Self-Optimization of Cell Overlap

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a report configuration controller configured to command reporting an event defined by receipt of a plurality of signals of different senders, wherein the signals are received at a same location, the signals are received with a strength above an absolute threshold, and a difference of the strengths is within a relative threshold. Another apparatus comprises an aggregator configured to aggregate information reflecting an event defined by receipt of a plurality of signals of different senders, wherein the signals are received at a same location, the signals are received with a strength above an absolute threshold, and a difference of the strengths is within a relative threshold; and an aggregated information provider configured to provide the aggregated information.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a report configuration controller configured to command reporting an event defined by receipt of a plurality of signals of different senders, wherein the signals are received at a same location, the signals are received with a strength above an absolute threshold, and a difference of the strengths is within a relative threshold.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the report configuration controller is further configured to command reporting information on the location of receipt of the signals; the apparatus further comprising:
 a location determination processor configured to determine a radial distance of receipt of a signal from a sender of the signal based on information on the location of receipt of the signal.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the information on the location of receipt of a signal is one of information from a global positioning system and information on a signal propagation time from the location of receipt of the signal to the sender. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the report configuration controller is further configured to command the reporting to take place when a condition selected from the following group is fulfilled: a time period has expired; there is a new event; among a plurality of events, a particular sender is concerned at a number of times above a sender number threshold; and a number of events per time period exceeds an event number threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the report configuration controller is further configured to adjust the relative threshold based on information on a handover reporting procedure involving a sender connectivity change based on a handover criterion reflecting a difference in signal strength received from different sender. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the report configuration controller is further configured to command reporting an identity of each sender sending a signal involved in the event. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sender overlap evaluation processor configured to evaluate how many events occur per location area and/or time, and to command one of adjustment of transmission power of a sender and adjustment of antenna tilt of a sender.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an aggregator configured to aggregate information reflecting an event defined by receipt of a plurality of signals of different senders, wherein the signals are received at a same location, the signals are received with a strength above an absolute threshold, and a difference of the strengths is within a relative threshold; and   an aggregated information provider configured to provide the aggregated information.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the aggregator is further configured to command reporting information on the location of receipt of the signals. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the information on the location of receipt of a signal is one of information from a global positioning system and information on a signal propagation time from the location of receipt of the signal to the sender. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the aggregated information provider is further configured to provide the aggregated information when a condition selected from the following group is fulfilled: a time period has expired; there is a new event; among a plurality of events, a particular sender is concerned at a number of times above a sender number threshold; and a number of events per time period exceeds an event number threshold. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the aggregator is further configured to generate information on a handover reporting procedure involving a sender connectivity change based on a handover criterion reflecting a difference in signal strength received from different sender by being configured to compare the relative threshold with the handover criterion; and   the aggregated information provider is further configured to provide the handover criterion as an excluded upper limit for the relative threshold.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the aggregated information provider is further configured to provide an identity of each sender sending a signal involved in the event. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an overlap adjustment processor configured to command one of adjustment of sender transmission power and adjustment of sender antenna tilt.   
     
     
         15 . An evolved Node B, comprising:
 an apparatus according to  claim 8 .   
     
     
         16 . A system comprising:
 an apparatus according to  claim 1 ; and   an apparatus according to  claim 8 .   
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 commanding reporting of an event defined by receipt of a plurality of signals of different senders, wherein the signals are received at a same location, the signals are received with a strength above an absolute threshold, and a difference of the strengths is within a relative threshold.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the commanding reporting further includes commanding reporting information on the location of receipt of the signals; and the method further comprising:
 determining a radial distance of receipt of a signal from a sender of the signal based on information on the location of receipt of the signal.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the information on the location of receipt of a signal is one of information from a global positioning system and information on a signal propagation time from the location of receipt of the signal to the sender. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the commanding reporting further includes commanding that the reporting is to take place when a condition selected from the following group is fulfilled: a time period has expired; there is a new event; among a plurality of events, a particular sender is concerned at a number of times above a sender number threshold; and a number of events per time period exceeds an event number threshold. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 adjusting the relative threshold based on information on a handover reporting procedure involving a sender connectivity change based on a handover criterion reflecting a difference in signal strength received from different sender.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 commanding reporting an identity of each sender sending a signal involved in the event.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 evaluating how many events occur per location area and/or time, and commanding one of adjustment of transmission power of a sender and adjustment of antenna tilt of a sender.   
     
     
         24 . A method comprising:
 aggregating information reflecting an event defined by receipt of a plurality of signals of different senders, wherein the signals are received at a same location, the signals are received with a strength above an absolute threshold, and a difference of the strengths is within a relative threshold; and   providing the aggregated information.   
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the aggregating information further includes aggregating information on the location of receipt of the signals. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the information on the location of receipt of a signal is one of information from a global positioning system and information on a signal propagation time from the location of receipt of the signal to the sender. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the providing further includes providing the aggregated information when a condition selected from the following group is fulfilled: a time period has expired; there is a new event; among a plurality of events, a particular sender is concerned at a number of times above a sender number threshold; and a number of events per time period exceeds an event number threshold. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising:
 generating information on a handover reporting procedure involving a sender connectivity change based on a handover criterion reflecting a difference in signal strength received from different sender by comparing the relative threshold with the handover criterion; and   providing the handover criterion as an excluded upper limit for the relative threshold.   
     
     
         29 . The method according to any one of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 providing an identity of each sender sending a signal involved in the event.   
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising:
 commanding one of adjustment of sender transmission power and adjustment of sender antenna tilt.   
     
     
         31 . A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium which perform, when the instructions are executed by a computer:
 commanding reporting an event defined by receipt of a plurality of signals of different senders, wherein the signals are received at a same location, the signals are received with a strength above an absolute threshold, and a difference of the strengths is within a relative threshold.   
     
     
         32 . A computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium which perform, when the instructions are executed by a computer:
 aggregating information reflecting an event defined by receipt of a plurality of signals of different senders, wherein the signals are received at a same location, the signals are received with a strength above an absolute threshold, and a difference of the strengths is within a relative threshold.