Access Network Control Device Energy Saving via User Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile communication networks, the coexistence of high-speed and low-speed transmission networks complicates energy-saving efforts, as existing methods for controlling access network devices lack flexibility, leading to suboptimal communication services due to overload and other issues.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that obtain status information from multiple mobile communication networks and user parameters to strategically turn off or on access network devices, ensuring seamless handovers between networks like 2G, 3G, and 4G, thereby improving control flexibility and maintaining normal communication services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If an access network device is periodically turned off to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication service reliability deteriorates due to overload and inability to provide normal service

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcommunication service reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller performs preliminary actions by obtaining status information of radio access network devices and users before turning off the access network device. Users are migrated to other networks in advance, ensuring that when the device is turned off, no users are left without service, thus preventing communication service failures while achieving energy saving

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple mobile communication networks. It manages user migration by notifying radio access network control devices in other networks, ensuring seamless handover and maintaining service reliability during the energy-saving operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If an access network device is turned off for energy saving, then energy consumption is reduced, but control flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcontrol flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operation state of access network devices based on real-time status information. The controller can flexibly decide when to turn devices off or on, and which users to migrate, adapting to changing network conditions and user requirements, thus maintaining control flexibility while achieving energy saving

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller changes operational parameters by selectively turning off specific functional modules of access network devices based on user migration status and network conditions. This parameter adjustment allows flexible energy management without compromising overall system controllability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2713657B1Method and apparatus for controlling access network device, and access network control device
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2713657B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2713657B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2713657B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and an apparatus for controlling an access network device, and an access network control device. The method includes: obtaining status information of access network devices in at least two mobile communication networks and/or status information of users under the access network devices; controlling, according to the status information of the access network devices in the at least two mobile communication networks and/or the status information of the users under the access network devices, an access network device in at least one mobile communication network to be turned off or turned on. In the embodiments of the present invention, flexibility for controlling an access network device is improved and that a communication service of a terminal is normally performed can be ensured.