TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to telecommunications and, more particularly (although not necessarily exclusively), to management and optimization of a radio access network and a distributed antenna system using a self-optimizing network entity.

BACKGROUND

A distributed antenna system (DAS) can include one or more head-end units and multiple remote units coupled to each head-end unit. A DAS can be used to extend wireless coverage in an area. Head-end units can communicate with one or more radio base stations of a radio access network (RAN). Each radio base station can be part of a separate node of the RAN. A head-end unit can receive downlink signals from the radio base station and distribute downlink signals in analog or digital format to one or more remote units. The remote units can transmit the downlink signals to user equipment devices within coverage areas serviced by the remote units. In the uplink direction, signals from user equipment devices may be received by the remote units. The remote units can transmit the uplink signals received from user equipment devices to a head-end unit. The head-end unit can transmit uplink signals to the serving radio base stations. The DAS may provide coverage extension for communication signals from the radio base stations.

Optimizing both the DAS and the radio base station can be difficult in part because these are separate units.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method is provided. The method can include measuring radio frequency parameters of radio frequency communications between a head-end unit and a remote unit of a distributed antenna system (DAS). The method can also include sending measurements of the radio frequency parameters to a self-optimizing network (SON) entity. The method can further include determining, by the SON entity, adjustments to operations and management parameters of the RBS using the measurements of the radio frequency parameters. The method can further include sending commands to the RBS for changing the operations and management parameters of the RBS using the adjustments determined by the SON entity

In another aspect, a SON entity is provided. The SON entity can include a first operations and management interface configured to receive measurements of radio frequency parameters from a head-end unit of DAS. The SON entity can also include an analysis module configured to determine adjustments to operations and management parameters of a RBS using the measurements of the radio frequency parameters. The SON entity can further include a second operations and management interface configured to send commands to the RBS for changing the operations and management parameters of the RBS using the adjustments determined by the analysis module.

In another aspect, a telecommunications system is provided. The telecommunications system can include one or more remote units of a DAS. The telecommunications system can also include a head-end unit of the DAS. The head-end unit is configured to measure radio frequency parameters of the DAS and to provide wireless communications to the one or more remote units of the DAS. The telecommunications system can also include a SON entity communicatively coupled to the head-end unit. The SON entity is configured to receive measurements of the radio frequency parameters measured by the head-end unit and determine adjustments to operations and management parameters of a RBS using the measurements of the radio frequency parameters. The SON entity is also configured to send commands to the RBS for changing the operations and management parameters of the RBS using the determined adjustments.

