EP4173084A1

EP4173084A1 - Automated evaluation of need for an antenna amplifier

Info

Publication number: EP4173084A1
Application number: EP21731828.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karri Sunila; Antti SALMENLINNA
Original assignee: Elisa Oyj
Current assignee: Elisa Oyj
Priority date: 2020-06-24
Filing date: 2021-06-02
Publication date: 2023-05-03
Also published as: WO2021260259A1; FI129199B; FI20205666A1

Abstract

A computer implemented method for evaluating need for an antenna amplifier in a cell of a communication network. Operation of the cell is evaluated (301). Responsive to the evaluation resulting in detecting that an amount of poor uplink quality samples or uplink-downlink imbalance exceed respective thresholds in the cell (302, 306), in combination with an amount of cable losses and traffic volume exceeding respective thresholds in the cell (303, 304), it is determined (307) that the cell would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier. Output is provided (308) to indicate that the evaluated cell would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier.

Description

AUTOMATED EVALUATION OF NEED FOR AN ANTENNA AMPLIFIER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to antenna amplifiers in communication networks. The disclosure relates particularly, though not exclusively, to automated evaluation of need for an antenna amplifier.

BACKGROUND

This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein representative of the state of the art.

Cellular communication networks are complex systems comprising a plurality of cells serving users of the network. When users of the communication network move in the area of the network, connections of the users are seamlessly handed over between cells of the network. There are various factors that affect operation of individual cells and co-operation between the cells. In order for the communication network to operate as intended and to provide planned quality of service, cells of the communication network need to operate as planned. For example, the cells need to provide sufficient coverage without too much interfering with operation of neighboring cells. Often downlink direction is stronger than uplink direction in cells of communication network. In order to improve uplink, an antenna amplifier (referred to as a Tower Mounter Amplifier, TMA, or a Mast Head Amplifier, MHA) may be used in antennas of the communication network. The antenna amplifier is a low noise amplifier, LNA, that is mounted close to the antenna. The antenna amplifier provides that the antenna is able to receive weaker signals, which improves the uplink.

Use of antenna amplifiers increases operating costs of the network operator. On the other hand, all antennas do not benefit from use of an antenna amplifier. Therefore it is preferable to use antenna amplifiers only in antennas which benefit from the use of the antenna amplifier. The challenge is to identify such antennas. One way to decide on use of the antenna amplifier is to use the antenna amplifier in antennas with cable lengths (and consequently cable losses) that exceed some threshold.

Now there is provided a new way to identify antennas/cells in which to use antenna amplifiers.

SUMMARY

The appended claims define the scope of protection. Any examples and technical descriptions of apparatuses, products and/or methods in the description and/or drawings not covered by the claims are presented not as embodiments of the invention but as background art or examples useful for understanding the invention.

According to a first example aspect there is provided a computer implemented method for evaluating need for an antenna amplifier in a cell of a communication network. The method comprises evaluating operation of the cell; responsive to the evaluation resulting in detecting that an amount of poor uplink quality samples or uplink-downlink imbalance exceed respective thresholds in the cell, in combination with an amount of cable losses and traffic volume exceeding respective thresholds in the cell, determining that the cell would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier; and providing output indicating that the evaluated cell would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises repeating the method for a plurality of cells.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises performing the evaluation based on performance indicator values and configuration data of the cell.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises evaluating amount of poor downlink quality samples in the cell, wherein the determination that the cell would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier requires that the amount of poor downlink quality samples exceeds a respective threshold. In some example embodiments, the threshold of the amount of poor uplink quality samples is 25%. In some example embodiments, the threshold of the uplink- downlink imbalance is 0.7. In some example embodiments, the threshold of the amount of cable losses is 1 .5 dB. In some example embodiments, the threshold of the traffic volume is 100 000. Also other threshold values can be used and any combination of the suggested threshold values can be used.

In some example embodiments, the method further comprises using the method for evaluating operation of an existing antenna amplifier in the cell.

According to a second example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processor and a memory including computer program code; the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect or any related embodiment.

According to a third example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable program code which when executed by a processor causes an apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect or any related embodiment.

According to a fourth example aspect there is provided a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having the computer program of the third example aspect stored thereon.

According to a fifth example aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing the method of the first aspect or any related embodiment.

Any foregoing memory medium may comprise a digital data storage such as a data disc or diskette, optical storage, magnetic storage, holographic storage, opto- magnetic storage, phase-change memory, resistive random access memory, magnetic random access memory, solid-electrolyte memory, ferroelectric random access memory, organic memory or polymer memory. The memory medium may be formed into a device without other substantial functions than storing memory or it may be formed as part of a device with other functions, including but not limited to a memory of a computer, a chip set, and a sub assembly of an electronic device. Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in different implementations. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain example aspects. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Some example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically shows an example scenario according to an example embodiment;

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus according to an example embodiment; and

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating example methods according to certain embodiments; and

Fig. 4 is a table illustrating an example case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, like reference signs denote like elements or steps.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide evaluating a need for an antenna amplifier in a cell based on experienced performance of the cell. Examples of present disclosure provide that for example cells where users near cell edges experience poor uplink quality are identified as candidates for use of antenna amplifier.

