U.S. patent application number 13/892206 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-14 for method and system for auditing and correcting cellular antenna coverage patterns.
This patent application is currently assigned to Eden Rock Communications, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Eden Rock Communications, LLC. Invention is credited to Jeffrey Paul HARRANG, David James RYAN.
Application Number | 20130303145 13/892206 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49548971 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130303145 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HARRANG; Jeffrey Paul ; et
al. |
November 14, 2013 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUDITING AND CORRECTING CELLULAR ANTENNA
COVERAGE PATTERNS
Abstract
A method for adjusting a base station antenna may include
receiving measured data including signal strength data for a signal
received from the base station and location data from one or more
user equipment, receiving planned radio coverage data, comparing
the measured data with the planned radio coverage data, generating
adjustment parameters based on a result of the comparison, and
adjusting the antenna based on the adjustment parameters.
Inventors: |
HARRANG; Jeffrey Paul;
(Sammamish, WA) ; RYAN; David James; (Bothell,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Eden Rock Communications, LLC |
Bothell |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Eden Rock Communications,
LLC
Bothell
WA
|
Family ID: |
49548971 |
Appl. No.: |
13/892206 |
Filed: |
May 10, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61645308 |
May 10, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/418 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 24/02 20130101;
H04W 24/10 20130101; H04B 7/2606 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/418 |
International
Class: |
H04B 7/26 20060101
H04B007/26 |
Claims
1. A system for auditing a configuration of a cellular antenna of a
base station, the system comprising: a processor; and a
non-transitory computer readable medium with computer executable
instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor,
perform the following method: receiving measured data including
signal strength data for a signal received from the base station
and location data from one or more user equipment; receiving
planned radio coverage data; comparing the measured data with the
planned radio coverage data; and generating adjustment parameters
based on a result of the comparison.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cellular antenna is a
steerable antenna, and the non-transitory computer readable medium
with computer executable instructions stored thereon includes
further instructions which, when executed by the processor,
automatically adjust the steerable antenna based on the adjustment
parameters.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one user equipment
is a plurality of user equipment.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein comparing the measured data with
the planned radio coverage data includes calculating a fit value
and comparing the fit value to a threshold value.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the non-transitory computer
readable medium with computer executable instructions stored
thereon further includes instructions which, when executed by the
processor, cause the processor to perform the following steps:
adjusting the planned radio coverage data according to the
adjustment parameters; and comparing the adjusted planned radio
coverage data to the measured data.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein comparing the adjusted planned
radio coverage data to the measured data includes calculating a
second fit value and comparing the second fit value to the
threshold value, and wherein generating the adjustment parameters,
adjusting the planned radio coverage data, and comparing the
adjusted planned radio coverage data to the measured data are
iterated until a match is determined.
7. The system of claim 3, wherein the signal strength data includes
Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received
Quality (RSRQ), Reference Signal Code Power (RSCP), Received Signal
Strength Indication (RSSI), or a combination thereof.
8. The system of claim 3, wherein comparing the measured data with
the planned radio coverage data comprises generating a planned grid
including estimated signal strength values at latitude and
longitude coordinates, and generating a measured data grid
including measured signal strength values at latitude and longitude
coordinates.
9. The system of claim 3, wherein the adjustment parameters include
a transmit power parameter, an azimuth boresight parameter, and a
beamwidth parameter.
10. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of user equipment
are cellular communication devices, each of which has a software
application for transmitting the measured signal strength data
stored thereon.
11. The system of claim 3, wherein the planned radio coverage data
includes an identifier for the cellular antenna, a position of the
cellular antenna, and a power level of the cellular antenna.
12. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of user equipment
are handheld devices.
13. A method for adjusting an antenna of a cellular base station,
the method comprising: receiving measured data including signal
strength data for a signal received from the base station and
location data from one or more user equipment; receiving planned
radio coverage data; comparing the measured data with the planned
radio coverage data; generating adjustment parameters based on a
result of the comparison; and adjusting the antenna based on the
adjustment parameters.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the at least one user
equipment is a plurality of user equipment, the antenna is a
steerable antenna, and adjusting the antenna is performed
automatically.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein comparing the
measured data with the planned radio coverage data includes
calculating a fit value and comparing the fit value to a threshold
value.
16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: adjusting
the planned radio coverage data according to the adjustment
parameters; and comparing the adjusted planned radio coverage data
to the measured data.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein comparing the
adjusted planned radio coverage data to the measured data includes
calculating a second fit value and comparing the second fit value
to the threshold value, and wherein generating the adjustment
parameters, adjusting the planned radio coverage data and comparing
the adjusted planned radio coverage data to the measured data are
iterated until a match is determined.
