Communication system, server, and communication method

Abstract

The present invention realizes a communication system that is capable of both securing an appropriate communication area and optimizing power consumption in a plurality of base stations. A communication system (1) includes: a measurement device (12) that measures the power consumption amount for each of a plurality of base stations (10A, 10B, 10C); and a server (20) that acquires the power consumption amount measured by the measurement device, and executes transmission range control processing for narrowing the range of radio wave transmission for mobile communication with respect to a base station having a power consumption amount larger than other base stations and for widening the range of radio wave transmission for mobile communication with respect to any of the other base stations.

Description

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, SERVER, AND COMMUNICATION METHOD

[0001] The present invention relates to communication systems such as 5G networks.

[0002] In a 5G wireless network (mobile communication network) to which the present invention is applied, optimization and automation of radio resources of a RAN (Radio Access Network) are realized by a so-called RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller). Patent Document 1 cites a smart meter as an example of a terminal distributed in a network. Patent Document 2 discloses the installation of a smart meter on the consumer side, such as a home or a building.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-501359 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-127190

[0004] However, the above-described conventional techniques do not take into consideration the compatibility between securing an appropriate communication area and optimizing power consumption in a plurality of base stations.

[0005] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a communication system or the like that can ensure an appropriate communication area and optimize power consumption in a plurality of base stations.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the communication system of the present invention includes a measuring device that measures the power consumption of each of a plurality of base stations that make up a mobile communication network, and a server that acquires the power consumption measured by the measuring device via the mobile communication network, narrows the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for a base station that has a higher power consumption than other base stations, and widens the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for any of the other base stations.

[0007] In addition, the server according to the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires, via the mobile communication network, the power consumption measured for each of a plurality of base stations that constitute the mobile communication network, and a transmission range control unit that, based on the power consumption acquired by the acquisition unit, narrows the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for a base station having a higher power consumption than other base stations, and expands the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for any of the other base stations.

[0008] In addition, the communication method of the present invention includes a measurement step of measuring the power consumption of each of a plurality of base stations that constitute a mobile communication network, an acquisition step of acquiring the power consumption measured in the measurement step via the mobile communication network, and a transmission range control step of narrowing the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for a base station having a power consumption greater than that of other base stations, and widening the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for any of the other base stations.

[0009] The server according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the server control program that realizes the server on a computer by causing the computer to operate as each part (software element) of the server, and the computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a communication system that can ensure an appropriate communication area while optimizing power consumption in a plurality of base stations.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment; Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication method in the communication system according to the present embodiment; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a communication method in a conventional communication system; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a communication method in the communication system according to the present embodiment.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a configuration example of a communication system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the communication system 1 includes a plurality of base stations 10A, 10B, and 10C, and a server 20. Note that the communication system 1 according to this embodiment is assumed to be a 5G network, but is not limited thereto, and can be applied to any communication network having similar functions.

[0013] Base stations 10A, 10B, and 10C constitute a mobile communication network. Base stations 10A, 10B, and 10C are also referred to as a RAN (Radio Access Network). Base station 10A includes an antenna unit 11A and a measurement device 12A. Base station 10A performs mobile communication with a user terminal (not shown) within area 15A. Base station 10B includes an antenna unit 11B and a measurement device 12B. Base station 10B performs mobile communication with a user terminal (not shown) within area 15B. Base station 10C includes an antenna unit 11C and a measurement device 12C. Base station 10C performs mobile communication with a user terminal (not shown) within area 15C.

[0014] For simplicity in the following description, base stations 10A to 10C may be collectively referred to simply as base station 10. Antenna units 11A to 11C may be collectively referred to simply as antenna unit 11. Measuring devices 12A to 12C may be collectively referred to simply as measuring device 12. Areas 15A to 15C may be collectively referred to simply as area 15.

[0015] The antenna unit 11 transmits radio waves for mobile communication within the range of the area 15. The antenna unit 11 also receives radio waves for mobile communication from user terminals within the range of the area 15. The structure of the antenna unit 11 is not particularly limited, and may have the structure of a known antenna unit.

[0016] The measuring device 12 measures the power consumption of the base station 10. The measuring device 12 outputs a signal indicating the measurement result. The measuring device 12 may be, for example, a so-called smart meter. The power consumption of the base station 10 measured by the measuring device 12 includes not only the power consumption due to communication between the antenna unit 11 and user terminals, but also the power consumption due to the operation of an air conditioning mechanism for maintaining the temperature inside the base station 10 within an appropriate range, for example.

[0017] 1, each base station 10 is equipped with a measuring device 12. However, in the communication system 1, each base station 10 does not necessarily have to be equipped with a measuring device 12. For example, a single measuring device may measure the power consumption of two or more base stations.

