Base station, control device, method and program

Abstract

A parent station device of a base station according to one aspect includes a processor (control unit) and a transceiver (communication unit), and the processor is configured to cause the transceiver to transmit power saving control information which is for reducing the power consumption of a child station device of the base station that wirelessly communicates with a user terminal. This configuration may provide a base station or the like that contributes to reduced power consumption.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to base stations, control devices, communication systems, methods, and programs. [Background technology]

[0002] In mobile communications, technologies for improving power efficiency are advancing. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a terminal device communicating with a base station device that replaces a portion of an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) signal with a predetermined number of consecutive zeros and transmits the signal. This makes it possible to reduce the transmission power in at least a portion of the portion replaced with zeros.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes setting the starting position of the OFDM symbol for the initial subframe of an LAA (Licensed Assisted Access) cell in a terminal device that communicates with a base station device. Here, some subframes of the LAA indicate that no signal is transmitted. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 175039 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-016824 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] One object of the present disclosure is to provide a base station, a control device, a communication system, a method, and a program that contribute to suppressing power consumption. It should be noted that this object is only one of the multiple objects that the multiple embodiments disclosed in this specification attempt to achieve. Other objects or problems and novel features will be clarified from the description of this specification or the attached drawings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The parent station device of a base station according to one aspect includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to cause the transceiver to transmit power-saving control information for reducing the power consumption of a child station device of the base station that wirelessly communicates with a user terminal.

[0007] A control device according to one aspect includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to cause the transceiver to transmit power-saving control information for reducing the power consumption of a wireless communication unit of a base station having a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a user terminal.

[0008] A communication system according to one aspect includes a parent station device of a base station and a child station device of the base station. The parent station device includes a first processor and a first transceiver, and the first processor is configured to cause the first transceiver to transmit power-saving control information for reducing the power consumption of the child station device that wirelessly communicates with a user terminal. The child station device includes a second processor and a second transceiver, and the second processor is configured to cause the second transceiver to receive the power-saving control information from the parent station device.

[0009] A communication system according to another aspect includes a control device and a base station. The control device includes a first processor and a first transceiver, and the first processor is configured to cause the first transceiver to transmit power saving control information for reducing the power consumption of a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a user terminal to the base station having the wireless communication unit. The base station includes a second processor and a second transceiver, and the second processor is configured to cause the second transceiver to receive the power saving control information from the control device.

[0010] A method according to one aspect is a method executed by a parent station device of a base station, including transmitting power saving control information for reducing the power consumption of a slave station device of the base station that wirelessly communicates with a user terminal.

[0011] A method according to another aspect is a method executed by a control device, including transmitting power saving control information for reducing the power consumption of a wireless communication unit of a base station that wirelessly communicates with a user terminal.

[0012] A program according to one aspect is a program that causes a computer to transmit power saving control information for reducing the power consumption of a slave station device of a base station that wirelessly communicates with a user terminal.

[0013] A program according to another aspect is a program that causes a computer to transmit power saving control information for reducing the power consumption of a wireless communication unit of a base station that wirelessly communicates with a user terminal.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a base station, a control device, a communication system, a method, and a program that contribute to suppressing power consumption.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1]Block diagram showing an example configuration of a base station related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] A sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the master station device related to this disclosure. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing an example configuration of the control device relating to this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the control device according to this disclosure. [Figure 5] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 6A] This graph shows an example of cell traffic and energy saving state transitions. [Figure 6B] This graph shows an example of the transition between a cell's wireless resource utilization and its Energy saving state (IE). [Figure 7] A sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 8A] This is an example of a bitmap corresponding to the Energy saving state IE. [Figure 8B] Here is another example of a bitmap corresponding to the Energy saving state IE. [Figure 9] This shows an example implementation of an Energy Saving control IE. [Figure 10] A sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 11] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 12] A sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 13A] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 13B] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 13C] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 13D] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 14A] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 14B] This block diagram shows an example configuration of the communication system related to this disclosure. [Figure 15] Block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration of the device related to this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the following drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations have been omitted where necessary. It goes without saying that all or any part of the configuration described in each embodiment can be appropriately applied to the devices, etc., described in other embodiments. Similarly, the drawings referenced for explanation in each embodiment are also applicable to other embodiments. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, in this disclosure, when "at least one of" is defined for multiple items, that definition may mean any one item among the multiple items, or any two or more items (including all items) among the multiple items.

[0017] Embodiment 1 Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to the drawings. This Embodiment 1 describes a base station capable of reducing power consumption in the slave station equipment of the base station. Note that the configuration and processing described below are illustrative and not limited to them.

[0018] [Explanation of the structure] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a base station. Base station B1 comprises a master station device 10 and a slave station device 20 provided separately from the master station device 10. Although only one slave station device 20 is shown in Figure 1, base station B1 may have multiple slave station devices 20.

[0019] Furthermore, the slave station 20 may be directly connected to the master station 10, or it may be connected with one or more relay devices in between. Relay devices consist of any devices that relay communications. In addition, as will be described later, in the communication system, the master station 10 is on the higher side than the slave station 20, so the master station 10 can also be described as the "higher-level device" and the slave station 20 as the "lower-level device". The network between the master station 10 and the slave station 20 is also called the fronthaul.

[0020] Base station B1 may, for example, be established as a base station in a fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G system). The fifth-generation mobile communication system is NR (New Radio Access), which is fifth-generation radio access technology. However, base station B1 is not limited to the fifth-generation mobile communication system, but may also be a base station in a different mobile communication system such as a fourth-generation mobile communication system (4G system; for example, LTE (Long Term Evolution) system or LTE-Advanced system), or a sixth-generation mobile communication system.

[0021] Base station B1 may be, for example, a gNB (gNodeB). A gNB is a node that terminates the NR user plane and control plane protocols for user equipment (UE) and connects to the 5G core network (5GC) via an NG (Next Generation) interface. Alternatively, base station B1 may be an ng-eNB (LTE evolved NodeB). An ng-eNB is a node that terminates the E-UTRA (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access) user plane and control plane protocols for the UE and connects to the 5GC via an NG interface.

[0022] Furthermore, base station B1 may be a CU (Central Unit) in a C-RAN (Cloud Radio Access Network) configuration, or a gNB-CU. The gNB-CU is a logical node that hosts the gNB's RRC (Radio Resource Control) protocol, SDAP (Service Data Adaptation Protocol) protocol, and PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) protocol. Alternatively, the gNB-CU is a logical node that hosts the en-gNB's RRC protocol and PDCP protocol, which control the operation of one or more gNB-DUs (gNB-Distributed Units). The gNB-CU terminates the F1 interface that connects to the gNB-DU. Alternatively, base station B1 may be a CP (Control Plane) Unit, or a gNB-CU-CP (gNB-CU-Control Plane). The gNB-CU-CP is a logical node that hosts the control plane portion of the RRC protocol and the gNB-CU's PDCP protocol for en-gNB or gNB. gNB-CU-CP terminates the E1 interface, which connects to gNB-CU-UP (gNB-CU-User Plane), and the F1-C interface, which connects to gNB-DU. gNB-CU-UP is a logical node that hosts the user plane portion of the gNB-CU PDCP protocol for en-gNB. gNB-CU-UP terminates the E1 interface, which connects to gNB-CU-CP, and the F1-U interface, which connects to gNB-DU.

[0023] Furthermore, base station B1 may be an eNB or an eNB-CU. Also, base station B1 may be an EUTRAN (Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network) node or an NG-RAN (Next generation Radio Access Network) node. An EUTRAN node may be an eNB or an en-gNB. An NG-RAN node may be a gNB or an ng-eNB. An en-gNB provides protocol termination for the NR user plane and control plane to the UE and operates as a secondary node in EN-DC (NR Dual Connectivity).

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the master station device 10 comprises a communication unit 11 and a control unit 12. The communication unit 11 and the control unit 12 may be software or modules whose processing is performed by a processor executing a program stored in memory. Alternatively, the communication unit 11 and the control unit 12 may be hardware such as a circuit or chip.

[0025] The communication unit 11 connects to the slave station device 20 or the relay device and performs communication to send and receive various types of information. However, the communication unit 11 may also connect to a control device or the like connected to a higher level of the base station B1 and perform communication to send and receive various types of information. The communication unit 11 is, for example, a transceiver.

[0026] The control unit 12 executes various processes of the master station device 10 by reading and executing various information and programs stored in memory. The control unit 12 can also perform processing according to at least one or all of the setting information, such as various information elements (IE), various fields, or various conditions, contained in the message received by the communication unit 11. The control unit 12 is, for example, a processor.

[0027] The control unit 12 is configured to perform at least one of the processing layers that the base station can perform. The layers that the base station can perform may include the Physical layer, MAC (Media Access Control) layer, RLC (Radio Link Control) layer, PDCP layer, RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer, and NAS (non-Access Stratum) layer, etc.

[0028] The control unit 12 causes the communication unit 11 to transmit first power saving control information for reducing the power consumption of the slave station device 20 that communicates wirelessly with the UE. Here, the first power saving control information may include, for example, an enable signal indicating only whether power saving control is enabled or disabled, or it may include detailed information indicating the detailed method by which the slave station device 20 saves power.

[0029] The detailed information may include, for example, at least one of the following IE versions: • IE (Indicators of the degree of power consumption reduction) • Controlling the wireless signal communicated between the slave unit 20 and the UE (Internet Enforcement) The radio signal defined herein includes at least one of the following: a Downlink signal transmitted from the slave station 20 to the UE, or an Uplink signal transmitted from the UE to the slave station 20. The control unit 12 can also change the degree of power consumption reduction of the slave station 20, as indicated by the first power saving control information, based on, for example, the communication status between the slave station 20 and the UE. The communication unit 11 may transmit the first power saving control information directly to the slave station 20 that is the target of power saving control, or it may transmit it to a relay device that relays between the slave station 20 and the master station 10. A specific example of this IE will be described in Embodiment 3.

[0030] The slave station device 20 provides (serves) at least one cell. Base station B1 operates this cell to connect with UEs located within that cell and communicate wirelessly. The way this cell is operated changes depending on the actions performed by base station B1.

