US20140045438A1

US20140045438A1 - Method and system for optimizing wireless network based on antenna feeder apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20140045438A1
Application number: US14/056,259
Authority: US
Inventors: Lilong WAN
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-18
Filing date: 2013-10-17
Publication date: 2014-02-13
Also published as: SA112330461B1; US20140008124A1; US9338667B2; WO2012142738A1

Abstract

A method for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus, including: obtaining antenna feeder information of an antenna feeder apparatus and performance information of a wireless network structured by the antenna feeder apparatus; analyzing the antenna feeder information and the network performance information of the wireless network to obtain a required antenna feeder parameter; generating a regulation-control command by using the antenna feeder parameter and transmitting the regulation-control command to the antenna feeder apparatus; and regulating, by the antenna feeder apparatus, the antenna feeder parameter according to the regulation-control command to optimize the network performance of the wireless network. A system for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus is also disclosed. The application of the embodiments of the present invention improves optimizing efficiency, shortens an optimizing period, and improves the wireless network performance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2011/072919, filed on Apr. 18, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in the entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and system for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wireless network includes an antenna feeder apparatus, a main device (such as a base station, a controller, and a core network), a transmission device, and a network management device. After years of development, all devices except the antenna feeder apparatus have relatively complete monitoring points, monitoring technologies, data management and remote configurations. The antenna feeder apparatus is short for an antenna feeder apparatus system, that is, a general name for all devices above the top of the base station. The focus of wireless network optimization is to improve wireless network performance through optimizing a radio frequency parameter in the antenna feeder apparatus, that is, regulating antenna feeder parameters such as an antenna height, a downtilt, an azimuth, transmit power, and a lobe pattern.
Due to current situation that antenna companies, main device companies, and network optimization companies are relatively independent, antenna feeder information and wireless network performance data are not combined in a current network optimization process, and no effective closed loop, which is dedicated for network performance and ultimately improving the wireless network performance through optimization, is formed. The optimization accuracy and the improvement of the network performance are relatively limited because intensive network optimization cannot be achieved.
In the prior art, the wireless network optimization process includes three parts, namely, an antenna feeder apparatus part, a transmission part, and a network management part, as shown in FIG. 1. The antenna feeder apparatus part obtains antenna feeder information manually. In the transmission part, the obtained antenna feeder information is transmitted manually. After receiving the antenna feeder information, the network only performs information control on the received antenna feeder information, and transmits an integrated command to the antenna feeder apparatus manually. The command is re-executed in the antenna feeder apparatus to regulate the antenna feeder parameter. In FIG. 1, all parts are connected with each other through dashed arrows, and no effective closed loop is formed, failing to achieve synchronous update. The reason is that: in numerous engineering surveys during the network construction stage, a great deal of information (such as antenna location, height, environment of a coverage area, feeder length, and feeder specification) related to the base station and the antenna feeder apparatus are recorded; however, errors occur during processes of measurement, recoding, transmission, and computer database entering due to various reasons, and the information is not timely updated after replacement and re-survey, causing the information in the database to be inconsistent with actual information, thereby leading to a wrong conclusion in the analysis and control of the wireless network.
In addition, in the prior art, the technology for obtaining the antenna feeder information is outdated. For example, in order to obtain a piece of information, a tower worker needs to investigate on site after coordination at various levels and it takes a long time to complete the process of recording, entering, approving, and calibrating. The information transmission and command transmission are completed manually. Therefore, the process indicated by the arrow lines shown in FIG. 1 has a long period and low loop closing efficiency.
To sum up, in the prior art, the wireless network optimization of the antenna feeder apparatus is merely based on the antenna feeder information, which results in low efficiency and a long period, and the optimization effect of the wireless network performance is relatively limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus, so as to improve optimizing efficiency, shorten an optimizing period, and improve wireless network performance.
The embodiments of the present invention further provide a system for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus, so as to improve the optimizing efficiency, shorten the optimizing period, and improve the wireless network performance.
Technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention are as follows:
A method for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus, including:
obtaining antenna feeder information of an antenna feeder apparatus and performance information of a wireless network structured by the antenna feeder apparatus;
analyzing the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network to obtain an antenna feeder parameter; and
