EP1554904A2

EP1554904A2 - Cell-based communication system, and method for re-configuring cell operating parameters

Info

Publication number: EP1554904A2
Application number: EP03773725A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fiona Motorola Ireland Limited SISK; Jonathan Motorola Limited HOPKINSON; Martin Motorola Ireland Limited HUGHES
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2002-10-10
Filing date: 2003-10-02
Publication date: 2005-07-20
Also published as: GB2394146B; WO2004034716A3; AU2003282108A1; GB0223542D0; GB2394146A; WO2004034716A2

Abstract

A method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile in a cellular communication system. The method includes the steps of measuring (310) one or more items of environmental data relating to one or more operations of said cellular communication system; comparing (315) the one or more items of measured environmental data against the cell profile and determining (320) whether the cell profile is correct based on the step of comparing. If the cell profile is not correct, one or more operational parameters of the cellular communication system are re-configured. A communication system (100, 200) and a communication unit (146) are also provided. The mechanism for re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters enables changes in the environmental conditions of the communication system, for example increased handovers due to a new road layout, to be accounted for automatically, for example without Network Operator intervention in re-classifying the cell profile.

Description

CELL-BASED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR RECONFIGURING CELL OPERATING PARAMETERS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to re-configuring a cell-based communication system' s performance according to its operating environment. The invention is applicable to, but not limited to, a cell-based communication system that self-configures its cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters in response to changes in the cell's operating environment.

Background of the Invention

Wireless communication systems, for example cellular telephony or private mobile radio communication systems, typically provide for radio telecommunication links to be arranged between a plurality of base transceiver stations (BTSs) and a plurality of subscriber units, often termed mobile stations (MSs) .

In a wireless communication system, each BTS has associated with it a particular geographical coverage area (or cell) . The coverage area is defined by a particular transmitter (and receiver) power level where the BTS can maintain acceptable communications with MSs operating within its serving cell. Often these cells combine to produce an extensive coverage area.

Wireless communication systems are distinguished over fixed communication systems, such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN), principally in that mobile stations move between coverage areas served by different BTS (and/or different service providers) and, in doing so, encounter varying radio propagation environments.

Conventionally, cell-based radio communication systems are categorised as macrocell, microcell or pico cell systems, according to the nominal radius of the cells constituting the system. Macrocell systems have cells with radii of over 1km, microcell systems have cells with radii in the range of 100m to 1km and picocell systems have cell radii in the range 30m to 100m.

In macro, micro and pico cell systems, a number of cell operational characteristics, for example, the nominal sizes of the cells and the frequencies upon which the BTSs operate, are determined during the initial setting up and commissioning of the system concerned.

Currently Network Operators set up cell configuration parameters based on what they perceive to be the likely environment that the cell will operate in, i.e. a rural area versus an urban area, a predominantly pedestrian environment versus a predominantly highway environment, a microcell sized system versus a macrocell sized system, etc. Such generic classification of a wireless communication system's cell characteristics is termed the "Cell Profile".

During the system set up, the Network Operator will therefore configure many cell parameters based upon the Cell Profile. For example, a non-exhaustive list for a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) system would include: (i) Transmit powers for all subscriber and mobile classes, as well as all BTS (or Node B in a UMTS system) carriers in the cell, will be configured based on the cell profile. Cells in urban areas are likely to be set with a lower maximum transmit power than those in rural areas, as the former will be interference limited and the latter coverage limited. In this manner, the 'cell profile' dictates how the system will be configured regarding transmit powers and therefore interference handling mechanisms.

(ii) The expected traffic loading, based on the Cell Profile, will determine how many carriers are required in the cell. This, in turn, will dictate the extent of use of congestion relief features such as directed retry, etc.

(iii) The expected paging load will also be based on the Cell Profile, which will dictate how many paging channels are to be made available within the Cell.

(iv) The Short Message Service (SMS) provision will also be based on the Cell Profile. Hence, the Cell Profile is used to dictate how many Stand-Alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCHs) are allocated within the cell for SMS messaging.

(v) Whether, and to what extent, GSM dual- frequency band mobile/subscriber units are also to be supported is dictated by the Cell Profile. In this regard, it is clearly important to accurately configure the cell operational parameters for mobile/subscriber units to use the secondary-frequency band.

