Self-X RAN

Autonomous Self Organizing Radio Access Networks

Bell Labs Stuttgart Ulrich Barth June 2009

Self-X Business Perspective / Bell Labs SON vision

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Self- organizing Radio Access Networks Motivation

Current situation for radio access network management Deployment and maintenance become more and more complex and cost extensive
Trend to smaller cells, multi-band operation, heterogeneous mobile networks High manual intervention for configuration, capacity upgrade or in failure cases required

High effort required for optimisation of system performance

Deep system expertise required High effort necessary for measurement campaigns (drive tests)

Different tools for planning, configuration, measurement/KPI acquisition and optimisation involved increasing effort for network management and optimisation

new concepts for simplified network operation required

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Self-X Architecture

Vision of fully distributed self-management

NEM less network management
NM OSS

Fully autonomous, distributed RAN optimisation Self-x functions in UE and eNB

measurements, UE location info alarms, status reports, KPIs distributed self-x algorithms

Network Management

Itf-N X2-Itf

high level network performance tuning

performance monitoring KPIs alarms

Network management in NM OSS focussed on

network planning alarm and performance monitoring high level performance tuning
self-x

LTE RAN
self-x

eNB
self-x RAN selfoptimization

eNB
OSS: Operation Support System NEM: Network Element Manager
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eNB

Self-Organizing Radio Access Network

RAN configuration use cases:
Add/Remove cell incl. power saving cell Neighborhood relation configuration and optimisation for LTE

RAN optimization use cases

Cell coverage optimization Mobility robustness optimisation Interference optimisation for LTE Load Balancing

tools for RAN planning, configuration and optimisation

deployment new site, add new cell, capacity upgrade

failure cases

performance optimisation

QoS optimization use cases

Scheduler operation optimisation for LTE MIMO mode selection optimisation for LTE

conventional parameter configuration

self-configuration

self-optimisation

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Self-Configuration of Radio parameters

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Self-configuration of eNB Radio Parameters: Add Cell Use Case

Automatic Self-Configuration of Radio Parameters deployment/removal of cells/sites switching on/off of cells Vision: fully autonomous plugn play finding similar neighbors learning optimized configuration from similar neighbor eNBs/cells calculation, adaptation and negotiation of parameters distributed approach based on parameter classification parameter calculation similarity metrics configuration management
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Parameter Retrieval
self-configuration classification own properties and environment config-parameter classification learning from similar neighbours
neighbour selection: similarity metric

operator templates only for: enabling new features preferences initial defaults

Config. Parameter Calculation

outlier filter parameter adaptation negotiations with neighbours

Operational Phase
self-optimisation

Self-configuration of eNB Radio Parameters: Add Cell Use Case

What is and how to select a suitable neighbor? geographical proximity similarity of HW, cell properties (macro, micro, ; power class; ), environment parameter group wise retrieval from different eNBs (eNBs with different properties) similarity metrics: based on

Cim ,id = Wim ( ABid )

pm

C: distance measure, W: weights A: current node, B: neighbor : generalized difference

vector representation of relevant parameters with weighting factors: vector norm based identification of similarity (e.g. Euclidean distance)

Learning and storing good (optimized) configurations: some optimized parameter sets depend e.g. on time and date, load for use in restart situations for distinguishing different optimized configurations (e.g. load dependent) recognition of parameter clustering
cluster wise saving of configuration parameter sets cluster dependent reload of configuration data
l2

l1
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Automatic Neighbour Relation

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Automatic Neighbour Relation Function (ANR)

eNB
Report Phy CID 5 Strong Signal Cell A Phy CID 3 Cell Global ID 17

W-CDMA needs NRT for UE measurements UE are configured by NodeB which cell to be measured (e.g. for HO) Centralized NRT planning required No such restriction in LTE all UEs can measure the Physical Cell ID (PCI) of all neighbours

UE

X2
Cell B Phy CID 5

Neighbor eNB Neighbor up to 15 eNBs eNB

Cell Global ID 19

SON ANR algorithm

eNB can request the UE to measure the Cell Global ID (CGI) related to the PCI PCI/CGI is the key info needed in NRT to map it further to the IP address of eNB
X2 Setup between the eNBs to enable handover

Neighbour Relationship Table (NRT) per cell

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Automatic Neighbour Relation Function (ANR) Bell Labs decentralized proposal for ANR Start with empty NRT list Generation of NRT only based on UE measurements Update/fine tuning based on handover optimisation Detection and correction of PCI collision/based on ANR Simulation Assumption for feasibility study Measure Convergence Time and HO failure in worst case scenario Only information from HO signalling is used No additional measurements used No signalling with neighbour cells Full radio simulation
1 2 3 4 6 5

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NRT Simulation (Hexagonal Grid layout 57 cells)

Inter Site Distance = 500 m
95% Quantile of the NRT Completion Time
1700 1600 1500 1400 1300 1200 1100 1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0
3 km/h 30 km/h 120 km/h

HO Drops Due to Incomplete NRT

100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
3 km/h 30 km/h 120 km/h

Time [sec]

