E-UTRAN Generic Cell

Description

The EUtranGenericCell is a 3GPP-defined managed object (MO) that represents a generic E-UTRAN cell in the network resource model (NRM). It is specified in 3GPP TS 28.659 and TS 32.766. This object serves as a base class for more specific cell types, such as EUtranCellFDD, EUtranCellTDD, and EUtranCellSON. It is defined as a subclass of ManagedFunction in the Generic Network Resources NRM. The EUtranGenericCell provides a set of common attributes and operations that are applicable to all E-UTRAN cells, enabling unified management across different cell types and configurations.

The EUtranGenericCell managed object includes attributes that describe the cell's identity, configuration, and capabilities. These attributes include:

- Cell identity: Such as the E-UTRAN Cell Global Identifier (ECGI), Physical Cell Identity (PCI), and Tracking Area Code (TAC). - Operational state: Administrative and operational state of the cell. - Configuration parameters: Such as frequency, bandwidth, and transmission power. - Capabilities: Supported features like MIMO, carrier aggregation, and SON.

The object also supports operations for creating, deleting, and modifying cell configurations, as well as notifications for state changes. The EUtranGenericCell is used by the Element Manager (EM) and Network Manager (NM) to manage E-UTRAN cells. It provides a standardized way to represent cells in the management system, ensuring interoperability between different vendors' equipment and management systems.

The EUtranGenericCell is a fundamental building block for E-UTRAN network management. It allows operators to manage cells in a consistent manner, regardless of the specific radio technology (FDD or TDD) or deployment scenario. It also serves as a base for extending the model to support new features and technologies, such as 5G NR cells, through inheritance and specialization.

The interface has been part of 3GPP specifications since Release 10 and has been maintained through subsequent releases. It is a key component of the E-UTRAN management architecture and is essential for the automation and optimization of LTE networks.

Purpose & Motivation

The EUtranGenericCell managed object was created to provide a common, standardized representation of an E-UTRAN cell for management purposes. Before its introduction, different vendors used proprietary models to represent cells, which made multi-vendor network management difficult and costly. The EUtranGenericCell solves this by defining a vendor-agnostic set of attributes and operations that are common to all E-UTRAN cells. This allows operators to use a single management system to manage cells from different vendors, reducing integration effort and operational costs. The object also serves as a base class for more specific cell types, enabling the management model to be extended without duplicating common attributes. This inheritance mechanism simplifies the model and ensures consistency. The EUtranGenericCell is essential for automating network operations, such as self-configuration and self-optimization, because it provides the necessary data and control points for SON functions. It also supports the evolution towards 5G by providing a foundation that can be extended to manage NR cells. Overall, the EUtranGenericCell is a cornerstone of E-UTRAN network management, enabling efficient, multi-vendor, and automated operations.