Method and apparatus for coordination of self-optimization functions in a wireless network

• US 9,516,628 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Chou, Joey
• Primary Examiner(s): Lai, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHIH, ALBERT K
• Application Number:
  US14/165,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20140140278A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/0073 Acquisition of primary synchronisation channel, e.g. detection of cell-ID within cell-ID group
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0033 arrangements specific to the transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0077 Cooperative coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/08 by repeating transmission, e.g. Verdan system H04L1/1858 and H04L1/189 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1607 Details of the supervisory signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1635 Cumulative acknowledgement, i.e. the acknowledgement message applying to all previous messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1812 Hybrid protocols; Hybrid automatic repeat request [HARQ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1819 with retransmission of additional or different redundancy
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1825 Adaptation of specific ARQ protocol parameters according to transmission conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1854 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1861 Physical mapping arrangements for ACK signaling see also H04L5/0053
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1864 ARQ related signaling H04L1/1607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1877 for semi-reliable protocols, e.g. for less sensitive applications like streaming video buffer level management for video bitstream control arrangements H04N21/44004
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1887 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/189 Transmission or retransmission of more than one copy of a message
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1896 ARQ related signaling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2854 Wide area networks, e.g. public data networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/283 in response to processing delays, e.g. caused by jitter or round trip time [RTT]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/6275 based on priority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/001 : the frequencies being arranged in component carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0053 : Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0055 : Physical resource allocation for ACK/NACK for physical mapping arrangements in ARQ protocols H04L1/1861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0073 : Allocation arrangements that take into account other cell interferences for intercell interference mitigation or co-ordination in orthogonal multiplex systems H04J11/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 : Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1438 : Negotiation of transmission parameters prior to communication modified according to link quality H04L1/0001
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1446 : of transmission speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1469 : using time-sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/75 : Media network packet handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/752 : adapting media to network capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/756 : adapting media to device capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/568 : Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25841 : involving the geographical location of the client retrieval from the Internet by querying based on geographical locations G06F16/9537; arrangements for identifying locations of receiving stations in broadcast systems H04H60/51; location of the user terminal in data switching networks H04L67/52; services making use of the location of users or terminals in wireless networks H04W4/02; locating users or terminals in wireless networks H04W64/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 : embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6405 : Multicasting data broadcast and multicast in packet switching networks H04L12/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6408 : Unicasting
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/04 : Traffic adaptive resource partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 : Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0236 : radio quality, e.g. interference, losses or delay
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0278 : using buffer status reports dynamic wireless traffic scheduling definition H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/02 : Power saving arrangements in wired systems H04L12/12; signaling of mobile application services, e.g. low battery notifications H04W4/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0206 : in access points, e.g. base stations access point devices per se H04W88/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 : in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 : where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 : where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/143 : Downlink power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/243 : taking into account interferences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 : Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 : Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1268 : of uplink data flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1273 : of downlink data flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 : Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/27 : between access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/51 : based on terminal or device properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 : using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/569 : of the traffic information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/085 : collision avoidance
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 : Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 : Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A network management device and method for coordination of self-optimization functions in a wireless network. A network management device for coordination of self-optimization functions includes one or more processors and an interface. The interface communicates with a plurality of enhanced node Bs (eNodeBs). The interface is arranged to receive a request to change a coverage or a capacity of an enhanced node B (eNodeB). The interface is further arranged to transmit a query to the eNodeB to obtain a self-optimizing network (SON) coordination state of the eNodeB. The one or more processors are arranged to determine whether to grant or deny the request based on a coordination policy and the SON coordination state.

Claims

1. A network manager (NM) comprising:

a self-optimized network (SON) coordination function to prevent a conflict and to provide resolution to the conflict cause by an operation of one SON function at the same time when another SON function is to operate on an enhanced Node B (eNodeB) of a plurality of enhanced node Bs (eNodeBs);

wherein, the SON coordination function is to coordinate SON functions which include at least an energy saving management (ESM) function, a cell outage compensation (COC) function or a coverage and a capacity optimizing (CCO) function based on a SON coordination state, the SON coordination state being a state of SON functions, wherein the SON coordination state is one of

a first state indicating that a respective eNodeB of the plurality of eNodeBs is already providing coverage for other eNodeBs of the plurality of eNodeBs that are switched off for energy-saving purposes by an ESM SON function,

a second state indicating that a respective eNodeB of the plurality of eNodeBs is already providing coverage of a neighboring eNodeB that is in outage, and

a third state indicating that a respective eNodeB of the plurality of eNodeBs is updating the configuration parameters in a respective cell.