18. A non-transitory computer readable medium with computer
executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a
processor, perform the following method: receiving measured data
including signal strength data for a signal received from the base
station and location data from one or more user equipment;
receiving planned radio coverage data; comparing the measured data
with the planned radio coverage data; and generating adjustment
parameters based on a result of the comparison.
19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18,
wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium with computer
executable instructions stored thereon further includes
instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the
processor to perform the following steps: adjusting the planned
radio coverage data according to the adjustment parameters; and
comparing the adjusted planned radio coverage data to the measured
data.
20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18,
wherein comparing the adjusted planned radio coverage data to the
measured data includes calculating a second fit value and comparing
the second fit value to the threshold value, and wherein generating
the adjustment parameters, adjusting the planned radio coverage
data, and comparing the adjusted planned radio coverage data to the
measured data are iterated until a match is determined.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention claims priority to and is a
non-provisional of U.S. Application No. 61/645,308, filed May 10,
2012. That application is herein incorporated by reference for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Cellular wireless networks such as GSM, UMTS, and LTE mostly
rely on antennas for proper cellular coverage. Typically, base
stations in a cellular network have three antennas, and a cellular
network includes many base stations located in an area. Optimal
coverage may be planned by an operator in order to minimize gaps in
coverage and co-channel interference, to provide an appropriate
level of wireless resources, to account for geographical
constraints, etc. The direction of the antennas is part of a
coverage plan, and in order to implement a coverage plan, the
antennas of each base station are precisely oriented. Deviations
between planned orientation and actual orientation can result in
gaps in coverage, inadequate wireless resources for certain areas,
and other problems that a coverage plan is intended to
minimize.
[0003] Conventionally, surveillance of actual cellular antenna
configurations may be conducted through a manual audit, or drive
test. In such an audit, network operators may send vehicles with
technicians and specially calibrated equipment to various locations
in coverage areas of the network base stations where the cellular
antennas are installed to capture measurements on the antenna
configurations. These audits can be expensive and time consuming.
Because of the resources required to conduct such audits, it is not
practical to conduct them on a regular basis. If they are not
performed correctly, it may be difficult to detect and correct
errors. In addition, it is not practical to perform such manual
audits to detect changes to antenna configuration over time.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention may overcome one or
more of the problems identified above. In particular, various
embodiments provide an apparatus, system and method which
facilitate automated processes for auditing an antenna
configuration and identifying a misconfigured antenna. Embodiments
reduce the time and cost associated with these aetivities, so that
it may be practical to detect antenna misconfiguration on a
periodic basis, or with minimal interaction from an operator.
Aspects of the present invention may be embodied in a method, a
system, or a non-transitory computer readable medium.
[0005] In an embodiment, a method for auditing a configuration of a
cellular antenna of a base station includes receiving measured data
including signal strength data for a signal received from the base
station and location data from one or more user equipment,
receiving planned radio coverage data, comparing the measured data
with the planned radio coverage data, and generating adjustment
parameters based on a result of the comparison. The cellular
antenna may be a steerable antenna that is automatically adjusted
based on adjustment parameters, and information from a plurality of
UE may be received.
[0006] Examples of the signal strength data include Reference
Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality
(RSRQ), Reference Signal Code Power (RSCP), Received Signal
Strength Indication (RSSI), or a combination thereof. Examples of
the planned radio coverage data include an identifier for the
cellular antenna, a position of the cellular antenna, and a power
level of the cellular antenna. Examples of adjustment parameters
include a transmit power parameter, an azimuth boresight parameter,
and a beamwidth parameter.
[0007] Comparing the measured data with the planned radio coverage
data may include calculating a fit value and comparing the fit
value to a threshold value. A method may further include adjusting
the planned radio coverage data according to the adjustment
parameters and comparing the adjusted planned radio coverage data
to the measured data.
[0008] In an embodiment, comparing the adjusted planned radio
coverage data to the measured data includes calculating a second
fit value and comparing the second fit value to the threshold
value. Generating adjustment parameters, adjusting the planned
radio coverage data, and comparing the adjusted planned radio
coverage data to the measured data may be iterated until a match is
determined.
[0009] Comparing the measured data with the planned radio coverage
data may include generating a planned grid including estimated
signal strength values at latitude and longitude coordinates, and
generating a measured data grid including measured signal strength
values at latitude and longitude coordinates.
