Self-optimization of LTE networks utilizing Celnet Xplorer (original) (raw)
Related papers
Self Organizing Networks for 3GPP LTE
Network elements and their parameters in mobile wireless networks, are largely manually configured. This has been somewhat sufficient; but with the growing data traffic compensated by new and emerging technologies with corresponding larger networks, there is an obvious need to redefine the network operations to achieve optimum performance. A manual configuration approach requires specialized expertise for device deployments, configurations, re-setting network parameters and general management of the network. This process is cost-intensive, time-consuming and prone to errors. Adoption of this approach in the evolved wireless technologies results in poor network performance. Therefore, the introduction of advanced mobile wireless networks has highlighted the need and essence for automation within the network. Self Orga- nizing Networks (SON) developed by 3GPP, using automation, ensures operational efficiency and next generation simplified network management for a mobile wireless network. The introduction of SON in LTE therefore brings about optimum network performance and higher end user Quality of Expe- rience. This paper highlights the SON techniques relevant within an LTE network, a brief description of SON architecture alternatives and then some in- formation on the evolution of SON activities as LTE evolves towards LTE-A.
Self-Organization Activities in LTE-Advanced Networks
Handbook of Research on Progressive Trends in Wireless Communications and Networking, 2014
A major challenge in the context of LTE networks is a cost-effective network operation, which can be done by carefully controlling the network Operational Expenses (OPEX). Therefore, to minimize OPEX costs while optimizing network performance, Self-Organizing Network (SON) principles were proposed. These networks are the main focus of this chapter, which highlights the state of art and provides a comprehensive investigation of current research efforts in the field of SONs. A major contribution of the chapter is the handling of SON use cases, going through their challenges, solutions. and open research questions. The chapter also presents efforts to provide coordination frameworks between SON use cases and routines. An additional essential contribution of the chapter is the description of SON activities within 3GPP.
LTE-advanced self-organizing network conflicts and coordination algorithms
IEEE Wireless Communications, 2015
Self-Organising Network (SON) functions have been introduced in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced standards by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) as an excellent solution that promises enormous improvements in the network performance. However, the most challenging issue in implementing SON functions in reality is the identification of the best possible interactions among simultaneously operating and even conflicting SON functions in order to guarantee a robust, stable and desired network operation. In this direction, the first step is the comprehensive modelling of various types of conflicts among SON functions, not only to acquire a detailed view of the problem, but also to pave the way for designing appropriate Self-Coordination mechanisms among SON functions. In this paper we present a comprehensive classification of SON function conflicts, which leads the way for designing suitable conflict resolution solutions among SON functions and implementing SON in reality. Identifying conflicting and interfering relations among autonomous network management functionalities is a tremendously complex task. We demonstrate how analysis of fundamental trade-offs among performance metrics can lead us to the identification of potential conflicts. Moreover, we present analytical models of these conflicts using Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) plots in multi-cell environments which help to dig into the complex relations among SON functions. We identify potential chain reactions among SON function conflicts that can affect the concurrent operation of multiple SON functions in reality. Finally, we propose a Self-Coordination framework for conflict resolution among multiple SON functions in LTE/LTE-Advanced networks, while highlighting a number of future research challenges for conflict-free operation of SON.
A Perspective on Self-Optimization in Next Generation Cellular Networks
Self-Organized Mobile Communication Technologies and Techniques for Network Optimization
During the past few decades wireless technology has seen a tremendous growth. The recent introduction of high-end mobile devices has further increased subscribers' demand for high bandwidth and quality of service. The number of nodes in future cellular systems will be too large to be configured and maintained manually. Further the mobility of users, the varying nature of the wireless channel and variation in user demand systems requires optimization of network parameters and delay in configuration may cause congestion and poor Quality of Service. Due to this increased complexity and the huge scale of wireless systems the network configuration, optimization and maintenance process performed by radio engineers has become inefficient and therefore, lot of research is being done to introduce self-optimizing capabilities within the network, which is expected to permit higher end user Quality of Service (QoS) and less operation cost and maintenance cost for telecom service providers. ...
