Calibrating Radio Propagation Models Based on Smartphone 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 smartphones as defined since LTE Release 10 in 3GPP TS 37.320 for the "Minimization of Drive Tests" (MDT) to calibrate radio propagation models and to use these models to improve Self-Optimizing Network (SON) features like coverage optimization and handover optimization. The quality of the so acquired radio models strongly depends on the choice of the model and the quality of the smartphone measurements. Therefore, this paper focuses on analyzing the quality of the smartphone measurements and to provide an answer whether such measurements can be used to calibrate radio propagation models in a meaningful way.