(vi) Similarly, the respective populations of GSM mobile/subscriber units supporting half-rate and/or adaptive multi-rate (AMR) coder-enabled technologies will determine how aggressive the parameters are set for using alternative speech CODECS . Such parameters are based on the 'cell profile' .

(vii) Handover parameters are also configured based on the Cell Profile.. Hence, the selection of a correct cell profile determines how rapid (or slow) handovers are performed. The handover characteristic is critical to optimal system performance, for example, to ensure fast handover in a highway environment, whilst slower handovers are perfectly acceptable in a pedestrian environment.

Similar environment specific parameter settings also apply in other c'ell-based wireless communication systems, such as UMTS/CDMA based systems.

The inventors of the present invention have recognised a problem with such wireless communication system rollout methodology. Namely, the 'true' communication environment that a cell initially operates in could be different from that predicted. Alternatively, the cell profile could evolve over time, for example, road re- routing resulting in more fast moving subscribers and a higher traffic demand. This would mean that the cell parameter settings, as dictated by the cell profile, are sub-optimal, thereby reducing the quality of service offered by the cell.

Such a scenario provides the Network Operator at least . three major problems: first the Network Operator has to detect the reduction in the cell's performance. For this to happen, the Network Operator needs to monitor and track the cell's performance over a short-term and a long-term basis. This is clearly a time consuming and undesirable task.

Furthermore, the Network Operator has then to ascertain which aspects of the cell's performance are not functioning as anticipated, and why. This is far from an easy task, with so many operational aspects of the communication system being inter-related. Finally, the Network Operator has to re-adjust the cell's parameters to align the parameters with the changing communication environment that the cell is operating in.

Thus, there exists a need in the field of the present invention to provide a cell-based communication system and method for determining and implementing improved cell operational parameters that are based on a cell profile, wherein the aforementioned disadvantages may be alleviated.

Statement of Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of re-configuring a cell operational parameter in a cellular communication system, as claimed in Claim 1. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium, as claimed in Claim 11.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system, as claimed in. Claim 12.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication unit, as claimed in Claim 13.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication unit, as claimed in Claim 14

In accordance with a sixth aspect of_. the present invention, there is provided a cellular communication system, as claimed in Claim 24.

In accordance with an seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication unit, as claimed in Claim 29.

In summary, a mechanism for re-configuring one or more of a cell's operational parameters is described, whereby changes in the environmental conditions of the communication system are detected, for example increased handovers due to a new road layout, by comparing measured environmental data with cell operational characteristics that are dictated by the existing cell profile. Appropriate changes _.to a cell's operational parameters and/or a cell profile are determined dynamically and implemented automatically, without Network Operator intervention in re-classifying the communication system's cell profile.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG, 1 illustrates a block diagram of a cellular radio communications system adapted to support the various inventive concepts of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cell-based communication system adapted to support the various inventive concepts of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method of determining whether a cell profile has changed, and adapting the cell operational parameters and/or cell profile in response, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

In summary, the inventive concepts of the present invention alleviate the aforementioned problems associated with the rigid cell-profile classification of a communication cell by utilizing a cell self- configuration mechanism. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the cell-based communication system detects mis-alignment of cell profile parameters based on measurement data of the prevailing environmental conditions and/or system operations. The system then implements, in a dynamic, manner and autonomous to the Network Operator, the deemed necessary changes to the cell profile and/or cell . operational parameters that are based on the cell profile.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a cell-based communication system 100 is shown, in outline, supporting a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) air-interface. A similar architecture can be applied to a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) air-interface. The

European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has defined the UMTS (and GSM) air-interface.

Generally, the air-interface protocol is administered from base transceiver sites, termed Node Bs in UMTS nomenclature, within the network architecture 110. The Node Bs are geographically spaced apart - one Node B supporting a cell (or, for example, sectors of a cell).. Similarly, co-located base transceiver sites supporting, say, both pico- and micro- cellular communications in a GSM or general packet radio system (GPRS) form may also benefit from the inventive concepts described herein.

