor KPI is identified and the coverage areas of the cell with the poor KPI and the other cell using the same PCI is determined. Operating UEs in trace mode combined with deactivation of a cell while the other cell using the same PCI remains active is sometimes used to map cell coverage areas. If the coverage areas of two cells using the same PCI are determined to overlap, a different PCI is assigned to one of the two cells using the same PCI to thereby eliminate possible PCI confusion.