FI20195360A1

FI20195360A1 - Communication network planning

Info

Publication number: FI20195360A1
Application number: FI20195360A
Authority: FI
Inventors: Jari Salo
Original assignee: Elisa Oyj
Priority date: 2019-05-03
Filing date: 2019-05-03
Publication date: 2020-11-04

Abstract

A computer implemented method for mobile communication network planning. The method includes obtaining (201) a set of performance indicator values of a cell of anexisting network setup, wherein the performance indicator values are related to signal level; comparing (203) the set of performance indicator values to a predefined service level target to determine (206) needed change; and using (207) the determined needed change to choose a recommendation for a combination of an antenna technology and frequency band for said cell.

Description

COMMUNICATION NETWORK PLANNING

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application generally relates to communication network planning and tools for that purpose.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein representative of the state of the art.

[0003] Communication networks need to evolve constantly as capacity requirements change, operating environment changes and technology advances. One important factor in network capacity planning is to decide the type of capacity expansion to deploy. The challenge is to balance the cost of network expansion with improvement of user experience and provided service level.

[0004] Now there is provided a new approach and tool for network planning.

SUMMARY

[0005] Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims.

[0006] According to a first example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer implemented method for mobile communication network planning. The method comprises obtaining a set of performance indicator values of a cell of an existing network setup, wherein the performance indicator values are related to signal level; comparing the set of performance indicator values to a predefined service level

O target to determine needed change; and

N using the determined needed change to choose a recommendation for a 3 combination of an antenna technology and frequency band for said cell.

S [0007] In an embodiment, the service level target is defined in terms of

E minimum signal level of a predefined percentage of users in the cell. 3S [0008] In an embodiment, the performance indicator values are in the form of

O a histogram and the histogram is compared to the predefined service level target.

S [0009] In an embodiment, the existing network setup is implemented in a first network technology and the recommendation concerns a second network technology.

In an embodiment, the first network technology is an older technology and the second 1 network technology is a newer technology. In an embodiment, the first network technology is 4G technology and the second network technology is 5G technology.

[0010] In an embodiment, the recommendation defines a 5G antenna type.

[0011] In an embodiment, the existing network setup is implemented in a first network technology and the recommendation concerns the first network technology, wherein the recommendation defines a frequency band for capacity extension using the first network technology.

[0012] In an embodiment, the recommendation is chosen from a finite set of combinations.

[0013] In an embodiment, the recommendation is chosen so that the predefined service level target is met with minimized overhead.

[0014] In an embodiment, the method further comprises automatically repeating the method for a plurality of cells and outputting the recommendations for the plurality of cells.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] The computer program of the third aspect may be a computer program

O product stored on a non-transitory memory medium.

N [0018] Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments of the 3 present invention have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the

S foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in

E implementations of the present invention. Some embodiments may be presented only 3S with reference to certain example aspects of the invention. It should be appreciated

O that corresponding embodiments may apply to other example aspects as well.

N

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the 2 present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] Fig. 1 shows an example scenario according to an embodiment;

[0021] Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example method according to an embodiment;

[0022] Fig. 3 shows an example signal level histogram;

[0023] Fig. 4 shows an example conversion table; and

[0024] Fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Example embodiments of the present invention and its potential advantages are understood by referring to Figs. 1 through 5 of the drawings. In this document, like reference signs denote like parts or steps.

[0026] In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a new tool for mobile communication network planning. The tool is based on analyzing performance indicator values from cells of an existing network setup and using these for choosing recommendation for technology to deploy in the network. In an example embodiment the existing network is implemented in a first network technology, and the recommendation concerns a second network technology, that is different from the first network technology. In an example embodiment the first network technology is an older network technology, such as 4G or LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology, and the second network technology is a newer network technology, such as 5G technology. In case of 5G technology, the recommendation may define 5G antenna type to be deployed in cells of the network. In another embodiment the

O recommendation may concern expansion of existing network technology. The

N recommendation may be chosen individually for different cells and thereby the 3 recommendation may be different for different cells.