A plurality of subscriber units, termed user equipment (UE) 112-116 (or user terminals) in UMTS nomenclature, communicate over the selected air-interface 118-120 with a plurality of Node Bs (roughly equivalent to a base transceiver station (BTS) in a GSM or GPRS system) 122- 132. A limited number of UEs_.112-116 and Node Bs 122-132 are shown for clarity purposes only. The Node Bs 122-132 may be connected to a conventional public-switched data network (PDN) 134 (or public-switched telephone network (PSTN)) through radio network controllers (RNCs) 136-140 (roughly equivalent to a base site controller (BSC) in a GSM or GPRS system) . The RNCs are operably coupled to external networks, or to other RNCs inside the communication system via a GPRS gateway service node (GGSN) 142-144 (roughly equivalent to a mobile switching centre (MSC) in a GSM or GPRS system) .

Each Node B 122-132 is principally designed to serve its primary cell, with each Node B 122-132 containing one or more transceiver units and communicating 156-166 with the rest of the cell-based system infrastructure. Each RNC 136-140 may control one or more Node Bs 122-132. Processes within the GGSNs are provided to account for communication handover, for example in the situation where a UE 112-116 passes between two Node B serving areas. Each GGSN 142-144 provides a gateway to the PDN 134, with GGSNs 142-144 interconnected through an operations and management centre (OMC) 146 that administers general control of the cellular telephone communication system 100, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

The various system elements, such as RNCs 136-138 and OMC 146, include control logic 148, 150, 155, with the various system elements usually having an associated memory function 154 (shown only in relation to RNC 138 for the sake of clarity) . A memory function 157 of the OMC 146 typically stores the cell profile information for the cells supported by the OMC, historically compiled operational data as well as in-call data, system information such as neighbouring cell-site lists, control algorithms such as a list of frequencies to be scanned by the respective UEs, etc.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the OMC 146 has been adapted to provide a self-configuring cell profile logic function 155. The self-configuring cell profile logic function 155 has been arranged to receive any operational/ environmental data provided by the system elements or UEs relating to the operational characteristics of the respective cells. The self-configuring cell profile logic function 155 then preferably applies rule-based logic to the data. The rule-based logic determines whether the cell is operating in an anticipated manner, based on its 'cell profile'. If the rule-based logic applied by the self-configuring cell profile logic function 155 determines that the cell characteristics have changed, the self-configuring cell profile logic function 155 re-configures the cell profile or one or more operational parameters of the cell that are affected by the cell profile.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the memory element 157 has also been adapted to include, for example, a look-up table of the information required to determine and/or implement the changes to the cell operational parameters and/or cell profile. In this regard, the look up table contains information relating to one or more of the following: (i) Cell operational parameters, including ranges of acceptable values for particular cell profile classifications,

(ii) Threshold values, (ϋi) Cell profile information,

(iv) A preferred mechanism to deal with determined environmental changes, or

(v) Criteria relating to whether the Network , , Operator needs to be informed in order to effect a change ; in a cell profile and/or a cell's operational parameters that are based on the cell profile.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the self-configuring cell profile logic function 155 is also able to re-classify (re-configure) the cell profile autonomously. If the self-configuring cell profile logic function 155 is unable to effect the change, for example, if the change requires a hardware modification, the self- configuring cell profile logic function 155 preferably informs the Network Operator of the changed environmental conditions. The self-configuring cell profile logic function 155 may also inform the Network Operator of the corresponding change required within the system ascertained from, for example, the look-up table in memory element.157,

Furthermore, it is envisaged that one or more Node Bs 122-132 and/or one or more RNCs 136-140 may be adapted to collect the environmental and/or system data. This would then be forwarded to the OMC 146 (or indeed any other associated adjunct) where the cell profiling logic would reside. For alternative embodiments, it is within the . contemplation of the invention that the self-configuring cell profile logic function 155 may be managed within any other element within the infrastructure, such as MSCs 142, 144, or within BSCs 136, 138, 140 or even distributed within a number of elements, if appropriate. For example, the self-configuring cell profile logic function 155 could be implemented within the radio access network (RAN) of the cellular infrastructure equipment and/or it may be implemented as a stand-alone element/function on an adjunct platform.