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 No. of UEs Per Cell

HO Drop [%]

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 No. of UEs Per Cell

NRT list setup only based on UE measurement feasible Convergence time sufficiently short Worst case scenario simulated, as only UEs in handover process participate to NRT

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SON: Autonomous Coloring Algorithm for Frequency assignment

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Autonomous Coloring Algorithm for Frequency assignment

Inter-Cell Interference Coordination

P

Self configuring and optimizing Network

Hand Over failure reduced by 5 fold

f 1 P 2 3 4 5 6 7

Increased the throughput up to 27% Performance increase in call set up

f 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Improve performance at cell edge

Self-organizing pattern assignment

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Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) on terminal mobility

Frequency Pattern green cell

a. Mobile is scheduled to sub-band 3 with negligible interference from orange cell b. Mobile is scheduled to sub-band 2, where orange cell radiates with lowered power c. Mobile is handovered from green cell to orange cell d. Mobile is scheduled to sub-band 4, where green cell radiates with lowered power e. Mobile is scheduled to sub-band 3 with negligible interference from cell 1
e a

P Pfull 1 2
b a b c d c

P
e d

Frequency Pattern orange cell

Pfull 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 f

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Autonomous Coloring Algorithm for Frequency assignment Motivation

Bell Labs ICIC approach requires frequency planning But frequency planning is OPEX consuming Provide a self-organizing solution for cell (sub-)frequency (colour) assignment

Challenges and

Bell Labs Solutions

Known mathematical approaches are only centralized ... Fully distributed colouring algorithm inside each eNB ... and require much too much computation effort for real networks Efficient solution inside restricted areas by a novel successive algorithm Existing approaches are not adapted to the radio networks KPI for algorithm based on Interferences and n-tier neighbours Best suited colour solution found also when a perfect one does not exist Decentralized systems can be susceptible to instabilities Advanced mechanisms to detect and resolve oscillation effects Advanced functionality to avoid a moving wave of changes through the network

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Major Steps of the Self Organizing + Self Optimizing SON Algorithm

Neighbour Relation Table (NRT) sufficiently filled Scenario Creation / Update inside the eNB Self Adaptation: Add/Drop Cell, NRT Change

Fast Initial Colouring: Each cell colours itself - if possible ICIC immediately operational

Local Area Colour Optimization: Optimizing the colour assignment for several cells Resolving sub-optimal neighbour colour assignments Finding the optimal interference situation Several advanced mechanisms to prevent instabilities ...

Periodic optimization by each cell

- Algorithm + signalling 3GPP compliant (i.e. LTE Rel.8) - Fully distributed algorithm, runs inside each eNB

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Operation of SON ICIC algorithm Initial eNB based (self-) assignment of frequency patterns for ICIC
network is already in operational state without lowered sub-bands (i.e. re-use 1 no frequency pattern is assigned) self-assignment is started when the NRT has settled after ANR the found assignment is stable while the particular NRTs do not change significantly

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Operation of SON ICIC algorithm Modification of network deployment

Addition of Omni-directional cell Initial color is chosen to the fewest interference load (best neighbour) Subsequent optimization procedure finds a solution by re-coloring the own cell and a further (neighbour) cell

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Operation of SON ICIC algorithm Modification of network deployment

Replacement of Omni-directional cell with tri-sectorized basestation Quick reaction of neighbors on changed neighborhood in NRT

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Mobility Robustness (Handover Optimization)

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Configuration Parameters for Handover in LTE

Filtered RSRP [dB]

Source Cell Target Cell

Radio problem detection

Hyst(dB)

T1 (e.g. 500 ms)

RLF threshold
TTT (ms)

Radio link failure

P(ms)
Handover Command

Handover Event A3

Time

LTE handover more sensitive compared to W-CDMA Configuration parameters

Filtered RSRP values Handover Margin, i.e. hysteresis between source and target Time to trigger (TTT) Cell Individual Offset (CIO)

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Targets For Self-Optimization of Handovers (HO) To increase network performance by the minimization of Radio Link Failures (RLF) and ping pong effects occurring due to inappropriate HO parameters To avoid manual update and setting of HO parameters after the initial deployment To monitor neighbor specific HO problems
Each cell monitors the HO problems occurring due to its own parameters or due to specific neighbors parameters

Every cell autonomously detects and resolves the HO problems by using decentralized self-detection and optimization algorithms To avoid drive tests run specially for the detection of such problems

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Classification of HO Problems RLF due to inappropriate HO decisions and HO parameter settings RLF before HO
RLF before source cell receives UE measurement report for initiation of HO detection by source or neighbor cells

RLF during HO
RLF in source cell occurring during HO (HO command failure) detection by source or neighbor cells

RLF just after HO

RLF in target cell just after the successful HO detection by target cell

Short Stays Ping pong effect

Rapid handovers between two neighbor cells

Island effect
Handover from Cell A to Cell C and successive rapid handover from cell C to Cell B instead of handover directly from Cell A to Cell B (avoid short stay in Cell C so called hot spot or island effect)

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Possible Handover Optimization