Present disclosure uses the term antenna amplifier. The may be for example a Tower Mounter Amplifier, TMA, or a Mast Head Amplifier, MHA. In general, the antenna amplifier may be a low noise amplifier, LNA, that is mounted close to the antenna. The antenna amplifier may provide that the antenna is able to receive weaker signals.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an example scenario according to an embodiment. The scenario shows a communication network 101 comprising a plurality of cells and base stations and other network devices, and an operations support system, OSS, 102 configured to manage operations of the communication network 101. Further, the scenario shows an automation system 111. The automation system 111 is configured to implement automated prioritization of capacity expansion in the communication network 101 . The automation system 111 is operable to interact with the OSS 102 for example to receive performance data relating to performance of cells of the communication network 101 from the OSS 102. It is to be noted that in some alternative implementation the performance data may be received through some other system than the OSS 102 and that the data is not necessarily received directly from the OSS 102.

The automation system 111 is configured to implement at least some example embodiments of present disclosure.

In an embodiment of the invention the scenario of Fig. 1 operates as follows: The automation system 111 receives performance data relating to performance of cells of the communication network 101. Additionally, the automation system 111 has access to network configuration data.

Operation of one or more cells of the communication network 101 is evaluated in the automation system 111 to identify which cells would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier. The evaluation is in general based on the performance data received from the communication network and the network configuration data. The results of the evaluation may be provided for further automated processes running in the automation system 111 or shown on a display or otherwise output to users such as network operator personnel. The network operator personnel may then decide to deploy antenna amplifiers as suggested by the automation system.

The evaluation may be automatically or manually triggered. The evaluation may be periodically repeated for example once a week, every two weeks, once a month or the evaluation may be performed in connection with changes in network configuration, such as adding new cells or adding/changing network equipment.

It is to be noted that in the following, evaluation of operation of a single cell is mainly discussed, but clearly a plurality of cells can be correspondingly evaluated in parallel or sequentially one after another. Further, it is to be noted that the evaluation may be performed for cells that already have an antenna amplifier, whereby the method may catch cells where the antenna amplifier does not operate as intended.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus 20 according to an embodiment. The apparatus 20 is for example a general-purpose computer or server or some other electronic data processing apparatus. The apparatus 20 can be used for implementing at least some embodiments of the invention. That is, with suitable configuration the apparatus 20 is suited for operating for example as the automation system 111 or the expert profile module 112 of foregoing disclosure.

The apparatus 20 comprises a communication interface 25; a processor 21 ; a user interface 24; and a memory 22. The apparatus 20 further comprises software 23 stored in the memory 22 and operable to be loaded into and executed in the processor 21. The software 23 may comprise one or more software modules and can be in the form of a computer program product.

The processor 21 may comprise a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit, or the like. Fig. 2 shows one processor 21 , but the apparatus 20 may comprise a plurality of processors.

The user interface 24 is configured for providing interaction with a user of the apparatus. Additionally or alternatively, the user interaction may be implemented through the communication interface 25. The user interface 24 may comprise a circuitry for receiving input from a user of the apparatus 20, e.g., via a keyboard, graphical user interface shown on the display of the apparatus 20, speech recognition circuitry, or an accessory device, such as a headset, and for providing output to the user via, e.g., a graphical user interface or a loudspeaker.

The memory 22 may comprise for example a non-volatile or a volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a data disk, an optical storage, a magnetic storage, a smart card, or the like. The apparatus 20 may comprise a plurality of memories. The memory 22 may serve the sole purpose of storing data, or be constructed as a part of an apparatus 20 serving other purposes, such as processing data. The communication interface 25 may comprise communication modules that implement data transmission to and from the apparatus 20. The communication modules may comprise a wireless or a wired interface module(s) or both. The wireless interface may comprise such as a WLAN, Bluetooth, infrared (IR), radio frequency identification (RF ID), GSM/GPRS, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 5G radio module. The wired interface may comprise such as Ethernet or universal serial bus (USB), for example. The communication interface 25 may support one or more different communication technologies. The apparatus 20 may additionally or alternatively comprise more than one of the communication interfaces 25.

A skilled person appreciates that in addition to the elements shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus 20 may comprise other elements, such as displays, as well as additional circuitry such as memory chips, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), other processing circuitry for specific purposes and the like. Further, it is noted that only one apparatus is shown in Fig. 2, but the embodiments of the invention may equally be implemented in a cluster of shown apparatuses.

