Method for managing an operating mode of an access point, access point, communication method and user device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing an operating mode of an access point (2-1) of a telecommunications network (NW), which method comprises, following a determined event relating to at least one device of the network detected in the network: - a step of switching the access point to a so-called degraded operating mode in which the access point operates at a reduced capacity; and - a step of announcing, across a coverage area of the access point, the degraded operating mode of the access point.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Method for managing an operating mode of an access point, access point, communication method and user equipment Previous technique

[0001] The invention falls within the general field of telecommunications.

[0002] It relates more specifically to the management of an operating mode of an access point of a telecommunications network, such as for example a base station of a 5G mobile network also called a gNodeB. The invention is applicable, however, to all types of networks and all types of access points.

[0003] With climate change, most companies, and in particular fixed and mobile network operators, are now sensitive to issues of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Some companies have already set themselves targets for reducing their energy consumption and carbon footprint, and more generally for improving their energy efficiency.

[0004] In the context of mobile networks, and particularly those defined by the 3GPP standard (Third Generation Partnership Project), the search for improved energy efficiency was initially addressed at the level of user equipment (UE). The UE is indeed the most constrained entity in terms of energy budget, and improving its energy efficiency allows, in particular, for maximizing its autonomy and preserving its battery health. Thus, various mechanisms have been defined over the years by the 3GPP standard for this purpose, such as discontinuous reception (DRX), wake-up signals (WUS), adaptive monitoring of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and raging early indication (PEI), among others.

[0005] More recently, energy efficiency in network equipment has become a strategic issue for mobile network operators, driven by the ever-increasing data rates offered by these networks and the network densification inherent in new generations of mobile radio systems. Beyond CSR concerns, network energy consumption represents a growing share of operators' operating expenses (OPEX).

[0006] Various approaches can be considered to control the energy consumption of network equipment, and more specifically that of network access points such as base stations.

[0007] A first approach is typically linked to spectral efficiency, and focuses on the design of L1 and L2 layers in order to achieve the best possible data rates for the lowest possible signal-to-noise plus interference ratio.

[0008] A second approach, also known as Advanced Sleep Mode (ASM), involves exploiting periods of low upstream or downstream traffic on the access point to switch it to sleep mode. This second approach was initially implemented proprietaryly by infrastructure vendors, and incidentally operators. Then, normative elements were gradually introduced at the 3GPP standard level under the term "Network Energy Saving techniques".

[0009] These network energy-saving techniques specifically target adaptations to the operating mode of network base stations in terms of signal power, active antennas, bandwidth, and / or discontinuous transmission / reception (DRX / DTX). In other words, the base station operates in a low-energy consumption state, resulting in reduced capacity in terms of resources (transmitted power, active antennas, spectrum, active time slots, etc.), but this does not negatively impact user equipment within its coverage area due to the low traffic associated with that equipment.

[0010] In particular, a technique commonly considered in this context, and when the base station has multiple frequency bands, is the (total) deactivation of certain frequency bands. The implementation of this technique relies on maintaining a so-called coverage band to ensure service continuity, while the other bands are used for capacity. Thus, during periods of low traffic, the network operator can decide to deactivate certain capacity bands at a base station, provided that this is transparent to active users within the cell covered by that base station, and especially that it does not impact their Quality of Service (QoS).

[0011] The use of these ASM techniques at the base station level is therefore limited today to periods of lower traffic associated with user equipment covered by the base station in order to allow a reduction in the network's energy consumption while preserving the quality of service offered to users.

[0012] It also requires a prediction of the traffic associated with the user equipment covered by the base station, for example using an artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) algorithm. If this prediction is incorrect, activating such an ASM technique can lead to an unacceptable QoS situation for some base station users. Description of the invention

[0013] The invention remedies the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a method for managing an operating mode of an access point of a telecommunications network, this method comprising, following a determined event relating to at least one piece of network equipment detected in the network: a step of switching the access point into a so-called degraded operating mode in which the access point operates at reduced capacity; and a step of announcing, over a coverage area of ​​the access point, said degraded operating mode of the access point.

[0014] Correspondingly, the invention also relates to an access point to a telecommunications network comprising: - a failover module configured to, following a specific event related to at least one network device detected in the network, switch over the access point in a so-called degraded operating mode in which the access point operates at reduced capacity; and - an announcement module configured to announce over a coverage area of ​​the access point the degraded operating mode into which the access point is switched by the failover module.

