Main steps of self-configuration:

• An IP address is allocated to the new eNB and the information of the Selfconfiguration Subsystem of OAM (Operation and Management) is given to the eNB.
• A GW is configured for the new eNB so that the eNB can exchange IP packets  with other internet nodes.
• The new eNB provides its information, including type, hardware and etc., to the Self-configuration Subsystem for authentication. Necessary software and configuration data are downloaded from the Self-configuration Subsystem.
• The new eNB is configured based on the transport and radio configuration data.
• The new eNB connects to the normal OAM subsystems for other management functions.
• S1 and necessary X2 interfaces are established

Self-optimization

Self-optimization process is defined as the process where UE & eNB measurements and performance measurements are used to autotune the network.

This process works in operational state, which starts when the RF interface is switched on. The self-optimization process collects measurement information from UE and eNB and then with the help of external optimization tool, it auto-tune the configuration data to optimize the network. A typical example is neighbour list optimization.

Self-healing

Self-healing function aims at automatic detection and localization of most of the failures and applies self-healing mechanisms to solve several failure classes, such as reducing the output power in case of temperature failure or automatic fallback to previous software version.

2.2   SON Use Cases

Up to April 20, 2008, there are already eight use cases approved on 3GPP meetings. Most of them are included in 3GPP TR36.902. The use cases are defined but solutions are still in discussion. Here the nine use cases will be described and possible solutions will be given.