[0018] The server 20 comprehensively controls the operations of the multiple base stations 10. The server 20 includes an acquisition unit 21 and a transmission range control unit 22. Although not shown, the server 20 may also be provided with a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC).

[0019] The acquisition unit 21 measures the power consumption of each of the plurality of base stations 10 using the measurement device 12. The acquisition unit 21 also acquires the power consumption of each of the plurality of base stations 10 measured by the measurement device 12 via the mobile communication network configured by the base station 10.

[0020] The transmission range control unit 22 executes a transmission range control process to control the range over which each of the plurality of base stations 10 transmits radio waves for mobile communication. In the transmission range control process, the transmission range control unit 22 narrows the range over which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for a base station 10 whose power consumption is greater than that of the other base stations 10, based on the power consumption acquired by the acquisition unit 21, and widens the range over which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for any of the other base stations 10. The transmission range control unit 22 transmits a transmission range setting instruction to each of the plurality of base stations 10 to set the range over which radio waves are transmitted.

[0021] 1 shows only a portion of the 5G network, and the entire 5G network includes many more base stations 10 and servers 20. Furthermore, the number of base stations 10 controlled by one server 20 is not limited to three.

[0022] (Communication Method) Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication method in the communication system 1. In the communication method in the communication system 1, first, the acquisition unit 21 measures the power consumption of each of the multiple base stations 10 using the measurement device 12 (S1, measurement step). Next, the acquisition unit 21 acquires the power consumption measured in the measurement step via the mobile communication network (S2, acquisition step). The transmission range control unit 22 narrows the range of transmission of radio waves for mobile communication for a base station 10 whose power consumption is greater than that of the other base stations 10, and expands the range of transmission of radio waves for mobile communication for any of the other base stations 10 (S3, transmission range control step).

[0023] While the communication method is being executed, the server 20 repeats steps S1 to S3 at regular intervals. The regular intervals may be intervals that allow each of the base stations 10 to appropriately change the range over which it transmits radio waves in response to fluctuations in power consumption at each of the base stations 10 due to environmental changes, etc. Specifically, the regular intervals may be, for example, 10 minutes.

[0024] (Specific Example of Communication Method) Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a communication method in a conventional communication system. In the example shown in Fig. 3, base station 10A is located in a location that is easily exposed to sunlight. On the other hand, base stations 10B and 10C are located in locations that are less exposed to sunlight than base station 10A due to the influence of surrounding buildings, etc. For this reason, base station 10A is more likely to become hotter than base stations 10B and 10C.

[0025] Each of the base stations 10A to 10C has an air conditioning mechanism for maintaining its own temperature at an appropriate level. In the above case, the air conditioning mechanism of the base station 10A consumes more power than the base stations 10B and 10C.

[0026] In conventional communication systems, the size of areas 15A to 15C is determined without considering the power consumption of each of base stations 10A to 10C. Therefore, even if the power consumption of base station 10A is greater than the power consumption of base stations 10B and 10C, the size of areas 15A to 15C will be approximately the same, as shown in Figure 3. As a result, in the example shown in Figure 3, if the power consumption of base stations 10B and 10C is 1.0, the power consumption of base station 10A will be 1.5. Therefore, the total power consumption of base stations 10A to 10C will be 3.5.

[0027] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a communication method in the communication system 1 according to this embodiment. The positions of the base stations 10A to 10C in the example shown in Fig. 4 are the same as the positions of the base stations 10A to 10C in the example shown in Fig. 3.

[0028] In the communication method in the communication system 1, the server 20 determines the range of the areas 15A to 15C taking into consideration the power consumption of each of the base stations 10A to 10C. The server 20 narrows the range over which the base station 10A, which has a high power consumption, transmits radio waves. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the server 20 narrows the range over which the base station 10A transmits radio waves so that the power consumption of the base station 10A becomes 1.0.

[0029] Furthermore, the server 20 expands the ranges over which the base stations 10B and 10C transmit radio waves. Specifically, the server 20 increases the power at which the base stations 10B and 10C transmit radio waves so that the areas no longer included in the area 15A are included in the areas 15B and 15C. At this time, if the power at which the base stations 10B and 10C transmit radio waves is increased so that the power consumption of each of the base stations 10B and 10C becomes 1.1, the areas no longer included in the area 15A can be included in the areas 15B and 15C.

[0030] In this case, the total power consumption of the base stations 10A to 10C is 3.2. Therefore, according to the communication system 1 of this embodiment, the overall power consumption of the base stations 10A to 10C can be reduced without affecting users located near the base stations 10A to 10C.