[0031] The slave station 20 reduces its power consumption based on first power-saving control information from the master station 10. Alternatively, the slave station 20 may reduce its power consumption based on control information transmitted by the relay device based on the first power-saving control information. The target of the slave station 20's power consumption reduction may be at least one of the following: the wireless communication unit in which the UE performs wireless communication, the control unit that controls the wireless communication unit, etc. The control unit of the slave station 20 is configured to be able to perform at least processing other than the processing performed by the master station 10 among the multiple layers of processing that the base station can perform.

[0032] However, even if the slave station 20 receives the first power-saving control information from the master station 10 or control information transmitted by the relay device, it may refrain from executing the control to reduce its power consumption based on the state of the slave station 20 (for example, the communication status with the UE or the power-saving state in the slave station 20).

[0033] If base station B1 is a base station in a fifth-generation mobile communication system, its configuration may be a C-RAN (Cloud RAN) configuration. In this case, base station B1 has three nodes: RU (Radio Unit), DU (Distributed Unit), and CU (Central Unit). The RU, DU, and CU are connected in this order.

[0034] The slave station device 20 enables signal communication between the UE and the DU by including at least an RU. Specifically, when the RU transmits a radio signal to the UE, it converts the digital signal output from the DU into an analog signal and transmits that signal to the UE via the antenna. Conversely, when the RU receives a radio signal from the UE, it converts the analog signal received from the UE via the antenna into a digital signal and outputs that signal to the DU.

[0035] Furthermore, the CU performs any one or more of the processing at multiple layers that the base station can perform as described above. The DU can perform processing at layers lower than those of the CU. There are various ways to functionally separate the processing at multiple layers performed by the base station between the DU and the CU. For example, the CU may be configured as a node hosting at least the PDCP layer, and the DU may be configured as a node hosting the MAC layer.

[0036] If base station B1 has RU, DU, and CU nodes, the nodes provided by the master station 10 and the slave station 20 will be as follows: (1) The master station 10 is equipped with CU and DU, and the slave station 20 is equipped with RU. (2) The master station 10 is equipped with a CU, and the slave station 20 is equipped with a DU and an RU. (3) The master station 10 is equipped with a CU, the slave station 20 is equipped with an RU, and the relay device between the master station 10 and the slave station 20 is equipped with a DU. (4) The master unit 10 is equipped with a DU, the slave unit 20 is equipped with an RU, and the control unit connected to the master unit 10 is equipped with a CU.

[0037] In (1) and (2) above, base station B1 can be composed of two devices: a master station device 10 and a slave station device 20. Configuration (1) is called a lower layer split, and configuration (2) is also called a higher layer split. For example, in a lower layer split, the DU can perform processing on the lower layers of the Physical layer, and the CU can perform processing on the upper layers of the Physical layer, the MAC layer, the RLC layer, and the PDCP layer. As another example, in a higher layer split, the DU can perform processing on the Physical layer, the MAC layer, and the RLC layer, and the CU can perform processing on the PDCP layer.

[0038] On the other hand, in (3) and (4) above, base station B1 consists of three devices: a master station device 10, a slave station device 20, and a relay device or control device. This configuration is also called a cascade connection.

[0039] As another example, if base station B1 is a base station in a fourth-generation mobile communication system, base station B1 may be divided into two nodes: a BBU (Baseband Unit) and an RRH (Remote Radio Head). In this case, the master station 10 is equipped with a BBU, and the slave station 20 is equipped with an RRH.

[0040] Furthermore, the BBU performs any one or more of the processing at multiple layers that the base station can perform as described above. The RRH can perform processing at lower layers than the BBU. Any method is possible for functionally separating the processing at multiple layers performed by the base station between the BBU and the RRH. For example, the BBU may perform processing at least at the Physical layer, MAC layer, RLC layer, and PDCP layer. In this case, the RRH performs processing related to RF (Radio Frequency).

[0041] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the master station device. The operation example of the master station device 10 will be explained below using Figure 2. Note that the details of the processing are as described above, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0042] The control unit 12 causes the communication unit 11 to transmit first power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the slave unit 20 (step S11). The slave unit 20 either executes power-saving control based on the first power-saving control information, or it refrains from executing the control and puts it on hold. The slave unit 20 can also send a response message to the master unit 10 as a response to the received power-saving control information.

[0043] [Explanation of effects] In Embodiment 1, in a base station B1 composed of multiple devices, the master station device 10 transmits first power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the slave station device 20. The slave station device 20 can reduce its power consumption accordingly, thus contributing to the suppression of the power consumption of base station B1.

[0044] Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 will now be described with reference to the drawings. This Embodiment 2 describes a control device capable of reducing the power consumption of the wireless communication unit of a base station. Note that the configuration and processing described below are illustrative and not limiting.

[0045] [Explanation of the structure] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a control device. The control device 30 is connected to a base station 40. Although only one base station 40 is shown in Figure 3, the control device 30 may be connected to multiple base stations 40.

[0046] The base station 40 has a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with the UE (not shown). The base station 40 may consist of a single device, or it may consist of multiple devices (for example, a master station and slave stations) as shown in Embodiment 1. As an example, the wireless communication unit is configured as the RU of the slave station. An example of the base station 40 is base station B1 in Embodiment 1.

[0047] Furthermore, the control device 30 may be directly connected to the base station 40, or it may be connected via one or more relay devices. The relay devices consist of any devices that relay communications. Moreover, since the control device 30 is on the higher side of the base station 40 in the communication system, the control device 30 can also be described as the "higher-level device" and the base station 40 as the "lower-level device". The control device 30 is a device located on the core network side compared to the base station 40, and may, for example, be a RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller), but is not limited to this.

[0048] As shown in Figure 3, the control device 30 comprises a communication unit 31 and a control unit 32. The communication unit 31 and the control unit 32 may be software or modules whose processing is executed by the processor executing a program stored in memory. Alternatively, the communication unit 31 and the control unit 32 may be hardware such as a circuit or chip.

[0049] The communication unit 31 connects to the base station 40 and other devices and performs communication to send and receive various types of information. The control unit 32 reads and executes various types of information and programs stored in memory to perform various processes of the control device 30. The control unit 32 can also perform processing according to at least one or all of the setting information, such as various IEs, various fields, and various conditions, contained in the message received by the communication unit 31. The communication unit 11 is, for example, a transceiver.

[0050] The control unit 32 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit second power saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the wireless communication unit. The second power saving control information may include, for example, an enable signal indicating only whether power saving control is enabled or disabled, or it may include detailed information indicating the detailed method by which the base station 40 performs power saving. This second power saving control information may be different from or the same as the first power saving control information in Embodiment 1. An example of detailed information is as described in Embodiment 1. The communication unit 31 may also transmit the second power saving control information directly to the base station 40 that is the target of power saving control, or it may transmit it to the base station 40 via a relay device that relays between the base station 40 and the control device 30. The control unit 32 is, for example, a processor.

[0051] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the control device's operation. The operation example of the control device 30 will be explained below using Figure 4. Note that the details of the processing are as described above and will therefore be omitted.

[0052] The control unit 32 causes the communication unit 31 to transmit second power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the wireless communication unit of the base station 40 (step S21). The base station 40 either executes power-saving control based on the second power-saving control information, or it refrains from executing the control and puts it on hold. The base station 40 may also send a response message to the control device 30 as a response to the received second power-saving control information.

[0053] [Explanation of effects] In Embodiment 2, the control device 30 transmits second power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the wireless communication unit of the base station 40. The base station 40 can reduce its power consumption accordingly, thus contributing to the suppression of the base station 40's power consumption.

[0054] Embodiment 3 Embodiment 3 will now be described with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 3 discloses a specific example of a system having the base station B1 and control device 30 described in Embodiments 1 and 2. However, the specific examples of the devices shown in Embodiments 1 and 2 are not limited to the following.

[0055] [Explanation of the structure] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication system. Communication system S1 is a communication system in a fifth-generation mobile communication system, and from the upper end of the communication network, it is equipped with a control device 100, master station equipment (CU and DU) 200, slave station equipment (RU) 300 and UE400. More specifically, the communication is connected in the following order: control device 100, CU201 of master station equipment 200, DU202 of master station equipment 200, RU300, and UE400.

[0056] Here, the master station 200 and RU300 (i.e., the functional units or devices of CU, DU, and RU) constitute a base station and perform wireless communication with the UE400 by providing cells. In this example, wireless communication is performed using the OFDM method, but the method used is not limited to this. The master station 200 is an example of base station B1 in Embodiment 1. In Figure 5, RU300A and RU300B are provided as RU300, and RU300A and RU300B enable communication with UE400A and RU300B by providing cells 1 and 2, respectively. However, the number of slave stations provided is not limited to that shown in Figure 5.

[0057] In this example, the control unit 100 and CU201 are connected via an O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network) E2 interface, CU201 and DU202 are connected via an F1 interface, and RU300 and UE400 are connected via a Uu interface. The Uu interface may be different for each cell. The network between DU202 and RU300 forms a fronthaul and is connected by wire in this example. However, the method of connecting each device is not limited to this. Details of each device are described below.

[0058] The control device 100 is an example of the control device 30 in Embodiment 2, and is a near real time RIC in Embodiment 3. However, the control device 100 may be other types of devices, such as a non-near real time RIC. The control device 100 acquires traffic information indicating the traffic volume of the RU300, which is a measured value, as the communication status of the cell provided by the base station. This traffic information is transmitted to the control device 100 from, for example, a CU201 connected to the RU300 or a core network device (not shown). Based on this traffic information, the control device 100 transmits an Energy saving enable signal EN1 (hereinafter referred to as signal EN1) to the CU201 of the master station device 200 to control the power saving of the base station. Signal EN1 is an example of the second power saving control signal in Embodiment 2. However, the control device 100 may transmit signal EN1 to the DU202 instead of the CU201, or in addition to the CU201. In this case, the Energy saving operation in the DU202 will be directly controlled.

[0059] Signal EN1 is a signal that includes cell designation information specifying the cell (RU300) to be controlled, and an IE indicating whether the power saving state of each RU300 at the base station is on or off. The control device 100 can determine whether the traffic value indicated by the traffic information is, for example, below a predetermined threshold, and if the traffic value is below the predetermined threshold, it can output signal EN1 which includes an IE indicating that the power saving state is on (Energy saving enable IE). However, signal EN1 may further include an IE indicating the specific parameters of the power saving state of the RU300 (Energy saving state IE). In this example, signal EN1 includes the following IE for each RU300 to be controlled. ·Energy saving enable IE: {ON, OFF} • Energy saving status IE: {S 25 ,S 50 ,S 75 ,S 100} When Energy saving enable IE is ON, the power-saving state of RU300 is on, and when it is OFF, the power-saving state of RU300 is off. Also, the Energy saving state IE is an IE indicating the degree of reduction in power consumption.