Avoiding high handover failure rates or too many short stays Detection of non-suitable neighbor relations by collecting and analyzing handover statistics
Optimization algorithms have to deal with rare and sporadic input values

Avoid handovers to non-suitable neighbors Considering that in some cases only specific locations at cell borders are non-suitable

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Possible Handover Optimization Optimization by modification of HO parameters Make sure handover problems are caused within the source cell Options for modification of HO parameters in source cell
Handover Margin (HOM) Time to Trigger HO (TTT) Filter Coefficient and Cell Individual Offset (CIO)

Simulation results
HOM and Filter Coefficient can be fixed
Normalized HO Rate 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 0

Normalized HO Rate Vs Residual BLER for ; TTT=0 to 200 ms; 20ms step

TTT must be selected depending upon the UE speed

10

BLER [% ]

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Coverage and Capacity Optimisation

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Coverage Optimization for LTE

Targets detection and minimization of coverage & capacity problems load / UE density depending tilting cell outage compensation & power saving by switching cells off/on Vision after planning and deployment of a new cell: fully automatic / autonomous optimization in eNB: antenna tilt, TxPower replacement of drive tests decentralized / distributed approach New optimization process required:
STATE OF THE ART cell global PM counters drive tests, UE call based traces algorithm design cell global PM counters SON TARGET UE measurements UE location info decentralized: continuous, optimization algorithm based

centralized: offline, tool and expert based

root cause analysis

partly automated, expert driven

(planning) tool based re-planning

expert know how

know how shift from OAM expert to manufacturer optimization algo design

automatic measurement configuration, data evaluation optimization algorithm

parameter adaptation
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parameter adaptation

Coverage Optimization for LTE Challenges: complex optimization problem:

collaborative (w.r.t cells and sites) and predictive optimization required interdependency with other self-x/SON optimization targets (e.g. HO optimization, load balancing)

spatially resolved detection based on UE measurements required:

areas with insufficient coverage / low SINR / high interference areas with high traffic (hot zones)

limitations/constraints regarding UE based measurements:

accuracy, range and availability (radio link based and positioning data) statistical nature

adaptation to network dynamics

mid and long term changes in traffic load/distribution, interference, neighbor relations
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Outage Compensation

Cell outage compensation by power variation no real compensation by power reduction of neighbours power increase: drawback large over provisioning required azimuth variation good compensation results (almost complete coverage) but: normally not available in the field antenna tilting at least partial compensation expected

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Coverage Optimization for LTE

Impact of tilt: CDF of Geometry reflects situation in entire simulated area. Example with various tilt angles 9-21 degrees, 15 degrees provide optimum coverage.
09 12 15 18 21

Simulation model: channel model: Okumura Hata, shadow fading 10dB std dev. SINR: serving cell selection by strongest signal, interference: sum of all remaining cells interference limited 500m inter site distance

coverage problems

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Coverage Optimization for LTE

Optimisation goals: optimize CDF especially for low geometry values view: cell global - 3dB Problem of 3-sectorised base stations with re-use 1: locations where 3 sectors have almost the same signal strength local problem, put in areas of very low user density discrete coverage hole: local geometry optimization problem with high relevance user density/ load:
conditional probability distributions can be employed: e.g. exclude locations w/o users, there is no need to provide coverage at all optimize geometry in high traffic zones

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Load Balancing

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Load Balancing based on HO parameter modification: LTE intra frequency handover

HO Rate [1/s]
without ICIC

critical in re-use 1 schemes:

no scrambling gain lower limit for usable SINR range especially critical: HO command

0,2 0,18 0,16 0,14 0,12 0,1 0,08 0,06 0,04 0,02 0 0

w/o ICIC

TTTH=0.050 sec TTTH=0.100 sec TTTH=0.150 sec

0,5

1,5

2 2,5 3 BLER [% ]

3,5

4,5

potential for load balancing rather low

with ICIC
0,2 0,18 0,16 0,14 0,12 0,1 0,08 0,06 0,04 0,02 0 0 0,5 1 HO Rate [1/s]

Residual BLER [%] (RLF)

with static ICIC, reuse 7/6

LTE inter frequency HO

no cell overlap SINR problem
e.g. hierarchical cell structures to be considered: UE velocity vs. cell size, QoS requirements (e.g. GBR, NGBR)

TTTH=0.050 sec TTTH=0.100 sec TTTH=0.150 sec

1,5

2,5

3,5

4,5

load balancing possible

Residual BLER [%] (RLF)

Inter system HO
also no cell overlap SINR problem
to be considered: service QoS requirements

load balancing possible

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Load Balancing other approaches for intra frequency LTE: DL Power modification
increased power in unloaded neighbour cells:
requires PA over provisioning UL critical

decreased power in overloaded cell:

possible in interference limited (urban) scenarios degrading indoor coverage to be investigated risk of local coverage spots 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

ongoing investigation

Interference coordination enabled load balancing: IFCO as Enabler

dynamic allocation of subbands for reduced power load reduction by dynamic IFCO based interference reduction seems to have higher potential, ongoing investigation

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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