[0015] Thus, the invention proposes that upon detection of a specific event, such as a change in the power supply to a network access point, the latter switches to a degraded operating mode in order to conserve its resources, and in the aforementioned example, its energy supply. The invention advantageously provides that an access point switching to such a degraded operating mode informs the user equipment it serves of this reduced-capacity operation (for example, by broadcasting this information over its coverage area), so that the equipment can adapt to this degraded operation of the access point.By "reduced capacity," we mean that the access point has a capacity lower than its nominal capacity, that is, the capacity for which it is designed under normal operating conditions and which reflects its ability to support a certain number of users and meet their traffic needs with a satisfactory quality of service (QoS). Such capacity depends on the traffic of users within its coverage area and their QoS requirements, taking into account the resources available to the access point, particularly in terms of power, connection to the core network (also called "backhaul link"), computing resources, usable bandwidth, etc. The capacity of an access point can thus be expressed, in a way that is inherently well-known, in terms of computing capacity and / or speed, available power, available bandwidth, and / or available hardware (for example, number of antennas, power amplifiers, etc.).) at the access point, etc.

[0016] No limitations are attached to the entity initiating the access point's switch to a reduced-capacity operating mode (the access point itself or another network entity), nor to the context in which this switchover is decided. Activation of a degraded operating mode at the access point is linked to the occurrence of a specific network event, typically an event likely to reduce the access point's capacity, such as the access point implementing a technique to disable capacity-based frequency bands managed by the access point during a period of low traffic, as mentioned previously.

[0017] Advantageously, the invention is not limited to switching the access point to a reduced-capacity operating mode during periods of low traffic to avoid impacting the quality of service provided to the user equipment it serves. Thanks to the access point's notification system, which informs user equipment of the reduced capacity, the invention also enables such a switchover following the detection of other events, such as an anomaly affecting the operation of at least one piece of network equipment. This equipment could be the access point itself or another piece of network infrastructure equipment. Such an anomaly could, in particular, concern the access point's power supply or a connection link from the access point to a core network ("backhaul link") of the telecommunications network.For example, reduced capacity operation of the access point may be triggered following a power outage of the access point due to an incident or maintenance of predetermined duration, or a switchover of the access point's power supply. access to a backup power supply (e.g., a battery), to an insufficient supply (e.g., a battery powered by photovoltaic panels in a context of low sunlight), or following a failure of the backhaul link, a failure of part of the network infrastructure, excessive temperature, a decrease in the available computing capacity of the access point, etc.

[0018] In another context, the mechanism proposed by the invention could be activated to adapt to the energy mix present in the access point's coverage area, and for example, reduce its electricity consumption when electricity has a significant carbon footprint, thereby enabling the network operator to meet its carbon commitments. The invention can also be used to adapt to certain regulatory constraints, particularly regarding carbon footprint, exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), etc. Of course, these are only illustrative examples, and the invention is applicable in many other contexts.

[0019] The invention thus enables the access point to modulate its capacity to adapt to its context (for example, by adjusting its traffic load according to its available capacity), and in particular to its energy situation or any other situation that requires it, as mentioned above, by switching to a degraded operating mode. This allows it to conserve its energy resources rather than, as in the prior art, continuing to provide services to the user equipment it serves under nominal operating conditions until its power supply is depleted. In this way, the access point can extend its autonomy, and therefore incidentally its ability to provide essential services to user equipment located within its coverage area (for example, emergency services).

[0020] Such a shift to a degraded operating mode can impact the quality of service experienced by the user devices served by the access point. Thanks to this invention, these user devices are informed of this reduced-capacity operation of the access point and encouraged to adapt to the situation (for example, by changing access points, and / or by changing their behavior and use of the access point's resources, by foregoing non-essential services, by reducing their traffic requirements, etc.), thereby limiting the risk of access point congestion. Through their behavior in response to the access point's announcement, they can also contribute to preserving the access point's resources and improving its performance while awaiting a return to full capacity.

[0021] The invention thus offers network operators great flexibility and a wide range of options for defining their network management policy, and in particular their energy management policy.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the degraded operating mode into which the access point is switched is selected according to the nature and / or severity of the detected anomaly.

[0023] The invention enables the access point to autonomously trigger a degraded operating mode adapted to its situation due to the detected anomaly. It can take into account, in particular, the expected duration of the anomaly if known to the access point, its magnitude, etc., but also its nature, which may impact its capacity and how to adapt that capacity.

[0024] In particular, in a specific embodiment, the degraded operating mode into which the access point is switched may include a degradation, for at least one user device located in said coverage area of ​​the access point, of at least one element among latency, throughput, number of allocated physical resource blocks, transmitted signal power and / or number and / or types of accessible services.

[0025] We can therefore consider gradual degraded operating modes of the access point adapted to the context and the detected event, and when this event is an anomaly affecting the operation of a network equipment, to the nature and / or severity of this anomaly.

