SON Function Selection via Capability Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Self-Organizing Networks (SON), entities lack capability information of surrounding entities, leading to executing conflicts during function coordination, affecting cooperation and optimization.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where an SON function selection entity receives and acquires capability information of surrounding SON function entities, using this information and a selection policy to select appropriate SON functions, thereby preventing conflicts and enhancing cooperation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If SON functions are coordinated using conventional methods (conflict avoidance or conflict resolution), then conflict management is achieved, but entities cannot learn SON capability information of surrounding entities, leading to executing conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSON function coordination reliabilityVSAvoidSON capability information of surrounding entities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where SON function entities share their capability information with selecting entities. The selecting entity receives capability information from surrounding entities, processes it according to selection policies, and makes coordinated SON function selections. This feedback loop enables entities to learn about surrounding capabilities and avoid conflicts, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining coordination reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary selecting entity that mediates between surrounding SON function entities. This intermediary receives capability information from multiple entities, applies selection policies to determine appropriate SON functions, and coordinates their execution. The intermediary acts as a central coordinator that prevents direct conflicts while enabling information sharing across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple SON functions are executed to address network problems, then network optimization is improved, but executing conflicts occur between SON functions of different entities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork optimization efficiencyVSAvoidSON function execution reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having entities share their SON capability information before executing SON functions. The selecting entity receives and processes capability information in advance, determines appropriate SON functions based on selection policies, and coordinates their execution. This preliminary information exchange and function selection prevents executing conflicts before they occur, enabling multiple SON functions to be executed reliably for network optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If SON function entities operate independently with only local configuration knowledge, then system complexity is reduced, but coordinating conflicts arise between entities

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSON function entity configuration complexityVSAvoidSON function coordination reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary selecting entity that mediates between independent SON function entities. Each entity maintains its local configuration knowledge, but the selecting entity receives capability information from multiple entities, applies selection policies, and coordinates their execution. This intermediary approach maintains the simplicity of individual entities while achieving reliable coordination through centralized function selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2846601B1Method, device, and system for selecting self-organizing network function
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2846601B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2846601B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2846601B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method, a device, and a system for selecting a self-organizing network (SON) function. The method comprises: an SON function selecting entity receives SON capability information of an SON functional entity (S101), the SON capability information of the SON functional entity comprising: an SON capability supported by the SON functional entity and an activated state of the SON capability supported by the SON functional entity; the SON function selecting entity acquires an SON function selecting policy (S102); the SON function selecting entity performs SON function selection according to the SON capability information of the SON functional entity and the SON function selecting policy (S103). The technical solutions provided by the present invention are applicable to the field of communications, and solve the problem in the prior art that during the operation of SON function coordination, execution conflicts occur among functional instances.