More generally, the dynamic re-configuration of a cell's operational parameters and/or the cell profile, programmed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, may be implemented in a respective communication unit in any suitable manner. For example, new apparatus may be added to a conventional communication unit (for example OMC 146) . Alternatively existing parts of a conventional communication unit may be adapted, for example, by reprogramming one or more processors therein. As such the required adaptation may be implemented in the form of processor-implementable . instructions stored on a storage medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, PROM, RAM or any combination of these or other storage multimedia.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cell-based communication system, adapted to support the various inventive concepts of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated. The proposed cell-based communication system continuously measures the cells' operational environment. The measured environmental data is then compared against stored 'cell profile' data. If there is a sufficient difference between the measured cell operational parameters and the stored 'cell profile' data, the system may re-configure, automatically and autonomously from the Network Operator, the cell's operational parameters and/or the cell profile.

Essentially the cell-based communication system 200 , . preferably includes rule-based logic in the form of an automatic cell profiler 220. The automatic cell profiler 220 is preferably located within the OMC 146. The automatic cell profiler 220 is operably coupled to a database of cell profiles 215, for example stored within memory element 157 of FIG. 1. Environmental (or other) data relating to the cell profile and/or cell operational parameters is obtained from elements within the system. For example, Node B 122 may send 275 environmental data to the OMC 146, so that the OMC 146 can make a determination as to whether the cell profile and/or cell operational parameters match the stored cell profile characteristics. Alternatively, or in addition, the RNC 136 may send 245 environmental data to the OMC 146, so that the OMC can make a determination as to whether the cell profile and/or cell operational parameters match the stored cell profile characteristics.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, one or more RNCs 136 and/or one or more node Bs 122 may include, or be operably coupled to, an agent 235, 265. The RNC 136 or Node B 122 preferably configures the agent to seek out and record measurements for the requisite environmental or operational data that may affect the cell profile or cell operational parameters dictated by the cell profile.

In a further enhancement of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is envisaged that one or more RNCs 136 and/or one or more Node Bs 122 is/are configured to include an automatic cell profiler 240, 270. The automatic cell profiler 240, 270 is utilised by the RNC 136 or Node B 122 to re-configure the cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters, following the agent obtaining cell environmental or operational information that sufficiently deviates from that expected.

It is within the contemplation of the invention that the database of cell profiles 215 may also include a list of cell operational parameters for respective environmental data values. In this regard, the automatic cell profiler, 240, 270 is able to derive an optimum setting of selected cell operational parameters. It is envisaged that the relationships may be as sophisticated, or as simple, as required. For example, in a simple case, a cell parameter may be adapted if a corresponding measurement value exceeds (or falls below) a threshold. Alternatively, for fairly complex relationships, it is envisaged that complex rule-based criteria may be used. In this regard, the adaptation of a cell parameter may be dependent upon a number of events and/or measurement values. Thus, a complex rule may require a number of events to happen, or measured data criteria to exhibit a specific performance, before the cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters is re-configured. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dynamic monitoring and adaptation of one or more cell profile parameters is implemented as a continuous process. However, in other embodiments, it is envisaged 5 that the process may be initiated by a Network Operator or other external trigger, (such as a periodic timer) .

It is also envisaged that the cell's environmental , ,. information may come from any number of sources. In 0 particular, the information may include:

(i) Cell statistical information, available at the OMC, such as Congestion, Blocking, Mean-Hold Time (MHT), Handover (HO) Cause distribution;

(ii) Measurement Reports, which indicate the RF 5 environment of the mobile units; or

(iii) Control Signalling behaviour. This information is readily available to the OMC function in existing systems. It forms the basis of reports generated for the network operator to analyse during the 0 course of his operational activities. This data can also be forwarded to the control logic envisaged by this invention to allow automatic decisions to. be made to adjust aspects for the cell profile.

5 An example rule for a GSM system might be:

If (MHT < 40s) AND (HO per Call >1) THEN HO_MARGIN = 4db

ELSE.HO_MARGIN = 6db

0 In this example, measurements indicate that the Mean

Holding Time (MHT) of a cell is very short. Also there is a high number of handovers associated with each call - this indicates that the system subscribers are moving rapidly between cells. Such a determination may suggest an increased use of subscriber units in a vehicula context, for example resulting from a new highway. To facilitate this increased mobility within the cell, it is envisaged that the cellular system will automatically adapt (reduce) the handover threshold to expedite the movement of traffic between the cells.

