Self-Organizing Networks in LTE Deployment

Abstract

This chapter is an introduction to self-organizing networks (SON). We will start with a brief introduction to the current network, its practical limitations, and the advantages of SON in the current network. We will then proceed with a discussion of SON architecture wherein we will explain the different types of SON, such as centralized, distributed, and hybrid, along with their advantages and disadvantages. We will then briefly discuss the different phases of SON and what activities are performed in these phases, and finally we will detail some of the SON features specific to LTE like automatic eNodeB setup, automatic physical cell identification (PCID) allocation, automatic neighbor relation, random access channel (RACH) optimization, mobility robustness optimization (MRO), and intercell interference coordination (ICIC) and explain the concept, design, and implementation of these features.