generating a regulation-control command according to the antenna feeder parameter and transmitting the regulation-control command to the antenna feeder apparatus; and regulating, by the antenna feeder apparatus, the antenna feeder parameter according to the regulation-control command to optimize the network performance of the wireless network.
The performance information of the wireless network is obtained according to traffic statistics data, or according to the traffic statistics data and data after determination of a geographical location of the traffic statistics data, or according to the data after determination of the geographical location of the traffic statistics data.
The analyzing the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network to obtain an antenna feeder parameter includes:
analyzing a current downtilt, an azimuth, and a lobe width of each cell antenna to obtain an allowable regulation amplitude of the downtilt, azimuth, lobe width of each cell antenna;
analyzing geographical and temporal distributions of signal intensities, signal-to-noise ratios, service rates, total traffic, call drop rates, and call failures of a target cell and a neighboring cell, so as to obtain a congestion rate and total traffic of each cell; and
determining the antenna feeder parameter according to the congestion rate and the total traffic of each cell, and the allowable regulation amplitude of the downtilt, azimuth, and lobe width of each cell antenna.
The method further includes: transmitting the antenna feeder information and the regulation-control command in any one of a wireless transmission manner, an in-band wired transmission manner, and an out-of-band wired transmission manner.
A system for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus, including:
a collection module, configured to obtain antenna feeder information of an antenna feeder apparatus and performance information of a wireless network structured by the antenna feeder apparatus, and send the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network to an analysis module;
the analysis module, configured to analyze the wireless network according to the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network to obtain an antenna feeder parameter, and send the antenna feeder parameter to a regulation module; and
the regulation module, configured to generate a regulation-control command by using the antenna feeder parameter and send the regulation-control command to the antenna feeder apparatus to optimize the network performance of the wireless network.
The collection module includes a measurement unit, a positioning unit, and a control unit, where
the measurement unit is configured to obtain traffic statistics data, and send the traffic statistics data to the control unit and the positioning unit;
the positioning unit is configured to determine a geographical location of the traffic statistics data to obtain location information, and send the location information to the control unit; and
the control unit is configured to synthesize the performance information of the wireless network according to the traffic statistics data and the location information to obtain the antenna feeder information of the antenna feeder apparatus, and send the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network to the analysis module.
The regulation module sends the regulation-control command to the antenna feeder apparatus in any one of a wireless transmission manner, an in-band wired transmission manner, and an out-of-band wired transmission manner.
It may be seen from the above technical solutions that: in the embodiments of the present invention, the antenna feeder information of the antenna feeder apparatus and the performance information of the wireless network structured by the antenna feeder apparatus are obtained; the antenna feeder parameter is obtained through analyzing the antenna feeder information and the network performance information; the condition of the wireless network is analyzed to further regulate the antenna feeder parameter; the regulation-control command is generated by using the antenna feeder parameter and is transmitted to the antenna feeder apparatus; the antenna feeder apparatus regulates the antenna feeder parameter according to the regulation-control command to optimize the network performance of the wireless network. The state of the antenna is remotely regulated according to an analysis result, thereby improving optimizing efficiency, shortening an optimizing period, and improving the wireless network performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of an optimization process of a wireless network in the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart of a method for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an optimization process of a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the following further describes the embodiments of the present invention in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
In the embodiments of the present invention, a wireless network is analyzed according to antenna feeder information of an antenna feeder apparatus and performance information of the wireless network to obtain an antenna feeder parameter and the antenna feeder parameter is sent to the antenna feeder apparatus to regulate the antenna feeder parameter. The whole process of regulating the antenna feeder parameter is performed automatically, contributing to high operating efficiency and a short operating period, and significantly improving the wireless network performance.
FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart of a method for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus, which specifically includes the following steps:
Step 201: Collect antenna feeder information.
In the antenna feeder apparatus, various antenna feeder information, such as antenna height, longitude and latitude, azimuth, downtilt, indicator, interface, coverage reality view, beam shape, and feeder loss, is obtained through a professional module. The obtained antenna feeder information includes one or more antenna feeder parameters, and a needed antenna feeder parameter is determined according to a specific requirement, which is not limited to the aforementioned antenna feeder parameters. The antenna feeder information collection may be performed periodically, and may also be triggered according to a specific condition. The specific condition refers to occurrence of an abnormal situation of the wireless network.