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram illustrating example methods according to certain embodiments. The methods may be implemented in the automation system 111 of Fig. 1 and/or in the apparatus 20 of Fig. 2. The methods are implemented in a computer and do not require human interaction unless otherwise expressly stated. It is to be noted that the methods may however provide output that may be further processed by humans and/or the methods may require user input to start. Different phases shown in the flow diagrams may be combined with each other and the order of phases may be changed except where otherwise explicitly defined. Furthermore, it is to be noted that performing all phases of the flow diagrams is not mandatory.

The method of Fig. 3 provides evaluating need for an antenna amplifier in a cell of a communication network. The method of Fig. 3 comprises the following phases:

301 : Operation of the cell is evaluated. This may be performed for example on the basis of performance indicator values and configuration data of the cell. Such information is in general available in network operator systems. At least amount of poor uplink quality samples, amount of cable losses, and traffic volume in the cell are evaluated. Additionally, amount of poor downlink quality samples and/or uplink-downlink imbalance in the cell may be evaluated.

302: It is detected that the amount of poor uplink quality samples in the cell exceeds a first threshold. In an embodiment, the first threshold is 15-50% and the amount of poor uplink quality samples needs to be higher than 15-50% of all samples. In a more specific example the first threshold may be 25%.

It is to be noted that if the first threshold is not exceeded, the process may stop here, or possibly continue to evaluating the next cell.

303: It is detected that the amount of cable losses in the cell exceeds a second threshold. In an embodiment, the second threshold is 1.5-3 dB and the amount of cable losses needs to be higher than this second threshold. In a more specific example the second threshold may be 1 .5 dB. If the cable losses are smaller than 1 .5 dB it is likely that an antenna amplifier does not help at all as length of antenna cable is small.

It is to be noted that if the second threshold is not exceeded, the process may stop here, or possibly continue to evaluating the next cell.

304: It is detected that the traffic volume in the cell exceeds a third threshold. In an embodiment, the third threshold is 10 000 - 300 000 and the traffic volume (number of all samples) needs to be higher than this third threshold. In a more specific example the third threshold may be 10 000 for GSM technology and 100 000 for LTE technology. Different third thresholds may be defined for other network technologies and/or frequency bands.

It is to be noted that if the third threshold is not exceeded, the process may stop here, or possibly continue to evaluating the next cell.

305: It is detected that the amount of poor downlink quality samples in the cell exceeds a fourth threshold. In an embodiment, the fourth threshold is 25% and the amount of poor downlink quality samples needs to be less than 25% of all samples. In this way, the method avoids trying to use antenna amplifier to improve cells, where also the downlink is poor. In cells, where the downlink is poor, some other measure is more appropriate to improve operation and therefore it is beneficial to skip such cells by the present method.

It is to be noted that this phase is not mandatory. Instead, this phase may be a further optional requirement to be fulfilled for the cell to be evaluate as a candidate for antenna amplifier use.

However, in implementations that employ this phase, the process may stop here, if the fourth threshold is not triggered.

306: It is detected that the uplink-downlink imbalance in the cell exceeds a fifth threshold. In an embodiment, the fifth threshold is 0.6-0.8 and the uplink-downlink imbalance needs to be higher than this fifth threshold. In a more specific example the fifth threshold may be 0.7.

It is to be noted that this phase is not mandatory. Instead, this phase may be a further optional requirement to be fulfilled for the cell to be evaluate as a candidate for antenna amplifier use. Still further this phase may be an alternative for the phase 302 or for a combination of phases 302 and 305. That is, if triggering of the fifth threshold is required, it is not mandatory to take phase 302 into account.

However, in implementations that employ this phase, the process may stop here, if the fifth threshold is not triggered.

307: Responsive to triggering the respective thresholds in phases 302 or 306 and 303-304, and optionally also in phase 305, it is determined that the cell would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier.

Overall, triggering one threshold does not lead into the cell being evaluated as candidate for using an antenna amplifier. Instead, more than one thresholds need to be triggered. 308: Output is provided. The output indicates that the evaluated cell would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier. Based on this information, network operator personnel may then make educated decisions on deployment of antenna amplifiers in cells where they are needed and where they are likely to provide increase in customer experience. The method of Fig. 3 may be repeated for a plurality of cells. Machine implemented evaluation method is fast and robust to implement and therefore it is possible to evaluate large parts of a network or even the whole network at a time.

Further, the method of Fig. 3 can be used for evaluating operation of an existing antenna amplifier in the cell. If the method indicates that an additional antenna would be needed, there is possibly something wrong with the existing antenna amplifier.

In an example embodiment, the amount of poor uplink quality samples is defined as bad PUSCFI (physical uplink shared channel) percentage in LTE. The following equation may be used for determining the amount of poor uplink quality samples

100^*(sum(PUSCH_TRANS_USING_MCS0+...+PUSCH_TRANS_USING_M

CS5)/(all_MCS_classes)

The traffic volume in LTE may be defined as number of samples in all MCS (modulation and coding scheme) classes.

