The E3 architecture: enabling future cellular networks with cognitive and self‐x capabilities

Abstract

SUMMARYFuture mobile networks are expected to be complex heterogeneous systems. On the one hand this will enable users to take advantage of a number of different access technologies. On the other hand it will seriously affect network management procedures since more extensive operations and decisions will have to be dealt with. To tackle these challenges a number of new dynamic mechanisms need to be designed. It is imperative that certain network management tasks have to be performed without human intervention to reduce the OPEX costs and achieve faster responses in different events. To achieve this goal, the introduction of self-x functionalities, combined with cognitive mechanisms and the ability to reconfigure network entities and terminals, is required. Moreover, the introduction of a new pilot channel needs to be considered to assist the terminals in selecting the most suitable radio access technology according to their requirements. We present the functional architecture of an evolved network that was designed in the context of the EU-funded IP project 'E 3 : End-to-End Efficiency'. This architecture aims to enhance existing procedures usually performed in traditional operation and maintenance systems (e.g. spectrum management, network planning, configuration actions). We explain the rationale of our design and provide specific examples to illustrate the role of the different functional entities and their interfaces. A considerable part of this architecture has recently been approved as a feasibility study by the ETSI Committee Reconfigurable Radio System.

Hybrid frequency allocation scheme for capacity improvement in densely deployed small cells

“…The proposed hybrid frequency allocation scheme utilizes different frequency allocation schemes for the inner and outer circle regions to improve the network capacity. By adding the geographic region cognition ability in densely deployed small cells, an optimal geographic region division scheme is designed and the optimal square zone length is theoretically obtained for an efficient information delivery among small cells via cognitive pilot channel (CPC) [22,23]. Numerical results verify that the capacity can be improved with the appropriate small cell deployment using proposed novel schemes.…”

“…Considering the SINR of FUE at cell edge with the outage probability constraint ε, SINR coch f satisfies (23).…”

Evaluation of signalling loads in a cognitive network management architecture

“…The functional entities of the architecture may actually span across various network elements, access and core, and MTs as well. A brief revisit to these functional, management entities is made below .…”

“…In the corresponding ETSI FA , DSNPM is named DSONPM, the m‐JRRM and m‐CCM are called JRRM‐TE and CCM‐TE, and n‐JRRM and n‐CCM are named JRRM‐NET and CCM‐NET, respectively. Moreover, DSNPM performs an expanded operation with respect to the one defined in the framework of E 3 architecture, which comprises the operation of the entity named 'Self‐x for RAN', whereas CCM effectuates the operation of entity RCM .…”

“…The proposed architecture comprises a generic amalgamation of a set of architectures that have been proposed for managing future networks. Actually, this cognitive architecture falls in the wider context of the E 3 project and comprises a variant structure of the functional architecture (FA) that has initially been proposed within E2R II project and subsequently further developed . Furthermore, a variant of the proposed architecture has been actually elaborated within Working Group 3 (WG3) of the Reconfigurable Radio Systems Technical Committee (RRS TC) .…”