RET Link Verification for Cellular Network Tilt Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cellular communications networks face challenges in optimizing remote electrical tilt (RET) operations, leading to potential interference and suboptimal performance due to missing or incorrect links between cells and RET equipment, which are difficult to detect and correct without manual intervention.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and apparatus that obtain and compare cell and RET equipment data to identify missing or incorrect links, forming new links and updating data to ensure accurate RET operations, using site name, base station, and azimuth identifier data to verify and correct linkages, enabling automated network control and optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated measures are used to monitor and optimize network operation, then network optimization efficiency is improved, but the complexity of detecting and correcting RET equipment linkages worsens due to missing or incorrect data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork optimization efficiencyVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting RET equipment linkages
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring network operation data and comparing it against planned configurations. The computer automatically detects discrepancies in RET equipment linkages and triggers corrective actions, creating a closed-loop control system that improves detection capability while maintaining automation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary computer system that acts as a mediator between network operation data and optimization actions. This computer receives data from multiple sources, performs automated analysis to detect missing or incorrect RET linkages, and generates correction instructions, thereby simplifying the detection process while maintaining high optimization efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual intervention is used to detect and correct RET equipment linkages, then detection accuracy is improved, but labor time and operational complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of RET linkagesVSAvoidlabor time for manual detection and correction
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service automation where the computer automatically performs data collection, analysis, and correction without human intervention. The automated process retrieves network operation data, compares it with planned configurations, identifies missing or incorrect RET equipment linkages, and generates correction instructions, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy while eliminating manual labor time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual mechanical processes with automated computer-based systems. Instead of human operators manually checking RET equipment linkages, the system uses automated data retrieval, comparison algorithms, and analysis processes to detect and correct linkages, achieving both high accuracy and time efficiency through substitution of mechanical human labor with automated computational processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If RET equipment is adjusted remotely without verification, then operational efficiency is improved, but network reliability worsens due to potential interference from incorrect linkages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of remote RET adjustmentVSAvoidnetwork reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification actions before executing remote RET adjustments. The computer automatically checks network operation data against planned configurations to ensure correct RET equipment linkages are in place before allowing remote adjustments, thereby maintaining operational ease while preventing reliability issues caused by incorrect linkages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements preliminary anti-action by proactively detecting and correcting potential problems before they can cause network interference. The automated system continuously monitors for missing or incorrect RET linkages and prevents remote adjustments until proper linkages are confirmed, thereby protecting network reliability while maintaining ease of operation when conditions are correct

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4256835B1A computer implemented method for controlling a communications network
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 ELISA OYJ
  • EP4256835B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4256835B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP4256835B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer implemented method for controlling a communications network. The method comprises obtaining, from the network, cell identifiers, remote electrical tilt, RET, equipment identifiers, link data comprising information about links between cells and RET equipment, and network configuration data, and, from a data storage, network planning data; finding a first cell, if any, missing a link to a RET equipment; searching based on comparing the network configuration data and the network planning data to which RET equipment, if any, the first cell should be linked, and responsive to detecting that the first cell and a first RET equipment should be linked, forming a link between the first cell and the first RET equipment; updating the link data with information comprising the formed link, if any; and using the updated link data in network control operations.