[0010] In an embodiment, the plurality of user equipment are
handheld devices. For example, the plurality of user equipment may
be cellular communication devices, each of which has a software
application for transmitting the measured signal strength data
stored thereon.
[0011] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not
intended to be in any way limiting. Various embodiments are
provided and described in order to facilitate clear understanding
through specific examples. In addition to the illustrative aspects,
embodiments, and features described above, further aspects,
embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the
drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In the detailed description that follows, embodiments are
described as illustrations only since various changes and
modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
the following detailed description.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a networked computing system according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an antenna audit unit according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a base station according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates user equipment according to an embodiment
of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a network resource controller according
to an embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a process for auditing and adjusting a
cellular antenna according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a process for comparing data according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates an iterative process according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIGS. 9A-B illustrate adjusting antenna parameters according
to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description.
The example embodiments described in the detailed description,
drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other
embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without
departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented
herein. It will be understood that the aspects of the present
disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the
drawings, may be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and
designed in a wide variety of different configurations.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an example networked computing system 100
for implementing auditing and correcting base station antenna
configuration, arranged in accordance with at least some
embodiments described herein. As depicted, system 100 may include a
data communications network 102, one or more network base stations
106a-e, one or more base station antennas 104a-e, one or more
network controller devices 110a-c, and one or more User Equipment
(UE) 108a-m.
[0024] In system 100, the data communications network 102 may
include a backhaul portion that can facilitate distributed network
communications between any of the network controller devices 110a-c
and any of the network base stations 106a-e. Any of the network
controller devices 110a-c may be Network Resource Controllers
(NRCs) or have NRC functionality. Any of the network base stations
106a-e may be NRCs or have NRC functionality that may share
overlapping wireless coverage with one or more neighboring base
stations within a particular region of the networked computing
system 100. The one or more UE 108a-m may include cell phone/PDA
devices 108a-i, laptop/netbook computers 108j-k, handheld gaming
units 108l, electronic book devices or tablet PCs 108m, and any
other type of common portable wireless computing device that may be
provided with wireless communications service by any of the network
base stations 106a-e.
[0025] As would be understood by those skilled in the Art, in most
digital communications networks, the backhaul portion of a data
communications network 102 may include intermediate links between a
backbone of the network which are generally wire line, and sub
networks or network base stations 106a-e located at the periphery
of the network. For example, cellular user equipment (e.g., any of
UE 108a-m) communicating with one or more network base stations
106a-e may constitute a local sub network. The network connection
between any of the network base stations 106a-e and the rest of the
world may initiate with a link to the backhaul portion of an access
provider's communications network 102 (e.g., via a point of
presence).
[0026] In an embodiment of the invention, any of the network
controller devices 110a-c, and/or network base stations 106a-e may
have NRC functionality or be considered as an NRC. An NRC may
facilitate all or part of the functions associated with various
embodiments of the invention. An NRC is a physical entity that may
include software components. In accordance with an embodiment of
the invention, an NRC may be a physical device, such as one of
network controller devices 110a-c or one of network base stations
106a-e. In yet another embodiment, an NRC that performs a
particular function of the invention may be a logical
software-based entity that can be stored in the volatile or
non-volatile memory or memories, or more generally in a
non-transitory computer readable medium, of a physical device such
as any of network controller devices 110a-c or of network base
stations 106a-e.
[0027] In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, am
NRC has presence and functionality that may be defined by the
processes it is capable of carrying out. Accordingly, the
conceptual entity that is the NRC may be generally defined by its
role in performing processes associated with embodiments of the
invention. Therefore, depending on the particular embodiment, the
NRC entity may be considered to be either a physical device, and/or
a software component that is stored in the computer readable media
such as volatile or non-volatile memories of one or more
communicating device(s) within the networked computing system
100.
[0028] In an embodiment of the invention, any of the network
controller devices 110a-c and/or network base stations 106a-e may
function independently or collaboratively to implement any of the
auditing and correcting processes associated with various
embodiments of the invention. Further, any of the processes for
auditing and correcting base station antenna configuration may be
carried out via any common communications technology known in the
Art, such as those associated with modem Global Systems for Mobile
(GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Long Term
Evolution (LTE) network infrastructures, etc.
