Outage Users First Cell Outage Compensation Algorithm for Self-Organizing Networks

Abstract

In cellular communication networks, base stations experience cell outages for various reasons including hardware malfunctions, firmware upgrades, or problems in the network backhaul. During a cell outage, users serviced by a base station disconnect from the network without warning because of a lack of signal coverage. Cell outages affect consumer interests and results in substantial losses for the telecommunications operator. In this study, cell outages in base stations are examined by constructing system models. Wireless interference and base station load were key considerations in the proposed outage users first cell outage compensation (OUF-COC) algorithm. The algorithm restores signal coverage and connections to users in the outage area without affecting users outside of the outage area. Simulations showed that OUF-COC could restore connections for over 90% of outage users. Approximately 50% of these users and 70% of users outside of the outage area experienced data rates of 250Kbps or higher (i.e., a typical data rate for a 3G network). These results indicated that the OUF-COC algorithm could effectively maintain quality of service among regular users while restoring connections to outage users and enhancing their data rates.