Abstract:
In particular, systems and methods according to present principles configure physical eNodeB to have multiple virtual eNodeBs, where each virtual eNodeBs corresponds to a particular PLMN. Thus, each PLMN has its own virtual eNodeB which is hosted on a common shared physical eNodeB.
Abstract:
A method is shown for allocating a plurality of channels to a plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in a radio access network (RAN). In accordance with the method, an initial RN is selected from among the plurality of RNs. A first of the plurality of channels is assigned to the initial RN. The first channel is selected such that external interference experienced by the initial RN from sources other than the RAN on the first channel is minimized. A second RN is selected from among the plurality of RNs. A second of the plurality of channels is assigned to the second RN. The second channel is selected such that a metric reflective of an information carrying capacity of the RNs that have already been assigned one of the plurality of channels is maximized. The assigned channels are allocated to the respective RNs to which they have been assigned.
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided for allocating frequencies in a radio access network (RAN) that includes a plurality of radio nodes each associated with a cell and a services node operatively coupled to the radio nodes. In accordance with the method, the radio nodes (RNs) in the RAN are divided into a plurality of clusters of RNs. A fractional frequency reuse (FFR) pattern is generated for each cluster. Transmission resources are allocated to the radio nodes in each cluster in accordance with the respective FFR pattern that is generated for each cluster.
Abstract:
Arrangements disclosed here provide an LTE E-RAN employing a hierarchical architecture with a central controller controlling multiple LTE radio nodes (RNs). The RNs may be clustered within the small cell network. A fractional frequency reuse (“FFR”) scheme is provided that dynamically computes the FFR allocations at individual RNs and configures the corresponding schedulers within each RN to improve cell-edge users' experience. Once an FFR pattern has been generated and frequencies allocated, UE throughput can be emulated to predict the resulting bit rates for each UE. Using the prediction, a scheduler emulation may be run to predict the behavior of the system. The results of each cell may then be collected to generate the performance of the entire system, which may in turn be used to generate a new or modified FFR pattern, or new or modified clustering. Optimization of the performance results in an optimized FFR pattern.
Abstract:
A services node or central controller or coordinator is provided that dynamically computes fractional frequency reuse allocation among user equipment in a radio access network. The central controller or coordinator communicates the fractional frequency reuse allocation and configures the individual MAC schedulers within each radio node in the radio access network. Inputs to the central coordinator may include its serving radio node, a detected set of radio nodes, and information about user equipment buffer status both in the downlink and uplink. In one implementation, interference graphs are constructed for downlinks and uplink separately and the same are used with a heuristic independent set algorithm to compute the frequency allocation.
Abstract:
A dual identity cell adapted for use in a small cell RAN includes two identities that may be supported on the same hardware platform—a dedicated PCI (Physical Cell Identity as defined under LTE) identity and a common PCI identity. The dedicated PCI identity operates similarly to a cell in a regular RAN in which neighboring cells use unique PCIs so that user equipment (UE) may distinguish among cells. The dedicated PCI identity, when exposed to the UE, may be used to determine the position of a UE within the RAN so that cells within listening range of the UE are identified. Those identified cells (termed here as the “detected set”) can then transmit the same data and control signals to the UE using their common PCI identities. In this way, all the cells in the detected set appear to the UE as one single cell.
Abstract:
A beacon cell adapted for use in a small cell RAN includes dual identities—a beacon identity and a regular or “live” identity—in which the identities are individually configured to address differing performance requirements in the small cell RAN. The beacon identity in the cell is specially configured to meet the performance requirements for mobile user equipment (UE) to be able to quickly and easily move from a macrocell base station in a mobile operator's network to the small cell RAN using a process called “reselection.” The live identity is configured to meet all requirements for service to be provided to the UE within the small cell RAN. Once captured by the beacon identity of the beacon cell, the UE can then immediately reselect to the live identity of the cell which operates in a conventional manner.
Abstract:
A method for assigning downlink transmit power levels to radio nodes (RNs) in a small cell radio access network (RAN) includes assigning initial power levels to the RNs. For each cell, first events are counted indicating that UEs receiving a signal from their serving cells with a signal strength below a specified value have entered a coverage hole. For each cell, second events are counted indicating that UEs have re-established a previous connection on one of the cells. For each pair of cells, a coverage hole is identified between them if the number of first events for one cell exceeds a threshold and a number of second events or re-establishment of a previous connection on the other cell exceeds another threshold. For each identified coverage hole, the downlink transmit power level is increased of at least one RN in the pair of cells between which the coverage hole is identified.
Abstract:
A method for assessing an impact of a design choice on a system level performance metric of a radio access network (RAN) deployed in an environment includes receiving messages from a plurality of UEs over time by a plurality of RNs in the RAN. A design choice is selected for a set of operating parameters of the RAN. One or more of measurement values in each of the received messages and the selected design choice are processed to compute a set of derivatives. A system level performance metric is determined as a function of the computed set of derivatives.
Abstract:
A method is shown for allocating a plurality of channels to a plurality of radio nodes (RNs) in a radio access network (RAN). In accordance with the method, an initial RN is selected from among the plurality of RNs. A first of the plurality of channels is assigned to the initial RN. The first channel is selected such that external interference experienced by the initial RN from sources other than the RAN on the first channel is minimized. A second RN is selected from among the plurality of RNs. A second of the plurality of channels is assigned to the second RN. The second channel is selected such that a metric reflective of an information carrying capacity of the RNs that have already been assigned one of the plurality of channels is maximized. The assigned channels are allocated to the respective RNs to which they have been assigned.