[0029] In accordance with a standard GSM network, any of the
network controller devices 110a-c (NRC devices or other devices
optionally having NRC functionality) may be associated with a base
station controller (BSC), a mobile switching center (MSC), or any
other common service provider control device known in the art, such
as a radio resource manager (RRM). In accordance with a standard
UMTS network, any of the network controller devices 110a-c
(optionally having NRC functionality) may be associated with a
network resource controller (NRC), a serving GPRS support node
(SGSN), or any other common network controller device known in the
art, such as a radio resource manager (RRM). In accordance with a
standard LTE network, any of the network controller devices 110a-c
(optionally having NRC functionality) may be associated with an
eNodeB base station, a mobility management entity (MME), or any
other common network controller device known in the art, such as an
RRM.
[0030] In a wireless network, the number of UEs attached to a
particular base station is a function of the number of active users
in the base station's coverage area. If a large number of users are
closer to a particular base station than its neighbors, the
particular base station may have a larger number of UEs attached to
it than its neighbors do, even though some of the UEs are within
service range of the neighboring base stations. For example, with
reference to elements of FIG. 1, base station 106a has fewer active
attached UE than neighboring base stations 106b and 106e.
[0031] In an embodiment, any of the network controller devices
110a-c, the network base stations 106a-e, as well as any of the UE
108a-m may be configured to run any well-known operating system,
including, but not limited to: Microsoft.RTM. Windows.RTM., Mac
OS.RTM., Google.RTM. Chrome.RTM., Linux.RTM., Unix.RTM., or any
mobile operating system, including Symbian.RTM., Palm.RTM., Windows
Mobile.RTM., Google.RTM. Android.RTM., Mobile Linux.RTM., etc. In
an embodiment of the invention, any of the network controller
devices 110a-c or any of the network base stations 106a-e may
employ any number of common server, desktop, laptop, and personal
computing devices.
[0032] In an embodiment of the invention, any of the UE 108a-m may
be associated with any combination of common mobile computing
devices (e.g., laptop computers, netbook computers, tablet
computers, cellular phones, PDAs, handheld gaming units, electronic
book devices, personal music players, MiFi.TM. devices, video
recorders, etc.), having wireless communications capabilities
employing any common wireless data communications technology,
including, but not limited to: GSM, UMTS, 3GPP LTE, LTE Advanced,
WiMAX, etc.
[0033] In an embodiment, the backhaul portion of the data
communications network 102 of FIG. 1 may employ any of the
following common communications technologies: optical fiber,
coaxial cable, twisted pair cable, Ethernet cable, and power-line
cable, along with any other wireless communication technology known
in the art. In context with various embodiments of the invention,
it should be understood that wireless communications coverage
associated with various data communication technologies (e.g.,
network base stations 106a-e) typically vary between different
service provider networks based on the type of network and the
system infrastructure deployed within a particular region of a
network (e.g., differences between GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE Advanced,
and WiMAX based networks and the technologies deployed in each
network type).
[0034] In an embodiment of the invention, any of the network
controller devices 110a-c, the network base stations 106a-e, and UE
108a-m may include any standard computing software and hardware
necessary for processing, storing, and communicating data between
each other within the networked computing system 100. The computing
hardware realized by any of the network computing system 100
devices (e.g., any of devices 106a-e, 108a-m, 110a-c) may include:
one or more processors, volatile and non-volatile memories, user
interfaces, transcoders, modems, wireline and/or wireless
communications transceivers, etc. Further, any of the networked
computing system 100 devices (e.g., any of devices 106a-e, 108a-m,
110a-c) may include one or more computer readable media encoded
with a set of computer readable instructions, which when executed,
can perform a portion of the functions associated with various
embodiments of the invention.
[0035] In an embodiment, UE 108a-m measures location data and
signal strength data associated with one or more antenna 104, and
wirelessly transmits the data to abuse station 106. The base
station 106 may perform a portion of the processes according to
embodiments of the present invention, and may transmit data to
network controller devices 110 which may perform one or more
processes.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows an antenna audit unit 200 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, an antenna
audit unit 200 may include a storage module 202 which stores data
received from UE, planned configuration data, and additional
information generated during an auditing process. Audit unit 200
may further include a grid generation module 204 configured to
generate grids using plan data and measured data, as explained in
more detail below.
[0037] Additional modules that may be included in Audit unit 200
include a fit score module 206 configured to generate a fit score,
and a parameter generation module 208 which is configured to
generate adjustment parameters for adjusting a cellular antenna.
Although modules 202-208 are shown in a single location in FIG. 2,
in various embodiments, each module, or components of each module,
may be located in one or more piece of network equipment such as
the base stations 106 and network controlling devices 110 shown in
FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates a base station 300 according to
embodiments of the invention. Base station 300 may be any base
station 106 shown in FIG. 1.