[0060] Here, S 25 is a parameter indicating the degree of reduction in power consumption when the traffic of RU300 is a value between 0 and 25%, and S 50 is a parameter indicating the degree of reduction in power consumption when the traffic of RU300 is a value between 25 and 50%. Also, S 75 is a parameter indicating the degree of reduction in power consumption when the traffic of RU300 is a value between 50 and 75%, and S 100 is a parameter indicating the degree of reduction in power consumption when the traffic of RU300 is a value between 75 and 100%. S 25 ,S 50 ,S 75 In, since there are resources in RU300 that are not used for traffic, the Energy saving enable IE is ON. On the other hand, S 100 In, since the traffic in RU300 is a high value, RU300 needs to use its communication function to the maximum. Therefore, the Energy saving enable IE is OFF.

[0061] The control device 100 determines the relationship between the numerical value of the traffic indicated by the traffic information and its variation status and a predetermined threshold value. Then, based on the determination result, if necessary, it changes at least one of the Energy saving enable IE or the Energy saving state IE included in the signal EN1.

[0062] Figure 6A is a graph showing an example of cell traffic and the transition of the Energy saving state IE. Figure 6A shows that, over time, traffic increases monotonically from less than 25% to over 75%, and then monotonically decreases back to less than 25%. When traffic increases, the control device 100 changes the Energy saving state IE as follows. • If traffic increases to 25%: S 25 From S 50 Change • If traffic increases to 50%: S 50 From S 75 Change • If traffic increases to 75%: S 75 From S 100 Change On the other hand, when traffic decreases, the control device 100 changes the Energy saving state IE as follows: • If traffic decreases to (75-Hy1)%: S 100 From S 75 Change • If traffic decreases to (50-Hy2)%: S 75 From S 50 Change • If traffic decreases to (25-Hy3)%: S 50 From S 25 Change In other words, in Figure 6A, 25%, 50%, and 75% are set as traffic thresholds for changing the settings of Energy saving state IE. In addition, to suppress frequent switching of Energy saving state IE, hysteresis values ​​Hy1 to Hy3 are set for each threshold used to determine when traffic decreases.

[0063] Here, the threshold at which Energy saving enable IE switches from ON to OFF when traffic increases is 75%, and the threshold at which Energy saving enable IE switches from OFF to ON when traffic decreases is (75-Hy1)%. The control device 100 determines whether to turn Energy saving enable ON or OFF by comparing the measured traffic value with the threshold for Energy saving enable IE. If Energy saving enable is ON, the control device 100 then compares the measured traffic value with the threshold for Energy saving state IE described above to determine the Energy saving state IE.

[0064] Furthermore, the communication status information of a cell used to set the Energy saving state (IE) is not limited to traffic information. The control device 100 may acquire measured values ​​such as the wireless resource utilization rate and the length of the UE scheduling queue (average waiting time) as part of the cell's communication status, and use this information to determine the Energy saving state that should be set for the RU300. These measured values ​​also indicate the communication status of the RU300 and are measured, for example, by a DU202 connected to the RU300 and transmitted to the control device 100. The DU202 may transmit the communication status information directly to the control device 100, or it may transmit it to the control device 100 via a CU201. By acquiring communication status information in this way, the control device 100 can monitor the communication status of each cell and perform determination and IE change processing.

[0065] Figure 6B is a graph showing an example of the transition between the cell's wireless resource utilization and the Energy saving state IE. Here, wireless resource utilization refers to the utilization rate of all wireless resources of RU300 (i.e., the wireless resources that are originally available). Even when such wireless resource utilization information is used as the communication state of the cell provided by the base station, rather than traffic information, the control device 100 can determine the Energy saving state IE as described above. However, the definition of wireless resource utilization is not limited to the example above. For example, the definition of 100% wireless resource utilization may not be that all of RU300's wireless resources are used, but rather that all wireless resources available at the time of measurement are used. Here, all wireless resources available at the time of measurement refer to the wireless resources in the restricted state if the wireless resources are restricted by the Energy saving setting by the control device 100.

[0066] Information on the communication status may be reported by periodically (for example, at intervals of one minute or several minutes) by being transmitted to the control device 100, or by aperiodic transmission of that information to the control device 100. An example of aperiodic transmission of communication status information is when CU201 or DU202 detects the occurrence of an event related to a certain measurement of the communication status of RU300 and reports the communication status information to the control device 100 (event-driven reporting). Examples of events include, but are not limited to, a measurement exceeding or falling below a predetermined threshold.

[0067] Furthermore, the control device 100 can also control the RU300 so that it does not transmit or receive wireless signals. This control can be achieved, for example, by defining S0 in which the transmission or reception of wireless signals is not performed in the Energy saving state IE described above. The control device 100 determines the Energy saving state of the RU300 in this manner.

[0068] Returning to Figure 5, let's continue the explanation. When CU201 receives signal EN1, it outputs an Energy saving enable signal EN2 (hereinafter referred to as signal EN2) based on signal EN1 to DU202. However, as described above, if the control device 100 transmits signal EN1 to DU202, CU201 does not necessarily need to output signal EN2 to DU202. Signal EN2 is an example of the first power saving control signal in Embodiment 1.

[0069] CU201 may transfer the contents of signal EN1 as signal EN2 to DU202, or it may add detailed information regarding power saving control to the contents of signal EN1 for each RU300 to be controlled, and output that signal as signal EN2 to DU202. For example, the control device 100 determines only the Energy saving enable IE as described above for the cell to be controlled, and sends the signal EN1 to CU201 including that IE and the cell specification information. When CU201 receives signal EN1, it determines whether the Energy saving enable IE is ON or not. If this IE is ON, CU201 determines the Energy saving state IE based on the communication status information of the cell to be controlled that was acquired in advance. The method for determining the Energy saving state IE is as described above, so the explanation is omitted. Then, CU201 sends the contents of signal EN1 plus the Energy saving state IE as signal EN2 to DU202.

[0070] In this example, when information about the communication status of the RU300 cell is transmitted to the control device 100, the CU201 can acquire that communication status information. However, in this example, the CU201 does not need to acquire the cell's communication status information (for example, measurement information), and the control device 100 does not need to acquire that information.

[0071] In this case, CU201 monitors the communication status and compares the measured communication status with the threshold for Energy saving enable IE to determine whether to turn Energy saving enable ON or OFF. If Energy saving enable is ON, CU201 compares the measured communication status with the threshold for Energy saving state IE mentioned above to determine the Energy saving state IE. Then, CU201 sends information to the control device 100 indicating that Energy saving enable is ON. In this example, the control device 100 determines whether energy saving can be performed for the target cell and, if it can be performed, sends a permission notification to CU201 to turn Energy saving enable ON.

[0072] Subsequently, CU201 outputs signal EN2 to DU202, which includes the target cell specification information, Energy saving enable IE, and Energy saving status IE. Here, the details of the comparison process between the measured communication status and a predetermined threshold performed in CU201 are the same as those shown in control device 100, so the explanation is omitted.

[0073] DU202 performs power saving control operations for the RU300 identified by the cell designation information, according to the signal EN2 output from CU201 or the signal EN1 output from the control device 100. In particular, DU202 performs at least one of the following based on the Energy saving state IE contained in signal EN2 or signal EN1: setting DU202 itself for power saving control, or generating an Energy saving control signal CI (hereinafter also simply referred to as signal CI) to cause the RU300 to perform power saving operations. Signal CI is an example of the first power saving control signal in Embodiment 1. Signals EN1 and EN2 output at the upper level of DU202 are signals for high-level control, and for example, may contain only Energy saving enable IE as control information. In contrast, signal CI includes not only Energy saving enable IE but also detailed control information of the RU300 as control information. However, at least one of signals EN1 or EN2 may further include control information of the detailed control information of the RU300.

[0074] The signal CI includes the cell specification information as well as the IE shown below. ·Energy saving enable IE: {ON, OFF} Energy saving control IE The Energy Saving Control IE is an IE that controls the radio signals communicated between the RU300 and the UE400. Specifically, this IE specifies the details of power saving control for at least one of the time domain or maximum modulation depth in the RU300's radio communication, or the frequency of the radio signals. These details are described later.

[0075] When generating a signal CI, the DU202 sends the signal CI to each RU300 that is subject to power saving control. In Figure 5, signal CI1 is sent to RU300A and signal CI2 is sent to RU300B.

[0076] The RU300 changes its operating mode based on the Energy saving control information notified by the DU202. For example, if the notified Energy saving enable IE is ON, the RU300 operates in power saving mode based on the details of the power saving control instructed by the Energy saving control IE. Furthermore, if the notified Energy saving enable IE is ON, the RU300 operates in power saving mode regardless of whether the most recently notified Energy saving enable IE was ON or OFF. Also, if the notified Energy saving enable IE is OFF, the RU300 does not operate in power saving mode.

[0077] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system S1, and the overall operation of the communication system S1 will be explained by referring to this diagram. Details of each process performed by each device within the communication system S1 are as described above.

[0078] First, the control device 100 performs the above determination based on the acquired communication status information of each RU300 and changes the power saving control for each RU300 (step S31). The change in power saving control includes at least one of the following: changing Energy saving enable IE from ON or OFF to the other, or changing Energy saving state IE to a different parameter. The control device 100 transmits a signal En1 related to the changed power saving control to the CU201 (step S32).

[0079] When CU201 receives signal En1, it sends signal En2 based on signal En1 to DU202 (step S33). When DU202 receives signal En2, it generates signal CI based on signal EN2 to cause RU300 to perform power-saving operation. DU202 sends signal CI1 to RU300A (step S34) and signal CI2 to RU300B (step S35). When RU300A receives signal CI1, it changes its operating mode based on signal CI1 (step S36). Similarly, when RU300B receives signal CI2, it changes its operating mode based on signal CI2 (step S37).

[0080] Next, an example of an Energy saving control IE generated by DU202 will be described. However, instead of DU202, CU201 or the control device 100 may generate the Energy saving control IE shown below and send it to RU300. Also, the examples shown in (A) to (C) can be used in combination as appropriate.