Step 202: Transmit the antenna feeder information.
The antenna feeder information is transmitted in any one of a wireless transmission manner, an in-band wired transmission manner, and an out-of-band wired transmission manner. Transmitting information through a transmission channel from a base station to a controller is referred to as in-band wired transmission. Transmitting the information on a transmission channel other than the transmission channel from the base station to the controller is referred to as out-of-band wired transmission.
Step 203: Obtain performance information of a wireless network.
Traffic statistics data provided by a telecommunications company is collected, and the performance information of the wireless network is directly obtained from the traffic statistics data. The performance information of the wireless network may also be obtained through the following manners. Performance information of the wireless network, such as a signal intensity map, a signal-to-noise ratio map, and a traffic map, is obtained according to the traffic statistics data and data after determination of a geographical location of the traffic statistics data. The performance information of the wireless network may also be obtained according to the data after determination of the geographical location of the traffic statistics data.
Step 204: Perform an intelligent analysis according to the obtained data.
First, the performance information of the wireless network is analyzed, that is, geographical and temporal distributions of signal intensities, signal-to-noise ratios, service rates, total traffic, call drop rates, and call failures of a target cell and a neighboring cell are analyzed to obtain a congestion rate and total traffic of each cell.
Then, the antenna feeder information is analyzed, that is, a current downtilt, an azimuth, and a lobe width of each cell antenna are analyzed to obtain an allowable regulation amplitude of the downtilt, the azimuth, the lobe width of each cell antenna.
Finally, the analyzed performance information of the wireless network and the analyzed antenna feeder information are combined, that is, determining the antenna feeder parameter according to the congestion rate and the total traffic of each cell, and the allowable regulation amplitude of the downtilt, azimuth, and lobe width of each cell antenna.
The antenna feeder parameter may be determined through the analyzing process described above. That is, when an antenna feeder parameter of a cell needs to be regulated, the antenna feeder parameter is compensated and regulated based on a certain amount.
The specific steps of step 204 are described in detail below.
Step 2041: Classify and define problems that may occur in the network. Determine a processing mode corresponding to each classification of problems. If the same classification of problems has a plurality of modes, sort the modes in accordance with priority levels. Determine the performance information of the wireless network and the antenna feeder information that need to be obtained for a mode.
Step 2042: After a problem occurs in the wireless network, produce an alarm in network management and trigger an intelligent analysis.
Step 2043: In a determined mode, further determine a sub-classification of the problem according to the obtained performance information of the wireless network and the antenna feeder information. Each sub-classification of the problem has a specific solution, and the performance information of the wireless network and the antenna feeder information further need to be obtained for each solution.
Step 2044: Form an antenna feeder parameter needed by the antenna feeder parameter regulation solution according to the further obtained performance information of the wireless network and the antenna feeder information. The needed antenna feeder parameter includes a specific regulation range of the antenna feeder parameter and a regulation step length of the antenna feeder parameter.
A cycle of steps 2041 to 2044 is executed until the problem is solved. If regulation of the antenna feeder parameter of the local cell and one neighboring cell fails to solve the problem completely, regulation on other neighboring cells is started until the problem is solved.
Step 205: Generate a regulation-control command.
The operable regulation-control command is generated by using the antenna feeder parameter, that is, the antenna feeder parameter is written to be a corresponding regulation-control command capable of being executed by a computer.
Step 206: Send the regulation-control command, and regulate the antenna feeder parameter.
The regulation-control command is sent to the antenna feeder apparatus in any one of a wireless transmission manner, an in-band wired transmission manner, and an out-of-band wired transmission manner. The antenna feeder apparatus regulates the antenna feeder parameter according to the received regulation-control command to optimize the wireless network.
Correspondingly, through obtaining the antenna feeder parameter and executing steps 201 to 206 periodically, the wireless network may be optimized in real time.
In the following, steps 201 to 206 are described through an example.
Step one: A communication congestion problem occurs in a place: it is frequently prompted that the system is busy when a call is being made. At this time, the network management produces an alarm.
Step two: While the network manager is producing the alarm, start an intelligent analysis to obtain performance information of a wireless network, such as a congestion rate, a call drop rate, a call success rate, and an access success rate, related to descriptions of the problem of the prompt that the system is busy when a call is being made, so as to perform the intelligent analysis.
