Employing self organizing network (SON) techniques to manage data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) backhaul for small cells

#The present subject matter relates generally to telecommunication networks, and more particularly, to employing Self-Organizing Network (SON) techniques in the context of a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) backhaul infrastructure.

#Recently, a transition is underway from existing 4G/LTE networks to new 5G networks, which includes a new service-oriented architecture for provisioning network services/resources in a dynamic, scalable, and customizable fashion (e.g., micro-services, network functions virtualization (NFV), etc.). While small cells will play a critical role in delivering high bandwidth, low-latency connections required by the various 5G use cases, one of the major costs incurred when building a mobile network and deploying these small cells is the mobile backhaul infrastructure. Indeed, the backhaul infrastructure accounts for 61% of the cost per GB when deploying a small cell network. In an effort to reduce the backhaul infrastructure costs, mobile service providers are currently attempting to leverage existing wireline or backhaul infrastructure to provide transport services comparable to fiber performance at a significant economic advantage. However, the access technologies for the wireline networks and the new 5G mobile networks operate in different network architectures (e.g., with different core network entities). These differences present new opportunities to improve network convergence, resource usage, overall bandwidth allocation, and so on.

#The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of exemplary telecommunication networks, including a 3G network, a 4G network, and a 5G network;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic block diagram of network automation entity n, such as a Centralized Self-Organizing Network (C-SON) entity for an automation platform, according to one or more examples of this disclosure;

#Overview

#This disclosure describes techniques for employing a Centralized Self-Organizing Network (C-SON) automation platform to manage a backhaul infrastructure in a telecommunication network (e.g., 5G network, etc.). In particular, the C-SON automation platform monitors one or more backhaul utilization parameters corresponding to a backhaul infrastructure (e.g., the infrastructure for transporting data between one or more User Equipment (UE) connected to a small cell and a data network). In some examples, the C-SON automation platform monitors the utilization key performance indicators over new network interfaces in the backhaul infrastructure (e.g., between the C-SON automation platform/cable modems, and/or between the C-SON automation platform/Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS)). The C-SON also receives subscriber data for at least one User Equipment (UE) and location data for the at least one UE from at least one Network Function (NF), again over new network interfaces between the C-SON automation platform and the new 5G core network (Service Based Architecture (SBA)). The C-SON further maps the at least one UE to a backhaul service flow and the small cell based on the subscriber data and the location data, and determines whether the backhaul utilization performance indicator exceeds a backhaul threshold limit for the backhaul service flow. If the backhaul utilization performance indicator exceeds the backhaul threshold limit, the C-SON automation platform adjusts a bandwidth utilization of the backhaul infrastructure. The threshold limit is a configurable parameter that can be set by the service provider according to its policy.

#Various examples of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are described in detail, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.