A Novel Algorithm for Optimization of Mobile Network Performance with Self-Organized Network
Journal of Communications
Self-organizing Networks is a key driver for improving automated management in 4G and 5G networks. It reduces installation and management cost through simplifying operation task by self-configuration, optimization and healing of the network. In this context, load balancing, capacity optimization and mobility robustness optimization are examples of SON tools to improve network performance. As those tools achieve their function by adjusting the same parameters, a conflict is induced with these performance metrics. In this paper, we address the conflict resolution problem resulted from automated management of SON for different performance metrics. In addition we provide a novel solution for concurrent optimization of capacity and robustness while maintaining load imbalance between cells to its minimum value. The proposed solution is compared against two benchmark schemes to further illustrate the improvement of network performance with SON proposed algorithm in terms of throughput, robustness, and load distribution.
Self Coordination among SON Functions in LTE Heterogeneous Networks
2015 IEEE 81st Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), 2015
In a self-organized Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, different Self-Organizing Network (SON) functions or different instances of the same SON function can execute parallel actions, which interact or collide among each other. When the effect of the interaction negatively affects the performances of the system, this is referred to in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) as a SON conflict, which needs to be handled by means of a self-coordination framework. We focus on the self-coordination of different actions taken by two SON functions in a distributed SON (D-SON) architecture, which implements the SON functions at the edges of the network. We propose a multi-agent framework where each Enhanced Node Base station (eNB), is an autonomous agent modeled by means of a Markov Decision Process (MDP). We subdivide this global Markov Decision problem onto simpler subMDPs modeling the different SON functions. Each subproblem is defined as an MDP and solved independently, and their individual policies are combined to obtain a global policy. This combined policy can execute several actions per state in parallel, but can introduce policy conflicts, which model the mentioned SON conflicts. Each subMDP is solved by means of a Reinforcement Learning (RL) approach. We focus on the SON conflict generated by the concurrent execution of Coverage and Capacity Optimization (CCO) and Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) SON functions, which may require to update the same parameter, i.e. the transmission power level. Coordination among different actions is achieved by means of a coordination game where the players are the subMDPs and the actions and rewards are those provided by the independent RL solutions. Performance evaluation is carried out in a ns3 release 10 compliant LTE system simulator and it shows that our selfcoordination approach provides satisfying solutions in terms of system performances for both the conflicting SON functions.
Neighbor Cell Relation List and Physical Cell Identity Self-Organization in LTE
Automation of radio network management is a key determinant to work reduction for wireless operators. By replacing time consuming and costly tasks with automatic mechanisms, operational expenditure can be reduced. In this paper we present a method for automatic configuration of locally-unique physical cell identities and neighbor cell relation lists in 3G Long Term Evolution (LTE). This method makes use of mobile measurements to update the neighbor cell relation lists in the cells and to detect local cell identity conflicts, report the conflicts to the Operation Support Systems (OSS) and resolve them. The performance of the approach is determined using simulations of realistically deployed macro networks. Conducted simulations illustrate the ability of the method to resolve local cell identity conflicts. In particular, the method is capable of both accommodating new cells and handling a worst case scenario where all cells are initiated with the same local cell identities and where neighbor cell relation lists are empty.
Benefits of Self-Organizing Networks (SON) for Mobile Operators
Self-Organizing Networks (SON) is a collection of functions for automatic configuration, optimization, diagnostisation and healing of cellular networks. It is considered to be a necessity in future mobile networks and operations due to the increased cost pressure. The main drivers are essentially to reduce CAPEX and OPEX, which would otherwise increase dramatically due to increased number of network parameters that has to be monitored and set, the rapidly increasing numbers of base stations in the network and parallel operation of 2G, 3G and Evolved Packet Core (EPC) infrastructures. This paper presents evaluations on the use of some of the most important SON components. Mobile networks are getting more complex to configure, optimize and maintain. Many SON functions will give cost savings and performance benefits from the very beginning of a network deployment and these should be prioritized now. But even if many functions are already available and can give large benefits, the field...
2013
The new OFDMA-based technology is referred to as the Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) through the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. This paper proposes to add Self-Organizing functionalities on the antenna architecture, so that the network will be more responsive to changes in traffic and environment. This paper also shows the interest of a robust approach due to the uncertainty of the traffic distribution. First, we develop and validate the interference model based on SINR metric for the deployment of the LTE network, and then we use greedy algorithms to show how the antenna parameters settings such as frequency, tilt and output power, can highly impact the networks coverage due to the traffic changes. Keywords-LTE; SON; SINR; interference; parameter setting; optimization; robustness