A survey of machine learning techniques applied to self organizing cellular networks

In this paper, a survey of the literature of the past fifteen years involving Machine Learning (ML) algorithms applied to self organizing cellular networks is performed. In order for future networks to overcome the current limitations and address the issues of current cellular systems, it is clear that more intelligence needs to be deployed, so that a fully autonomous and flexible network can be enabled. This paper focuses on the learning perspective of Self Organizing Networks (SON) solutions and provides, not only an overview of the most common ML techniques encountered in cellular networks, but also manages to classify each paper in terms of its learning solution, while also giving some examples. The authors also classify each paper in terms of its self-organizing use-case and discuss how each proposed solution performed. In addition, a comparison between the most commonly found ML algorithms in terms of certain SON metrics is performed and general guidelines on when to choose each ML algorithm for each SON function are proposed. Lastly, this work also provides future research directions and new paradigms that the use of more robust and intelligent algorithms, together with data gathered by operators, can bring to the cellular networks domain and fully enable the concept of SON in the near future

A survey of self organisation in future cellular networks

This article surveys the literature over the period of the last decade on the emerging field of self organisation as applied to wireless cellular communication networks. Self organisation has been extensively studied and applied in adhoc networks, wireless sensor networks and autonomic computer networks; however in the context of wireless cellular networks, this is the first attempt to put in perspective the various efforts in form of a tutorial/survey. We provide a comprehensive survey of the existing literature, projects and standards in self organising cellular networks. Additionally, we also aim to present a clear understanding of this active research area, identifying a clear taxonomy and guidelines for design of self organising mechanisms. We compare strength and weakness of existing solutions and highlight the key research areas for further development. This paper serves as a guide and a starting point for anyone willing to delve into research on self organisation in wireless cellular communication networks

Introducing a Novel Minimum Accuracy Concept for Predictive Mobility Management Schemes

In this paper, an analytical model for the minimum required accuracy for predictive methods is derived in terms of both handover (HO) delay and HO signaling cost. After that, the total HO delay and signaling costs are derived for the worst-case scenario (when the predictive process has the same performance as the conventional one), and simulations are conducted using a cellular environment to reveal the importance of the proposed minimum accuracy framework. In addition to this, three different predictors; Markov Chains, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and an Improved ANN (IANN) are implemented and compared. The results indicate that under certain circumstances, the predictors can occasionally fall below the applicable level. Therefore, the proposed concept of minimum accuracy plays a vital role in determining this corresponding threshold

Benefits and limits of machine learning for the implicit coordination on SON functions

Bedingt durch die Einführung neuer Netzfunktionen in den Mobilfunknetzen der nächsten Generation, z. B. Slicing oder Mehrantennensysteme, sowie durch die Koexistenz mehrerer Funkzugangstechnologien, werden die Optimierungsaufgaben äußerst komplex und erhöhen die OPEX (OPerational EXpenditures). Um den Nutzern Dienste mit wettbewerbsfähiger Dienstgüte (QoS) zu bieten und gleichzeitig die Betriebskosten niedrig zu halten, wurde von den Standardisierungsgremien das Konzept des selbstorganisierenden Netzes (SON) eingeführt, um das Netzmanagement um eine Automatisierungsebene zu erweitern. Es wurden dafür mehrere SON-Funktionen (SFs) vorgeschlagen, um einen bestimmten Netzbereich, wie Abdeckung oder Kapazität, zu optimieren. Bei dem konventionellen Entwurf der SFs wurde jede Funktion als Regler mit geschlossenem Regelkreis konzipiert, der ein lokales Ziel durch die Einstellung bestimmter Netzwerkparameter optimiert. Die Beziehung zwischen mehreren SFs wurde dabei jedoch bis zu einem gewissen Grad vernachlässigt. Daher treten viele widersprüchliche Szenarien auf, wenn mehrere SFs in einem mobilen Netzwerk instanziiert werden. Solche widersprüchlichen Funktionen in den Netzen verschlechtern die QoS der Benutzer und beeinträchtigen die Signalisierungsressourcen im Netz. Es wird daher erwartet, dass eine existierende Koordinierungsschicht (die auch eine Entität im Netz sein könnte) die Konflikte zwischen SFs lösen kann. Da diese Funktionen jedoch eng miteinander verknüpft sind, ist es schwierig, ihre Interaktionen und Abhängigkeiten in einer abgeschlossenen Form zu modellieren. Daher wird maschinelles Lernen vorgeschlagen, um eine gemeinsame Optimierung eines globalen Leistungsindikators (Key Performance Indicator, KPI) so voranzubringen, dass die komplizierten Beziehungen zwischen den Funktionen verborgen bleiben. Wir nennen diesen Ansatz: implizite Koordination. Im ersten Teil dieser Arbeit schlagen wir eine zentralisierte, implizite und auf maschinellem Lernen basierende Koordination vor und wenden sie auf die Koordination zweier etablierter SFs an: Mobility Robustness Optimization (MRO) und Mobility Load Balancing (MLB). Anschließend gestalten wir die Lösung dateneffizienter (d. h. wir erreichen die gleiche Modellleistung mit weniger Trainingsdaten), indem wir eine geschlossene Modellierung einbetten, um einen Teil des optimalen Parametersatzes zu finden. Wir nennen dies einen "hybriden Ansatz". Mit dem hybriden Ansatz untersuchen wir den Konflikt zwischen MLB und Coverage and Capacity Optimization (CCO) Funktionen. Dann wenden wir ihn auf die Koordinierung zwischen MLB, Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) und Energy Savings (ES) Funktionen an. Schließlich stellen wir eine Möglichkeit vor, MRO formal in den hybriden Ansatz einzubeziehen, und zeigen, wie der Rahmen erweitert werden kann, um anspruchsvolle Netzwerkszenarien wie Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) abzudecken.Due to the introduction of new network functionalities in next-generation mobile networks, e.g., slicing or multi-antenna systems, as well as the coexistence of multiple radio access technologies, the optimization tasks become extremely complex, increasing the OPEX (OPerational EXpenditures). In order to provide services to the users with competitive Quality of Service (QoS) while keeping low operational costs, the Self-Organizing Network (SON) concept was introduced by the standardization bodies to add an automation layer to the network management. Thus, multiple SON functions (SFs) were proposed to optimize a specific network domain, like coverage or capacity. The conventional design of SFs conceived each function as a closed-loop controller optimizing a local objective by tuning specific network parameters. However, the relationship among multiple SFs was neglected to some extent. Therefore, many conflicting scenarios appear when multiple SFs are instantiated in a mobile network. Having conflicting functions in the networks deteriorates the users’ QoS and affects the signaling resources in the network. Thus, it is expected to have a coordination layer (which could also be an entity in the network), conciliating the conflicts between SFs. Nevertheless, due to interleaved linkage among those functions, it is complex to model their interactions and dependencies in a closed form. Thus, machine learning is proposed to drive a joint optimization of a global Key Performance Indicator (KPI), hiding the intricate relationships between functions. We call this approach: implicit coordination. In the first part of this thesis, we propose a centralized, fully-implicit coordination approach based on machine learning (ML), and apply it to the coordination of two well-established SFs: Mobility Robustness Optimization (MRO) and Mobility Load Balancing (MLB). We find that this approach can be applied as long as the coordination problem is decomposed into three functional planes: controllable, environmental, and utility planes. However, the fully-implicit coordination comes at a high cost: it requires a large amount of data to train the ML models. To improve the data efficiency of our approach (i.e., achieving good model performance with less training data), we propose a hybrid approach, which mixes ML with closed-form models. With the hybrid approach, we study the conflict between MLB and Coverage and Capacity Optimization (CCO) functions. Then, we apply it to the coordination among MLB, Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC), and Energy Savings (ES) functions. With the hybrid approach, we find in one shot, part of the parameter set in an optimal manner, which makes it suitable for dynamic scenarios in which fast response is expected from a centralized coordinator. Finally, we present a manner to formally include MRO in the hybrid approach and show how the framework can be extended to cover challenging network scenarios like Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC)