2. The NM of claim 1, wherein the SON coordination function is to reside above an Itf-N wherein, the Itf-N is an interface situated between the NM and a domain manger (DM).

3. The NM of claim 1, wherein the SON coordination function is to reside below an Itf-N wherein, the Itf-N is an interface situated between the NM and a domain manger (DM).

4. The NM of claim 1, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to prevent the conflict by a prevention of a parameter change by one or more SON function for a predetermined time period after a same parameter has been changed by another SON function.

5. The NM of claim 1, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to prevent the conflict by relying on information that as a possible impact of a parameter changes on a key performance indicator (KPI).

6. The NM of claim 1, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to detect the conflict and base on the detection to resolve the conflict.

7. The NM of claim 1, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to detect the conflict by analyzing data wherein, the data include an at least one of a key performance indicators (KPIs) measurements.

8. The NM of claim 1, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to resolve the conflict by an enablement, a disablement or a suspension of the SON function.

9. A method to coordinate between two or more self-optimized network (SON) functions comprising:

implementing by a network manager (NM) a SON coordination function wherein the SON coordination function is to prevent a conflict and to provide resolution to the conflict which caused by an operation of one SON function at the same time when another SON function operates on the same enhanced Node B (eNodeB) of a plurality of enhanced node Bs (eNodeBs); and

wherein, the SON coordination function is to coordinate SON functions which include at least an energy saving management (ESM) function, a cell outage compensation (COC) function or a coverage and a capacity optimizing (CCO) function based on a SON coordination state, the SON coordination state being a state of SON functions, wherein the SON coordination state is one of

a first state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is already providing coverage for other eNodeBs of a plurality of eNodeBs that are switched off for energy-saving purposes by an ESM SON function,

a second state indicating that a respective of a plurality of eNodeBs is already providing coverage of a neighboring eNodeB that is in outage, and

a third state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is updating the configuration parameters in a respective cell.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the SON coordination function is to reside above an Itf-N and wherein the Itf-N is an interface situated between the NM and a domain manger (DM).

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the SON coordination function is to reside below an Itf-N and wherein the Itf-N is an interface situated between the NM and a domain manger (DM).

12. The method of claim 9, comprising:

preventing the conflict by preventing of a parameter change by one or more SON functions for a predetermined time period after the same parameter has been changed by another SON function.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein preventing comprising:

relying on information that as a possible impact of a parameter change on key performance indicator (KPI).

14. The method of claim 9, comprising:

detecting the conflict by analyzing data wherein, the data include an at least one of a key performance indicators (KPIs) measurements.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising:

resolving the conflict base on the detection of the conflict.

16. The method of claim 9, comprising:

resolving the conflict by an enabling, a disabling or a suspending of the SON function.

17. A system comprising:

an enhanced Node B (eNodeB) of a plurality of enhanced node Bs (eNodeBs) having a multiple-input-multiple-output (MTMO) antenna to support MTMO communications;

wherein, the eNode B of a plurality of eNodeBs is coordinated by a self-optimized network (SON) coordination function which is configured to prevent a conflict and to provide resolution to the conflict which is caused by an operation of one SON function at the same time when another SON function operates on the eNode B of a plurality of eNodeBs and wherein, the SON coordination function is to coordinate SON functions which include at least an energy saving management (ESM) function, a cell outage compensation (COC) function or a coverage and a capacity optimizing (CCO) function based on a SON coordination state, the SON coordination state being a state of SON functions, wherein the SON coordination state is one of

a first state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is already providing coverage for other eNodeBs of a plurality of eNodeBs that are switched off for energy-saving purposes by an ESM SON function,

a second state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is already providing coverage of a neighboring eNodeB that is in outage, and

a third state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is updating the configuration parameters in a respective cell.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the SON coordination function is to reside above an Itf-N wherein the Itf-N is an interface situated between a network manager and a domain manger (DM).

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the SON coordination function is to reside below an Itf-N wherein the Itf-N is an interface situated between a network manager and a domain manger (DM).