[0039] The network base station 300 may also include one or more
data processing devices including a central processing unit (CPU)
308. In an embodiment, CPU 308 may include an arithmetic logic unit
(ALU, not shown) that performs arithmetic and logical operations
and one or more control units (CUs, not shown) that extract
instructions and stored content from memory and then executes
and/or processes them, calling on the ALU when necessary during
program execution. The CPU 308 may execute computer programs stored
on the network base station's 300 volatile (RAM) and non-volatile
(e.g., ROM) system memories 302, or in storage 310. Storage 310 may
include one or more module of antenna audit unit 200.
[0040] Storage 308 may comprise volatile or non-volatile memory
such as RAM, ROM, a solid state drive (SSD), SDRAM, or other
optical, magnetic, or semiconductor memory. In an embodiment,
storage 308 includes one or more modules for performing processes
of an antenna audit unit, embodiments of which were discussed above
with respect to FIG. 2.
[0041] The network base station 300 may also include a network
interface component 314 that facilitates the network base station's
300 communication with the backhaul or wireless portions of the
network computing system 100 of FIG. 1, a modem 306 for modulating
an analog carrier signal to encode digital information and for
demodulating a carrier signal to decode digital information, and a
system bus 316 that facilitates data communications between the
hardware resources of the network base station 300.
[0042] Base station 300 may include at least one antenna 304 for
transmitting and receiving wireless communications to and from
devices in wireless communication with the base station 300. In an
embodiment of the invention, the base station antenna 304 may use
any common modulation/encoding scheme known in the art, including,
but not limited to Binary Phase Shift Keying, Quadrature Phase
Shift Keying, and Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. Additionally,
the network base station 300 may be configured to communicate with
wireless equipment via any Cellular Data Communications Protocol,
including any common LTE, LTE-Advanced, GSM, UMTS, or WiMAX
protocol.
[0043] Antenna 304 may be associated with a plurality of parameters
associated with characteristics of a cell, which may be evaluated
and adjusted according to embodiments of the present invention.
These parameters include beamwidth, boresight azimuth and downtilt
(which may collectively referred to as "boresight,") transmit
power, and height-above-terrain.
[0044] Each base station may serve a number of carriers operating
on different respective frequencies, and includes a number of
antennas which each have a physical coverage area. As used herein,
the term "cell" refers to an area served by a single antenna for a
given carrier frequency. The coverage area of a cell may relate to
the signal strength of a particular carrier signal, such that the
boundaries of the cell are defined by points at which the signal
strength drops crosses a threshold value, or by points at which the
interference rises above a threshold value.
[0045] Each cell is served by a given base station, so when UE is
described as being attached to a cell, it is also attached to the
particular base station 300 associated with the cell. A single base
station may serve a plurality of cells, each of which has a
separate, and possibly overlapping, coverage area.
[0046] FIG. 4 illustrates user equipment (UE) 400 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. UE 400 may include one or more
data processing device such as central processing unit (CPU) 402.
In an embodiment of the invention, the CPU 402 may include an
arithmetic logic unit (ALU, not shown) that performs arithmetic and
logical operations and one or more control units (CUs, not shown)
that extract instructions and stored content from memory and then
executes and/or processes them, calling on the ALU when necessary
during program execution. The CPU 402 may be responsible for
executing all computer programs stored on the user equipment's 400
volatile (RAM) and non-volatile (e.g., ROM) system memories 406 and
storage 408.
[0047] UE 400 may also include a network interface component 404
that can facilitate communication between UE 400 and locally
connected computing devices (e.g., a Personal Computer), a modern
416 for modulating an analog carrier signal to encode digital
information and for demodulating a carrier signal to decode digital
information, a wireless transceiver component 418 for transmitting
and receiving wireless communications to and from a base station, a
system bus 420 that facilitates data communications between
hardware resources of UE 400, display unit 422 for displaying text
or graphics information, a user input device 424 such as a
keyboard, mouse, or touch-screen, GPS unit 426, and a storage 408.
Storage 408 may include a data collection unit 410, an operating
system/applications repository 412, and a data repository 414
storing various user equipment data.
[0048] In an embodiment, data collection unit 410 may measure and
collect various UE data associated with auditing abuse station
antenna, including location data and signal strength data. The
signal strength metrics measured and transmitted by the UE may
include, for example, Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP),
Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), Reference Signal Code
Power (RSCP), Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), EC/Io,
Carrier to Interference plus Noise Ratio (CINR), Channel Quality
Indicator (CQI), etc. In addition, the UE may collect and transmit
information regarding the identity of each cell for which the
signal strength data was measured. In an embodiment, this
information may be collected for a target cell as well as one or
more neighboring cells for the adjustment of an antenna associated
with the target cell.