[0031] In the above example, time periods were not particularly considered. However, if there is a difference in the amount of power consumed by each base station 10 only during a specific time period, such as the afternoon, the server 20 may execute the transmission range control process only during that time period.

[0032] (Effects of the communication system) In conventional communication systems, it was not possible to grasp the power consumption of each base station comprehensively in real time. As a result, the only measures that could be taken to reduce power consumption at base stations were to take measures that could be implemented at each base station, such as putting the base station into sleep mode during times of low communication volume, such as at night, or using solar power generation and storage batteries.

[0033] In the communication system 1, the server 20 can comprehensively grasp the power consumption of each base station in real time. Furthermore, the server 20 can coordinate multiple base stations to reduce the overall power consumption of the multiple base stations so as not to affect users. This makes it possible to ensure an appropriate communication area while optimizing the power consumption of the multiple base stations. Such an effect also contributes to achieving, for example, Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations, "Affordable and Clean Energy."

[0034] (Modification) The communication method in the communication system 1 is not limited to the above example. For example, each base station 10 may be equipped with a storage battery. In this case, the server 20 may acquire a signal indicating the remaining capacity of the storage battery equipped in each base station 10. Furthermore, the server 20 may execute a transmission range control process based on the power consumption and the remaining capacity of the storage battery acquired by the acquisition unit 21.

[0035] For example, the server 20 may widen the radio wave transmission range of a base station 10 that has the same or lower power consumption and a large remaining battery charge compared to the surrounding base stations 10. In this case, the server 20 may narrow the radio wave transmission range of the base stations 10 surrounding the base station 10 whose radio wave transmission range has been widened.

[0036] The remaining battery charge of base stations 10 around a base station 10 whose radio wave transmission range has been expanded is smaller than the remaining battery charge of the base station 10 whose radio wave transmission range has been expanded. Therefore, by the server 20 changing the radio wave transmission range of each base station 10 as described above, the power consumption of base stations 10 located around base stations 10 whose battery charge is large is reduced. As a result, base stations 10 located around base stations 10 whose battery charge is large can store surplus power and increase the remaining battery charge. Note that if there is a base station 10 that does not have a battery, the remaining battery charge of that base station 10 may be set to 0.

[0037] In cold regions where snow accumulates, the base station 10 may be equipped with a snow melting mechanism for melting snow. In this case, the power consumed by the base station 10 includes the power required to operate the snow melting mechanism.

[0038] The amount of power consumed by the snow melting mechanism is greater in base stations 10 that are less likely to become hot than in base stations 10 that are more likely to become hot. Therefore, when snow accumulates, it is conceivable that the power consumption will be greater in base stations 10 that are not exposed to sunlight than in base stations 10 that are more likely to be exposed to sunlight, contrary to the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4. In this case, the server 20 may narrow the range over which the base stations 10 that are not exposed to sunlight transmit radio waves, and may widen the range over which the base stations 10 that are exposed to sunlight transmit radio waves.

[0039] [Example of implementation using software] The functions of the server 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") can be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the device, and a program that causes a computer to function as each control block of the device (particularly the transmission range control unit 22).

[0040] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The functions described in each of the above embodiments are realized by executing the program using the control device and storage device.

[0041] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0042] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the control blocks can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of the control blocks can also be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0043] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may run on the control device or on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server). In particular, it is preferable that the transmission range control process executed by the server 20 be realized using AI.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0045] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Communication system 10, 10A, 10B, 10C Base station 12, 12A, 12B, 12C Measuring device 20 Server 21 Acquisition unit 22 Transmission range control unit

Claims

1. A communication system comprising: a measuring device that measures the power consumption of each of a plurality of base stations that make up a mobile communication network; and a server that acquires the power consumption measured by the measuring device via the mobile communication network, and executes a transmission range control process that narrows the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for a base station that consumes more power than other base stations, and expands the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for any of the other base stations.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the server further acquires the remaining battery charge of each of a plurality of base stations via the mobile communication network, and executes the transmission range control process based on the power consumption and the remaining battery charge.

3. A server comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires, via the mobile communication network, the amount of power consumption measured for each of a plurality of base stations that make up the mobile communication network; and a transmission range control unit that, based on the amount of power consumption acquired by the acquisition unit, narrows the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for a base station that has a higher power consumption than other base stations, and expands the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for any of the other base stations.

4. A communication method comprising: a measurement step of measuring the power consumption of each of a plurality of base stations constituting a mobile communication network; an acquisition step of acquiring the power consumption measured in the measurement step via the mobile communication network; and a transmission range control step of narrowing the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for a base station having a higher power consumption than other base stations, and widening the range in which radio waves for mobile communication are transmitted for any of the other base stations.

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