基本概念

An automation technology designed to make the planning, configuration, management and healing of mobile radio access networks simpler and faster.

Why

The rate at which cellular or mobile communications is growing is increasnig. With increasing data usage, more dense and complicated network, radio network planning and maintance is more complicated that in the early days of mobile communications.

Much of this has been brought about by the introduction of LTE where micro and femto cells as well as relay nodes are being relied upon to ensure that the required overall capacity can be met. This brings many chellenges in terms of network planning and management. SON aims to

• reducing the operaing cost by reducing the level of human intervention in network design, build and operation
• reducing capital expenditure by optimising the use of available resources
• protecting revenue by reducing the number of human errors

架構分類

1. 分散式
   這個框架適用於功能本地化程度，the degree of localization of functionality，多用於邊緣裝置。
2. 集中式
   採用集中式管理方式，允許邊緣裝置有 a broader overview and coordination。這種框架下需要更加廣泛的合作模式，因此通常會涉及第三方。
3. 混合式
   Apparently， 分散式和混合式的結合。

功能劃分

1. 自配置 self-configuration
   base stations shall automatically be configured and intergrated into the network.
   the neighbouring base stations then automatically adjust their technical parameters in order to provide the required coverage and capacity, and at the same time, avoid the interference.
2. 自優化 self-optimization
   網路中的引數有很多，自配置之後，由於各個基站的業務量不同，需要優化引數。一個非常簡單的例子就是，夜間自動關閉一些基站，而其他基站需要重新進行引數配置，覆蓋全區域。
3. 自治癒 self-healing
   自治癒的目的在於應對某個節點突然fail的狀況，保持網路依然連線完好。