Aurora: conformity-based configuration recommendation to improve LTE/5G service

Ajay Mahimkar, Zihui Ge, Xuan Liu, Yusef Shaqalle, Yu Xiang, Jennifer Yates, Shomik Pathak, Rick Reichel

Abstract: Cellular service operators frequently tune the network configuration to optimize coverage, support seamless handovers, minimize channel interference, and improve the service performance experience to the end-users. Tuning such a complicated network is highly challenging because of the many configuration parameters, evolving complexity of cellular networks, and diverse requirements across voice, video, and data applications. Any misconfigurations or even poor settings can significantly negatively impact service quality. In this paper, we propose a new approach Aurora that derives best practices knowledge from exploration of the massive existing configuration in the network and uses conformity-based recommendation with performance-based filtering to improve cellular service. We implemented and evaluated Aurora using data from a very large LTE and 5G cellular service provider. Our operational experience over the last one year highlights the benefits of Aurora and exposes exciting research opportunities and challenges in configuration tuning and performance management.