[0049] In an embodiment, data collection unit 410 and GPS 426 may
cooperate with one or more application 412 in order to collect,
store, and transmit location and signal strength information. For
example, an application 412 may be installed by a user or an
operator which is configured to measure signal strength, associate
signal strength data with GPS coordinates at which the signal
strength measurements were made, and transmit the signal strength
data and associated GPS coordinates to abase station. In various
embodiments, signal strength data may be automatically transmitted,
for example at predetermined intervals, or be transmitted in
response to a request received by the UE.
[0050] UE 400 may be purchased by a user or provided by an operator
to a user. However, in embodiments of the present invention, UE is
in the possession of users who may use the equipment for their
marketed purposes, such as communicating with the Internet and
other users. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can
receive an amount of data that is not practical to collect with
operator equipment, which facilitates the generation of highly
accurate adjustment parameters. An operator is not a user.
[0051] FIG. 5 shows a Network Resource Controller (NRC) 500
according to an embodiment of the present invention. In accordance
with an embodiment of the invention, NRC 500 may be associated with
any common base station or network controller device known in the
Art, such as an LTE eNodeB (optionally comprising a wireless
modem), RRM, MME, RNC, SGSN, BSC, MSC, etc. In an embodiment, NRC
500 is a Self-Organizing Network (SON) server.
[0052] NRC 500 may include one or more data processing device
including a CPU 502. In an embodiment, CPU 502 may include an
arithmetic logic unit (ALU, not shown) that performs arithmetic and
logical operations and one or more control units (CUs, not shown)
that extract instructions and stored content from memory and then
execute and/or processes them, calling on the ALU when necessary
during program execution. CPU 502 may be responsible for executing
all computer programs stored on the NRC's 500 volatile (RAM) and
non-volatile (e.g., ROM) system memories 506 and storage 508.
[0053] System memory 506 may comprise volatile or non-volatile
memory such as RAM, ROM, a solid state drive (SSD), SDRAM, or other
optical, magnetic, or semiconductor memory. Storage 508 may include
one or more component of an antenna audit unit 200, which is
explained in more detail with respect to FIG. 2 above.
[0054] NRC 500 may include a network interface/optional user
interface component 504 that can facilitate the NRC's 500
communication with the backhaul portion or the wireless portions of
network computing system 100 of FIG. 1, and may facilitate a user
or network administrator accessing NRC's 500 hardware and/or
software resources. NRC 500 may also include a system bus 512 that
facilitates data communications between hardware resources of NRC
500.
[0055] FIG. 6 shows a process 600 for auditing and adjusting a base
station antenna. Process 600 of auditing and adjusting a base
station antenna includes a process 602 of receiving measured data
from UE. In an embodiment, the measured data is transmitted from UE
which has measured the data to a base station, and is received by a
component which includes one or more module associated with an
Antenna Audit Unit 200. In various embodiments, the component may
be a base station 300 or an NRC 500.
[0056] The measured data includes signal strength information, and
may also include location data, such as latitude and longitude
coordinates from a GPS reading and height-above-terrain. in other
embodiments, location data may be derived from other techniques
such as triangulation. For example, UE may send information
including signal strength data to a plurality of base stations, and
the base stations can use the signal strength data and locations of
the base stations to estimate a UE's location. In such an
embodiment, the location data sent from UE may be data that an NRC
or other processing device uses to estimate the location at which
the LE collected associated signal strength data.
[0057] Signal strength data may be, for example, RSRP, RSRQ, RSCP,
RSSI, EC/Io, CINR, CQI, etc. In addition, information such as the
identity of the cell for which signal strength information is
collected, as well as the identity of neighboring cells, may be
received from UE in process 602.
[0058] In process 604, a system component receives planned coverage
data. Planned coverage data may be data generated by a radio
planning tool in the process of planning optimal network coverage.
In various embodiments, the planned coverage data may be generated
by one or more component of the system, such as a network
controller device.
[0059] The planned coverage data may include base station
configuration information such as the boresight, signal power,
location (i.e. latitude, longitude, and height), and the beamwidth
of an antenna. In an embodiment, planned coverage data may include
expected signal strength values at various locations, or grid
points, within a cell. In other embodiments, expected signal
strength values are calculated from the planned coverage data after
the plan data is received.