S [0027] In an example embodiment 5G network planning is based on existing

E 4G network. 5G networks use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna 3 technology. MIMO may involve multiple technologies, but MIMO can essentially be

O boiled down to this single principle: a wireless network that allows the transmitting and

S receiving of more than one data signal simultaneously over the same radio channel, typically using a separate antenna element for the transmitting and receiving of each data signal. In so called Massive MIMO, there are multiple transmit antenna elements 3 and multiple receiver antenna elements. In 5G networks, there may be for example 8, 16, 32 or 64 antenna elements in one MIMO antenna. Such massive MIMO antennas are in general expensive and also heavy. The more antenna elements there are the more expensive and heavier the antenna is. The most extensive antennas may not be required in all cells and therefore it may be beneficial to be able to choose suitable antenna type for different cells. This is provided by means of methods and tools of example embodiments. In this way transition from 4G network to 5G network technology can be performed cost effectively.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows an example scenario according to an embodiment. The scenario shows a communication network 101, and an analysis and planning system 111. The analysis and planning system 111 is operable to receive performance indicator values from the communication network 101. The performance indicator values may comprise for example signal level value. Mobile devices connected to the base stations and cells of the communication network 101 may for example report to the base station (or cell) the signal level values they receive every 5 seconds. The analysis and planning system 11 may receive the performance indicator values via a network operations system, such as an operations support system, OSS (not shown in Fig. 1). The performance indicator values may be received separately from different base stations or different cells of the communication network, for example. It is to be noted that the performance indicator values may be periodically collected from the network in a separate process and values collected over a suitable period of time may then be provided to the analysis system 111.

[0029] In an example embodiment the scenario of Fig. 1 operates as follows:

Performance indicator values are received at the analysis and planning system 111 in

O phase 11. The analysis and planning system 111 stores the received values and uses

N them to choose recommendations for antennas and freguency bands to deploy in 3 phase 12. The analysis and planning system 111 may output the recommendations in

S any suitable manner, such as by displaying them on display or by providing them as

E input for automatic network planning and optimization tools. 3S [0030] The phases 11 and 12 may be continuously repeated. The analysis

O phase 12 may take into account only recent data or also historical data from a longer

S period of time. Additionally or alternatively, the process may be performed for the whole communication network 101, for a subsection of the communication network 101, or individually for cells or base stations of the communication network 101. 4

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating example methods according to certain embodiments. The methods may be implemented in the analysis and planning system 111 of Fig. 1. The methods are implemented in a computer and do not require human interaction. It is to be noted that the methods may however provide output that may be further processed by humans. For example, automatically performed actions may be logged and the logs may be processed by humans. The shown flow diagram incorporates plurality of embodiments and may be split into parts. The order of phases conducted in the flow chart may be changed except where otherwise explicitly defined.

Furthermore, it is to be noted that performing all phases of the flow chart is not mandatory.

[0032] The flow chart of Fig. 2 comprises following phases:

[0033] Phase 201: A set of performance indicator values of a cell of an existing network setup is obtained. The set may include values over a certain period of time.

The period of time may be for example 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 months or 2 months. The performance indicator values may be related to signal level and may receive values such as, -115 dBm, -100 dBm, -98 dBm, -95 dBm. The performance indicator values may be received for example in a form of a histogram.

[0034] Phase 203: The set of performance indicator values is compared to a predefined service level target. The service level target may be defined for example in terms of minimum signal level of a predefined percentage of users in the cell. The service level target may be for example 100 megabits per second for 90% of the users, or 200 megabits per second for 50% of the users, or 50 megabits per second for 93% of the users, or 10 megabits per second for 99% of the users. These are nevertheless only illustrative examples and also other service level targets may be used. For the

O purpose of the comparison the transmission speed (megabits per second) is

N transformed to a corresponding signal level or vice versa. This is a straightforward 3 conversion. For example, signal level -100 dBm corresponds to 100 megabits per

S second at 100MHz 5G carrier.

