Patent Description:
Voltage Standing Wave Ratio, VSWR, is an indication of the amount of mismatch between an antenna and a feed line connecting to it. The range of values for VSWR is from <NUM> to <MAT>.

VSWR is a parameter that can be used for monitoring antenna performance in telecommunication networks. Antenna manufacturers provide default thresholds for antennas. If it is detected that the default threshold is triggered, there is likely a problem with performance of the antenna. <CIT> discloses an antenna port monitoring system and method thereof and <CIT> discloses an apparatus and method to monitor and control power.

Any devices and/or methods in the description and/or drawings which are not covered by the claims are examples useful for understanding the invention.

According to a first example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer implemented method of handling a threshold value of an antenna performance parameter of an antenna of a telecommunication network as defined in claim <NUM> or claim <NUM>.

In an example embodiment, the antenna performance parameter is Voltage Standing Wave Ratio, VSWR, parameter.

According to a second example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processor and a memory including computer program code; the memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect or any related embodiment.

According to a third example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable program code which when executed by a processor causes an apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect or any related embodiment.

The computer program of the third aspect may be a computer program product stored on a non-transitory memory medium.

Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the foregoing paragraphs. The embodiments in the foregoing paragraphs are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in implementations of the present invention.

Example embodiments of the present invention and its potential advantages are understood by referring to <FIG> of the drawings. In this document, like reference signs denote like parts or steps.

Example embodiments of the invention provide new mechanisms to handle threshold values of an antenna performance parameter, such as VSWR, in telecommunication networks. More specifically, example embodiments provide adjusting threshold values of the antenna performance parameter. In this way, the threshold can be individually determined for each antenna instead of using a default value. The antenna performance parameter is a parameter that relates to amount of mismatch between an antenna and a feed line connecting to it. VSWR is one example of such antenna parameter, but embodiments of present disclosure are applicable for other similar antenna parameters, too. Embodiments suit well for determining so called minor VSWR threshold for antennas.

It is to be noted that in the following, mainly antenna performance parameter of a single antenna is discussed, but clearly the same may be repeated for a plurality of antennas in parallel or sequentially one after another.

For the sake of clarity, it is noted that in this disclosure, the term "a default antenna performance parameter threshold value" is used interchangeably with the term "a default value of the antenna performance parameter threshold", and the term "a second antenna performance parameter threshold value" is used interchangeably with the term "a second value of the antenna performance parameter threshold", and the term "triggering antenna performance parameter threshold value" is used interchangeably with the term "a triggering value of the antenna performance parameter threshold".

<FIG> shows an example scenario according to an embodiment. The scenario shows a communication network <NUM> comprising a plurality of cells and base stations and other network devices, and an operations support system, OSS, <NUM> that manages operations of the communication network <NUM>. Further, the scenario shows a documentation system <NUM> configured to store information related to the communication network <NUM>, and an automation system <NUM> configured to implement example embodiments. The documentation system <NUM> may store for example information about physical devices used in the communication network <NUM> and about structure of the communication network <NUM>.

In an embodiment of the invention the scenario of <FIG> operates as follows. The automation system <NUM> is operable to obtain information from the documentation system <NUM> and/or from the communication network <NUM> (e.g. through the OSS <NUM>). In certain embodiments, the automation system is also operable to provide information to the documentation system <NUM> and/or to the communication network <NUM> (e.g. through the OSS <NUM>).

The automation system <NUM> is operable to obtain a default antenna performance parameter threshold value of an antenna (i.e. a default value of the antenna performance parameter threshold) and to determine a second antenna performance parameter threshold value for the antenna (i.e. a second value or a new value of the antenna performance parameter threshold). The second antenna performance parameter threshold value is then taken into use for the antenna in the communication network <NUM>.

The process may be manually or automatically triggered. The process may be periodically repeated. The process may be repeated for example once a month, every three months, every six months or over some other time period. By periodically repeating the process, effective network monitoring is achieved and problems, if any, may be timely detected. Additionally or alternatively, the process may be performed in connection with deployment of new antennas and/or in connection with maintenance actions performed in a base station site. In this way any antenna performance parameter threshold values relating to newly deployed antennas may be processed right away.

<FIG> shows an apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment. The apparatus <NUM> is for example a general-purpose computer or server or some other electronic data processing apparatus. The apparatus <NUM> can be used for implementing embodiments of the invention. That is, with suitable configuration the apparatus <NUM> is suited for operating for example as the automation system <NUM> of foregoing disclosure.

