Calibrating Radio Models based on Smart Phone Measurements for Geo-Aware Cellular Network Self-Optimization

Using the data treasure from mobile networks is a promising approach for cellular network operators to optimize their networks and to enter into new business models. We use geographically resolved cellular measurements from smart phones as defined in 3GPP for "minimization of drive tests" (MDT) in LTE Release 10 to generate and calibrate radio propagation models and to use these models to improve self-optimization networks (SON) features like coverage optimization and handover optimization. The quality of the radio model however strongly depends on the quality of the smart phone measurements. Therefore, this paper focuses on analyzing the quality of the smart phone measurements and to provide an answer if such measurements can be used to calibrate propagation models.