Step three: Determine a sub-classification of the problem. Then, put forward a measurement requirement on the wireless network and request traffic information according to an requirement. The measurement requirement includes a signal intensity, a signal-to-noise ratio, and a throughput rate, and so on; the traffic information includes a traffic positioning and traffic distribution map.
Step four: Analyze and judge a measurement result; if it is detected that the signal intensity and the signal-to-noise ratio are good, it is determined that the problem is traffic congestion; if it is detected at the same time that traffic distribution is uneven, for example, the traffic of the cell is relatively high, and the traffic of a neighboring cell is relatively low, the amount of traffic to be shared for reducing the congestion rate to a normal value needs to be calculated. Collect the antenna feeder information, which mainly includes information of a horizontal azimuth, a vertical downtilt, and a lobe width.
Step five: Analyze the wireless network, and analyze the antenna feeder information with reference to the wireless network performance.
For example, current states of the horizontal azimuth, the vertical downtilt and the lobe width of the current antenna, an allowable range and remain allowance of regulating to the left, right, upward, and downward directions, and the allowable range and balance of regulating the lobe width are analyzed, and in combination with the traffic distribution map, the traffic, which can be shared by the neighboring cell in the case of different regulated values in the allowable range, is calculated. Finally, the regulation-control command about the azimuth, downtilt, or lobe width of the antenna is generated.
In order to ensure the continuity of the coverage and a reasonable overlapping area, the local cell and the neighboring cell are usually regulated simultaneously or regulated by steps. That is, the coverage of the neighboring cell is enlarged and the coverage of the local cell shrinks, so as to gradually transfer the traffic from the local cell to the neighboring cell.
Step six: If the regulation of one cell fails to meet the requirement, start analysis on other neighboring cells in accordance with the above steps to generate the regulation-control command finally.
The needed maximum regulation value is not achieved after one cycle of steps one to five is executed. Instead, the regulation is performed step by step in accordance with a certain regulation step length. After one regulation step, it is checked in a closed loop whether the problem is gradually solved, so as to avoid non-convergence and further deterioration of the problem after regulation.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an optimization process of a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus of the present invention, which includes three parts, namely, an antenna feeder apparatus part, a transmission part, and a network management part. In the antenna feeder apparatus, antenna feeder information is automatically collected through professional modules and is transmitted to the network management through wireless transmission, in-band wired transmission or out-of-band wired transmission. After analyzing performance information of a wireless network and the antenna feeder information correspondingly, an antenna feeder parameter regulation solution is obtained. Through the antenna feeder parameter regulation solution, an operable regulation-control command is generated, and is transmitted to the antenna feeder apparatus through wireless transmission, in-band wired transmission or out-of-band wired transmission. The regulation-control command is executed to optimize the wireless network.
FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus of the present invention, which includes a collection module 401, an analysis module 402, and a regulation module 403.
The collection module 401 obtains antenna feeder information of an antenna feeder apparatus and performance information of a wireless network structured by the antenna feeder apparatus, and sends the performance information of the wireless network and the antenna feeder information to the analysis module 402. The analysis module 402 analyzes the wireless network according to the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network and sends an obtained needed antenna feeder parameter to the regulation module 403, where for the process of obtaining the antenna feeder parameter, reference is made to step 204. The regulation module 403 generates a regulation-control command based on the antenna feeder parameter, and sends the regulation-control command to the antenna feeder apparatus in any one of a wireless transmission manner, an in-band wired transmission manner, and an out-of-band wired transmission manner.
Foe example, the collection module 401 includes a measurement unit 4011, a positioning unit 4012, and a control unit 4013.
The measurement unit 4011 obtains traffic statistics data, and sends the traffic statistics data to the control unit 4013. The positioning unit 4012 determines a geographical location of the traffic statistics data to obtain location information, and sends the location information to the control unit 4013. The control unit 4013 synthesizes the performance information of the wireless network according to the traffic statistics data and the location information, obtains the antenna feeder information of the antenna feeder apparatus, and sends the performance information of the wireless network and the antenna feeder information to the analysis module 402. The analysis module 402 analyzes the wireless network according to the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network, and sends the obtained required antenna feeder parameter to the regulation module 403, where for the process of obtaining the antenna feeder parameter, reference is made to step 204. The regulation module 403 generates the regulation-control command by using the needed antenna feeder parameter, and sends the regulation-control command to the antenna feeder apparatus in any one of a wireless transmission manner, an in-band wired transmission manner, and an out-of-band wired transmission manner.
The foregoing descriptions are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus, comprising:

obtaining antenna feeder information of an antenna feeder apparatus and performance information of a wireless network structured by the antenna feeder apparatus;

analyzing the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network to obtain an antenna feeder parameter; and

generating a regulation-control command according to the antenna feeder parameter, and transmitting the regulation-control command to the antenna feeder apparatus; and regulating, by the antenna feeder apparatus, the antenna feeder parameter according to the regulation-control command to optimize the network performance of the wireless network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performance information of the wireless network is obtained according to traffic statistics data, or according to the traffic statistics data and data after determination of a geographical location of the traffic statistics data, or according to the data after determination of the geographical location of the traffic statistics data.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the analyzing the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network to obtain the antenna feeder parameter comprises:

analyzing a current downtilt, an azimuth, and a lobe width of each cell antenna to obtain an allowable regulation amplitude of the downtilt, the azimuth, the lobe width of each cell antenna;

analyzing geographical and temporal distributions of signal intensities, signal-to-noise ratios, service rates, total traffic, call drop rates, and call failures of a target cell and a neighboring cell to obtain a congestion rate and total traffic of each cell; and

determining the antenna feeder parameter according to the congestion rate and the total traffic of each cell, and the allowable regulation amplitude of the downtilt,the azimuth, and the lobe width of each cell antenna.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the antenna feeder information and the regulation-control command in any one of a wireless transmission manner, an in-band wired transmission manner and an out-of-band wired transmission manner.

5. A system for optimizing a wireless network based on an antenna feeder apparatus, comprising:

a collection module, configured to obtain antenna feeder information of an antenna feeder apparatus and performance information of a wireless network structured by the antenna feeder apparatus, and send the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network to an analysis module;

the analysis module, configured to analyze the wireless network according to the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network to obtain an antenna feeder parameter, and send the antenna feeder parameter to a regulation module; and

the regulation module, configured to generate a regulation-control command by using the antenna feeder parameter and send the regulation-control command to the antenna feeder apparatus to optimize network performance of the wireless network.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the collection module comprises a measurement unit, a positioning unit, and a control unit:

the measurement unit is configured to obtain traffic statistics data, and send the traffic statistics data to the control unit and the positioning unit;

the positioning unit is configured to determine a geographical location of the traffic statistics data to obtain location information, and send the location information to the control unit; and

the control unit is configured to synthesize the performance information of the wireless network according to the traffic statistics data and the location information, obtain the antenna feeder information of the antenna feeder apparatus, and send the antenna feeder information and the performance information of the wireless network to the analysis module.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the regulation module transmits the regulation-control command in any one of a wireless transmission manner, an in-band wired transmission manner, and an out-of-band wired transmission manner.