Centralized network management for different types of RAT

1. A method, in a network management node operatively connected to a plurality of network nodes comprising each of a first radio access network (RAN) and a second RAN, the first and second RANs having overlapping coverage areas, the method comprising:

receiving, from the plurality of network nodes, current data session information and network performance information for each of the first and second RANs;

computing a reallocation of data sessions among the first and second RANs, based on the performance information and configuration data for the first and second RANs, using a metaheuristic algorithm, wherein:

the metaheuristic algorithm is based on an objective function that comprises a summation of performance metrics for each of the plurality of network nodes comprising each of the first and second RANs;

the performance metrics are based on allocations of data sessions to each of the plurality of network nodes; and

the objective function is subject to one or more data session capacity constraints for the first and second RANs; and

based on the computed reallocation, triggering a transfer of one or more current data sessions between the first and second RANs.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of network nodes comprises a plurality of base stations.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of network nodes further comprises one or more radio network controllers.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the performance metrics for one or more of the plurality of network nodes, for each given allocation of data sessions, are based on one or more of:

an estimated uplink or downlink throughput, or both, for the network node;

an estimated delay for data traffic through the network node; and

a processor load for the network node.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more of the performance metrics for the network nodes are weighted according to pre-determined prioritization weights.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metaheuristic algorithm employs a simulated annealing metaheuristic.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first RAN is a Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network and the second RAN is a Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) wireless network.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving, computing, and triggering operations are repeated upon each completion of the triggering operation.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving, computing, and triggering operations are repeated at pre-determined intervals.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving, computing, and triggering operations are initiated in response to a problem detection in one or both of the RANs.

11. A network management node, comprising:

communications interface circuitry configured to communicate with a plurality of network nodes comprising each of a first radio access network (RAN) and a second RAN, and

a processing circuit configured to:

receive, from the plurality of network nodes via the communications interface circuitry, current data session information and network performance information for each of the first and second RANs

compute a reallocation of data sessions among the first and second RANs, based on the performance information and configuration data for the first and second RANs, using a metaheuristic algorithm, wherein:

the metaheuristic algorithm is based on an objective function that comprises a summation of performance metrics for each of the plurality of network nodes comprising each of the first and second RANs;

the performance metrics are based on allocations of data sessions to each of the plurality of network nodes; and

the objective function is subject to one or more data session capacity constraints for the first and second RANs; and

based on the computed reallocation, trigger, via the communications interface circuitry, a transfer of one or more current data sessions between the first and second RANs.

12. The network management node of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of network nodes comprises a plurality of base stations.

13. The network management node of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of network nodes further comprises one or more radio network controllers.

14. The network management node of claim 11 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to calculate performance metrics for one or more of the plurality of network nodes, for each given allocation of data sessions, based on one or more of:

an estimated uplink or downlink throughput, or both, for the network node;

an estimated delay for data traffic through the network node; and

a processor load for the network node.

15. The network management node of claim 11 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to weight one or more of the performance metrics for the network nodes according to pre-determined prioritization weights.

16. The network management node of claim 11 , wherein the metaheuristic algorithm employs a simulated annealing metaheuristic.

17. The network management node of claim 11 , wherein the first RAN is a Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless network and the second RAN is a Wideband Code-Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) wireless network.

18. The network management node of claim 11 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to repeat the receiving, computing, and triggering operations upon each completion of the triggering operation.

19. The network management node of claim 11 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to repeat the receiving, computing, and triggering operations at pre-determined intervals.

20. The network management node of claim 11 , wherein the processing circuit is configured to initiate the receiving, computing, and triggering operations in response to a problem detection in one or both of the RANs.