[0081] (A) When the Energy saving control IE specifies the time domain details in wireless communication. DU202 can generate ON / OFF information for each resource in the time axis of the wireless signal handled by RU300 as an Energy saving control IE, corresponding to the Energy saving state IE contained in the signal EN2 transmitted by CU201 or the signal EN1 transmitted by the control device 100. Note that targeting the Downlink signal of the wireless signal with power saving control is more effective in reducing power consumption than targeting the Uplink signal with power saving control. Therefore, in this example, the wireless signals subject to power saving control include at least the Downlink signal. DU202 includes the generated Energy saving control IE in the signal CI and transmits it to RU300.

[0082] The DU202 specifies whether each of the 14 OFDM symbols (hereinafter simply referred to as symbols) in one time slot of the radio signal transmitted or received by the controlled RU300 is on or off (used or unused). For example, the 14 symbols can be represented by a 14-bit bitmap, with each symbol corresponding to 1 bit. In this case, the DU202 can specify whether each symbol is on or off by assigning a bit value of 1 or 0 to each of bits 0 to 13 (i.e., symbols 0 to 13). Here, a bit value of 1 for a symbol means that the symbol is used (i.e., turned on), and a bit value of 0 means that the symbol is not used (i.e., turned off). The DU202 transmits this bitmap, with the bit values ​​of symbols 0 to 13 defined in this way, to the RU300 as an Energy saving control IE.

[0083] Furthermore, when setting the ON / OFF status of each symbol for both the Downlink signal transmitted by the RU300 and the Uplink signal received by the RU300, the DU202 may determine the ON / OFF status of each symbol independently for each signal, or it may determine it in common for both signals. Alternatively, the DU202 may determine the ON / OFF status of each symbol in the Downlink signal (or both the Downlink and Uplink signals) based on the RU300's capability information. Details of this capability information will be described later.

[0084] Figure 8A shows that the Energy saving state IE is S 100 In that case, S 100An example of a corresponding bitmap is shown. In this bitmap, all symbols are turned on (all bit values ​​are 1). When the RU300 receives an Energy saving control IE indicating this bitmap, it turns on the power to the circuit or component used for transmission or reception for all symbols. Therefore, power saving operation is not performed, and the wireless signal is transmitted or received in the normal manner. The power consumption reduction effect in this case is 0%.

[0085] Figure 8B shows that the Energy saving state IE is S 50 In that case, S 50 An example of a corresponding bitmap is shown. In this bitmap, the RU300 turns on the first 7 symbols (bits 0-6) of a time slot and turns off the last 7 symbols (bits 7-13). This setting allows the RU300 to handle 50% of the traffic. When the RU300 receives an Energy saving control IE showing this bitmap, it turns on the power to the circuit or component used for transmission or reception for the first 7 symbols, and turns off the power to that circuit or component for the last 7 symbols. As a result, power saving operation is performed, and a power consumption reduction of up to 50% can be achieved.

[0086] S 50 The corresponding bitmap is not limited to that shown in Figure 8B. For example, it could be a bitmap in which the first 7 symbols (bits 0-6) of one time slot are turned off, and the second 7 symbols (bits 7-13) are turned on. Also, if the Energy saving state IE is S 50 Not only in the case of S 25 Ya S 75 Similarly, the DU202 can configure its bitmap to enable it to handle 25% or 75% of the traffic, as described above. Here, the DU202 is configured when the Energy saving state IE is S 25 S 50 or S 75When at least one of the following conditions is met, it is preferable to set two or more consecutive symbols as symbols to be turned off in the bitmap. Furthermore, it is preferable to have a large number of consecutive symbols to be turned off in the bitmap, as this increases the power saving effect.

[0087] When S0 is set in Energy saving state IE, all symbols in the bitmap are turned off. When Energy saving state IE:S0 is set for the Downlink signal, the RU300 will shut down. When the RU300 receives an Energy saving control IE indicating this bitmap, it turns off the power to the circuits or components used for transmission or reception for all symbols. However, the RU300 may keep the power to its control system and the circuits or components related to its standby function on. This power-saving operation can reduce power consumption by up to 100%.

[0088] Note that DU202 has an Energy saving state IE of S 100 If the parameter is anything other than the one specified, the RU300 can determine which circuits or components of its own device can be selectively powered off based on the RU300 capability information described below. Based on this determination, the information of the circuits or components to be powered off is included in the signal CI and sent to the RU300. The RU300 can power off the circuits or components specified by the information of the circuits or components to be powered off at the timing when the symbols defined in the Energy saving control IE are turned off. In other words, the DU202 can support the power-off control of the RU300.

[0089] The Energy Saving Control IE described above can be applied to any existing radio resource protocol, such as RRC or DCI (Downlink Control Information) format. Therefore, it can be applied to wireless communication to any existing UE.

[0090] Figure 9 shows an example implementation of the Energy saving control IE. In Figure 9, up to 16 types of PDSCH-TimeDomainResourceAllocation (TDRA) can be set for a single UE. For example, when the Energy saving state IE is S 100 (All symbols are usable) patterns and Energy saving state IE is S 50 Let's assume a scenario where we use different patterns (only the first 7 symbols are usable). In this case, DU202 can set the parameters for UE400 via RRC as follows: • For any one or more TDRAs, S 100 As a parameter for this, set the startSymbolAndLength parameter so that S+L≦14. • For one or more other TDRAs, S 50 As a parameter for this, set the startSymbolAndLength parameter so that S+L≦7.

[0091] Furthermore, the DU202 can also notify the UE400 of the index of the PDSCH-TDRA that has parameters usable within the range of symbols notified by the Energy saving control IE, out of up to 16 types of PDSCH-TDRA configured, via DCI's "Time domain resource assignment".

[0092] (B) When the Energy saving control IE specifies the details of the maximum modulation depth in the radio signal. The DU202 may also specify the maximum modulation index for the RU300's radio signal as an Energy saving control IE. The maximum modulation index is represented, for example, by a set of {BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying), QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying), 16QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), 64QAM, 256QAM, 1024QAM, ...}.

[0093] The RU300 can set the operating point (bias current) of the power transistors in the power amplifier section inside the RU300 to an optimal value according to the maximum modulation depth notified by the DU202 via Energy saving control IE. Generally, the higher the maximum modulation depth, the higher the peakiness of the radio signal, so it is necessary to increase the bias current value in order to amplify the radio signal without distortion, and consequently the power consumption of the RU300 increases. However, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the RU300 by lowering the maximum modulation depth. In this case, the DU202 allocates resources to the RU300 so as not to exceed the maximum modulation depth notified to the RU300 by Energy saving control IE.

[0094] (C) When the Energy saving control IE specifies frequency details for the radio signal. The DU202 may specify a frequency related to the radio signal as the Energy saving control IE. Here, the frequency related to the radio signal refers to at least one of the following: the center frequency or maximum bandwidth of the radio communication signal, or the operating frequency of the circuit used for communication in the RU300. The circuit used for communication may be, but is not limited to, an iFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) size or a DA (Digital-to-Analog) converter.

[0095] [Explanation of effects] In light of recent social trends, there is a demand to reduce power consumption in mobile networks. In mobile networks, power is mainly consumed in the Range of Ranging (RAN), and it is said that the majority of the RAN's power consumption is consumed by the RAN's wireless section. Therefore, in order to reduce the power consumption of mobile networks, it is necessary to reduce the power consumption of the wireless section. On the other hand, it is expected that the adoption of devices with open interfaces as the wireless section of mobile networks will increase in the future. The communication system S1 described in Embodiment 2 can solve this problem.

[0096] For example, the master unit 200 transmits a signal CI (first power saving control information) to reduce the power consumption of the slave unit (RU) 300 that communicates wirelessly with the UE400. The slave unit (RU) 300 can reduce its power consumption accordingly, thereby reducing the power consumption of the mobile network.

[0097] In particular, when multiple slave units (RUs) 300 are provided, the master unit 200 can simultaneously control multiple (for example, all) slave units (RUs) 300 to reduce their power consumption. In methods where a slave unit (RU) 300 reduces its own power consumption, for example, if a portion of the radio band used by multiple slave units (RUs) 300 is in use, the slave unit (RU) 300 could not perform power saving control in the unused band. Therefore, the effect of power saving was limited. However, in the method of this disclosure, the master unit 200 can identify unused radio resources and control the power saving of multiple slave units (RUs) 300 with respect to those radio resources, thereby improving the effect of power saving.

[0098] Furthermore, the master unit 200 may change the degree of power reduction of the slave unit (RU) 300, indicated by the signal CI, based on the communication status between the slave unit (RU) 300 and the UE 400. This makes it possible to adaptively operate the slave unit (RU) 300 at low power consumption according to the communication status indicators that change over time, thus enabling power-saving operation according to the situation.

[0099] Here, the information indicating the communication status may be information indicating the utilization rate of wireless resources in communication between the UE400 and the slave unit (RU)300. Alternatively, the information indicating the communication status may be information indicating the amount of traffic in communication between the UE400 and the slave unit (RU)300. This allows the master unit 200 to control power saving using an indicator suitable for wireless communication.

[0100] Furthermore, the signal CI may include information that controls the radio signal communicated between the slave station device (RU) 300 and the UE 400. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the radio signal section, which is the main power-consuming component in the slave station device (RU) 300, thereby increasing the power-saving effect.

[0101] Here, the signal CI can control at least one of the following: the on or off of symbols in a time slot in the radio signal, the maximum modulation depth of the radio signal, or the frequency of the radio signal. In other words, the maximum throughput of the cell provided by the slave station equipment (RU) 300 can be adjusted in at least one of the time domain, frequency domain, or spatial domain. Therefore, for example, when cell traffic is low to medium, radio resources that are not needed can be adaptively turned off. Thus, the master station equipment 200 can achieve both securing radio resources for communication and reducing network power consumption.

[0102] For example, in signal CI, when setting the on or off state of symbols within a time slot in a wireless signal, the slave unit (RU) 300 can continuously put the transmitting amplifier circuit into a power-saving state for the duration of consecutively off symbols. In this way, because the slave unit (RU) 300 knows in advance the period during which it can enter a power-saving state, it can also enter a power-saving state for circuits that take about one symbol or more of time to transition from power-on to off and then back to the on state. Therefore, a wide range of circuits can be targeted for power-saving control, and an effect of reducing the power consumption of the slave unit (RU) 300 can be expected. Furthermore, for symbols that are notified to be in the ON state, it is also possible to use existing dynamic power-saving control technology.

