Per-User SON Engine for Telecommunications Network Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current self-organizing network (SON) solutions for telecommunications networks are limited in optimizing user experience on a per-user basis, as they primarily focus on network-level optimizations that affect all users within a cell, failing to address specific user issues without impacting other users and not accounting for heterogeneous networks with diverse technologies and user equipment.

Innovation Solution

A self-organizing network engine that collects and analyzes user-specific communication data to identify performance issues, allowing for the selection and implementation of optimization strategies to configure the network and user equipment on a per-user basis, optimizing user experience without affecting other users, and accommodating diverse technologies and equipment types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network-level optimization is applied to all users in a cell, then overall network performance is improved, but specific user issues cannot be addressed without affecting other users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidper-user optimization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network optimization function from cell-level to user-level by introducing a dedicated optimization entity that processes individual user equipment data separately. This allows specific user issues to be addressed through user-specific parameter adjustments without impacting other users in the same cell, while maintaining overall network performance through aggregated optimization effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by enabling different optimization parameters and strategies to be applied to different users within the same cell based on their specific performance characteristics, service requirements, and historical behavior patterns. This allows tailored optimization for each user while maintaining consistent network-wide management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If standardized OSS functions are used for network optimization, then implementation is simplified, but optimization granularity is limited to minimum network equipment level

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidoptimization granularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a new dimension of user-level granularity to the traditional cell-level optimization framework by introducing user-specific parameter sets and optimization entities. This dimensional extension allows the system to maintain standardized OSS interfaces at the network level while enabling fine-grained per-user optimization through user-specific configuration parameters and behavior profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If existing RAN technologies are used, then current network infrastructure is maintained, but heterogeneous networks with diverse technologies and user equipment are not fully captured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork infrastructure stabilityVSAvoidheterogeneous network support
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal optimization framework that can handle multiple radio access technologies (2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi) and diverse user equipment types through a common user profile structure and parameter set. The system maintains stability by using standardized interfaces with existing RAN technologies while achieving versatility through technology-agnostic optimization parameters that can be applied across heterogeneous networks.

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

4Productivity

If cell-wide optimization parameters are adjusted, then coverage and capacity are balanced, but specific user experience issues cannot be addressed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoiduser experience consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by collecting and analyzing user equipment behavior patterns, historical performance data, and service requirements in advance to pre-determine optimal parameter settings for each user. This allows the system to proactively adjust parameters before performance degradation occurs, ensuring consistent user experience while maintaining overall network capacity through efficient resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3269164B1Self-organising network engine for per user optimisation in a telecommunications network
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 VODAFONE IP LICENSING LTD
  • EP3269164B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3269164B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3269164B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

Methods and apparatus are provided for management, control and optimization of a telecommunications network using a self-organizing network (SON) engine configured to optimize the communication problems, performance issues and/or user experience of user equipment devices (UEs) on a per user basis. The methods and apparatus collect communications data for each user related to the performance, the mobility and/or the communications of the UE including historical behaviour of the UE. This user data is analysed to identify communication issues, communication problems, user experience and/or performance issues associated with the UE in which one or more optimisation strategy(ies) are determined/selected to generate actions for configuring the telecommunication network on a per user basis for optimizing the user experience. For example, the radio access network may be configured to optimise the user experience of the UE and/or the behaviour of the UE. The SON engine may define an optimisation loop in which the current status of the UE is determined, an optimisation strategy may be selected based on the status of the UE for optimising the user experience of the UE. As well, further communication data associated with the UE is collected, analysed to identify further communication issues, communication problems, user experience and/or performance issues and the like, determining/selecting further optimisation strategy(ies) and taking appropriate action to optimise the user experience.