Base Station Bandwidth Alteration for Energy Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy saving methods in wireless communication systems, such as Inter-RAT and Inter-eNB energy saving, primarily focus on activating or deactivating entire cells, leading to inefficiencies and interference, while Intra-eNB methods like configuring MBSFN subframes and adaptive TDD have limited effectiveness in reducing power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for dynamically altering the bandwidth of communication based on monitored communication conditions, such as the number of user equipment and traffic throughput, to optimize energy usage without disrupting service quality or introducing additional interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If entire cells are activated or deactivated for energy saving, then energy consumption is reduced, but service continuity and coverage are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell bandwidth into multiple subbands and deactivates only the subbands with low traffic load while keeping other subbands active. This allows partial energy saving within the cell without completely shutting down service, thus resolving the contradiction between energy reduction and service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the activation state of different subbands based on real-time traffic load monitoring. The base station continuously monitors traffic on each subband and alters bandwidth configuration accordingly, enabling adaptive energy saving that maintains service quality when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If MBSFN subframes are configured for energy saving, then transmission time is reduced, but reference signal overhead remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes common reference signals from subframes where traffic load is low. By selectively removing unnecessary reference signals while maintaining minimal signaling for resource allocation, the patent reduces both transmission time and reference signal overhead, addressing the contradiction between energy saving and signal maintenance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If DwPTS is configured to minimum length in special subframe, then energy consumption is reduced, but coverage and capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically configures the DwPTS length based on real-time traffic conditions and service requirements. When traffic demand is high, DwPTS is extended to maintain coverage and capacity; when traffic is low, DwPTS is minimized for energy saving. This adaptive approach resolves the contradiction between energy consumption and network performance.
4Use of energy by moving object
If adaptive TDD is implemented for energy saving, then power consumption is reduced, but interference between DL and UL increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into downlink and uplink subbands and independently controls their activation. By maintaining clear frequency separation and using frequency division duplexing principles, the patent avoids the timing-based interference problems of adaptive TDD while still achieving energy savings through selective subband deactivation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for energy saving have been disclosed. A method for a base station serving a cell is provided. The method comprises: monitoring communication conditions of the cell; and altering a bandwidth for communication in response that the monitored communication conditions meet a predefined criterion. Energy saving may be achieved by dynamically altering the bandwidth for communication based on the communication conditions. Further, the proposed energy saving technique may be applied to various communication networks, including but not limited to, FDD system and TDD system.