[0103] Furthermore, when setting the maximum modulation depth for the wireless signal in the signal CI, the peak characteristics of the transmitted signal are mitigated by reducing the maximum modulation depth of the transmitted signal in the slave unit (RU) 300. As a result, it becomes possible to relax the operating point (e.g., the bias current of the transistor) of the power amplifier in the slave unit (RU) 300 and the repeater connecting the slave unit (RU) 300 and the UE400, thereby reducing power consumption.

[0104] Furthermore, the master unit 200 may receive an Energy saving enable IE (enable signal) from an external control unit 100 to reduce the power consumption of the slave unit (RU) 300, and generate and transmit a signal CI based on the Energy saving enable IE. The control unit 100 can control the power saving operation of the slave unit (RU) 300 via the master unit 200.

[0105] From another perspective, the control device 100 can transmit a signal EN1 (second power saving control information) to a base station having a slave unit (RU) 300 that communicates wirelessly with the UE 400, in order to reduce the power consumption of the slave unit (RU) 300. The base station can reduce its power consumption accordingly.

[0106] Furthermore, the control device 100 may change the degree of power reduction of the slave unit (RU) 300, as indicated by the Energy saving state IE of signal EN1, based on the communication status between the slave unit (RU) 300 and the UE 400. This makes it possible to adaptively operate the slave unit (RU) 300 at low power consumption according to the communication status indicators that change over time, thus enabling power-saving operation according to the situation.

[0107] Here, the information indicating the communication status may also be information indicating the utilization rate of wireless resources in communication between the UE400 and the slave unit (RU)300. This allows the control device 100 to control power saving using an indicator suitable for wireless communication.

[0108] Furthermore, signal EN1 may include information that controls the radio signal communicated between the slave station device (RU) 300 and the UE 400. This makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the radio signal section, which is the main power-consuming component in the slave station device (RU) 300, thereby increasing the power-saving effect.

[0109] Here, signal EN1 can control at least one of the following: the on / off state of a symbol in a time slot in the radio signal, the maximum modulation depth of the radio signal, or the frequency of the radio signal. Therefore, the control device 100 can achieve both securing radio resources for communication and reducing the power consumption of the network.

[0110] Furthermore, the control device 100 may transmit a signal EN1 to the master station device 200 to reduce the power consumption of the slave station device (RU) 300 having a wireless communication unit. The control device 100 can control the power-saving operation of the wireless communication unit of the base station even when the base station has a configuration in which it is divided into multiple devices.

[0111] Here, signal EN1 may include an enable signal to reduce the power consumption of the slave unit (RU) 300. This allows the control device 100, which is a higher-level device, to directly instruct whether or not to reduce the power consumption of the slave unit (RU) 300, thereby enabling easy management of the base station.

[0112] Embodiment 4 The following describes variations of Embodiment 3. Note that the same points as described in Embodiment 3 will be omitted from the subsequent explanation.

[0113] The control device 100 may also query the RU300 to determine what functions it possesses as an energy-saving capability. The query is sent to the RU300 via CU201 and DU202.

[0114] When the RU300 receives an inquiry, it sends a report to its higher-level devices, the master station 200 and the control unit 100, indicating its own energy saving capability. This energy saving capability information is stored, for example, in the RU300's memory, and the RU300 generates this report by referring to the memory. Details of the energy saving capability information will be described later.

[0115] When DU202 receives the report, it forwards it to CU201. At this time, DU202 may forward the received report as is. Alternatively, DU202 may refer to the information on DU202's energy-drinking capability stored in its memory and add that information to the report before forwarding it.

[0116] Furthermore, DU202 may compare the Energy saving capabilities shown in the received report with its own Energy saving capabilities to determine whether there are any Energy saving capabilities in the report that DU202 does not support. If there are any features that DU202 does not support, it will exclude those features from the Energy saving capabilities listed in the report. In this way, DU202 creates a report that includes features commonly supported by both DU202 and RU300 as Energy saving capabilities and forwards it to CU201.

[0117] When CU201 receives a report from DU202, it forwards the report to the control device 100. At this time, CU201 may forward the received report as is. Alternatively, CU201 may refer to the information on CU201's Energy saving capability stored in its memory and add information on CU201's Energy saving capability to the report before forwarding it. In this case, the report sent to the control device 100 will include information on the Energy saving capabilities supported by CU201, DU202, and RU300, respectively.

[0118] Furthermore, CU201 may compare the Energy saving capabilities shown in the received report with its own Energy saving capabilities to determine whether there are any functions in the report that CU201 does not support. If there are functions that CU201 does not support, those functions are excluded from the Energy saving capabilities listed in the report. For example, if the report includes a function that DU202 and RU300 both support as an Energy saving capability, CU201's exclusion process will make the Energy saving capabilities included in the report functions that CU201, DU202, and RU300 all support. CU201 then sends the report containing the above processing to the control device 100.

[0119] When the control device 100 receives a report, it can present the Energy saving capabilities included in the report to the user using the display unit of the control device 100. As described above, the Energy saving capabilities included in the report may be Energy saving capabilities in RU300, or Energy saving capabilities common to at least one of CU201 or DU202 and RU300. The user selects one or more Energy saving capabilities from the presented functions and specifies them via the input unit of the control device 100. The control device 100 can identify the Energy saving capabilities selected by the user as targets for power saving control in RU300.

[0120] However, the control device 100 may not present the Energy saving capability included in the received report to the user and may hide it from the user. In this case, the control device 100 can automatically identify one or more arbitrary functions included in the Energy saving capability included in the report as targets for power saving control in the RU300.

[0121] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system S1, and the overall operation of the communication system S1 will be explained by referring to this diagram. Details of each process performed by each device within the communication system S1 are as described above.

[0122] First, the control device 100 sends an inquiry In to RU300A regarding the Energy saving capability that RU300A possesses (step S41). CU201 forwards the inquiry In from the control device 100 to DU202 (step S42), and DU202 forwards the inquiry In from CU201 to RU300A (step S43).

[0123] Based on the inquiry In, RU300A refers to its own Energy saving capability (step S44), creates a report Re including that Energy saving capability, and sends it to the control unit 100 (step S45). DU202 forwards the report Re from RU300A to CU201 (step S46), and CU201 forwards the report Re from DU202 to the control unit 100 (step S47). Note that DU202 or CU201 may process the report Re as described above before forwarding it to the higher-level device.

[0124] Furthermore, at least one of CU201 or DU202 may report its own Energy saving capability to the control unit 100 separately from the report from RU300 (i.e., autonomously), rather than including it in the report from RU300. After individually acquiring the Energy saving capabilities of CU201, DU202, and RU300, the control unit 100 can determine the functions subject to power saving control in RU300 based on that information. For example, based on the acquired information, the control unit 100 may identify the Energy saving capability that CU201, DU202, and RU300 commonly support, and then identify the identified Energy saving capability as the target of power saving control in RU300.

[0125] Furthermore, CU201 may choose not to disclose the Energy saving capability of RU300 to the control device 100, but rather to conceal it. For example, in the example in Figure 10, CU201, rather than the control device 100, may generate query In and send it to RU300A via DU202. As described above, RU300A creates a report Re including its own Energy saving capability and sends it to CU201. When DU202 receives this report Re, it may forward the received report as is, or it may add information about Energy saving capability in DU202 to the report and forward it. Also, if there are Energy saving capabilities shown in the received report that DU202 does not support, DU202 may exclude those functions from the report and forward the excluded report to CU201. By not sending the received report to the control device 100, CU201 can conceal the Energy saving capability of RU300A from the control device 100. Furthermore, based on the acquired information on energy saving capability, the CU201 can identify the targets for power saving control in the RU300A.

[0126] Similarly, DU202 may choose not to disclose the Energy saving capability of RU300 to CU201 and control device 100, but rather to conceal it. For example, in the example in Figure 10, DU202, rather than control device 100, may generate query In and send it to RU300A. As described above, RU300A creates report Re, which includes its own Energy saving capability, and sends it to DU202. DU202 can conceal the Energy saving capability of RU300A from its higher-level device by not sending the received report to its higher-level device. Furthermore, CU201 can identify the target of power saving control in RU300A based on the acquired Energy saving capability information.

[0127] The following describes specific examples of the energy saving capability that RU300 reports to higher-level devices such as the control unit 100.

[0128] (a) Time-domain energy saving capability in wireless communication The RU300 can report information as Energy saving capability, indicating whether or not ON / OFF switching is possible for each time-axis resource in the radio signal it handles. Specifically, the RU300 can report information indicating whether or not ON / OFF switching is supported on a symbol-by-symbol basis for 14 symbols within one time slot in the transmitted or received radio signal. The radio signal subject to reporting may include at least one of either a Downlink signal or an Uplink signal, or at least one Downlink signal.

[0129] Furthermore, in lieu of, or in addition to, reporting the above information, the RU300 may report the on / off patterns of each symbol within a time slot that it supports (i.e., is capable of) as an Energy saving capability. The Energy saving capability is included in the report, for example, using the bitmap format shown in Embodiment 3. The patterns that the RU300 supports and can report may be any patterns, for example, the S shown in Embodiment 3. 100 S 50 These are some examples, but are not limited to them.

[0130] Furthermore, when the RU300 transmits pattern information for each symbol as an energy saving capability, the RU300 may also include the power consumption reduction effect for each pattern as supplementary information in the report. The power consumption reduction effect is, for example, under normal conditions (i.e., S 100The power consumption reduction may be the amount of power consumption when the RU300 operates in the target pattern compared to when the RU300 operates in the normal state. Alternatively, the power consumption reduction effect may be the amount of power consumed when the RU300 operates in the target pattern. Such a value can be expressed, for example, as a percentage with the power consumption when the RU300 operates in the normal state set to 100%.

[0131] For example, RU300 is S 100 For the bitmap "11111111111111", you may include "0%" as supplementary information in the report. Similarly, RU300 is S 50 For at least one of the bitmaps "11111110000000" or "00000001111111", you may include "40%" as supplementary information in the report.

