Small Cell Placement Guided by Contextual Network Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for placing small cells in wireless communication networks are inadequate, as they do not consider context-specific user needs and signal attenuation by objects, leading to suboptimal performance and interference issues.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a database system and mobile device data to determine location-specific network needs and existing resource availability, guiding the placement of small cells to optimize coverage and capacity based on user requirements and environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cell location planning methods are used, then the placement process is simple, but the placement does not consider context-specific user needs and signal attenuation, leading to suboptimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing mobile device data, network characteristics, and contextual information in a database before the placement decision is made. This pre-processing of information enables the subsequent placement optimization to consider multiple factors simultaneously without increasing operational complexity during the actual placement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary database system that mediates between the placement decision-making process and the complex factors influencing it (user needs, signal attenuation, network resources). This intermediary stores and processes multiple variables, allowing the placement method to consider context-specific needs without directly managing the complexity of all influencing factors.
2Reliability
If small cells are placed without considering signal attenuation by objects, then the placement process is faster, but interference issues and suboptimal coverage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by recording actual network characteristics and user experience data from mobile devices, then using this feedback to optimize future placement decisions. The database stores real-world performance information that feeds back into the placement algorithm, enabling continuous improvement of coverage quality without requiring time-consuming manual site surveys for each placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical environment by storing network characteristics, signal attenuation data, and spatial information in a database. This digital model allows the system to simulate and evaluate placement scenarios without physically testing each configuration, enabling faster placement decisions while maintaining accuracy in predicting coverage and interference characteristics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If placement methods do not consider location-specific user needs, then the implementation is simpler, but user requirements for bandwidth and latency are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The database system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores mobile device data, network characteristics, contextual information, and placement history. This multi-functional approach allows the system to consider diverse user needs (bandwidth, latency, coverage) across different locations and scenarios within a single unified structure, enhancing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system handles parameter changes by storing various network parameters (signal strength, bandwidth, latency) and user needs parameters in the database, then using these stored parameter values to optimize placement decisions. By pre-storing parameter data and using it in optimization algorithms, the system adapts to different user requirements without performing complex real-time calculations for each placement scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A method to guide the placement of new small cell, wherein a small cell is a radio cell station with much smaller coverage area than a macro cell, having one or more existing wireless cells, one or more mobile devices of known location and application use and context, a processor and database system, a new small cell, a device for guiding the user in the placement of the new small cell, includes the steps: the location dependant measured network characteristics and location dependant contextual data needs of the mobile device are recorded and stored in the database system over time; and the contents of the database system are used to determine the likely future location specific network needs, such that this information together with the characteristics of the new small cell are used to determine the placement co-ordinates of the new small cell, and use the placement co-ordinates to guide a user in the placement of the new small cell, with the device for guiding the user.