LTE-advanced self-organizing network conflicts and coordination algorithms

Self-organizing network (SON) functions have been introduced in the LTE and LTEAdvanced standards by the Third Generation Partnership Project as an excellent solution that promises enormous improvements in network performance. However, the most challenging issue in implementing SON functions in reality is the identification of the best possible interactions among simultaneously operating and even conflicting SON functions in order to guarantee robust, stable, and desired network operation. In this direction, the first step is the comprehensive modeling of various types of conflicts among SON functions, not only to acquire a detailed view of the problem, but also to pave the way for designing appropriate Self-Coordination mechanisms among SON functions. In this article we present a comprehensive classification of SON function conflicts, which leads the way for designing suitable conflict resolution solutions among SON functions and implementing SON in reality. Identifying conflicting and interfering relations among autonomous network management functionalities is a tremendously complex task. We demonstrate how analysis of fundamental trade-offs among performance metrics can us to the identification of potential conflicts. Moreover, we present analytical models of these conflicts using reference signal received power plots in multi-cell environments, which help to dig into the complex relations among SON functions. We identify potential chain reactions among SON function conflicts that can affect the concurrent operation of multiple SON functions in reality. Finally, we propose a selfcoordination framework for conflict resolution among multiple SON functions in LTE/LTEAdvanced networks, while highlighting a number of future research challenges for conflict-free operation of SON

LTE-Advanced Self-Organising Network Conflicts and Coordination Algorithms

Self-organizing network (SON) functions have been introduced in the LTE and LTEAdvanced standards by the Third Generation Partnership Project as an excellent solution that promises enormous improvements in network performance. However, the most challenging issue in implementing SON functions in reality is the identification of the best possible interactions among simultaneously operating and even conflicting SON functions in order to guarantee robust, stable, and desired network operation. In this direction, the first step is the comprehensive modeling of various types of conflicts among SON functions, not only to acquire a detailed view of the problem, but also to pave the way for designing appropriate Self-Coordination mechanisms among SON functions. In this article we present a comprehensive classification of SON function conflicts, which leads the way for designing suitable conflict resolution solutions among SON functions and implementing SON in reality. Identifying conflicting and interfering relations among autonomous network management functionalities is a tremendously complex task. We demonstrate how analysis of fundamental trade-offs among performance metrics can us to the identification of potential conflicts. Moreover, we present analytical models of these conflicts using reference signal received power plots in multi-cell environments, which help to dig into the complex relations among SON functions. We identify potential chain reactions among SON function conflicts that can affect the concurrent operation of multiple SON functions in reality. Finally, we propose a selfcoordination framework for conflict resolution among multiple SON functions in LTE/LTEAdvanced networks, while highlighting a number of future research challenges for conflict-free operation of SON

Towards energy efficient and quality of service aware cell zooming in 5G wireless networks

This paper presents an energy efficient and quality of service aware dynamic cell zooming algorithm for dense heterogeneous networks. The exponential growth of mobile data traffic would lead to dense deployment of small base stations and eventually higher energy consumption in Fifth Generation (5G) wireless networks. We formulate a dynamic cell zooming and base stations sleep optimization algorithm for dense heterogeneous networks as a Linear Programming (LP) problem in order to not only minimize the system power consumption but also to guarantee the quality of service to end user. This is possible by optimally zooming the coverage area of macro base stations and small cells based upon real time traffic conditions. We characterize the optimal as well as provide an approximate solution, which, however, performs very closely to the optimum. The extensive performance evaluation of our proposed dynamic cell zooming algorithm shows that our proposed algorithm can significantly decrease both system energy consumption and outage probability.Scopu

Towards Energy-Aware 5G Cellular Networks

Over the past decade, the telecommunication industry has witnessed excessive growth in the number of mobile users. Market forecasts envision that there will be nearly 8.6 billion mobile devices worldwide by 2017. This tremendous increase in the number of cellular users demands an expansion in the wireless Base Stations (BSs) for improved coverage and capacity. However, this hike in the deployment of base stations will lead to immense energy consumption, because in mobile networks 70-80% of the power is consumed by BSs. This upsurge in the energy consumption of telecommunication networks implies an increase in CO2 emissions in the environment. In addition, energy bills also represent a major chunk of wireless network operators‟ expenditures. These ecological and economical challenges have provoked the curiosity of telecommunication standardization bodies and researchers in an emerging research area termed „energy-aware Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets)‟. HetNets are a mix of various cell shapes and sizes, including high power macro cells and low power nodes such as micro cells, pico cells and relays. The large macro cells are responsible for the basic coverage of the cell users, and the small cells are effective in providing higher data rates to their nearby users in dense areas with reduced power consumption. The combination of various BSs with different cell sizes and a wide range of power levels can lead to substantial gains in network energy consumption by creating hotspots and enabling dense spatial reuse. It is envisioned that a dense deployment of low power BSs will take place in the near future. HetNets in particular are considered as a promising solution for Fifth Generation (5G) in order to meet the exponentially growing demand for multimedia traffic. The main focus of this chapter is to investigate optimal energy efficient deployment strategies for low power nodes such as relays and small cells in 5G HetNets. In this chapter, a comprehensive overview of remarkable small cell deployment schemes is presented in order to facilitate the debate on technical challenges in deploying HetNets. It goes on to discuss some useful techniques to mitigate the severe interference in 5G dense HetNets. Finally, a novel Long Term Evolution (LTE)-Advanced relay deployment scheme is introduced using graph theory, not only to address some of the identified deficiencies of existing solutions, but also to optimize the energy efficiency of 5G cellular networks

Towards energy-aware 5G heterogeneous networks

Over the past decade, the telecommunication industry has witnessed excessive growth in the number of mobile users. Market forecasts envision that there will be nearly 8.6 billion mobile devices worldwide by 2017. This tremendous increase in the number of cellular users demands an expansion in the wireless Base Stations (BSs) for improved coverage and capacity. However, this hike in the deployment of base stations will lead to immense energy consumption, because in mobile networks 70-80% of the power is consumed by BSs. This upsurge in the energy consumption of telecommunication networks implies an increase in CO 2 emissions in the environment. In addition, energy bills also represent a major chunk of wireless network operators' expenditures. These ecological and economical challenges have provoked the curiosity of telecommunication standardization bodies and researchers in an emerging research area termed 'energy-aware Heterogeneous Networks (HetNets)'. HetNets are a mix of various cell shapes and sizes, including high power macro cells and low power nodes such as micro cells, pico cells and relays. The large macro cells are responsible for the basic coverage of the cell users, and the small cells are effective in providing higher data rates to their nearby users in dense areas with reduced power consumption. The combination of various BSs with different cell sizes and a wide range of power levels can lead to substantial gains in network energy consumption by creating hotspots and enabling dense spatial reuse. It is envisioned that a dense deployment of low power BSs will take place in the near future. HetNets in particular are considered as a promising solution for Fifth Generation (5G) in order to meet the exponentially growing demand for multimedia traffic. The main focus of this chapter is to investigate optimal energy efficient deployment strategies for low power nodes such as relays and small cells in 5G HetNets. In this chapter, a comprehensive overview of remarkable small cell deployment schemes is presented in order to facilitate the debate on technical challenges in deploying HetNets. It goes on to discuss some useful techniques to mitigate the severe interference in 5G dense HetNets. Finally, a novel Long Term Evolution (LTE)-Advanced relay deployment scheme is introduced using graph theory, not only to address some of the identified deficiencies of existing solutions, but also to optimize the energy efficiency of 5G cellular networks. Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016.Scopu