[0132] (b) Energy saving capability of the maximum modulation in radio signals The RU300 may report, in addition to the device's upper limit as the maximum modulation depth for the radio signals it handles, information on the upper limit of the configurable modulation depth as "Energy saving capability" in its report. The definition of maximum modulation depth shown in Embodiment 3 can be applied. For example, the RU300 supports up to 256QAM as its capability. However, the RU300 can report in its report that it is capable of operating with a maximum modulation depth of less than 256QAM, such as 64QAM or 16QAM.

[0133] Furthermore, the RU300 may report information regarding its power amplifier section as "Energy saving capability" in its report. The RU300 may also be, for example, an active array antenna. In this case, it is expected that the specifications of the following information may differ depending on the vendor providing the RU300. • Arrangement of antenna elements in an active array antenna (e.g., N vertically × M horizontally) How much power should be supplied to each power amplifier? • What type of antenna is each power amplifier connected to? (For example, is the connected antenna an X-POL (Cross Polarised) antenna or not?) • Support for operations that use part of the array antenna. Therefore, the RU300 can report at least one of these pieces of information as information regarding the power amplifier section. Operation using part of the array antenna is called "spatial domain energy saving" and can be included in the power saving control information for the corresponding RU300.

[0134] Furthermore, when the RU300 transmits information indicating the upper limit of the maximum modulation index as an energy saving capability, the RU300 may also include the power consumption reduction effect for each supported maximum modulation index as supplementary information in the report. The power consumption reduction effect may be, for example, the amount of power consumption reduced when the RU300 operates at the target maximum modulation index compared to when the RU300 operates at the upper limit. Alternatively, the power consumption reduction effect may be the amount of power consumed when the RU300 operates at the target maximum modulation index. Such a value can be expressed, for example, as a percentage with the power consumption when the RU300 operates at the upper limit of the maximum modulation index set to 100%.

[0135] (c) Energy saving capability in the frequency domain of wireless signals The RU300 may report the values ​​(e.g., 2000MHz~2100MHz, 2000MHz~2050MHz, etc.) or ranges (100MHz, 50MHz, etc.) it supports as frequencies for radio signals it handles, as an Energy saving capability. The definition of frequencies for radio signals is as shown in Embodiment 3. The RU300 reduces power consumption by operating with the optimal circuit settings according to the specified control information. The base station configured with the RU300 transmits radio signals by setting at least one of these frequency values ​​or ranges to an area in which its device can operate.

[0136] Furthermore, when the RU300 transmits information about the frequency values ​​or ranges it supports as an energy saving capability, it may also include in the report the power consumption reduction effect at the supported frequency values ​​or ranges as supplementary information. The power consumption reduction effect may be, for example, the amount of power reduction when the RU300 operates at the target frequency value compared to when the RU300 operates at the frequency value where power consumption is maximum. Alternatively, the power consumption reduction effect may be the amount of power consumed when the RU300 operates at the target frequency value. Such a value can be expressed, for example, as a percentage with the power consumption when the RU300 operates under maximum power consumption conditions set to 100%.

[0137] (d) Energy saving capability, which indicates unsupported features. The RU300 may or may not explicitly report functions that it does not support as energy-saving capabilities.

[0138] RU300 can report to control unit 100 a report that includes at least one of (a) to (d) as an Energy saving capability. This allows control unit 100 to identify the targets for power saving control in RU300 by understanding RU300's Energy saving capability. Furthermore, if the report includes an Energy saving capability of at least one of CU201 or DU202, control unit 100 can identify the targets for power saving control in at least one of CU201 or DU202 based on that report.

[0139] Furthermore, the control device 100 can also present the reported energy saving capability to the user. If the report includes the supplementary information shown in (a) to (c), that supplementary information can also be presented to the user. Based on the presented information, the user can specify the target of power saving control in the RU300.

[0140] The control device 100 recognizes the target of power saving control in RU300 based on the Energy saving capability included in the report previously received from RU300. Then, when determining the power saving state (Energy saving state IE) of RU300 based on the cell's communication status, it can identify the Energy saving capability that RU300 will use to reduce power consumption from among the Energy saving capabilities that are subject to power saving control in RU300. For example, the control device 100 may compare the determined power saving state of RU300 with the accompanying information of the Energy saving capability that is subject to power saving control. This allows the control device 100 to identify the Energy saving capability that is expected to have a power consumption reduction effect corresponding to the determined power saving state of RU300. The identified Energy saving capability information (identification information) can then be included in the signal EN1 and transmitted as Energy saving control IE. This identification information may also include information that instructs the setting values ​​related to the functions of RU300.

[0141] Furthermore, even if the control device 100 has acquired information on the Energy saving capability of CU201 in advance, it can recognize the target of power saving control in CU201 based on that information. Then, from among the Energy saving capabilities that are the target of power saving control in CU201, it identifies the Energy saving capability that CU201 will use to reduce power consumption. For example, the control device 100 identifies the Energy saving capability that CU201 will use to correspond to the determined power saving state (Energy saving state IE) of RU300. The control device 100 can include the identification information of that Energy saving capability in signal EN1 as Energy saving control IE and transmit it. CU201 then executes power saving control based on that identification information. Similarly, even if the control device 100 has acquired information on the Energy saving capability of DU202 in advance, it can identify the Energy saving capability of DU202 that corresponds to the determined power saving state of RU300 and include that identification information in signal EN1 and transmit it. The DU202 performs power-saving control based on that specific information.

[0142] However, instead of the control device 100, CU201 may, upon receiving signal EN1, generate specific information based on the Energy saving state IE contained in signal EN1 and transmit it in signal EN2. Similarly, DU202 may, upon receiving signal EN2, generate specific information based on the Energy saving state IE contained in signal EN2 and transmit it in signal CI. In this case, CU201 or DU202 can recognize the targets of power saving control in RU300 by receiving an Energy saving capability report from RU300 in advance. CU201 or DU202 identifies the Energy saving capability from among the Energy saving capabilities targeted for power saving control in CU201 that corresponds to the degree of power consumption reduction indicated by the Energy saving state IE contained in the received signal EN1 or EN2. For example, CU201 or DU202 may identify an Energy saving capability that is expected to reduce power consumption corresponding to the Energy saving state IE by comparing the Energy saving state IE contained in the received signal EN1 or EN2 with the aforementioned accompanying information. Then, CU201 or DU202 can include the identified Energy saving capability information (identification information) in the signal EN2 or CI and transmit it as an Energy saving control IE.

[0143] Furthermore, if CU201 has previously acquired information on DU202's Energy saving capability, it can identify the target of power saving control in DU202 based on that information. Then, from among the Energy saving capabilities that are subject to power saving control in DU202, it identifies the Energy saving capability that DU202 will use to reduce power consumption. For example, CU201 identifies the Energy saving capability that DU202 will use to correspond to the Energy saving state IE or the Energy saving control IE of RU300 included in signal EN1. Then, it can include the identification information of that Energy saving capability in signal EN2 as an Energy saving control IE and transmit it. DU202 then executes power saving control based on that identification information.

[0144] [Explanation of effects] As described above, the signal CI may include specific information that identifies the Energy saving capability used by the slave unit (RU) 300 to reduce power consumption. This allows the slave unit (RU) 300 to perform processing appropriate to the current situation in order to control power saving.

[0145] Furthermore, at least one of CU201 or DU202 may receive a report from the slave unit (RU) 300 indicating at least one Energy saving capability that the slave unit (RU) 300 has capable of reducing power consumption. At least one of CU201 or DU202 may determine specific information based on this report. This allows CU201 or DU202 to understand the functions supported by RU300 and perform power saving control accordingly, thereby ensuring that power saving effects are achieved.

[0146] Here, when CU201 receives a report, that report may include the energy saving capability of the slave unit (RU) 300 and the energy saving capability of the DU202 (relay unit) that relays between the slave unit (RU) 300 and CU201. This allows CU201 to also perform power saving control on the DU202. Note that the DU202 can also be configured as a separate device from the CU201 (master unit).

[0147] Furthermore, at least one of CU201 or DU202 may transmit to the control unit 100 the Energy saving capabilities shown in the report, excluding those not supported by its own device. This prevents the control unit 100 from performing power saving control for functions not supported by CU201 or DU202, thereby suppressing redundant processing in the control.

[0148] From another perspective, the signal EN1 transmitted by the control device 100 may include specific information that identifies the energy saving capability used by the slave unit (RU) 300 to reduce power consumption. This allows the slave unit (RU) 300 to perform processing appropriate to the current situation in order to control power saving.

[0149] Furthermore, the control device 100 may receive a report from CU201 indicating that at least one of CU201, DU202, or the slave station equipment (RU) 300 (i.e., any node in the base station) has a function that can reduce power consumption, and may determine specific information based on that report. As a result, the control device 100 can perform power saving control after understanding the functions supported by CU201, DU202, or the slave station equipment (RU) 300, thereby ensuring that power saving effects are achieved.

[0150] Furthermore, the control device 100 may present the contents of the report to the user, allow the user to select one or more of the presented energy saving capabilities, and generate a signal EN1 so that the selected energy saving capability is identified by specific information. This allows the administrator to perform power saving control as preferred.

[0151] Embodiment 5 Next, variations (5-1) and (5-2) in which the control device 100 is not provided in the communication system (for example, the function of the control device 100 is included in the CU201) will be described.

[0152] (5-1) Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication system. Communication system S2 has the same components as communication system S1, except that it does not have a control device 100.

[0153] CU201 acquires traffic information, which is a measured value, as the communication status of the cell provided by the base station. Based on the acquired information, CU201 performs processing similar to that performed by the control device 100 in Embodiment 3, and generates and outputs signal EN2 having the same content as signal EN1 in Embodiment 3. Therefore, signal EN2 may include the following IE. ·Energy saving enable IE: {ON, OFF} • Energy saving status IE: {S 25 ,S 50 ,S 75 ,S 100} In this example, signal EN2 is an example of the first power saving control signal in Embodiment 1, or the second power saving control signal in Embodiment 2.

[0154] Furthermore, CU201 determines the relationship between the traffic values ​​and their fluctuations shown in the traffic information and a predetermined threshold, and changes the Energy saving state IE included in signal EN1 based on the determination result. The details of this determination and modification process are also as shown in Embodiment 3.

[0155] As described in Embodiment 3, the communication status information may be reported by periodically (for example, at intervals of one minute or several minutes) by being transmitted to CU201, or it may be reported by non-periodic transmission of that information to CU201. Furthermore, CU201 can define S0 which does not perform signal transmission or reception in the Energy saving state IE described above.

