Automated Neighbor List Optimization in Asynchronous WCDMA Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for updating neighbor lists in asynchronous WCDMA networks are unreliable and time-consuming, often leading to handover failures due to manual errors and limited statistical analysis, which fails to accurately determine priority base stations for seamless handovers.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that automatically optimize neighbor lists by collecting and analyzing neighbor list data, call fault data, handover statistical data, and base station location data to determine priorities for target sub-cells, using weighting factors and geographical calculations to sort and verify the importance of each sub-cell for handover processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual operation is used to make and update the neighbor list, then the list can be maintained, but it takes much data analyzing time, gives possibility of subjective recording or errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneighbor list accuracyVSAvoiddata analyzing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically collects, analyzes, and updates neighbor list information without manual intervention. The RNC autonomously processes measurement reports, calculates handover parameters, and maintains the neighbor list based on real-time network conditions, eliminating the need for operator manual operations while ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated computer-based processing. The RNC uses software algorithms to automatically analyze measurement reports, calculate handover parameters, and update the neighbor list, substituting the manual data analyzing process with automated electronic processing that is both faster and more accurate.

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

2Reliability

If manual operation is used to update the neighbor list, then the list can be maintained, but it takes much time to verify a prepared neighbor list

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneighbor list accuracyVSAvoidverification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors handover performance and measurement report results, using this feedback to automatically verify and adjust the neighbor list. The RNC analyzes the effectiveness of handovers and automatically updates the list based on actual network conditions, eliminating the need for separate manual verification while ensuring ongoing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The neighbor list verification is performed continuously and automatically as part of the normal operation process. The RNC constantly monitors network conditions, measurement reports, and handover outcomes, continuously adjusting the neighbor list without requiring periodic manual verification, thus maintaining both accuracy and timeliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Extent of automation

If existing automatic updating methods are used, then updating process is automated, but it executes per each BSC so it cannot receive statistical information on PN not related to the corresponding BSC

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneighbor list updating automationVSAvoidhandover success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The RNC performs universal neighbor list management functions for the entire network rather than limiting operations to individual BSCs. The RNC collects and analyzes measurement reports from across the whole network, processes handover parameters globally, and maintains a unified neighbor list that reflects overall network conditions, enabling automated updates with comprehensive statistical information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the neighbor list management functions previously distributed at the BSC level into a centralized RNC-level process. By combining data collection, analysis, and decision-making at the RNC level, the system achieves both automation and comprehensive network-wide visibility, allowing access to statistical information from all PNs regardless of BSC boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Extent of automation

If existing automatic updating methods are used, then updating process is automated, but it uses handover statistical information per each base station so it is difficult to give a highly reliable list

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneighbor list updating automationVSAvoidneighbor list reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from analyzing handover statistics at the base station level to analyzing them at the RNC network level. This dimensional change allows aggregation of statistical information across multiple BSCs and base stations, providing a more comprehensive and reliable view of handover patterns that cannot be obtained from individual base station statistics alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the scope and granularity of statistical parameter collection and analysis. Instead of limiting analysis to per-base station statistics, the system collects and analyzes handover parameters at the network level, transforming the data scope to include aggregate statistics that provide more reliable indicators of overall network handover performance and neighbor list effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1929668B1Method and apparatus for optimizing neighbor list automatically in asynchronous wcdma network
Publication Date: 2015.04.15 KT FREETEL CO LTD
  • EP1929668B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1929668B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP1929668B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A method for automatically optimizing a neighbor list for processing handover in an asynchronous WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) network includes the steps of: collecting neighbor list data, call fault data, handover statistical data, base station location data and PSC information data of each base station sub-cell (or, sector) in a nationwide network; extracting all target sub-cells (or, sectors) available for handover by analyzing the collected data; endowing a weighting factor to the extracted target sub-cells (or, sectors) according to importance and then sorting calculated results so as to determine priorities; and subsequently inputting the target sub-cell (or, sector) information to the neighbor list according to the priorities.