A multiplicity of other rules is envisaged for other cellular technologies. For example, in relation to a GSM system the following rule may be applied: -

'If a traffic channel (TCH) blocking > 2%, then set Congest_HO to 1'

In this example, measurements indicate that the cell is experiencing congestion due to more subscribers than anticipated accessing the system. In this case, it would be sensible to enable congestion relief handovers such that some of the cells traffic load is distributed amongst neighbouring cells.

Another example could be: -

'If MICRO=l and TA>1 exceeds 5% then set MICRO=0'

In this example a cell configured as a microcell (MICRO=l), with settings appropriate to a microcell, is actually serving subscribers greater than 0.5km from the cell (TA>1, i.e. Timing Advance greater than 1)). This indicates that it is providing macrocellular coverage rather than microcellular coverage. Thus, it would be sensible to disable any specific microcellular settings (MICRO*0) to allow the cell to function as a traditional macrocell. It is noteworthy that similar rules are envisaged for CDMA/UMTS based systems whereby cells configured as icrocells ar able to detect signal 5 timings from cells that served subscribers that exceed the anticipated coverage limits of the cell.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flow chart illustrates an ,, overview of the preferred cell re-configuration process. 0 The process starts in step 305 and environmental (and/or any other pertinent) data is measured, as shown in step 310. The data is checked against any existing cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters, as in step 315. In this regard, if the measured data 5 shows a significant variation from the existing cell profile and/or one. or more cell operational parameters, for example, by applying a logic-based rule, a determination is made as to whether such a variation causes the existing cell profile and/or one or more cell 0 operational parameters to be re-configured, as shown in step 320.

If the determination yields an insufficient variation, in step 320, the process continues with further measured 5 data and comparison of the data against the existing cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters, in steps 310 to 320.

If the determination yields that there is a sufficient 0 variation, in step 320, a further determination is made as to whether the system (for example, the OMC) is able to re-configure the cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters automatically, in step 325. If the system is able to reconfigure the cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters automatically in step 325, the system (for example, the self-configuring cell profile logic function 155 of FIG. 1) does so in step 330 before returning to step 310. If the communication system is unable to re-configure the cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters automatically in step 325, the system (say, the OMC) informs the Network Operator that a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameter change is required, in step 335, and the process returns to step 310.

It is also within the contemplation of the invention that any number of opportunities exists for Agents to receive such signal quality measurements from any element within the system, including subscriber units. For example, a determination of the accuracy of the current cell profiles may be made:

(i) After each signal quality measurement has been sent to the infrastructure (e.g. to either an OMC, RNC or Node B) , thereby improving the real-time accuracy of the cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameter re-configuration process within the communication system; or

(ii) As a grouped batch of information, once a number of measurements have been made, thereby minimising the amount of signalling resource used in the reconfiguration process.

The inventive concepts of the present invention utilise dynamic monitoring and adaptation of cell profile information. Such information, when obtained extensively throughout the system, may be determined and assessed to better plan and utilise available communication resources (frequencies) throughout the system. In this manner, it is envisaged that an automatic frequency planning operation may benefit from the inventive concepts described herein.

It is within the contemplation of the invention that the I I OMC 146 may use any additional indicia, such as traffic load, time of day, etc. to enhance the assessment of communications within the communication system. It is also envisaged that the OMC 146 (or other element) may poll Node Bs, MSs, UEs, etc. within the system to obtain such additional indicia.

It is also within the contemplation of the invention that alternative mechanisms apart from thresholds may be used. For example, a look-up table of particular measurement values may be used, where each measurement value indicates a particular cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameter that should be used. Further variations will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that fall within the inventive concepts herein described.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described with regard to a cellular telephony communication system, such as a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) . It is envisaged that the invention is equally applicable to other wireless communication systems, such as the global system for mobile communications (GSM) , any code division multiple access (CDMA) or time division multiple access (TDMA) system, or an integrated digitally enhanced network (iDEN) ™ as supplied by Motorola™. It is also within the contemplation of the invention that alternative radio communication architectures, ^• such as private or public mobile radio communication systems could benefit from the inventive concepts described herein.