[0156] However, CU201 may determine only the Energy saving enable IE described above for the cell to be controlled and transmit it to DU202 as signal EN2. Alternatively, CU201 may determine the degree of power consumption reduction in RU300 (Energy saving state IE), determine the Energy saving control IE based on that, and transmit that Energy saving control IE to DU202 as signal EN2. In this case, DU202 can be said to have the functions of the control device 100 in Embodiment 3.

[0157] The explanation of DU202 and RU300 is the same as in Embodiment 3, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0158] Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the communication system S2, and the overall operation of the communication system S2 will be explained by referring to this diagram. Details of each process performed by each device within the communication system S2 are as described above.

[0159] First, CU201 performs the above determination based on the acquired communication status information of each RU300 and modifies the power saving control for the RU300 (step S51). The modification of the power saving control includes at least one of the following: changing Energy saving enable IE from ON or OFF to the other, or changing Energy saving state IE to a different parameter. CU201 transmits a signal En2 related to the modified power saving control to DU202 (step S52).

[0160] When DU202 receives signal En2, it generates signal CI based on signal EN2 to cause RU300 to perform power-saving operation. Signal CI is an example of the first power-saving control signal in Embodiment 1. DU202 transmits signal CI1 to RU300A (step S53) and signal CI2 to RU300B (step S54). When RU300A receives signal CI1, it changes its operating mode based on signal CI1 (step S55). Similarly, when RU300B receives signal CI2, it changes its operating mode based on signal CI2 (step S56).

[0161] (5-1A) Figure 13A is a block diagram showing examples of variations in the communication system. Compared to the configuration of communication system S2 in Figure 11, communication system S2 in Figure 13A differs in that RU300C is cascaded to RU300B in cell 2 via an RU-RU cascading interface (e.g., O-RAN interface). CU201 and DU202 (master station 200) provide a common cell 2 by operating RU300B and RU300C. RU300B forwards signal CI2 transmitted from DU202 to RU300C via the RU-RU cascading interface. RU300C performs wireless communication with UE400C and changes its operating mode based on the energy saving control information contained in signal CI2.

[0162] (5-1B) Figure 13B is a block diagram showing another variation of the communication system. The communication system S2 in Figure 13B differs from the configuration in Figure 13A in that RU300C provides a different cell 3 than RU300B. However, the process in which RU300B transfers signal CI2 to RU300C and RU300C changes its operating mode based on the energy saving control information contained in signal CI2 is the same. The configurations of RU300B and RU300C in Figure 13B can be realized, for example, by logically dividing a single RU into multiple parts, with each divided RU providing its own cell (RAN-Sharing).

[0163] (5-1C) Figure 13C is a block diagram showing another variation of the communication system. The communication system S2 in Figure 13C differs from the configuration in Figure 13A in that it has an RP (repeater) 301C, which is an example of a relay device, instead of RU300C. CU201 and DU202 (master station 200) provide a common cell 2 by operating RU300B and RP301C. DU202 payloads signal CI2 onto a radio channel of the Uu interface, for example, Layer 2, and transmits it to RU300B. RU300B converts the radio channel on which signal CI2 is superimposed into a radio signal and transmits that radio signal to RP301C via the Uu interface (Uu2-1). However, signal CI2 may be multiplexed as a payload on a higher layer, such as Layer 3, rather than just Layer 2. The signal CI2 for the RP301C is transmitted as a wireless signal from the DU202 in this manner, and the RU300B does not specifically recognize this signal CI2. Here, the signal CI2 is transmitted over a wireless link called the control link within the Uu interface. The signal CI2 is also transmitted to the RP301C in the form of an RRC message, DCI format, MAC CE (Control Element), etc., and terminated there. The RU300B changes its operating mode based on the energy saving control information contained in the signal CI2. The RP301C has the function of an RU that performs wireless communication with the UE400C, and changes its operating mode based on the energy saving control information contained in the signal CI2.

[0164] (5-1D) Figure 13D is a block diagram showing another variation of the communication system. The communication system S2 in Figure 13D differs from the configuration in Figure 13C in that it has an IAB (Integrated Access Backhaul) 302 instead of an RP301C, which is an example of another relay device. The IAB 302 has an IAB-MT (Mobile Termination) 302B and an IAB-DU302C. The DU202 (master station 200) operates the RU300B to provide cell 2. The CU201 operates the IAB 302 to provide cell 3 via a higher layer on the Uu interface. The CU201 transmits signal EN2 to the DU202 as a higher layer (e.g., Layer 3) signal directed to the IAB302, and the DU202 payloads this onto Layer 2, superimposes it on the radio channel of the Uu interface, and transmits it to the RU300B. The RU300B converts the radio channel superimposed with signal EN2 into a radio signal and transmits that radio signal to the IAB-MT302B via the Uu interface (Uu2). Signal EN2 for the IAB 302 is thus transmitted from the CU201 as a higher-layer signal, and the DU202 and RU300B do not specifically recognize signal EN2. Signal EN2 is transmitted from the IAB-MT302B to the IAB-DU302C. The IAB-DU302C has DU functionality and RU functionality to perform radio communication with the UE400C, and changes its operating mode based on the energy saving control information contained in signal EN2.

[0165] Furthermore, by combining (5-1A) to (5-1D), multiple devices may be connected to the RU300B for the RU300C or RP301C.

[0166] As described above, the signal CI2 can reduce the power consumption of not only the slave unit (RU) 300B, but also at least one of the other slave units (RU) 300C or RP301C connected to the slave unit (RU) 300B. This expands the scope of power saving control and improves the effectiveness of power saving.

[0167] (5-2A) Figure 14A is a block diagram showing examples of variations in a communication system. Compared to the configuration of communication system S2 in Figure 11, communication system S3 in Figure 14A differs in that RU300B is managed by a different master station 200B than master station 200A. Master station 200B has CU201B and DU202B, which have the same configuration as master station 200A.

[0168] CU201A acquires the communication status of not only RU300A but also RU300B, and generates signal EN2 based on that information. CU201A transmits signal EN2 to CU201B, for example, via the Xn interface. Details of how CU201A generates signal EN2 for RU300B based on the communication status of RU300B are shown in (5-1). Alternatively, CU201A may generate signal EN1, as shown in Embodiment 3, instead of signal EN2, based on the communication status of RU300B, and transmit signal EN1 to CU201B. When CU201B receives signal EN1 from CU201A, it generates signal EN2 for DU202B using the method described in Embodiment 3, and transmits signal EN2 to DU202B. Details of how CU201A generates signal EN1 and how DU202B generates signal EN1 are described in detail in Embodiment 3.

[0169] CU201B transmits signal EN2 to DU202B. Based on signal EN2, DU202B generates signal CI2 to instruct RU300B to perform power-saving operation and transmits it to RU300B. Based on the Energy saving control information contained in signal CI2, RU300B changes its operating mode. In this manner, the master station 200B performs power-saving control of the RU300B under its control. Details of each process have already been described, so further explanation is omitted.

[0170] (5-2B) Figure 14B is a block diagram showing another variation of the communication system. The communication system S3 in Figure 14B differs from the configuration in Figure 14A in that the master station device 200B does not have a CU201B.

[0171] CU201A acquires the communication status of not only RU300A but also RU300B, and generates signal EN2 based on that information. CU201A transmits signal EN2 to DU202B, for example, via the Xn interface.

[0172] Based on signal EN2, the DU202B generates signal CI2 to instruct the RU300B to perform power-saving operation and sends it to the RU300B. The RU300B changes its operating mode based on the energy-saving control information contained in signal CI2.

[0173] The connection configurations of RU300C, RP301C, or IAB 302 to RU300B shown above in (5-1A) to (5-1D), and the configuration of arranging the master station 200B in (5-2A) to (5-2B), can also be applied in the third embodiment. That is, even when the control device 100 is provided, the configurations in (5-1A) to (5-2B) can be applied.

[0174] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from its intent. For example, the technology described in this disclosure is not limited to dedicated communication equipment, but can be applied to any device having communication capabilities. Furthermore, in this disclosure, User Equipment (UE) (or including mobile station, mobile terminal, mobile device, or wireless device, etc.) is an entity connected to a network via a wireless interface.

[0175] The processing of the master station device 10 in Embodiment 1 may be implemented by a rule-based algorithm or by a pre-trained AI (Artificial Intelligence) model. This AI model is trained by inputting training data that includes, for example, multiple sets of communication status between the slave station device and the user terminal and the correct label for the power saving control instruction content of the slave station device. Similarly, the processing of the control device 30 in Embodiment 2 may also be implemented by a rule-based algorithm or by a pre-trained AI model. This AI model is trained by inputting training data that includes, for example, multiple sets of communication status between the wireless communication unit and the user terminal and the correct label for the power saving control instruction content. The communication status includes, for example, numerical values ​​such as traffic information, wireless resource utilization, and the length of the user terminal scheduling queue. The power saving control instruction content includes, for example, at least one of Energy saving enable, Energy saving status (degree of power consumption reduction), or Energy saving control, but is not limited to these.

[0176] In the control device 100, CU201, and DU202 in Embodiment 3, these processes may be implemented using a rule-based algorithm, or they may be implemented using an AI model that has undergone the same pre-training as described above.

[0177] (Example hardware configuration) In the embodiments described above, this disclosure has been explained as a hardware configuration, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. This disclosure can also be implemented by having a processor in a computer execute a computer program to perform the processing (steps) of each device or control device of the base station described in the embodiments described above.

[0178] Figure 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device (signal processing device) on which the processing described above is performed. Referring to Figure 15, this information processing device 90 includes a signal processing circuit 91, a processor 92, and a memory 93.

[0179] The signal processing circuit 91 is a circuit for processing signals in accordance with the control of the processor 92. The signal processing circuit 91 may also include a communication circuit for sending and receiving signals with other devices. The communication circuit may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) compliant with the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3 series.

[0180] The processor 92 is connected to (coupled with) the memory 93 and performs the processing of the device described in the above embodiment by reading and executing software (computer programs) from the memory 93. As an example of the processor 92, one of the following may be used: CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), DSP (Demand-Side Platform), or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or multiple of these may be used in parallel.

