What is SON Coordination Framework

A major challenge in the context of LTE networks is a cost-effective network operation, which can be done by carefully controlling the network Operational Expenses (OPEX). Therefore, to minimize OPEX costs while optimizing network performance, Self-Organizing Network (SON) principles were proposed. These networks are the main focus of this chapter, which highlights the state of art and provides a comprehensive investigation of current research efforts in the field of SONs. A major contribution of the chapter is the handling of SON use cases, going through their challenges, solutions. and open research questions. The chapter also presents efforts to provide coordination frameworks between SON use cases and routines. An additional essential contribution of the chapter is the description of SON activities within 3GPP.