Reflection Environment Maps for Enhanced Reliability in 5G Self-Organizing Networks

Enabling extreme mobile broadband data rates with improved reliability is a challenging requirement in 5G radio access networks. In order to achieve this, enhancements in currently defined self-organizing functions are essential. In this work, we consider the use of reflection environment maps (RefMaps) to improve reliability, coverage and data rates in 5G ultra-dense small cell deployments. The 5G SON functions are enhanced to support the creation and usage of such maps, with additional measurement configurations done in the UE. The performance of having ideal RefMaps are evaluated using 5G mmW ultra-dense deployments, and it is shown that the proposed mechanism can provide significant improvements in terms of coverage and capacity of the network. The evaluations indicate that such enhancements would be essential for enabling reliable and coverage enhanced 5G deployments, especially in the higher frequency bands.