It will be understood that the communication system, communication unit, and method for cell re-configuration, as described above, provides at least some of the following advantages:

(i) An automatic mechanism to detect misalignment of cell profile parameters with the operational environment of the system. The mechanism therefore removes the need for the Network Operator to set, and thereafter continuously monitor, the cell's parameters.

(ii) A mechanism for autonomously implementing the required cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameter changes, as detected.

(iii) The Network Operator is able to simply deploy the cell with default parameter settings, and then allow the system to self-configure.

(iv) In the scenario where the cell operational . parameter cannot be re-configured by the communication system automatically, an alert message is sent to the Network Operator, for example, the cell may recognise the need for additional radio hardware to be equipped. (v) The communication system is better able to adapt to environmental variations, for example new road structures, increased in-building use, increased traffic load, etc.

Whilst the specific and preferred implementations of the embodiments of the present invention are described above, it is clear that a skilled artisan could readily apply variations and modifications of such inventive concepts.

Thus, a communication system, a communication unit, and a method of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters in a cellular communication system have been provided wherein the aforementioned disadvantages associated with prior art arrangements have been substantially alleviated.

Claims

1. A method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile in a cellular communication system, the method characterised by the steps of: measuring (310) one or more items of environmental data relating to one or more operations of said cellular communication system; comparing (315) said one or more items of measured environmental data against said cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters of said communication cell; determining (320) whether said cell profile is correct based on said step of comparing; and re-configuring said cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters of said cellular communication system in response to a determination that said cell profile is inconsistent with said measured environmental data.

2. The method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile in a cellular communication system according to Claim 1, wherein said step of comparing includes a step of: applying rule-based logic to said one or more items of measured environmental data.

3. The method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile in a cellular communication system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said step of reconfiguring the cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters is preceded by a step of: determining whether the cellular communication system is able to dynamically and/or autonomously of a Network Operator perform said step of re-configuring and, in response to a positive determination, and performing (330) said step of re-cohfiguring.

4. The method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile in a cellular communication system according to Claim 3, wherein said step of determining includes, in response to a negative determination, informing (335) said Network Operator to effect said step of re-configuring.

5. The method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile in a cellular communication system according to any preceding Claim, wherein said step of measuring environmental data is performed by said system or one or more cellular subscriber units.

6. The method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile in a cellular communication system according to Claim 5, wherein said step of measuring environmental data is performed in response to a request for said measured data.

7. The method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile, in a cellular communication system according to Claim 5, wherein said step of measuring environmental data is performed continuously.

8. The method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile in a cellular communication system according to any of_. preceding Claims 2 to 7, wherein said step of applying rule-based logic is fμrther characterised by the step of: applying one or more threshold values to said measured environmental data to determine whether said cell profile is correct based on said step of comparing.

9. The method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile in a cellular communication system according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the steps of measuring, comparing and determining are used in an automatic frequency planning operation of said cellular communication system,

10. The method (300) of re-configuring a cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile in a cellular communication system according to any preceding Claim, whereby one or more cells within said cellular communication system self- configure their cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters based on said cell profile.

11. A storage medium storing processor-implementable instructions for controlling a processor to carry out the method steps of any of claims 1 to 10.

12. A communication system (100, 200) adapted to facilitate the steps of any of method Claims 1 to 10.

13. A communication unit (146) adapted to perform the steps of any of method Claims 1 to 10.

14. A communication unit (146) for use in a cellular communication system wherein one or more operational parameters of a communication .cell in said cellular communication system are configured based on a cell profile; said communication unit (146) characterised by: a cell profile logic function (155) measuring or receiving one or more items of environmental data relating to one or more operations of said cellular communication system, wherein said cell profile logic function (155) compares said one or more items of measured environmental data against said cell profile in order to determine whether, said cell profile is correct and re-configures said cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameters of said cellular communication system in response to a negative determination.

15. The communication unit according to Claim 14, wherein said cell profile logic function (155, 220) includes rule-based logic.

16. The communication unit according to Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein said communication unit includes a processor, operably coupled to said cell profile logic function (155), to determine whether said cellular communication system is able to dynamically and/or autonomously of a Network Operator perform said reconfiguring and, in response to a positive determination, said processor performs said step of re-configuring.