[0026] For example, the least degraded operating modes considered by the access point may result in a decrease in the quality of service offered to users within the access point's coverage area due to the degradation of one of the aforementioned parameters (e.g., increased latency, reduced coverage area, decreased bandwidth, limitation of the number of physical resource blocks allocated to a user device, etc.). Conversely, the most degraded operating modes considered by the access point may limit the services accessible within the coverage area and, in the most extreme operating mode, allow only emergency calls and SMS (Short Message Service) messages.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, the management process announcement step includes at least one piece of information from among: information representing a level of degradation induced by the degraded operating mode into which the access point is switched; information representing at least one area adjacent to the coverage area of ​​the access point, covered by at least one other access point of the network that is not switched into a degraded operating mode or that is switched into a degraded operating mode with a lower level of degradation; information representing a duration of switching of the access point into said degraded operating mode; information representing a behavior to be adopted by at least one user device located in the coverage area of ​​the access point.

[0028] This information provides valuable insights to user devices, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding behavior when the access point is operating at reduced capacity. Furthermore, it informs users within the access point's coverage area about any service filtering policies the access point may be implementing based on its location. This type of information allows the access point to effectively adapt its traffic load within its coverage area according to its available capacity.

[0029] In a particular embodiment, the announcement step is implemented periodically over the coverage area of ​​the access point.

[0030] Such periodic announcements ensure that all user equipment present in or entering the coverage area of ​​the access point is informed of the degraded operating mode of the access point.

[0031] For example, during the announcement step, the degraded operating mode of the access point is announced in a system information block broadcast by the access point on its coverage area.

[0032] This allows a user device to have this information before connecting to the access point, and to do so, if necessary, with full knowledge of the situation, possibly adapting its behavior to the access point's energy status. Conversely, given this notification and the reduced capacity of the access point, the user device may choose not to connect to the access point and postpone its connection to the network, or select another access point that does not operate at reduced capacity.

[0033] This not only saves resources on the access point, but also limits the risk of a degraded quality of experience for network users.

[0034] The invention also applies to an announcement implemented aperiodically (for example with a period varying according to a degree of activity in the coverage area of ​​the access point) or punctually, for example following the detection of the event leading to switching the access point to the degraded operating mode.

[0035] In view of the foregoing, the invention therefore relies not only on the management process implemented by an access point, and correspondingly, on the access point capable of implementing this process, but also on the user equipment receiving the announcement from the access point and acting accordingly.

[0036] Thus, according to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of communication by a user equipment located in a coverage area of ​​an access point of a telecommunications network, this method comprising: a step of receiving an announcement made by an access point on its coverage area, of a so-called degraded operating mode in which the access point operates at reduced capacity and has switched over; and a step of triggering at least one action to take into account the degraded operating mode of the access point.

[0037] Correspondingly, the invention also relates to user equipment comprising: a receiving module configured to receive, when the user equipment is in a coverage area of ​​a network access point, an announcement made by the access point on said coverage area of ​​a so-called degraded operating mode in which the access point operates at reduced capacity and has switched over; and a triggering module, configured to trigger at least one action to take into account the degraded operating mode of the access point.

[0038] The communication method and user equipment according to the invention benefit from the same advantages mentioned above as the management method and access point according to the invention.

[0039] No limitations are attached to actions triggered by user equipment to take into account the degraded operating mode of the access point level.

[0040] Typically, at least one action triggered during the triggering step may depend on a level of degradation likely to affect a quality of service provided to said user equipment via the access point and induced by the degraded operating mode into which the access point has switched.

[0041] For example, an action triggered during the triggering step might include reselection of another network access point that has not switched to a degraded operating mode or that has switched to a degraded operating mode with a lower level of degradation likely to affect quality service provided to user equipment.

[0042] In another example, at least one action triggered during the triggering step can be chosen from: a cancellation and / or adaptation of at least some of the traffic exchanged between the user equipment and the access point; a reduction of the number and / or at least one type of services accessible by a user of the user equipment; a notification of a user of the user equipment.

[0043] Of course, these are merely illustrative examples and are not exhaustive of the invention. Other actions can be considered to allow user equipment to adapt to the degraded operating mode of the access point. The triggered actions can be at the discretion of the user equipment, depending in particular on its environment and / or context, while taking into account the reduced capacity of the access point to avoid network congestion. Alternatively, the actions triggered in response to the access point advertisement can be imposed on the user equipment by the network operator, for example, within the access point advertisement itself.

[0044] In one particular embodiment, the management and communication processes are implemented by a computer.

[0045] The invention also relates to a computer program on a recording medium, this program being capable of being implemented in a computer or more generally in an access point according to the invention and comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of a management process as described above.