The general structure of the apparatus <NUM> comprises a processor <NUM>, and a memory <NUM> coupled to the processor <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> further comprises software <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM> and operable to be loaded into and executed in the processor <NUM>. The software <NUM> may comprise one or more software modules and can be in the form of a computer program product. Further, the apparatus <NUM> comprises a communication interface <NUM> coupled to the processor <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may comprise, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit, or the like. <FIG> shows one processor <NUM>, but the apparatus <NUM> may comprise a plurality of processors.

The memory <NUM> may be for example a non-volatile or a volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a data disk, an optical storage, a magnetic storage, a smart card, or the like. The apparatus <NUM> may comprise a plurality of memories.

The communication interface <NUM> may comprise communication modules that implement data transmission to and from the apparatus <NUM>. The communication modules may comprise, e.g., a wireless or a wired interface module. The wireless interface may comprise such as a WLAN, Bluetooth, infrared (IR), radio frequency identification (RF ID), GSM/GPRS, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE (Long Term Evolution) or <NUM> radio module. The wired interface may comprise such as Ethernet or universal serial bus (USB), for example. Further the apparatus <NUM> may comprise a user interface (not shown) for providing interaction with a user of the apparatus. The user interface may comprise a display and a keyboard, for example. The user interaction may be implemented through the communication interface <NUM>, too.

A skilled person appreciates that in addition to the elements shown in <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> may comprise other elements, such as displays, as well as additional circuitry such as memory chips, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), other processing circuitry for specific purposes and the like. Further, it is noted that only one apparatus is shown in <FIG>, but the embodiments of the invention may equally be implemented in a cluster of shown apparatuses.

<FIG> and <FIG> show flow diagrams illustrating example methods according to certain embodiments and methods useful for understanding the details of the present disclosure. The methods may be implemented in the automation system <NUM> of <FIG> and/or in the apparatus <NUM> of <FIG>. The methods are implemented in a computer and do not require human interaction unless otherwise expressly stated. It is to be noted that the methods may however provide output that may be further processed by humans and/or the methods may require user input to start. Different phases shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may be combined with each other and the order of phases may be changed except where otherwise explicitly defined. Furthermore, it is to be noted that performing all phases of the flow charts is not mandatory.

The method of <FIG> provides handling threshold value of an antenna performance parameter of an antenna of a telecommunication network. More specifically, the method of <FIG> provides adjusting the threshold value of the antenna performance parameter. The details of <FIG> are useful for understanding the details of the present disclosure. The method comprises the following phases:.

Phase <NUM>: A default antenna performance parameter threshold value of the antenna is obtained. a default value is obtained. The default value may be obtained for example from the documentation system <NUM> of <FIG> and more particularly from documentation information provided by antenna manufacturer.

Phase <NUM>: Loss information related to the antenna is obtained. The loss information may be obtained for example from the documentation system <NUM> of <FIG>. The loss information may comprise for example information about cable losses and/or connector losses. Loss may vary depending on cable lengths, cable type, used connectors, used RF components and used frequency. Loss of different components in the antenna setup may be obtained for example from information provided by component manufacturer. Component documentation may readily provide the associated loss in dB or some calculation may be required. For example, if the losses vary depending on frequency, the phase <NUM> may include calculation of losses for the frequency that is being used.

Phase <NUM>: A second antenna performance parameter threshold value for the antenna is determined based on the default antenna performance parameter threshold value and the loss information. a second or a new value is determined.

In an example embodiment, the determination is performed as follows. The default antenna performance parameter threshold value is transformed into default return loss. The following equations can be used for this purpose:.

Additional loss caused by the cables and connectors is calculated based on the information obtained in phase <NUM>. The additional loss is subtracted from the default return loss to obtain compensated return loss. The additional loss is duplicated before the subtraction to take into account the path to the antenna and back from the antenna.

The compensated return loss is then transformed back to antenna performance parameter format e.g. based on the equations above to obtain the second antenna performance parameter threshold value.

Phase <NUM>: The determined second antenna performance parameter threshold value is taken into use in the antenna. That is, the threshold value is adjusted. In practice, for example the automation system <NUM> of <FIG> may provision the determined second antenna performance parameter threshold value to the OSS <NUM> of <FIG>.

The method of <FIG> provides further aspects of handling threshold value of an antenna performance parameter of an antenna of a telecommunication network, and comprises the following phases:.

