When you have a Self-Organizing/Self-Optimizing “SON” system like the E-RAN implements, it does most of the “heavy lifting” when commissioning the system. Self-organizing and self-optimizing features (SON) optimize the user experience as well as system management. A network can be set up in a matter of days by installers with Wi-Fi experience rather than macro cellular RF experts. SpiderCloud’s Self Organizing Network (SON) capability configures and optimizes the SpiderCloud small cell network to provide a high-performance mobile broadband coverage with very little user intervention. SON is a core product feature that dramatically reduces installation time, fine-tunes the network for high performance, and periodically optimizes the environment to maintain effective network operation. Without this feature, an installer would have to setup the network manually, requiring many weeks (depending on the network complexity) to create an optimal working configuration.
Besides reducing time-to-install, the feature ensures optimal RF coverage and handoff within the SpiderCloud network and with macro and inter-RAT networks. During network operation, this feature continually monitors the RF environment, makes adjustments to the radio transmit power to adapt to any changes in the RF conditions, and maintains optimal network access.
SON Architecture and External Interfaces
The E-RAN’s SON capabilities include discovering the macro cells in the area, discovering the internal small cell topology, assigning UMTS primary scrambling codes and LTE physical cell identifier, setting maximum transmit power levels, and automatically configuring cell neighbor lists to make the system operational.