SON Client Interfaces for Wireless Network Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enabling Self-Organizing Network (SON) features in dense Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)/High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) deployments with smaller cells requires proper interfaces and pre-/post-processing of data between base stations and network entities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing protocols, interfaces, and pre/post-processing techniques for SON entities and features in base stations and wireless networks, including APIs for data exchange between SON clients and base station stacks, and using protocols for communication between SON clients and servers to facilitate data processing and optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If SON features are enabled in dense LTE and UMTS deployments with smaller cells, then network optimization and automation are improved, but backhaul bandwidth consumption and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments SON functionality into distributed SON entities located at base stations and a centralized SON server. Each base station performs local processing and decision-making for SON features, while the centralized server handles coordination and management. This segmentation reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over backhaul connections, as local decisions don't require constant centralized communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standardized interface and protocol as an intermediary between SON clients at base stations and the centralized SON server. This intermediary layer enables efficient data exchange and coordination, reducing the communication overhead and bandwidth consumption on backhaul links by establishing structured interaction patterns.
2Extent of automation
If SON features are enabled in dense LTE and UMTS deployments with smaller cells, then network optimization and automation are improved, but processing complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides processing complexity across multiple levels: simple automated processes at the base station level (SON clients), intermediate coordination at the interface level (standardized protocols), and centralized management at the server level. This segmentation allows each component to handle only the processing tasks appropriate to its level, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables base stations to perform self-configuration, self-optimization, and self-healing through automated SON entities. These entities can autonomously make decisions about network parameters and configurations without requiring manual intervention or complex centralized processing for every decision, thereby reducing operational complexity and costs.
3Productivity
If proper interfaces and pre-/post-processing are implemented for SON entities, then data exchange efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal standardized interface that handles multiple functions including data exchange, pre-processing, post-processing, and coordination between SON clients and the centralized server. This single multi-functional interface reduces system complexity compared to having separate dedicated interfaces for each function, while maintaining high data exchange efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
LTE and HSPA/UMTS deployments are trending towards high density, heterogeneous and ad-hoc deployments. These deployments can be managed through Self-Organizing Network (SON) schemas. Enabling SON generally involves the introduction of new software and/or hardware entities into the network that can interact with existing base station and network entities (e.g., Enhanced Packet Core, Element Management System, and/or other network entities). In one embodiment, these interactions include the development and deployment of interfaces (e.g., APIs) and protocols between the SON entities and various network entities. For example, data collected on either side of an interface or protocol can be post-processed before consumption (e.g., for both data integrity purposes as well as bandwidth reduction purposes). As described herein, a full set of such interfaces and protocols with specific examples are disclosed to illustrate various techniques for providing protocols, interfaces, and pre/post-processing for enabling SON entities and features in base stations and wireless networks.