[0046] The invention also relates to a computer program on a recording medium, this program being capable of being implemented in a computer or more generally in user equipment conforming to the invention and comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of a communication process as described above.

[0047] Each of these programs can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or code somewhere between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0048] The invention also relates to an information carrier or a recording medium readable by a computer, and comprising instructions for a computer program as mentioned above.

[0049] The information or recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing programs. For example, the medium may include a storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording means, for example a hard drive, or a flash memory.

[0050] On the other hand, the information or recording medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be carried via an electrical or optical cable, by radio link, by wireless optical link or by other means.

[0051] The program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded onto an Internet-type network.

[0052] Alternatively, the information or recording medium can be an integrated circuit in which a program is embedded, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of management and communication processes according to the invention.

[0053] According to a third aspect, the invention also relates to a system comprising at least one access point of a telecommunications network according to the invention and at least one user device according to the invention located in a coverage area of ​​the access point.

[0054] It can also be envisaged, in other embodiments, that the management and communication processes, the access point, the user equipment and the system according to the invention present in combination all or part of the aforementioned characteristics. Brief description of the drawings

[0055] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an example of an embodiment without being limiting in any way. In the figures: [Fig. 1] Figure 1 represents, in its environment, a system in a network according to the invention, in a first embodiment; [Fig. 2] Figure 2 schematically represents the hardware architecture of a computer capable of hosting any of the entities according to the invention belonging to the system of Figure 1; [Fig. 3] Figure 3 represents, in flowchart form, the main steps of a management process according to the invention as implemented by an access point of the system in Figure 1; and [Fig. 4] Figure 4 represents, in the form of a flowchart, the main steps of a communication process according to the invention as implemented by a user equipment of the system of Figure 1. Description of the invention

[0056] Figure 1 represents, in its environment, a system 1 according to the invention, in a particular embodiment in which the system 1 participates in managing the operating mode of at least one access point, generally referred to as 2, of an NW telecommunications network. By way of illustration, we are interested here in an operating mode of access point 2 that allows for the control of the energy consumption of access point 2.

[0057] In the example shown in Figure 1, the NW network is a 5G cellular mobile network as defined by the 3GPR standard, and the access points 2 belonging to system 1 are base stations 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 of the NW network, also called g NodeBs, conforming to the invention. As is known per se, such a base station 2, and more generally such an access point, is configured (antennas, transmitted power, etc.) to cover a nominal geographic area, generally referred to as ZC (and more specifically as ZC-1, ZC-2, ZC-3 for base stations 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 respectively), this ZC coverage area corresponding, for example, here to a cell of the NW network.

[0058] Under normal operating conditions, the access points 2 are assumed here to have a continuous power supply, for example via a mains power supply (SRC) distributing urban electricity, in a manner known per se. They also have a backup power supply (BATT), such as a battery charged by photovoltaic panels.

[0059] These assumptions are not, however, limiting in themselves, and the invention applies in other contexts, typically to other types of fixed or mobile networks (e.g. 4G, 6G, WLAN (for "Wireless Local Area Network"), etc.), incidentally to other types of access points allowing access to these networks and other coverage areas of these access points, to other sources of electrical energy powering these access points, or to other configurations of system 1 and to other purposes than the management of the electrical consumption of access points 2 of the NW network.

[0060] According to the invention, the system 1 further comprises at least one user equipment or UE 3, according to the invention, and located in the coverage area of ​​one of the access points 2 managed by the system 1. In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the user equipment 3 is located in the coverage area ZC-1 of the base station 2-1.

[0061] In the embodiment described here, the access point 2 (i.e. in the example envisaged in figure 1, the base stations 2-1, 2-2 and 2-3) and the user equipment 3 according to the invention have the hardware architecture of a computer 4, as represented in figure 2. This hardware architecture relies in particular on a processor PROC, a random access memory MEM, a read-only memory ROM, a non-volatile memory NVM, and COM means of communication via in particular the NW network or any other network.

[0062] The non-volatile NVM memory constitutes a recording medium according to the invention, readable by the PROC processor and on which a computer program according to the invention is recorded.

[0063] This program, denoted PROG2 when the hardware architecture of computer 4 is that of an access point 2 conforming to the invention, is stored in the non-volatile NVM memory and comprises instructions defining the main steps of a management process according to the invention. 11 more specifically defines the functional modules of access point 2 (represented in Figure 1), which rely on and / or control all or part of the PROC, MEM, ROM, NVM, and COM elements of computer 4 mentioned above.These functional modules include, in particular, in the embodiment described here: a failover module 2A configured to, following a determined event relating to at least one network device detected in the network, switch access point 2 into a so-called degraded operating mode in which access point 2 operates at reduced capacity; and an advertising module 2B configured to advertise on the coverage area ZC of access point 2 the degraded operating mode in which access point 2 is switched by its failover module 2A.

