基本概念
An automation technology designed to make the planning, configuration, management and healing of mobile radio access networks simpler and faster.
Why
The rate at which cellular or mobile communications is growing is increasnig. With increasing data usage, more dense and complicated network, radio network planning and maintance is more complicated that in the early days of mobile communications.
Much of this has been brought about by the introduction of LTE where micro and femto cells as well as relay nodes are being relied upon to ensure that the required overall capacity can be met. This brings many chellenges in terms of network planning and management. SON aims to
- reducing the operaing cost by reducing the level of human intervention in network design, build and operation
- reducing capital expenditure by optimising the use of available resources
- protecting revenue by reducing the number of human errors
架构分类
- 分布式
这个框架适用于功能本地化程度，the degree of localization of functionality，多用于边缘设备。 - 集中式
采用集中式管理方式，允许边缘设备有 a broader overview and coordination。这种框架下需要更加广泛的合作模式，因此通常会涉及第三方。 - 混合式
Apparently， 分布式和混合式的结合。
功能划分
- 自配置 self-configuration
base stations shall automatically be configured and intergrated into the network.
the neighbouring base stations then automatically adjust their technical parameters in order to provide the required coverage and capacity, and at the same time, avoid the interference. - 自优化 self-optimization
网络中的参数有很多，自配置之后，由于各个基站的业务量不同，需要优化参数。一个非常简单的例子就是，夜间自动关闭一些基站，而其他基站需要重新进行参数配置，覆盖全区域。 - 自治愈 self-healing
自治愈的目的在于应对某个节点突然fail的状况，保持网络依然连接完好。
Reference：
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-organizing_network