E [0035] Phase 206: A change needed in the cell is determined based on the 3S comparison 203.

O [0036] Phase 207: The determined needed change is used for choosing a

S recommendation for a combination of an antenna technology and freguency band for said cell. In case of 5G, the recommendation may define a 5G antenna type. 5G operates on 3,5 GHz freguency band and therefore the recommended freguency band is implicit.

[0037] The recommendation may be chosen from a finite set of combinations.

There may be for example a conversion table listing different combinations (of antenna technology and frequency band) and signal level change they provide. In an embodiment, the recommended combination is chosen so that the service level target is met with minimized overhead. Alternatively, a recommendation that is closest to the determined needed change may be chosen. In that case it is possible that the service level target is not fully met, if the change provided by the closest recommendation is just a little bit smaller than the determined needed change.

[0038] The finite set of combinations is predefined and may vary between different network setups. The combinations and the changes they provide may be defined based on physical signal level measurements or they may be calculated using suitable propagation model. For example, Okumura-Hata propagation model may be used for this purpose.

[0039] Phase 208: The process is repeated for a plurality of cells. The process is repeated for example for a cluster of cells or a group of individual cells.

[0040] Phase 209: The determined recommendations are output. The recommendations may be for example displayed on a display, stored in a storage medium or input to a further analysis system, such as an automated network planning or optimization tool.

[0041] In an embodiment, the existing network setup is implemented in a first network technology and the recommendation concerns a second network technology.

The first network technology may be an older technology, such as 4G technology, and the second network technology may be a newer technology, such as 5G technology.

O [0042] In another embodiment, the existing network setup is implemented in

N a first network technology and also the recommendation concerns the first network 3 technology. That is, the recommendation defines an extension of existing technology.

S The recommendation may define for example a new freguency band for capacity

E extension. The recommendation may define also an antenna, but this is not always 3S necessary as it may be possible to use existing antennas to deploy additional

O freguency bands.

S [0043] Fig. 3 shows an example signal level histogram. The histogram shows number of users experiencing certain signal level. Point 301 in Fig. 3 is a predefined service level target in an example embodiment. Arrow 302 illustrates the change that 6 is needed in the cell to achieve the service level target.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows an example conversion table. The table shows signal level difference obtained with different 5G antennas versus 4G operating in 1,8 MHz band and 4G operating in 800 MHz band. Such table can be used in the phase 207 of

Fig. 2 to choose the recommendation. If the existing network setup is 4G operating in 1,8 MHz band and the needed change is 0 dB, 32t 5G antenna can be recommended.

If the existing network setup is 4G operating in 1,8 MHz band and the needed change is -6 dB, 8t 5G antenna can be recommended. If the existing network setup is 4G operating in 800 MHz band and the needed change is -12 dB, 16t 5G antenna can be recommended. That is, there is no need to choose the 64t 5G antenna in all cases.

Instead, use of methods and tools of present embodiments it is possible to find out the smallest suitable 5G antenna for each cell. Similar table may be defined for different network setups. The values may be defined based on physical signal level measurements or they may be calculated using suitable propagation model. For example, Okumura-Hata propagation model may be used for this purpose.

[0045] Fig. 5 shows an apparatus 50 according to an embodiment. The apparatus 60 is for example a general-purpose computer or server or some other electronic data processing apparatus. The apparatus 50 can be used for implementing embodiments of the invention. That is, with suitable configuration the apparatus 60 is suited for operating for example as the analysis and planning system 111 of the foregoing disclosure.

[0046] The general structure of the apparatus 50 comprises a processor 51, and a memory 52 coupled to the processor 51. The apparatus 50 further comprises software 53 and database 54 stored in the memory 52 and operable to be loaded into

O and executed in the processor 51. The software 53 may comprise one or more

N software modules and can be in the form of a computer program product. The 3 database 54 may be usable for storing e.g. rules and patterns for use in data analysis.

S Further, the apparatus 50 comprises a communication interface 55 coupled to the

E processor 51. 3S [0047] The processor 51 may comprise, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU),

O a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit, or the > like. Fig. 5 shows one processor 51, but the apparatus 50 may comprise a plurality of processors.