[0064] It should be noted that no limitation is attached to the entity detecting this event. The event in question can be detected by access point 2 itself or by another network entity (not shown in Figure 1), such as, for example, an OAM (for "Operations, Administration and Management") entity for the operations, administration and management of the NW network, controlled by the NW network operator, which reports the detection of the event to access point 2 or sends it a failover command to a limited capacity operating mode.

[0065] Furthermore, there are no limitations on the nature of the event that can trigger a switch of access point 2 to a reduced-capacity operating mode. Thus, in the illustrative example of managing the power consumption of access point 2 considered here, such an event could be an anomaly (i.e., (i.e., a deviation from nominal operation) affecting the access point 2 and concerning its power supply. Such an anomaly is for example a cut in its SRC mains power supply (which may be unexpected or programmed), a temporary switchover of access point 2 to its backup power supply BATT, a reduction in the amount of electrical energy available to access point 2 or an insufficient amount of electrical energy available to it (compared to an unlimited amount of energy such as that supplied by the SRC mains power supply), etc.

[0066] These are, however, only illustrative, non-limiting examples of the invention. The invention can be applied to other events detected in the NW network, such as an anomaly concerning the backhaul link connecting access point 2 to the core of the NW network, a temporary switchover from a fiber backhaul link to a backup backhaul link with a lower capacity, such as a microwave backhaul link, a failure affecting one or more pieces of equipment in the NW network infrastructure, etc.

[0067] The functions of modules 2A and 2B are described in more detail later with reference to the steps of the management process according to the invention.

[0068] When the hardware architecture of computer 4 is that of a user device 3. According to the invention, the program stored in the non-volatile memory NVM is a PROG3 program comprising instructions defining the main steps of a communication method according to the invention. 11. More specifically, it defines the functional modules of the user equipment 3 (shown in Figure 1), which rely on and / or control all or part of the PROC, MEM, ROM, NVM, and COM elements of the computer 4 mentioned previously.These functional modules include, in particular, in the embodiment described here: a 3Ade reception module, configured to receive, when user equipment 3 is in the coverage area ZC of an access point 2 of the NW network, an announcement made by the latter on its coverage area of ​​the degraded operating mode in which the access point 2 is operating at reduced capacity and has switched over where applicable; and a 3B triggering module, configured to trigger at least one action to take into account the degraded operating mode of the access point 2. Examples of such actions are described in more detail later.

[0069] The functions of modules 3A and 3B are described further below with reference to the steps of the communication process according to the invention.

[0070] Figure 3 represents the main steps of a management process according to the invention, as implemented by an access point 2 of the system 1, for example by the base station 2-1, in a particular embodiment.

[0071] We assume here, as a preliminary matter, that base station 2-1 is nominally (i.e., under normal operating conditions) supplied with continuous and (virtually) unlimited electrical power via its SRC mains supply, which distributes urban electricity. These normal operating conditions allow it to provide, in a manner known per se, a certain quality of service (referred to as nominal) to user equipment located within its coverage area, within the limits of its design. It thus operates in a nominal operating mode MOD-NOM (step E00).

[0072] We now assume that this nominal power supply to base station 2-1 via the SRC mains supply is disrupted, for example, the SRC mains supply to base station 2-1 is temporarily suspended following an incident Technically, the power supply to Base Station 2-1 automatically switches to its backup power supply (BATT), at least for a limited time depending on the size of this backup power supply and the amount of energy available to it. Base Station 2-1 detects this anomaly affecting its nominal power supply and the switchover to its backup power supply (step E10) in a way that is known per se and not detailed here. It also incidentally detects that it has a limited amount of electrical energy available to operate (and therefore perform its functions) within the NW network.

[0073] In the embodiment described here, following this detection, base station 2-1 determines that it has reduced and limited power supply and decides to switch (or is configured to switch), via its 2A failover module, to a lower power consumption mode. More specifically, according to the invention, base station 2-1 switches via its 2A failover module to a MOD-LESS degraded operating mode in which it operates at reduced capacity (step E20). Such a switchover aims to extend its autonomy, and therefore its ability to provide essential services to user equipment within its ZC-1 coverage area, such as emergency services, voice over IR services, etc., when it does not have nominal access (Le. under normal conditions) to electrical power.The MOD-LESS degraded operating mode activated by base station 2 can therefore be considered in the example considered here as a kind of energy saving mode.