Phase <NUM>: The antenna performance parameter threshold value of the antenna is set to an initial value. In an example, the automation system <NUM> of <FIG> provisions the initial value to the OSS <NUM> of <FIG>. The initial value may be for example set to a very small value, such as <NUM>, but other value can be used, too. In one option, the initial value may be the default value set by antenna manufacturer. In yet another alternative, a relatively large initial value may be used, such as <NUM>. In an embodiment, the initial value is chosen so that an antenna performance parameter alarm is very likely not triggered with the initial value (a relatively small initial value). Alternatively, the initial value is chosen so that an antenna performance parameter alarm is very likely triggered with the initial value (a relatively large initial value).

Phase <NUM>: The antenna performance parameter threshold value is gradually changed until an antenna performance parameter alarm is triggered or until performance parameter alarm is no longer triggered. The antenna performance parameter threshold value that triggers (or still triggers) the alarm is referred to as a triggering antenna performance parameter threshold value (i.e. a triggering value of the antenna performance parameter threshold). Depending on the initial value, the gradual change may be increasing the threshold value or decreasing the threshold value.

The gradual change may be a stepwise change for example in <NUM> steps. Also varying step size may be used for example so that first, larger steps are taken and then the steps are reduced to smaller steps.

After each change of the antenna performance parameter threshold value, the new value is provisioned to the antenna, e.g. through the OSS <NUM> of <FIG>. Then the process waits a predefined period of time to see if the antenna performance parameter alarm is triggered. If the alarm is not triggered/still triggered a further change is made and the process is repeated until the alarm is triggered/no longer triggered.

Phase <NUM>: A second antenna performance parameter threshold value is determined based on the triggering antenna performance parameter threshold value and a predefined margin. The predefined margin may be either added to the triggering antenna performance parameter threshold value or subtracted from the triggering antenna performance parameter threshold value to obtain the second antenna performance parameter threshold value. The purpose of the margin is to adjust the threshold to a value that does not trigger the alarm but is nevertheless sufficiently close to the threshold that does trigger the alarm. The margin may be for example the same as the stepwise change that is used in phase <NUM>, that is, e.g. <NUM>. In certain cases the margin may be <NUM>, that is, margin is not mandatory.

Phase <NUM>: The determined second antenna performance parameter threshold value is taken into use in the antenna. In practice, for example the automation system <NUM> of <FIG> provisions the determined second antenna performance parameter threshold value to the OSS <NUM> of <FIG>.

The second antenna performance parameter threshold value that is determined based on gradually changing the threshold value can be used for analyzing actual losses experienced in the antenna setup.

Phase <NUM>: Experienced loss related to the antenna is determined based on the default antenna performance parameter threshold value of the antenna and the triggering antenna performance parameter threshold value. The difference between these values is proportional to the experienced loss. The difference can be transformed into return loss using the equations discussed in connection with phase <NUM> of <FIG>.

Phase <NUM>: The determined experienced loss is used for checking validity of loss information in a documentation system. If the loss information obtained from documentation does not correspond to the experienced loss, there is likely an error in the documentation or in the physical setup of the antenna. The system may be set up to output an indication of an error situation in such case. Based on this, maintenance personnel can investigate the matter further.

The following discusses determination of the second antenna performance parameter threshold value in certain example cases.

Based on these calculations, the VSWR threshold should be set to <NUM> instead of the original <NUM>. Assuming that the cable loss value is correct, VSWR alarm should be triggered at VSWR value <NUM>.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is increased accuracy in network and antenna monitoring as antenna specific antenna performance parameter threshold values (e.g. VSWR thresholds) can be used instead of antenna model specific thresholds.

Another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is ability to determine and use antenna performance parameter threshold values that correspond to individual set up. In this way, alarms triggered by the VSWR threshold are more accurate as the threshold is adjusted to match the specific setting in which the antenna operates. This in turn may result in improved optimization results and improved use of resources in telecommunication networks.

Yet another technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is ability to detect documentation errors related to antenna cables and connectors.

Claim 1:
A computer implemented method of handling a threshold value of an antenna performance parameter of an antenna of a telecommunication network (<NUM>), the antenna performance parameter being a parameter relating to an amount of mismatch between an antenna and a feed line connecting to it and the threshold value being configured to trigger an antenna performance parameter alarm, the method comprising,
setting (<NUM>) the threshold value of the antenna performance parameter of the antenna to an initial value;
gradually changing (<NUM>) the threshold value of the antenna performance parameter until the antenna performance parameter alarm is triggered to find out a triggering value of the threshold of the antenna performance parameter; and
determining (<NUM>) a second threshold value of the antenna performance parameter based on the triggering value of the threshold of the antenna performance parameter and a predefined margin; and
taking (<NUM>) the second threshold value of the antenna performance parameter into use for the antenna.