SingleSON eases the pain of network complexity
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By Yang Li & Zheng Meihua
Automatic control of multi-mode and multi-layer networking has become key to
enhanced O&M efficiency. Through self-configuration, self-optimization, and
self-maintenance, SingleSON smoothly adapts to single-mode, multi-mode or
multi-layer networking, which benefits not only efficiency but also OPEX.
Increasing O&M burdens
GSA statistics show that over 80% of operators worldwide operate both GSM and
UMTS networks, with 57 commercial LTE networks launched as of March 2012 and
many more expected over the next two years. Many carriers are also introducing or
plan to introduce picocells/femtocells and Wi-Fi access, culminating in a
heterogeneous network architecture currently referred to as HetNet, which can bring a
variety of O&M headaches and higher OPEX through its great complexity and
diversity.
Infonetics Research indicates that global top-5 mobile operators' revenues account for
40% of the entire industry, with their percentage of OPEX being comparable;
however, the latter consumes a whopping 70% of this revenue. Considering the
CAPEX that will be needed to accommodate the expected 500-fold data traffic
increase over the next decade, this percentage is much too high.
Automatic control for multi-mode and multi-layer networking has become the key to
enhancing O&M efficiency and reducing costs. Self-organizing network (SON)
architecture is emerging as a method to reduce the costs involved in network
deployment and O&M.
From LTE SON to SingleSON
In 2006, the NGMN Alliance first discussed the concepts around SON. The 3GPP
began their SON research the next year, which culminated in LTE specifications that
now accommodate it. When implemented, LTE SON promises self-configuration,
self-optimization, and self-maintenance.
Through self-configuration, evolved Node B (eNodeB) can be automatically
configured and integrated into the network, with installation requiring only one site
visit, which significantly cuts down on labor costs. Self-optimization is much like it
sounds – automatic network adjustment based on user equipment (UE) and eNodeB
observations. Self-maintenance involves the automatic detection and location of faults,
followed by the implementation of a variety of self-maintenance mechanisms, which
allows engineers to focus on other key areas that impact network performance.
In June 2010, Huawei and Vodafone established a joint team aimed at promoting the
innovation and commercial application of LTE SON. Later, the team raised the
concept of SingleSON, aiming to deliver SON functions to GSM and UMTS
networks. Through SingleSON's core node (eCoordinator) operators can achieve
synergy between GSM, UMTS, and LTE networking. Synergy between micro and
macro networks can also be achieved, enhancing HetNet efficiency.
SingleSON features
On October 18, 2011, Huawei officially released SingleSON. As the industry's first
multi-standard SON solution, SingleSON greatly promotes the construction of and
O&M for multi-mode and multi-layer networking, delivering self-configuration,
self-optimization and self-maintenance functionality.
Self-configuration
With SingleSON, new base stations connect to the operation support system (OSS)
automatically to download and implement configuration data; and while this sounds
wonderful, the story does not end here, as this functionality makes proper planning of
said configuration data (which must be extremely precise if the station is to work at
all) very important. Thousands of configuration items may exist for each site, and
they can hardly be planned manually. Fortunately, SingleSON can plan them
automatically, including radio, transmission, and antenna system parameters.
For a SingleRAN HetNet, an operator may need LTE macro cells to overlay legacy
GSM and UMTS networking. SingleSON can be utilized to help determine whether
or not new sites can be co-sited, which allows the sharing of antennas and
transmission routes. SingleSON can also help define radio and antenna parameters for
the cells covered by new base stations. After planning is finished, SingleSON will
automatically generate configuration files, which can be used for new site
configuration or as a reference for other projects, and store them in the OSS.
During multi-mode base station deployment, SingleSON's one-step functionality can
reduce manual configuration by nearly 90%, as both transmission planning and site
visit need only be done once. Only one license also need be applied for, with only one
security link needed for each site.
Self-optimization
Multi-layer mobility management: SingleSON monitors the network continuously;
if any anomalous alarms occur, it will analyze it, with the results sent to the operator
so that a better optimization plan can be formulated.
During optimization, manual configuration of neighboring cells is no longer necessary,
as SingleSON features an automatic neighbor relation (ANR) function that is
applicable for multi-mode and multi-layer networks, which can enhance both
operational & cost efficiency for both.
After optimization, SingleSON will continue to monitor network performance, with
optimization repeated if the previous attempt fails to meet targets.
With SingleSON, manual operations are now limited largely to root alarm
confirmation, as well as optimization review and authorization; this greatly enhances
O&M efficiency as the aforementioned elements, along with network monitoring, are
generally reduced.
Multi-layer traffic steering: Traffic management involves a greater understanding of
traffic distribution, based on terminal reports and other various data, and the
adjustment of network configuration/relocating terminal traffic according to the
policies in place. Traffic management, which ensures QoS, can also enhance network
resource usage. Through statistics such as cell throughput KPIs, terminals MRs, and
DT data, operators can better understand network traffic distribution in terms of time,
location, and service category.
For traffic bursts or temporary bottlenecks, SingleSON provides a mobility load
balancing solution for intra-base station, inter-base station, intra-frequency,
inter-frequency, inter-RAT, or inter-base station cells; this solution also considers
service categories, cell capabilities, end-user priorities and their preferred services.
Terminal speed and inter-cell interference are also weighed for cells.
For traffic volumes which prove ill-suited to the network over time, SingleSON can
make recommendations as to how best to optimize antenna feeder parameters,
enabling the operator to improve coverage for high-traffic zones. If system parameter
optimization proves inadequate for meeting throughput requirements, SingleSON can
recommend more radical alternatives such as miniaturization or distributed dense
mode.
Interference is also key to system throughput. SingleSON can efficiently minimize
interference between cells, enhancing system throughput by 30%, which will surely
lead to an enhanced user experience.
Self-maintenance
Automatic cell fault management entails automatic detection and compensation of
invalid cells that are failing, partially or completely, to provide wireless service,
which might manifest as insufficient coverage, support of fewer users, or decreased
throughput.
Automatic detection represents the KPI monitoring for all cells; abnormalities trigger
testing that evaluates the ability of terminals to connect to radio services. Alarms will
be sent out if cells prove invalid. When a cell fails, parameters for adjacent cells are
adjusted automatically to compensate. For instance, antenna feeder parameters can be
adjusted to ensure satisfactory QoS.
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