Cloud Gateway SON Clustering for Small Cell Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless small cell radio access networks face challenges in building accurate topology information for boundary cells that overlap with macro cells and other clusters, and in coordinating parameter updates to avoid interference, especially as the number of small cells increases exponentially, leading to scalability and cost issues with existing centralized access controllers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cloud-based gateway architecture that uses self-organizing network (SON) modules to group small cells into clusters, manage RF connectivity, and coordinate parameter updates, allowing for distributed SON functionality and unlicensed spectrum channel selection to prevent interference, while eliminating the need for specialized hardware through virtualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized access controllers are used to manage small cell networks, then network control and coordination are improved, but system cost and scalability deteriorate as the number of small cells increases exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized access controller functionality into distributed SON modules deployed at individual small cells and a centralized gateway. Each small cell executes local SON functions autonomously while the gateway provides coordination, thereby distributing control responsibilities and reducing the burden on centralized hardware as network规模 expands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal SON algorithms that can be deployed across diverse small cell types and configurations. The standardized SON framework enables different small cell implementations to interoperate through common interfaces and protocols, reducing the need for specialized hardware and software for each deployment scenario.
2Productivity
If boundary cells in clusters scan RF parameters simultaneously, then scanning speed is improved, but interference with neighboring clusters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic scanning where boundary cells in adjacent clusters perform RF parameter scans at different time intervals. The scanning operation is divided into discrete periodic cycles with coordinated timing, allowing simultaneous scanning within a cluster while staggering scans across neighboring clusters to minimize mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary topology discovery and cluster identification to establish scanning schedules before actual RF parameter scans begin. The system pre-coordinates scanning timelines among neighboring clusters based on their topological relationships, ensuring that boundary cells with potential interference paths are scanned at non-overlapping times.
3Loss of information
If topology information is built for all cells including boundary cells, then network awareness is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to overlapping macro cells and clusters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating measurement and processing approaches for interior cells versus boundary cells. Interior cells use standard topology discovery methods, while boundary cells employ enhanced measurement techniques that account for their unique position of receiving signals from multiple clusters and overlay macro cells, thereby maintaining accurate topology information despite the complex environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the centralized gateway as an intermediary that collects, correlates, and validates topology information from multiple small cells. The gateway resolves conflicts and ambiguities in topology data by cross-referencing reports from different cells and applying centralized algorithms, thereby improving overall topology accuracy even when individual cell measurements are uncertain.
4Device complexity
If distributed SON functionality is implemented without centralized coordination, then system cost is reduced, but interference coordination between clusters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the centralized gateway as a lightweight intermediary that provides essential coordination functions without requiring expensive specialized hardware at each small cell. The gateway handles inter-cluster coordination tasks such as scanning schedule management and interference arbitration, while individual small cells maintain autonomous SON operations, achieving a balance between distributed autonomy and centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where small cells report their operational status, interference conditions, and topology information to the centralized gateway. The gateway processes this feedback and adjusts coordination parameters such as scanning schedules and frequency allocations, creating a closed-loop system that maintains interference coordination through information exchange rather than complex hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for managing an aggregated self-organizing network (A-SON). In such, a plurality of small cells is grouped into clusters using available topology information. In one implementation, a subset of clusters is assigned to groups of a first type, such that the clusters within a group of the first type have minimal RF connectivity. For example, scanning or updating of RF parameters may then be coordinated such that adjacent clusters do not scan or update simultaneously but clusters within groups of the first type do have at least partially overlapping scans or updates. Similarly, subsets of clusters may be assigned to first and second groups of a second type, such that the clusters within a first group of the second type have sufficient coverage to provide RF connectivity to clusters within the second group, if the second group encounters a service interruption. Other benefits are also described.