Dynamic 5G massive MIMO GOB configurations optimization
There is provided an apparatus, a method and a computer program product. In accordance with an embodiment the method comprises selecting a candidate cell of a cellular network, the candidate cell comprising a massive multiple-in multiple out antenna capable of producing a plurality of groups of beams for a beamforming configuration and a beam for a non-beamforming configuration; obtaining measurement data from one or more user equipments in a geographical area served by the candidate cell at a plurality of time intervals; locating three-dimensionally the one or more user equipments; using the location information to determine three-dimensional dispersion of the one or more user equipments in the geographical area at the plurality of time intervals; determining spectral efficiency for the different groups of beam configurations and the non-beamforming configuration by using the three-dimensional dispersion and the measurement data for different groups of beam configurations at the plurality of time intervals; comparing the spectral efficiencies of the different groups of beam configurations with the spectral efficiency of the non-beamforming configuration; and selecting an optimal non-beamforming configuration or one of the groups of beam configurations for the cell at the plurality of time intervals.
1 . An apparatus comprising at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
selecting a candidate cell of a cellular network, the candidate cell comprising a massive multiple-in multiple out antenna capable of producing a plurality of groups of beams for a beamforming configuration and a beam for a non-beamforming configuration;
obtaining measurement data from one or more user equipments in a geographical area served by the candidate cell at a plurality of time intervals;
locating three-dimensionally the one or more user equipments;
using the location information to determine three-dimensional dispersion of the one or more user equipments in the geographical area at the plurality of time intervals;
determining spectral efficiency for the different groups of beam configurations and the non-beamforming configuration by using the three-dimensional dispersion and the measurement data for different groups of beam configurations at the plurality of time intervals;
comparing the spectral efficiencies of the different groups of beam configurations with the spectral efficiency of the non-beamforming configuration; and
selecting an optimal non-beamforming configuration or one of the groups of beam configurations for the cell at the plurality of time intervals.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
selecting the candidate cell based on a traffic key performance index.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
locating three-dimensionally a plurality of candidate cells.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to determine the spectral efficiency by simulating different groups of beam configurations and the non-beamforming configuration for a plurality of predetermined time intervals.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
determining whether the three-dimensional dispersion includes repetitive patterns at different time instances; and
deciding whether to switch the beamforming on or off for time instances corresponding to a determined repetitive pattern.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
identifying a level of external interference and its environmental noise level.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
performing a three-dimensional radio simulation of one of the configurations that includes an improvement of coverage because of the narrowness of the beam that provides service, and an increase of level of interference because of activating additional beams.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to repeat the obtainment of measurement data at several time intervals, the three-dimensional localization of the one or more user equipments, the usage of the location information to determine three-dimensional dispersion of the one or more user equipments in the geographical area at the different time intervals, the determination of spectral efficiency for the different group of beam configurations and the non-beamforming configuration, comparison of the spectral efficiencies of the different groups of beam configurations with the spectral efficiency of the non-beamforming configuration, and the selection of a non-beamforming configuration or one of the groups of beam configurations for the cell at the plurality of time intervals.
9 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
reporting the selected configuration for different time intervals.
10 . A method comprising:
selecting a candidate cell of a cellular network, the candidate cell comprising a massive multiple-in multiple out antenna capable of producing a plurality of groups of beams for a beamforming configuration and a beam for a non-beamforming configuration;
obtaining measurement data from one or more user equipments in a geographical area served by the candidate cell at a plurality of time intervals;
locating three-dimensionally the one or more user equipments;
using the location information to determine three-dimensional dispersion of the one or more user equipments in the geographical area at the plurality of time intervals;
determining spectral efficiency for the different groups of beam configurations and the non-beamforming configuration by using the three-dimensional dispersion and the measurement data for different groups of beam configurations at the plurality of time intervals;
comparing the spectral efficiencies of the different groups of beam configurations with the spectral efficiency of the non-beamforming configuration; and
selecting an optimal non-beamforming configuration or one of the groups of beam configurations for the cell at the plurality of time intervals.
11 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
selecting the candidate cell based on a traffic key performance index.
12 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
locating three-dimensionally a plurality of candidate cells.
13 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
determining the spectral efficiency by simulating different groups of beam configurations and the non-beamforming configuration for a plurality of predetermined time intervals.
14 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
determining whether the three-dimensional dispersion includes repetitive patterns at different time instances; and
deciding whether to switch the beamforming on or off for time instances corresponding to a determined repetitive pattern.
15 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
identifying a level of external interference and its environmental noise level.
16 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
performing a three-dimensional radio simulation of one of the configurations that includes an improvement of coverage because of the narrowness of the beam that provides service, and an increase of level of interference because of activating additional beams.
17 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
repeating the obtainment of measurement data at several time intervals, the three-dimensional localization of the one or more user equipments, the usage of the location information to determine three-dimensional dispersion of the one or more user equipments in the geographical area at the different time intervals, the determination of spectral efficiency for the different group of beam configurations and the non-beamforming configuration, comparison of the spectral efficiencies of the different groups of beam configurations with the spectral efficiency of the non-beamforming configuration, and the selection of a non-beamforming configuration or one of the groups of beam configurations for the cell at the plurality of time intervals.
18 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising:
reporting the selected configuration for different time intervals.
19 . A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions, that when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the steps of:
selecting a candidate cell of a cellular network, the candidate cell comprising a massive multiple-in multiple out antenna capable of producing a plurality of groups of beams for a beamforming configuration and a beam for a non-beamforming configuration;
obtaining measurement data from one or more user equipments in a geographical area served by the candidate cell at a plurality of time intervals;
locating three-dimensionally the one or more user equipments;
using the location information to determine three-dimensional dispersion of the one or more user equipments in the geographical area at the plurality of time intervals;
determining spectral efficiency for the different groups of beam configurations and the non-beamforming configuration by using the three-dimensional dispersion and the measurement data for different groups of beam configurations at the plurality of time intervals;
comparing the spectral efficiencies of the different groups of beam configurations with the spectral efficiency of the non-beamforming configuration; and
selecting an optimal non-beamforming configuration or one of the groups of beam configurations for the cell at the plurality of time intervals.