Reconfigurable Antenna Network Configuration Probing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio communication networks face challenges in predicting cell coverage areas and maintaining optimal configurations due to network densification and dynamic traffic changes, leading to potential performance reductions and difficulties in measuring coverage, especially in areas where traditional drive tests are costly and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A radio base station equipped with reconfigurable antennas can probe alternative network configurations by transmitting both a current and a secondary pilot configuration to user equipment, receiving measurement reports, and determining whether to switch to the secondary configuration based on these reports, thereby avoiding performance degradation and eliminating the need for drive tests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SON automatically re-configures radio network parameters based on detected changes in traffic load, then the network adapts to traffic changes, but temporary performance reduction occurs during reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by transmitting both the current configuration and alternative configurations before making a switch. The network probes alternative configurations in advance, measures their performance, and only switches when the alternative is proven superior, thus avoiding temporary performance degradation during reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where UEs measure and report back on both current and alternative configuration performances. This feedback loop allows the network to make informed decisions about configuration switches, ensuring that changes only occur when they will improve overall performance rather than temporarily degrading it.
2Measurement precision
If drive tests are used to check coverage after reconfiguration, then coverage measurement is possible, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service measurement where user equipment automatically measures and reports coverage and performance metrics for both current and alternative configurations. This eliminates the need for external drive tests, reducing both cost and time while maintaining measurement accuracy through continuous real-world usage data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
Continuous feedback from UEs provides real-time coverage measurement data without requiring separate testing campaigns. The system collects performance metrics from actual user equipment in the field, enabling ongoing coverage verification that is both accurate and time-efficient.
3Productivity
If reconfiguration is performed without prior testing, then network evolution is fast, but coverage and performance issues are difficult to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary testing of alternative configurations by having UEs measure and report on them before the network commits to switching. This preliminary action ensures configuration reliability through validation while maintaining fast evolution, as the testing and decision process occurs automatically in the background without requiring manual intervention or external testing campaigns.
Data Source
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AI summary
A radio base station and a method therein are provided for probing of alternative network configurations, the radio base station employing a first network configuration comprising a pilot when serving at least one UE. The method comprises determining a second network configuration comprising at least one associated probing pilot and transmitting, to the at least one UE, both the at Ieast one probing pilot of the second network configuration and the pilot of the first working network configuration, from at least one reconfigurable antenna system. The method further comprises receiving, from the at least one UE, reports regarding measurements performed by the UE on both the at least one probing pilot of the second configuration and the pilot of the first working network configuration. Further, the method comprises determining which network configuration to employ based on the received reports, and employing the determined network configuration.