[0181] Memory 93 is composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof. Memory 93 is not limited to one unit, but may be provided in multiple units. Volatile memory may be RAM (Random Access Memory) such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). Non-volatile memory may be ROM (Read Only Memory) such as PROM (Programmable Random Only Memory) or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), flash memory, or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0182] Memory 93 is used to store one or more instructions. Here, one or more instructions are stored in memory 93 as a group of software modules. The processor 92 can perform the processing described in the above embodiment by reading and executing these software modules from memory 93.

[0183] Furthermore, the memory 93 may include not only memory located outside the processor 92, but also memory built into the processor 92. The memory 93 may also include storage located separately from the processors that make up the processor 92. In this case, the processor 92 can access the memory 93 via an I / O (Input / Output) interface.

[0184] As described above, the one or more processors in each of the above embodiments execute one or more programs that include a set of instructions for causing a computer to perform the algorithm described with reference to the drawings. This process enables the signal processing method described in each embodiment.

[0185] The program, when loaded into a computer, includes a set of instructions (or software code) for causing the computer to perform one or more of the functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium or a physical storage medium. Examples, but not limited to, include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray® disc or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. The program may be transmitted over a temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium. Examples, but not limited to, include temporary computer-readable medium or a communication medium that includes electrical, optical, acoustic or other forms of propagating signals.

[0186] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following: (Note 1) Processor and Equipped with a transceiver, The processor, in relation to the transceiver, It is configured to transmit power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the slave station equipment of a base station that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal. Base station master unit. (Note 2) The processor changes the degree to which the power consumption of the slave station is reduced by the power saving control information, based on the communication status between the slave station and the user terminal. The master station equipment of the base station described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The information indicating the communication status is information indicating the utilization rate of wireless resources in communication between the user terminal and the slave station device. The master station equipment of the base station described in Appendix 2. (Note 4) The information indicating the communication status is information indicating the amount of traffic in communication between the user terminal and the slave station device. The master station equipment of the base station described in Appendix 2. (Note 5) The power saving control information includes information that controls the wireless signal communicated between the slave station device and the user terminal. The base station master unit described in any one of the items 1 to 4 of the appendix. (Note 6) The power saving control information controls at least one of the following: the on or off of a symbol in a time slot in the radio signal, the maximum modulation degree of the radio signal, or the frequency of the radio signal. The master station equipment of the base station described in Appendix 5. (Note 7) The power saving control information includes specific information that identifies the function used by the slave station device to reduce power consumption. The base station master unit described in any one of the items 1 to 6 of the appendix. (Note 8) The transceiver receives a report from the slave unit indicating that the slave unit has a function that can reduce power consumption. The processor determines the specific information based on the report. The master station equipment of the base station described in Appendix 7. (Note 9) The report describes the functions of the slave station device that can reduce power consumption, and the functions of the relay device that relays between the slave station device and the master station device that can reduce power consumption. The base station master unit described in Appendix 8. (Note 10) The transceiver transmits to the control unit of the base station device the functions of the base station device, excluding the functions of the base station device that are not supported by the base station device, from among the functions indicated in the report. The base station master unit described in Appendix 8. (Note 11) The transceiver receives an enable signal from an external control device to reduce the power consumption of the slave station device. The processor generates the power saving control information based on the enable signal. The base station master unit described in any one of the appendices 1 to 10. (Note 12) The power-saving control information is control information that reduces the power consumption of the slave station device and at least one of another slave station device or relay device connected to the slave station device. The base station master unit described in any one of the items 1 to 11 of the appendices. (Note 13) Processor and Equipped with a transceiver, The processor, in relation to the transceiver, Regarding a base station having a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal, it is configured to transmit power-saving control information in order to reduce the power consumption of the wireless communication unit. Control device. (Note 14) The processor changes the degree to which the power consumption of the wireless communication unit is reduced by the power saving control information, based on the communication status between the wireless communication unit and the user terminal. The control device described in Appendix 13. (Note 15) The information indicating the communication status is information indicating the utilization rate of wireless resources in communication between the user terminal and the wireless communication unit. The control device described in Appendix 14. (Note 16) The information indicating the communication status is information indicating the amount of traffic in communication between the user terminal and the wireless communication unit. The control device described in Appendix 14. (Note 17) The power saving control information includes information that controls the wireless signal communicated between the wireless communication unit and the user terminal. A control device as described in any one of the appendices 13 to 16. (Note 18) The power saving control information controls at least one of the following: the on or off of a symbol in a time slot in the radio signal, the maximum modulation degree of the radio signal, or the frequency of the radio signal. The control device described in Appendix 17. (Note 19) The power saving control information includes specific information that identifies the function used by the wireless communication unit to reduce power consumption. A control device as described in any one of the appendices 13 to 18. (Note 20) The transceiver receives a report from the base station indicating that the base station has a function that can reduce power consumption. The processor determines the specific information based on the report. The control device described in Appendix 19. (Note 21) The processor presents the contents of the report to the user, allows the user to select one or more functions from the presented functions, and generates the power saving control information such that the selected function is identified by the specific information. The control device described in Appendix 20. (Note 22) The transceiver transmits the power-saving control information to the base station's master station to reduce the power consumption of the slave station having the wireless communication unit at the base station. A control device as described in any one of the items 13 to 21 of the appendix. (Note 23) The power-saving control information is control information that reduces the power consumption of the slave station device and at least one of another slave station device or relay device connected to the slave station device. The control device described in Appendix 22. (Note 24) The power saving control information includes an enable signal for reducing the power consumption of the slave station device. The control device described in Appendix 22 or 23. (Note 25) The base station's master station equipment, The base station's slave station equipment comprises, The aforementioned master station device, The first processor, Equipped with a first transceiver, The first processor provides the first transceiver with respect to: The slave station device that communicates wirelessly with the user terminal is configured to transmit power-saving control information in order to reduce its power consumption. The aforementioned substation device is, The second processor, Equipped with a second transceiver, The second processor provides the second transceiver with respect to: The system is configured to receive the aforementioned power saving control information from the master station device. Communication system. (Note 26) The first processor modifies the degree of power reduction of the slave unit, as indicated by the power saving control information, based on the communication status between the slave unit and the user terminal. The communication system described in Appendix 25. (Note 27) Control device and Equipped with a base station, The control device is The first processor, Equipped with a first transceiver, The first processor provides the first transceiver with respect to: The base station, which has a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal, is configured to transmit power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the wireless communication unit. The aforementioned base station is The second processor, Equipped with a second transceiver, The second processor provides the second transceiver with respect to: The device is configured to receive the aforementioned power saving control information from the control device. Communication system. (Note 28) The first processor changes the degree of power reduction of the wireless communication unit, as indicated by the power saving control information, based on the communication status between the wireless communication unit and the user terminal. The communication system described in Appendix 27. (Note 29) This includes transmitting power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of a base station's slave equipment that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal. A method executed by the base station's master unit equipment. (Note 30) Regarding a base station having a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal, the transmission of power-saving control information for reducing the power consumption of the wireless communication unit includes: A method executed by a control device. (Note 31) It transmits power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the base station's slave equipment that communicates wirelessly with the user terminal. A program that causes a computer to perform a task. (Note 32) Regarding a base station having a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal, the base station transmits power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the wireless communication unit. A program that causes a computer to perform a task.

[0187] While the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present disclosure may be made that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the disclosure.

[0188] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-128024, filed on 10 August 2022, and incorporates all of its disclosures herein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0189] B1 base station 10 Master station device 11 Communications Unit 12 Control Unit 20 Slave device 30 Control device 31 Communications Unit 32 Control Unit 40 base station S1 Communication System 100 Control device 200 Master station device 201 CU 202 DU 300 Slave unit (RU) 301 RP 302 IAB 400 UE

Claims

1. Processor and Equipped with a transceiver, The processor, in relation to the transceiver, The base station that communicates wirelessly with the user terminal transmits power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the slave station device, and the power-saving control information includes specific information that identifies the function used by the slave station device to reduce power consumption. The slave unit receives a report from the slave unit indicating a function that can reduce power consumption. The processor determines the specific information based on the report. Base station master unit.

2. The processor changes the degree to which the power consumption of the slave station is reduced by the power saving control information, based on the communication status between the slave station and the user terminal. The base station master station device according to claim 1.

3. The information indicating the communication status is information indicating the utilization rate of wireless resources in communication between the user terminal and the slave station device. The base station master station device according to claim 2.

4. Processor and Equipped with a transceiver, The processor, in relation to the transceiver, Regarding a base station having a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal, the base station transmits power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of the wireless communication unit, and the power-saving control information includes specific information that identifies the function used by the wireless communication unit to reduce power consumption. The base station receives a report indicating that it has a function that can reduce power consumption. The processor determines the specific information based on the report. Control device.

5. The processor changes the degree to which the power consumption of the wireless communication unit is reduced by the power saving control information, based on the communication status between the wireless communication unit and the user terminal. The control device according to claim 4.

6. The information indicating the communication status is information indicating the utilization rate of wireless resources in communication between the user terminal and the wireless communication unit. The control device according to claim 5.

7. The base station transmits power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of a slave station device that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal, and the power-saving control information includes specific information that identifies the function used by the slave station device to reduce power consumption. The slave unit receives a report from the slave unit indicating a function that can reduce power consumption. This includes determining the specific information based on the aforementioned report, A method executed by the base station's master unit equipment.

8. Regarding a base station having a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal, the base station transmits power-saving control information for reducing the power consumption of the wireless communication unit, and the power-saving control information includes specific information that identifies the function used by the wireless communication unit to reduce power consumption. The base station receives a report indicating that the base station has a function that can reduce power consumption. This includes determining the specific information based on the aforementioned report, A method executed by a control device.

9. The base station transmits power-saving control information to reduce the power consumption of a slave station device that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal, and the power-saving control information includes specific information that identifies the function used by the slave station device to reduce power consumption. The slave unit receives a report from the slave unit indicating a function that can reduce power consumption. Based on the above report, the specific information is determined. A program that causes a computer to perform a task.

10. Regarding a base station having a wireless communication unit that communicates wirelessly with a user terminal, the base station transmits power-saving control information for reducing the power consumption of the wireless communication unit, and the power-saving control information includes specific information that identifies the function used by the wireless communication unit to reduce power consumption. The base station receives a report indicating that the base station has a function that can reduce power consumption. Based on the above report, the specific information is determined. A program that causes a computer to perform a task.

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