Method of improving coverage and optimisation in communication networks

摘要

A method and apparatus for detecting and determining the location of a coverage hole in a communications network such as a cellular communication system wherein the location is determined from operational parameters and/or by network elements themselves. Additionally is a method to reduce a hole by adjusting antennae parameters preferably remotely and automatically and this can be done in conjunction with hole location to optimise the system.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
detecting, and determining a location of, a coverage hole in a communications network, wherein said location is determined based at least in part on operational parameters, where the coverage hole is located in the vicinity of, or between, two or more operatively adjacent base stations of said network, the base stations defining two or more adjacent cells; and wherein determination that a coverage hole is located in the vicinity of, or between, said two or more operatively adjacent base stations defining at least two adjacent cells is made based on the occurrence of an increase in radio link failures in the two or more adjacent cells, wherein the detection of a radio link failure is performed by a user equipment, and wherein the user equipment sends information concerning the detected radio link failure to at least one other element of said network.