[0060] In process 606, the data measured by UE and received in
process 602 is compared to the planned radio coverage data received
in process 604. In an embodiment, the comparison includes comparing
measured data for grid points with planned data for the same grid
points. The comparison process 606 is discussed in more detail with
respect to FIG. 7.
[0061] In process 608, adjustment parameters are generated based on
the results of comparison 606. The adjustment parameters are
parameters for adjusting the configuration of an antenna so that
the antenna more closely matches the planned configuration. Base
station characteristics that may be adjusted by the parameters
include the boresight, height-above-terrain, beamwidth, and
transmission power.
[0062] In process 610, the antenna associated with the adjustment
parameters of process 608 is adjusted using the parameters.
Adjustments may be made manually, automatically, or by a
combination of automatic and manual processes. In a manual
adjustment, a technician visits the base station associated with
the antenna, and physically interacts with the base station.
[0063] In some embodiments, automatic adjustment is possible. For
example, some base stations are equipped with steerable antennas,
which can be adjusted according to the adjustment parameters
without direct human intervention. In an embodiment, the transmit
power of an antenna may be adjusted by a technician at a remote
location. The operator may first review the adjustment data in a
correction profile, and approve, modify, or reject the adjustment
data, before making adjustments. Similarly, beamwidth settings may
be adjusted by any combination of manual and automatic
processes.
[0064] FIG. 7 illustrates a process 700 of comparing measured data
to planned data, which generally corresponds to process 606 of
comparing measured data to planned data of FIG. 6. In process 702,
a planned grid is generated. In an embodiment, the planned grid is
be generated by a component of system 100, such as NRC 500.
[0065] Generating the planned grid 702 may include estimating
expected signal strength levels for individual grid points within a
cell based on planned coverage data. Divisions of the grid may be
in units ranging, for example, from around one meter to tens of
meters. Grid coordinates may be expressed in latitude and longitude
values, as well as elevation or height-above-terrain values. In
other words, depending on the embodiment, the grid may include
points in either one, two, or three-dimensional space. The planned
grid may be stored in a database which associates grid coordinates
with expected signal strength values that are estimated based on
antenna configuration values.
[0066] In process 704, a measured data grid is generated from the
signal strength data and location data received from UE. In some
embodiments, drive test data may also be used to generate the
measured data grid. The measured data grid may be stored in a
database which associates grid coordinates with signal strength
values that are measured at locations corresponding to the grid
coordinates, in one, two, or three-dimensional space. Accordingly,
a measured data grid may include entries in a database which
include latitude, longitude, a height, and a corresponding signal
strength metric value.
[0067] Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the
particular processes of generating grid values discussed above. For
example, in some embodiments, planned grid points may be calculated
based on a planned map after receiving measured data, so that each
planned grid point corresponds to a measured grid point. Other
embodiments may use geometric calculations to compare non-matching
grid points. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that other
embodiments of generating comparison data are possible without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0068] In process 706, a fit value is calculated for evaluating the
accuracy of an antenna configuration. In an embodiment, the fit
value is calculated by an NRC using an algorithm that processes
each position point in the database that has a measurement, and
sums an. objective difference function between the planned and
measured radio coverage metrics to arrive at a scalar fitting score
for abuse station antenna that has measured data available.
[0069] Process 708 determines whether the planned data matches the
measured data. Determining a match may include comparing the fit
value calculated in process 706 to a threshold value. For example,
in an embodiment where a scalar fitting score is derived from the
planned and measured radio coverage metrics abase station antenna,
the scalar fitting score may be compared with a threshold score to
determine whether significant differences exist between the
measured configuration and planned configuration of the base
station antenna. In an embodiment, a match may be determined if the
fitting score is equal to or greater than the threshold value.
[0070] If the comparison determines that a match is present
("yes"), then no adjustment is performed, and the process proceeds
to process 710. Process 710 indicates an end to the process, which
may be repeated periodically or at particular times specified by an
operator. If the comparison determines that a match is not present
("no"), then the associated antenna may be misconfigured.
Accordingly, process 700 may proceed to process 608 of identifying
adjustment parameters, which will be discussed in greater detail in
the following description of an iterative process.
[0071] FIG. 8 shows an iterative process 800 for generating
adjustment parameters according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Process 800 may include process 802 of generating a
planned grid, a process 804 of generating a measured data grid, a
process 806 of calculating a fit value, and a process 808 of
determining whether a match is present, for example by comparing a
fit value to a threshold value. These processes correspond to
processes 702, 704, 706, and 708, respectively, which are explained
above with respect to FIG. 7. In addition, these processes may
correspond to process 606 of comparing measured data to planned
data of FIG. 6.
