Wireless Base Station Access Point Traffic Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication networks face increased power consumption due to the constant operation of base station transmitters, even when traffic is below capacity, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that compare and control multiple access points in a wireless communication network to minimize energy consumption by selectively distributing traffic based on energy conservation constraints, using distributed power and traffic controllers to determine which access points to turn on or off.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If base station transmitters are left turned on at all times to ensure network coverage and reliability, then network availability and service continuity are improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management by continuously monitoring traffic load conditions and adaptively adjusting the operational state of access points. When traffic demand is low, access points are transitioned to sleep mode or turned off; when demand increases, they are activated. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible rather than static, ensuring reliability only when necessary while minimizing power consumption during low-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of access points between different states (active, sleep, off) based on traffic conditions. By modifying the power state parameter dynamically according to network demand, the system achieves both goals: maintaining reliability when needed and reducing power consumption when not needed, thus resolving the technical contradiction between these two opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple access points are kept active to provide redundant coverage and load distribution, then network robustness and capacity are improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of keeping all access points continuously active, the system applies partial action by selectively activating only the necessary number of access points based on current traffic requirements. The controller monitors load conditions and activates additional access points only when the existing capacity is insufficient, thereby avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining adequate network productivity and capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service through automated traffic monitoring and dynamic access point activation/deactivation. The controller autonomously determines when additional capacity is needed and activates appropriate access points without manual intervention, optimizing the balance between network productivity and energy consumption based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If access points are activated during high traffic demand to maintain service quality, then user experience and service quality are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice qualityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic monitoring of traffic conditions and implements periodic activation or deactivation of access points based on demand fluctuations. During high-traffic periods, additional access points are activated to maintain service quality; during low-traffic periods, they are deactivated to reduce power consumption. This periodic adjustment strategy resolves the contradiction by aligning power consumption with actual service quality requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8660547B2Optimized energy consumption management in wireless base stations

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY

AI summary

A method, apparatus and a non-transitory computer readable medium include comparing two or more access points in a wireless communication network based upon one or more scenarios to minimize energy consumption, identifying one or more energy conservation constraints in the wireless communication network and controlling each of the two or more access points by selectively distributing traffic based upon the one or more energy conservation constraints.