[0048] The memory 52 may be for example a non-volatile or a volatile 7 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 50 may comprise a plurality of memories. The memory 52 may be constructed as a part of the apparatus 50 or it may be inserted into a slot, port, or the like of the apparatus 50 by a user.

[0049] The communication interface 55 may comprise communication modules that implement data transmission to and from the apparatus 50. The communication modules may comprise, e.g., a wireless or a wired interface module.

The wireless interface may comprise such as a WLAN, Bluetooth, infrared (IR), radio freguency identification (RF ID) GSM/GPRS, CDMA, WCDMA, or LTE (Long Term

Evolution) radio module. The wired interface may comprise such as Ethernet or universal serial bus (USB), for example. Further the apparatus 50 may comprise a user interface (not shown) for providing interaction with a user of the apparatus. The user interface may comprise a display and a keyboard, for example. The user interaction may be implemented through the communication interface 55, too.

[0050] The database 54 may be certain memory area in the memory 52 or alternatively the database 54 may be a separate component or the database 54 may be located in a physically separate database server that is accessed for example through the communication unit 55. The database unit 54 may be a relational (SQL) or a non-relational (NoSOL) database.

[0051] A skilled person appreciates that in addition to the elements shown in

Fig. 5, the apparatus 50 may comprise other elements, such as microphones, displays, as well as additional circuitry such as memory chips, application-specific integrated

O circuits (ASIC), other processing circuitry for specific purposes and the like. Further, it

N is noted that only one apparatus is shown in Fig. 5, but the embodiments of the 3 invention may equally be implemented in a cluster of shown apparatuses.

S [0052] Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of

E the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example 3S embodiments disclosed herein is ability to improve network planning. Another

O technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is ability

S to target next generation network expansion resources effectively to places where they result in improving user experience and to avoid using excess resources in places where the benefit may be smaller. By choosing antenna technology and/or freguency 8 bands based on performance data from existing network deployment of new technology may be matched with the actual need. In this way it is possible to identify cells where for example less advanced antenna technology suffices while some other cells require more advanced antenna technology. This may result in cost savings for the network operator. For example when the network operator is deploying completely new network technology, this may have significant effect on resources required for network wide deployment.

[0053] Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is ability to systematically analyze large amounts of cells. In this way network wide deployment plans can be easily made.

[0054] 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.

[0055] Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0056] It is also noted herein that while the foregoing describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications, which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. oO

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Claims

1. A computer implemented method for mobile communication network planning, the method comprising obtaining (201) a set of performance indicator values of a cell of an existing network setup, wherein the performance indicator values are related to signal level; comparing (203) the set of performance indicator values to a predefined service level target to determine (206) needed change; and using (207) the determined needed change to choose a recommendation for a combination of an antenna technology and frequency band for said cell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the service level target is defined in terms of minimum signal level of a predefined percentage of users in the cell.

3. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the performance indicator values are in the form of a histogram and the histogram is compared to the predefined service level target.

4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the existing network setup is implemented in a first network technology and the recommendation concerns a second network technology.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first network technology is an older technology and the second network technology is a newer technology. D

N 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first network technology is 4G technology 3 and the second network technology is 5G technology. 3

E 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the recommendation defines a 5G antenna 3 type. g

S 8. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the existing network setup is implemented in a first network technology and the recommendation concerns the first network technology, wherein the recommendation defines a frequency band for capacity extension using the first network technology.

9. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising choosing the recommendation from a finite set of combinations.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising choosing the recommendation so that the predefined service level target is met with minimized overhead.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising automatically repeating (208) the method for a plurality of cells and outputting the recommendations for the plurality of cells.

12. An apparatus (50, 111) comprising a processor (51), and a memory (52) including computer program code (53); the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1-11.

13. A computer program comprising computer executable program code (53) which when executed by a processor causes an apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1-11. oO O N LÖ <Q O O I a a O O O LO o O N 11