Base Station Battery Charging Control via Time-Based Pricing Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current base station power management systems lack variability in controlling battery charging and discharging, leading to increased electricity consumption costs, as they primarily rely on the battery to supply power during mains supply failures without optimizing charging and discharging states.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for controlling battery charging and discharging in base stations by obtaining configuration parameters, including time-based and threshold settings, to manage charging and discharging according to current time and power supply states, thereby reducing electricity costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery automatically controls charging and discharging based on voltage difference between battery and power supply, then the battery can maintain power supply continuity, but the control method lacks variety and electricity consumption cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of battery charging and discharging by introducing a power management unit that adjusts battery operations based on time-of-day pricing signals and power supply state. The system transitions from static automatic voltage-based control to dynamic time-and-state-based control, enabling the base station to adapt its power consumption pattern to external electricity price variations and grid conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the power management unit receives information about power supply state and electricity pricing, processes this information, and adjusts battery charging/discharging operations accordingly. This closed-loop control enables the system to respond to external signals and optimize energy costs based on real-time conditions.
2Reliability
If the base station relies on battery power during mains supply failure, then power supply reliability is maintained, but electricity consumption cost increases due to lack of optimized charging control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary charging actions during periods when electricity prices are low or power supply is stable. The power management unit proactively charges the battery in advance during off-peak hours or when mains power is available and inexpensive, so that the battery is ready to provide power during high-cost periods or supply failures, thereby reducing overall electricity consumption cost while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If the battery charging and discharging control is simplified to voltage difference comparison, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operating conditions and pricing signals is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the power management unit multi-functional by enabling it to handle multiple tasks: monitoring power supply state, receiving and processing electricity pricing signals, controlling battery charging/discharging, and generating control signals for power supply switching. This single unit performs what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving high adaptability to various operating conditions and pricing schemes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a apparatus for controlling charging and discharging of a battery used in the base station are provided. The method includes the following steps: obtaining configuration parameters in the base station that are used for controlling the charging and the discharging of the battery used in the base station, and controlling the charging and the discharging of the battery used in the base station according to current time and the configuration parameters.