[0074] Base station 2-1 can be configured to switch to a given MOD-LESS degraded operating mode based on its context, and more specifically, its power status, or to switch to a MOD-LESS degraded operating mode that it selects based on one or more predefined criteria. Such criteria may include the context (e.g., power status) in which base station 2-1 operates, the nature and / or severity of the detected anomaly that led to a switch to a degraded operating mode (e.g., based on the charge level of the backup battery BATT), the expected duration of the anomaly (e.g., if the anomaly is related to scheduled maintenance), the current traffic load in the ZC-1 coverage area, and so on.

[0075] In the embodiment described here, Base Station 2-1 is configured to switch to a MOD-LESS degraded operating mode chosen from one of the operating modes defined in Table 1 below. According to this example, depending on the degraded operating mode chosen, a degradation is expected for at least one user device located within Base Station 2's ZC-1 coverage area (typically for user device 3), of at least one of the following: latency, throughput, number of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) allocated to that user device, transmitted signal power, and / or number and / or types of services accessible by that user device. These degraded operating modes are particularly relevant for enabling Base Station 2-1 to adapt its traffic load to accommodate its power limitations.

[0076] [Table 1]

[0077] In the example in Table 1, the higher the mode index, the greater the expected degradation of the quality of service provided to user equipment located in the coverage area of ​​base station 2-1.

[0078] Each degraded operating mode defined at the 2-1 base station level corresponds to a reduction in the resources available to the 2-1 base station to perform its functions within its ZC-1 coverage area, compared to its nominal operation. This may correspond, for example, to the deactivation of one or more capacity bands if the 2-1 base station has multiple frequency bands, a reduction in its transmission power, spacing out the transmission of periodic signals, deactivation of some of its antennas when the 2-1 base station is multi-antenna, discontinuous transmission / reception (DTX / DRX), etc., or other mechanisms known to those skilled in the art.

[0079] Thus, for example, by way of illustration and not limitation in itself, one can imagine that Mode 1 is used to cope with a degradation of the backhaul link of base station 2-1. The use of a backup link increases latency and therefore leads to a reduction in the capacity of base station 2-1.

[0080] As another example, Mode 3 can be activated at base station 2-1 when it experiences a limitation in available electrical power. To compensate for this limitation, some frequency bands can be deactivated, either partially or completely, typically to retain only the lowest frequency bands or to use only a portion of the bandwidth (for example, for a 100 MHz band, only 50 MHz could be used). This results in a reduction of the radio resources available at base station 2-1 to handle user traffic within its coverage area.

[0081] In yet another example, Mode 5 can correspond to a situation in which the base station is powered by battery for an indefinite period. Therefore, it is configured to provide a minimum service (e.g., SMS, emergency calls) for as long as possible.

[0082] Following the selection of a suitable MOD-LESS degraded operating mode and the switchover of base station 2-1 to this MOD-LESS degraded operating mode, base station 2-1 announces, via its 2B advertising module, its reduced capacity operation to user equipment located within its ZC-1 coverage area (step E30). More specifically, in the embodiment described here, module 2B periodically broadcasts, within its ZC-1 coverage area, a message containing an information signal, named here, for example, "CAPA-LOW", representative of the MOD-LESS degraded operating mode into which base station 2-1 has switched. This The information signal is, for example, inserted into a system information block (SI B) broadcast over the ZC-1 coverage area, in a manner known to those skilled in the art and not described here. Further details on such system information blocks are given, for example, in the 3GPP TS 38.331 document entitled "3GPP; TSGRAN; NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification (Release 18)" v18.3.0, September 2024, particularly in section 5.2.

[0083] In the embodiment described here, the system information block comprising the "CAPA-LOW" information signal informing user equipment of the reduced capacity operation of base station 2-1 further includes at least one of the following additional information: a LEVEL information representative of a level of degradation induced by the degraded operating mode MOD-LESS into which base station 2-1 is switched: in the above example from Table 1, this may consist of indicating the index of the chosen mode (e.g.LEVEL=2), assuming that the NW network user equipment is configured to be able to interpret this index; R-CELL information representative of at least one area adjacent to the ZC-1 coverage area of ​​base station 2-1, covered by at least one other NW network base station that is not switched to a degraded operating mode or that is switched to a degraded operating mode with a lower level of degradation compared to the MOD-LESS degraded operating mode of base station 2-1. This information may take the form of a list of base station identifiers that may be re-selected by a user device 3 located in the ZC-1 coverage area, or frequencies associated with these base stations, or identifiers of cells covered by these base stations, etc.Typically, in the example considered above of the degraded operating mode 2 selected for base station 2-1 and in the configuration illustrated in Figure 1, such information may include at least one base station among base stations 2-2 and 2-3 that is operating at full capacity or in a degraded operating mode index 1 in Table 1; a TTR information representative of a failover time of base station 2-1 in the MOD-LESS degraded operating mode.For example, if the switchover of base station 2-1 to a degraded operating mode is linked to a time-limited maintenance operation on the electrical grid, known to the NW grid operator, a switchover of base station 2-1 to MOD-LESS mode limited to this duration can be considered; an ACT (Active Communication) message representing the behavior to be adopted by user equipment located in the ZC-1 coverage area in response to the reduced capacity operation of base station 2-1. This information can be explicit or inferred by the user equipment from the degradation level information (for example, from the degraded operating mode index) through appropriate configuration.Thus, in the example of mode 2 selected for base station 2-1, such behavior to adopt may include the cancellation, by a user equipment located in the coverage area ZC-1 and attached to base station 2-1, of all background task traffic (for example, such as software updates, caching, automatic content downloads, pooling, etc.) as well as traffic associated with large volumes (such as streaming, downloads greater than 10MB, etc.).