[0072] If process 808 determines that a match is present, then
process 800 may proceed to process 610 of adjusting the antenna. If
process 808 determines that a match does not exist, then in process
810, adjustment parameters are generated.
[0073] In an embodiment, a process 810 of generating fit parameters
may include manipulating the planned map algorithmically, for
example by increasing or decreasing the antenna boresight,
beamwidth angle, and transmit power parameters. It is understood
that a variety of other known approaches to the pattern matching
problem exist in one or more dimensions and that they could be used
in various embodiments to accomplish the fitting procedure. Ranges
in allowable antenna configuration metrics may be constrained by
known physical specifications, antenna capabilities, or other
practical limitations bounding the fitting parameters.
[0074] In an embodiment, the adjustment parameters may be generated
automatically by a computing device such as an NRC 500. In another
embodiment, the adjustmemt parameters may be entered manually by a
technician.
[0075] In process 812, an adjusted coverage map is generated. The
adjusted coverage data may be generated by applying the adjustment
parameters from process 810 to the planned radio coverage data
received in process 604. Process 812 may further include
calculating a new grid using the adjusted data.
[0076] As seen in FIG. 8, after adjusted data is generated in
process 812, process 800 returns to process 808 of determining
whether a match is present. Accordingly, processes 808-812 may be
iterated until a match is determined. Profiles that do not meet the
match threshold criteria after fitting are discarded, white
profiles for each fitted cell that meet the match threshold
criteria are stored in a memory.
[0077] Although processes 810 and 812 have been described in the
context of an iterative process 800, in other embodiments the
processes can be performed only one time. In addition, processes
810 and 812 correspond to process 608 of generating adjustment
parameters discussed above with respect to FIG. 6.
[0078] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an example of adjusting
parameters of a cellular antenna according to an embodiment of the
present invention. FIGS. 9A and 9B are shown for illustrative
purposes only, to help explain concepts of the present invention,
and embodiments of the present invention are not limited by the
particular details shown in the figures.
[0079] In FIG. 9A, cell 900 associated with an antenna 906 is
depicted with an underlying grid of longitudinal and latitudinal
grid points. The circles represent measured data points 902
corresponding to measured data received from one or more UE, and
the black squares represent planned data points 904 derived from
plan data. In particular, the planned data points 904 of FIG. 9A
indicate locations at which signal strength values of measured data
points 902 are expected to occur. For clarity of illustration, only
the exactly matching points with equal radio metrics are shown.
[0080] A fitting score is derived from the difference in the values
of the planned and measured metrics at the (position of the
observations. The fitting process may include iteratively
recalculating a theoretical coverage map after making adjustments
to the supposed pointing, configuration of the transmitting base
station antenna.
[0081] In FIG. 9B, a rotation 908 is applied to the antenna
boresite azimuth based on adjustment parameters to correct a
misconfiguration of antenna 906. As explained above, this process
may be conducted iteratively to arrive at a best fit configuration,
or a configuration that meets a match criterion. Accordingly, FIG.
9B may correspond to an iteration of a coverage map, or an actual
adjustment to an antenna. Although not shown in the figures, it
should be understood that other antenna pointing criteria such as
downtilt, beamwidth, or other radio metrics such as transmit power
could be analyzed to discover additional errors in the actual
antenna pointing or radio configuration.
[0082] An auditing process according to embodiments of the present
invention may be applied when an antenna is installed or adjusted.
In addition, due to the automated nature of various processes,
audits may be performed periodically to correct antenna
misconfiguration resulting from changes resulting, for example,
from a mechanical displacement of a base station antenna.
[0083] UE data may be measured and collected over relatively long
periods of time, such as a day, a week, or longer. Many users may
communicate with a cell over the time period, especially in high
density areas. In addition, as discussed above, fitting processes
may be performed iteratively to achieve best fit parameters.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are capable of
performing an audit process with a high degree of accuracy.
[0084] In addition, the findings generated by embodiments of the
present invention--for example, whether a base station antenna is
misconfigured, and/or adjustments appropriate to fix the
misconfiguration--can be used as inputs to other
self-organizing-network (SON) algorithms for optimizing metrics
indirectly or directly related to the configuration of the base
station antenna.
[0085] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various
embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be
made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein
are not intended to be limiting.
* * * * *