In an example embodiment, particularly suitable for GSM technology, the following equation may be used for determining the uplink-downlink imbalance

Sum(UL_signal level <-105_sample)/Sum(DL_signal level <-95_sample)

The traffic volume in GSM may be defined as number of all samples.

Fig. 4 is a table illustrating an example case. The table shows performance and configuration data for cells 421-432. The performance and configuration data comprises operating frequency 401 , antenna azimuth 402, number of transmission elements 403, cable (or feeder) type 404, cable (or feeder) length 405, amount of transmission or cable losses 406, antenna type 407, percentage of poor quality uplink samples 408, number of samples (traffic volume) 409, and number of bad samples 410. The last column 411 provides result of the evaluation according to present disclosure i.e. whether antenna amplifier is needed or not. In the shown example, column 411 is empty if antenna amplifier is not needed.

In the shown example case, following thresholds are applied: amount of poor uplink quality samples > 25%, amount of cable losses > 1 .5 traffic volume > 10 000 for GSM and 100 000 for LTE. From the table of Fig. 4 it can be seen that in cells 421 and 425 none of the thresholds is exceeded, and therefore antenna amplifier is not needed. In cells 422 and 426 the amount of poor uplink quality samples threshold and the traffic volume threshold are exceeded, but the amount of cable losses threshold is not exceeded, and therefore antenna amplifier is not needed. In cells 423, 424, 427, and 428 the traffic volume threshold is exceeded, but the amount of poor uplink quality samples threshold and the amount of cable losses threshold are not exceeded, and therefore antenna amplifier is not needed. In cell 429 the amount of cable losses threshold is exceeded, but the amount of poor uplink quality samples threshold and the traffic volume threshold are not exceeded, and therefore antenna amplifier is not needed. In cell 432 the amount of cable losses threshold and the traffic volume threshold are exceeded, but the amount of poor uplink quality samples threshold is not exceeded, and therefore antenna amplifier is not needed.

In cells 430 and 431 all three thresholds are exceeded and responsively column 411 is furnished with an indication that antenna amplifier is needed.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the appended claims, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is improved evaluation of need for antenna amplifier in antennas/cells of a communication network. It is possible to individually identify antennas/cells that would benefit from the use of antenna amplifier. In this way, it is possible to more accurately decide on use of antenna amplifiers and to provide antenna amplifiers to antennas where they actually improve user experience.

Some embodiments provide for example that antenna amplifiers are used only for some antennas of a base station site instead of providing antenna amplifier for all antennas of the site. In this way it may be possible to save costs.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments is that it may be possible to identify need for using antenna amplifier in antennas that might go unnoticed by conventional methods such as determining the need for antenna amplifier based on cable lengths. Still further, some embodiments enable monitoring whether existing antenna amplifier implementations operate as intended. In the evaluation of some embodiments of present disclosure would result in recommending an antenna amplifier to an antenna that already has an antenna amplifier, it is possible that the antenna amplifier is not operating as intended.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the before-described functions may be optional or may be combined.

Various embodiments have been presented. It should be appreciated that in this document, words comprise, include and contain are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples of particular implementations and embodiments a full and informative description of the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. It is however clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented in the foregoing, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means or in different combinations of embodiments without deviating from the characteristics of the invention.

Furthermore, some of the features of the afore-disclosed example embodiments may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and not in limitation thereof. Flence, the scope of the invention is only restricted by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for evaluating need for an antenna amplifier in a cell of a communication network (101), the method comprising evaluating (301 ) operation of the cell; responsive to the evaluation resulting in detecting that an amount of poor uplink quality samples or uplink-downlink imbalance exceed respective thresholds in the cell (302, 306), in combination with an amount of cable losses and traffic volume exceeding respective thresholds in the cell (303, 304), determining (307) that the cell would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier; and providing (308) output indicating that the evaluated cell would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating the method for a plurality of cells.

3. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising performing the evaluation based on performance indicator values and configuration data of the cell.

4. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising evaluating amount of poor downlink quality samples in the cell, wherein the determination that the cell would benefit from use of an antenna amplifier requires that the amount of poor downlink quality samples exceeds a respective threshold (305).

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the threshold of the amount of poor uplink quality samples is 25%.

6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the threshold of the uplink- downlink imbalance is 0.7.

7. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the threshold of the amount of cable losses is 1.5 dB.

8. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the threshold of the traffic volume is 100000.

9. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising using the method for evaluating operation of an existing antenna amplifier in the cell.

10. An apparatus (20, 111, 112) comprising a processor (21), and a memory (22) including computer program code; the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 -9.

11. A computer program comprising computer executable program code (23) which when executed by a processor causes an apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 -9.