[0084] Of course, this is a non-exhaustive list of information that may accompany the announcement of base station 2-1, and other information may be considered as a variant or complement to the aforementioned information.

[0085] Furthermore, in the embodiment described here, periodic dissemination of the degraded operating mode into which base station 2-1 is switched is envisaged in a system information block. However, other ways of announcing the reduced capacity of base station 2-1 can be considered, for example by using a message other than a system information block, or with a variable period depending on the traffic load on the ZC-1 coverage area over time or the severity of the detected anomaly, or even aperiodically (e.g., on an ad hoc basis), etc.

[0086] In the embodiment described here, base station 2-1 maintains its degraded operating mode until the event that caused it to switch to reduced capacity operation disappears; in other words, in the illustrative example considered here, until its mains power supply is restored (test step E40). It then resumes a nominal operating mode and announces this on its coverage area ZC-1 in the same or similar manner as described previously for the MOD-LESS degraded operating mode (step E50).

[0087] However, in another embodiment, it is possible to consider that if the energy situation of base station 2-1 worsens (for example, the level of its backup battery BATT is below a certain threshold), base station 2-1 switches to an even more degraded operating mode and announces this new, even more degraded operating mode in a similar or identical way to what was previously described for the MOD-LESS degraded operating mode.

[0088] Figure 4 represents the main steps of the communication process, as implemented, in a particular embodiment, by a user device of system 1 located in the coverage area ZC-1 of base station 2-1 (for example, user device 3) and receiving the advertisement from base station 2-1.

[0089] According to the invention, upon receiving, via its receiving module 3A, the announcement broadcast by base station 2-1 (step F10), the user equipment 3 is required to adapt its behavior to the reduced capacity operating mode of base station 2-1 (step F20).

[0090] More specifically, user equipment 3 triggers, via its trigger module 3B, at least one action to take into account the MOD-LESS degraded operating mode of base station 2-1.

[0091] Such an action can be understood as previously mentioned in the announcement of base station 2-1 (ACT information mentioned previously).

[0092] Alternatively, user equipment 3 can be configured with a number of actions to be taken depending on the index of the degraded operating mode into which base station 2-1 has switched.

[0093] The actions in question can be chosen based on the level of degradation likely to affect the quality of service provided to user equipment located within the ZC-1 coverage area and induced by the MOD-LESS degraded operating mode of base station 2-1. For example, different actions can be associated with the different possible degraded operating modes of base station 2-1 (see examples in Table 1). It should be noted, however, that some actions may apply to all modes.

[0094] Such actions may include, but are not limited to: re-selecting another base station in the NW network that has not switched to a degraded operating mode or that has switched to a degraded operating mode with a lesser level of degradation likely to affect the quality of service provided to user equipment within its coverage area. Such re-selection may be performed, for example, from the R-CELL list provided, where applicable, in the base station 2-1 announcement; canceling and / or adapting at least part of the traffic exchanged between user equipment 3 and base station 2-1, such as all "non-essential" or non-priority background traffic (e.g., software updates, caching, automatic content downloads, pooling, etc.).) or traffic associated with large volumes of data (such as streaming, downloads exceeding 10MB, etc.); a reduction in the number and / or at least one type of services accessible by a user of said user equipment (for example, a restriction to emergency services); a notification from a user of user equipment 3; etc.

[0095] Other actions can of course be considered, at the initiative of the user of user equipment 3 for example, or depending on the context in which user equipment 3 is located, etc.

[0096] Examples of actions based on the degraded operating mode activated at base station 2-1 are given in the following Table 2, which echoes the examples of modes considered in Table 1. These actions allow for an effective adaptation of the traffic load of base station 2-1 in its coverage area ZC-1 according to its available capacity to accommodate the reduction of this capacity.