Algoritmos de transferência de redes LTE em meios de transporte massivo

Handover in LTE occurs when a device moves from the cell coverage serving it towards another; a process where the user established session must not be interrupted due to this cell change. Handovers in LTE are classified as hard ones, since the link with the serving cell is interrupted before establishing the new link with the target cell. This entails a larger failure risk and, consequently, a potential deterioration in the quality of service. This article presents a review of the handover algorithms in LTE, focusing on the ones oriented to massive means of transport. We show how the new algorithms offer a larger success in handovers, increasing the networkdata rate. This indicates that factors such as speed, position, and direction should be included in the algorithms to improve the handover in means of transport. We also present the algorithms focused on mobile relays such as an important study field for future research works.El traspaso en LTE se presenta cuando un equipo pasa de la cobertura de una celda a la de otra, un proceso en el que se debe asegurar que el usuario no vea interrumpida su sesión, como efecto de ese cambio de celda. Los traspasos en LTE son del tipo duro, en ellos, el enlace con la celda servidora se interrumpe antes de establecer el nuevo enlace con la celda destino, lo que conlleva a un mayor riesgo de falla y con ello a un probable deterioro de la calidad del servicio al usuario. Este artículo revisa algoritmos de traspaso LTE, enfocándose en aquellos orientados a medios de trasporte masivo. Muestra cómo los nuevos algoritmos ofrecen una tasa mayor de traspasos exitosos y con ello una mejor tasa de transferencia de datos; evidencia que factores como la velocidad, la posición y la dirección deben ser incluidos en los algoritmos dirigidos a mejorar el traspaso en medios de transporte; y presenta a los algoritmos enfocados en relays móviles, como un importante campo de estudio para futuras investigaciones.A transferência em LTE ocorre quando um dispositivo passa da cobertura de uma célula para outra, um processo no qual deve ser assegurado que o usuário não veja sua sessão interrompida, como resultado dessa mudança de célula. As transferências em LTE são do tipo duro, nelas, o link com a célula do servidor é interrompido antes de se estabelecer o novo link com a célula alvo, o que leva a um maior risco de falha e, portanto, a uma provável deterioração da qualidade do serviço ao usuário. Este artigo revisa os algoritmos de transferência LTE, com foco naqueles orientados a meios de transporte massivo. Mostra como os novos algoritmos oferecem uma taxa maior de transferências bem-sucedidas e, com isso, uma melhor taxa de transferência de dados; evidencia de que fatores como a velocidade, a posição e a direção devem ser incluídos nos algoritmos que visam melhorar a transferência nos meios de transporte; e apresenta os algoritmos focados em relés móveis, como um importante campo de estudo para futuras pesquisas