Radio Network Feature Evaluation via Usage Statistics

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Solution Overview

Problem

It is challenging to reliably evaluate the impact of radio network features, such as Carrier Aggregation and MIMO, on performance in radio communication between wireless devices and network nodes due to the influence of various factors, making it difficult to determine the effectiveness of these features.

Innovation Solution

A network node and O&M node system that retrieves and reports statistical information on the usage of radio network features, allowing the O&M node to assess how the measured performance of the radio network is related to the usage of these features, enabling informed decisions on feature employment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If radio network features such as Carrier Aggregation and MIMO are employed to increase data throughput, then the data throughput is improved, but it becomes difficult to reliably evaluate the impact of these features on performance due to the influence of various other factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidevaluation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the evaluation process by introducing a new information element that separately indicates the usage status of specific radio network features (CA and MIMO). This allows the O&M node to isolate and evaluate the impact of individual features rather than measuring overall performance only, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining high data throughput through feature usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network node reports feature usage information back to the O&M node. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and evaluation of feature effectiveness, allowing the system to maintain optimal performance by adjusting feature usage based on evaluated results

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple radio network features are used simultaneously to improve performance, then the performance metrics are improved, but the complexity of evaluating which feature contributed to the improvement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveperformanceVSAvoidevaluation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the evaluation of multiple simultaneous features by introducing separate indication bits for Carrier Aggregation usage and MIMO usage in the measurement report. This segmentation allows the O&M node to independently evaluate each feature's contribution to performance improvement, reducing evaluation complexity while maintaining reliable performance monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by selectively reporting feature usage information only when relevant for evaluation purposes. The information element includes specific indicators for CA and MIMO usage, providing sufficient information for evaluation without excessive data transmission, thus balancing performance monitoring with reduced signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2901745B1Evaluation of radio network feature
Publication Date: 2019.02.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2901745B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2901745B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2901745B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method and network node (400) for supporting evaluation of usage of a radio network feature in radio communication between wireless devices (402) and the network node. The network node (400 )retrieves (4:1) statistical information regarding the usage of the radio network feature, and reports (4:5) the statistical information to an Operation and Maintenance, O&M, node (404).The O&M node then uses (4:6) the statistical information for evaluating how measured performance (4:3) of the radio network is related to the usage of the radio network feature.