Cell Similarity Indicator Based on Coverage Area Morphology

A method for quantifying similarities between first and second cells in a mobile communications network, the method comprising:

• for each of the first cell and the second cell, determining respective sets of features defining a cell configuration and a coverage area morphology for the cell;
• and
• determining a level of similarity between the first and second cells based on their respective sets of features;
• and
• wherein for each of the first and second cells, the set of features defining the cell configuration of the cell comprises cell and antenna parameters, wherein:
• the cell parameters comprise one or more of:
• the reference signal power boost;
• a DL bandwidth;
• and
• the DL EARFCN;
• and
• the antenna parameters comprise one or more of:
• the mechanical tilt of the antenna;
• the electrical tilt of the antenna;
• the vertical beamwidth of the antenna;
• the horizontal beamwidth of the antenna;
• an antenna height relative to an underlying surface;
• the transmit power of the antenna;
• and
• the number of transmission antennas.

A network node for quantifying similarities between first and second cells in a mobile communications network, the network node comprising:

• communications interface circuitry configured to communicate information with one or more cells in the mobile communications network;
• and
• processing circuitry operatively connected to the communications interface circuitry and configured to:
• for each of the first cell and the second cell, determine respective sets of features defining a cell configuration and a coverage area morphology for the cell;
• and
• determine a level of similarity between the first and second cells based on the respective sets set of features for the first and second cells;
• and
• wherein for each of the first and second cells, the set of features defining the cell configuration of the cell comprises cell and antenna parameters, wherein:
• the cell parameters comprise one or more of:
• the reference signal power boost;
• a DL bandwidth;
• and
• the DL EARFCN;
• and
• the antenna parameters comprise one or more of:
• the mechanical tilt of the antenna;
• the electrical tilt of the antenna;
• the vertical beamwidth of the antenna;
• the horizontal beamwidth of the antenna;
• an antenna height relative to an underlying surface;
• the transmit power of the antenna;
• and
• the number of transmission antennas.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer program code thereon that, when executed by processing circuitry of a network node configured to quantify similarities between first and second cells in a mobile communications network, causes the network node to:

• for each of the first cell and the second cell, determine respective sets of features defining a cell configuration and a coverage area morphology for the cell;
• and
• determine a level of similarity between the first and second cells based on the respective sets set of features for the first and second cells;
• and
• wherein for each of the first and second cells, the set of features defining the cell configuration of the cell comprises cell and antenna parameters, wherein:
• the cell parameters comprise one or more of:
• the reference signal power boost;
• a DL bandwidth;
• and
• the DL EARFCN;
• and
• the antenna parameters comprise one or more of:
• the mechanical tilt of the antenna;
• the electrical tilt of the antenna;
• the vertical beamwidth of the antenna;
• the horizontal beamwidth of the antenna;
• an antenna height relative to an underlying surface;
• the transmit power of the antenna;
• and
• the number of transmission antennas.