SON architecture: centralized, distributed, hybrid

Centralized and Distributed SON

Self-Organizing Networks (SON) automate optimization tasks that traditionally required manual engineering. Centralized SON (C-SON) places optimization algorithms in the OAM/OSS layer — a central server with visibility across the entire network. C-SON collects KPIs from all gNBs, analyzes patterns, and pushes optimized parameters back. This global view enables complex multi-cell optimization like PCI planning and network-wide load balancing, but response time is slower at minutes to hours. Distributed SON (D-SON) places algorithms directly in the gNB, making autonomous decisions based on local…