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to prevent conflict by a prevention of a parameter change by one or more SON functions for a predetermined time period after the same parameter has been changed by another SON function.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to prevent the conflict by relying on information that as a possible impact of a parameter changes on a key performance indicator (KPI).

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the SON coordination function is to detect of the conflict and base on the detection to resolve the conflict.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the detection of the conflict comprise:

analyzing of data wherein, the data include an at least one of a key performance indicators (KPIs) measurements.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to resolve the conflict by an enablement, a disablement or a suspension of the SON function.

25. A machine comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions of self-optimized network (SON) coordination function the instructions, when executed by a network manager (NM), result in;

preventing and providing resolution to a conflict cause by an operation of one SON function at the same time when another SON function is to operate on a same enhanced Node B (eNodeB) of a plurality of enhanced node Bs (eNodeBs);

wherein, the SON coordination function is to coordinate SON functions which include at least an energy saving management (ESM) function, a cell outage compensation (COC) function or a coverage and a capacity optimizing (CCO) function based on a SON coordination state, the SON coordination state being a state of SON functions, wherein the SON coordination state is one of

a first state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is already providing coverage for other eNodeBs of a plurality of eNodeBs that are switched off for energy-saving purposes by an ESM SON function,

a second state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is already providing coverage of a neighboring eNodeB that is in outage, and

a third state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is updating the configuration parameters in a respective cell.

26. The machine of claim 25, wherein the SON coordination function is to reside above an Itf-N wherein, the Itf-N is an interface situated between the NM and a domain manger (DM).

27. The machine of claim 25, wherein the SON coordination function to reside below an Itf-N wherein, the Itf-N is an interface situated between the NM and a domain manger (DM).

28. The machine of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed by the NM, result in:

preventing of a parameter change by one or more SON functions for a predetermined time period after a same parameter has been changed by another SON function.

29. The machine of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed by the NM, result in:

relying on information that as a possible impact of a parameter change on a key performance indicator (KPI).

30. The machine of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed by the NM, result in:

detecting the conflict and resolving the conflict base on the detection.

31. The machine of claim 30, wherein the instructions, when executed by the NM, result in:

detecting the conflict by analyzing data wherein, the data include an at least one of a key performance indicators (KPIs) measurements.

32. The machine of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed by the NM, result in:

resolving the conflict by an enabling, a disabling or a suspending of the SON function.

33. An enhanced Node B (eNodeB) configured according to an operation of a self-optimized network (SON) coordination function, wherein the SON coordination function is to prevent a conflict and to provide resolution to the conflict cause by an operation of one SON function at the same time when another SON function is to operate on the eNodeB of a plurality of enhanced node Bs (eNodeBs);

and wherein, the SON coordination function is to coordinate SON functions which include at least an energy saving management (ESM) function, a cell outage compensation (COC) function or a coverage and a capacity optimizing (CCO) function based on a SON coordination state, the SON coordination state being a state of SON functions, wherein the SON coordination state is one of

a first state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is already providing coverage for other eNodeBs of a plurality of eNodeBs that are switched off for energy-saving purposes by an ESM SON function,

a second state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is already providing coverage of a neighboring eNodeB that is in outage, and

a third state indicating that a respective eNodeB of a plurality of eNodeBs is updating the configuration parameters in a respective cell.

34. The eNodeB of claim 33, wherein the SON coordination function is to reside above an Itf-N wherein, the Itf-N is an interface situated between a network manager (NM) and a domain manger (DM).

35. The eNodeB of claim 33, wherein the SON coordination function is to reside below an Itf-N wherein, the Itf-N is an interface situated between a network manager (NM) and a domain manger (DM).

36. The eNodeB of claim 33, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to prevent the conflict by a prevention of a parameter change by one or more SON function for a predetermined time period after a same parameter has been changed by another SON function.

37. The eNodeB of claim 33, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to prevent the conflict by relying on information that as a possible impact of a parameter changes on a key performance indicator (KPI).

38. The eNodeB of claim 33, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to detect the conflict and base on the detection to resolve the conflict.

39. The eNodeB of claim 33, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to detect the conflict by analyzing data wherein, the data include an at least one of a key performance indicators (KPIs) measurements.

40. The eNodeB of claim 33, wherein the SON coordination function is configured to resolve the conflict by an enablement, a disablement or a suspension of the SON function.