[0097] [Table 2]

[0098] Implementing such actions at the user equipment 3 level presents no difficulty for a person skilled in the art. For example, the limitations of modes 2 and 3 indicated in Table 2 can be achieved through appropriate configuration of the scheduler of user equipment 3 and / or the implementation of traffic adaptation measures. For modes 3 and 4, the recommended actions can be implemented by configuring the possible access categories or access classes for user equipment 3, as described, for example, in the 3GPPTS 24.501 document entitled "3GPP Technical Specification Group Core Network and Terminals; Non-Access-Stratum (NAS) protocol for 5G System (5GS); Stage 3; Release 18", v18.8.0, September 2024. Furthermore, notifications to the user of user equipment 3 can be made in a manner known per se via the screen of user equipment 3 or any other interface (e.g.speaker) allowing interaction with the user.

[0099] Thus, thanks to the appropriate behavior of user equipment 3, the traffic exchanged with base station 2-1 can be reduced, which allows the latter to control, in the example considered here, its energy consumption.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for managing an operating mode of an access point (2-1) of a telecommunications network (NW), said method comprising, following a specified event relating to at least one network device detected in the network (E10): - a step (E20) of switching the access point into a so-called degraded operating mode in which the access point operates at reduced capacity; and - a step (E30) of announcing, over a coverage area of ​​the access point, said degraded operating mode of the access point.

2. Management method according to claim 1 wherein said determined event is an anomaly affecting the operation of said at least one network equipment.

3. A management method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said anomaly relates to a power supply of the access point or a connection link of the access point to a core network of said telecommunications network.

4. A management method according to any one of claims 2 or 3 wherein the degraded operating mode into which the access point is switched is selected according to the nature and / or severity of the detected anomaly.

5. A management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the degraded operating mode into which the access point is switched includes a degradation, for at least one user device located in said coverage area of ​​the access point, of at least one element of a latency, a throughput, a number of allocated physical resource blocks, a transmitted signal power and / or a number and / or types of accessible services.

6. A management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said announcement step comprises at least one piece of information from: information (LEVEL) representing a level of degradation induced by the degraded operating mode into which the access point is switched; information (R-CELL) representing at least one area adjacent to the coverage area of ​​the access point, covered by at least one other access point in the network that is not switched into a degraded operating mode or that is switched into a degraded operating mode exhibiting a lower level of degradation; information (TTR) representing a duration of the switchover of the access point into said degraded operating mode; information (ACT) representative of a behavior to be adopted by at least one user device located in the coverage area of ​​the access point.

7. Management method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the announcement step (E30) is implemented periodically on said coverage area.

8. A management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein, during the announcement step (E30), the degraded operating mode of the access point is announced in a system information block broadcast by the access point over its coverage area.

9. A method of communication by a user equipment (3) located in a coverage area of ​​an access point of a telecommunications network, said method comprising: a step (F10) of receiving an announcement made by an access point in its coverage area, of a degraded operating mode in which the access point operates at reduced capacity and has switched over; and a step (F20) of triggering at least one action to take into account the degraded operating mode of the access point.

10. A communication method according to claim 9 wherein at least one of said triggered actions depends on a level of degradation capable of affecting a quality of service provided to said user equipment and induced by the degraded operating mode into which the access point has switched.

11. A communication method according to claim 9 or 10 wherein said at least one action comprises a re-selection of another access point of the network which has not switched to a degraded operating mode or which has switched to a degraded operating mode exhibiting a lower level of degradation likely to affect a quality of service provided to said user equipment.

12. A communication method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein at least one of said triggered action is selected from: a cancellation and / or adaptation of at least a portion of traffic exchanged between said user equipment and said access point; a reduction of a number and / or at least one type of services accessible by a user of said user equipment; a notification of a user of said user equipment.

13. Access point (2-1) of a telecommunications network comprising: - a failover module (2A) configured to, following a specific event relating to at least one network device detected in the network, switch the access point into a so-called degraded operating mode in which the access point operates at reduced capacity; and - an advertising module (2B) configured to advertise over a coverage area of ​​the access point the degraded operating mode into which the access point is switched by the failover module.

14. User equipment (3) of a telecommunications network comprising: a receiving module (3A) configured to receive, when said user equipment is within a coverage area of ​​an access point of said network, an announcement made by said access point on said coverage area of ​​a degraded operating mode in which the access point operates at reduced capacity and has switched over; and a triggering module (3B) configured to trigger at least one action to acknowledge the degraded operating mode of the access point.

15. System (1) comprising at least one access point (2-1) of a telecommunications network according to claim 13 and at least one user device (3) according to claim 14 located in a coverage area of ​​the access point.

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