17. The communication unit according to Claim 16, wherein in response to a negative determination, said processor informs a Network Operator to effect said reconfiguring.

18. The communication unit according to any preceding Claims 14 to 17, wherein said communication unit is an operations and management centre (146) configured to receive environmental data relating to cell profile operational parameters from communication units operating within said cellular communication system, said operations and management centre (146) further characterised by a database of cell profiles (215) operably coupled to and accessed by said cell profile logic function (155, 220), to re-configure said one or more operational parameters of said cellular communication system in response to a negative determination .

19. The communication unit according to any of preceding Claims 14 to 17, wherei said communication unit is a node B (122), a base transceiver station or a radio network controller (136), configured to receive environmental data relating to cell profile operational parameters from communication units within the cellular communicatio system, said communication unit further characterised by an agent (235, 265) operably coupled to said cell profile logic function (155, 220) , wherein said agent is configured to obtain and/or record environmental measurement data for the one or more operational parameters of said cellular communication system.

20. The communication unit according to Claim 19, wherein said communication unit requests cell profile data from an operations and management centre (146) having a database of cell profiles (215) in response to a negative determination, and receives one or more cell profiles from said database to enable said cell profile logic function (155, 220) to perform said cell profile and/or one or more cell operational parameter reconfigurations.

21. The communication unit according to any of preceding Claims 14 to 20, wherein said environmental data includes one or more of the following:

(i) Cell statistical information, for example Congestion, Blocking, Mean-Hold Time (MHT) , Handover (HO) Cause distribution; (ii) A Measurement Report, preferably indicating a radio frequency environment of one or more subscriber units; or

(iii) Control Signalling behaviour.

22. The communication unit according to any of preceding Claims 14 to 21, wherein said measurement of environmental data is performed:

(i) After a signal quality measurement has been sent to an infrastructure element in said cellular communication system, thereby improving a real-time accuracy of said cell profile and/or said one or more cell operational parameter re-configuration process within said cellular communication system; or (ii) As a batch of measurement information, once a number of measurements have been made, thereby minimising the amount of signalling resource used in said re-configuration process.

23. The communication unit according to any of preceding Claims 14 to 22, wherein said communication unit is able to communicate on a GSM, GPRS, UMTS, iDEN, . or CDMA cellular communication system.

24. A cellular communication system (100, 200) wherein one or more operational parameters of a communication cell in said cellular communication system is configured based on a cell profile, said cellular communication system (100, 200) comprising a network infrastructure element (146, 122), the network infrastructure element (146, 122) characterised by: an environmental data measurement function configured to measure one or more items of environmental data relating to one or more operations of said cellular communication system (100, 200) and a cell profile logic function (155) to compare said one or more items of measured environmental data against a cell profile of said communication cell, and determine whether said cell profile is correct based on said comparison wherein said network infrastructure element (146, 122) re-configures one or more operational parameters of said cellular communication system in response to a determination that said cell profile is inconsistent with said measured environmental data.

25. The cellular communication system (100, 200) according to Claim 24, wherein, said network infrastructure element (146, 122) is further characterised by said cell profile logic function (155) determining whether said cellular communication system (100, 200) is able to dynamically and/or autonomously of a Network Operator perform said re-configuring and, in response to a positive determination, performing said reconfiguration.

26. The cellular communication system (100, 200) according to Claim 25, wherein said network infrastructure element (146, 122) is further characterised by said cell profile logic function (155) , in response to a negative determination, informs said Network Operator to effect said re-configuration.

27. The cellular communication system (100, 200) according to any of preceding Claims 24 to 26, wherein an automatic frequency planning operation of said cellular communication system (100, 200) is based on said comparison of said one or more items of measured environmental data against a cell profile of said communication cell .

28. The communication system according to any one of preceding Claims 24 to 27, wherein said network infrastructure element (146, 122) is at least one of the following in the communication system network: a mobile switching centre (MSC) , a radio access network (RAN), a Node B, a base transceiver station (BTS) , an operations and managements centre (OMC) .

29. A communication unit adapted to operate in the communication system of any of Claims 24 to 28.