Radio Access Node Sleepy Cell Detection via Paging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting cell outages in radio access networks are delayed, often taking hours or days, and require manual analysis and unplanned site visits, leading to costly and inefficient identification and mitigation of issues.
Innovation Solution
A method in a radio access node that initiates a paging procedure with a predetermined timer to assess the state of user equipment, generating a cell state alert message if no responses are received, allowing for quicker detection and confirmation of cell outages, and potentially involving the core network to select user equipment for paging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual analysis and long term performance analysis are used to detect cell outages, then detection accuracy can be achieved, but detection time is delayed for hours or even days
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by proactively paging user equipment to test cell functionality before actual outages occur. The system initiates paging procedures at predetermined intervals or when triggering conditions are met, rather than waiting for manual analysis or long-term performance degradation to indicate a problem. This advance testing enables rapid detection of cell outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically performing cell state assessment through paging procedures without requiring manual analysis. The radio access node autonomously initiates paging, monitors responses, and determines cell operational status, eliminating the need for manual site visits and long-term performance analysis while maintaining accurate detection.
2Reliability
If internal surveillance of processing boards and RF components is performed, then cell outage detection capability is provided, but detection is delayed and requires unplanned site visits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses user equipment as an intermediary to assess cell functionality. Instead of directly monitoring internal processing boards and RF components, the system pages user equipment and uses their responses to indirectly determine cell operational status. This intermediary approach enables remote detection without requiring physical site visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical inspection methods (manual site visits and physical surveillance of hardware) with electronic paging procedures. By substituting the mechanical approach of physically checking equipment with an electronic paging mechanism, the system achieves faster detection and eliminates the need for unplanned site visits while maintaining reliable cell outage detection capability.
3Loss of time
If paging procedure with timer is initiated to assess user equipment state, then cell outage detection time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using the existing paging mechanism, originally designed for notifying user equipment of incoming calls or messages, for the additional function of cell state assessment. The same paging infrastructure and protocols are leveraged to serve dual purposes: traditional paging operations and proactive cell functionality testing. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity compared to implementing a separate dedicated testing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by monitoring user equipment responses to paging messages within a predetermined timer period. The presence or absence of responses provides immediate feedback on cell operational status, enabling rapid outage detection. This feedback mechanism uses existing response protocols rather than requiring complex new communication channels, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
4Loss of information
If performance counters and alarms are monitored by OSS functions, then cell state information is obtained, but manual analysis and site visits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the radio access node to autonomously assess cell functionality through paging procedures. The system automatically initiates paging, monitors user equipment responses, and determines cell operational status without requiring manual analysis of performance counters or OSS intervention. This automated approach maintains full cell state information availability while eliminating the need for manual operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a radio access node performs a sleepy cell test which can determine a cell state for a cell served by a radio access node. Fulfilment of a predetermined triggering condition is detected in a radio access node. Following detection of the fulfilled triggering condition, one or more user equipment to be paged is determined. The radio access node initiates a page response timer period and performs paging of the user equipment until there is time out of the timer period or a page response is received from the one or more user equipment. The paging responses received while performing the step of paging the user equipment is assessed. A cell state alert message reflecting the result from the paging is generated and sent to a receiving entity. Related radio access nodes configured to carry out the sleepy cell test and methods are disclosed.