Base Station Power Saving via Low-Power Beacon Wake-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio access network (RAN) components, such as base stations, consume excessive power continuously due to the need for constant availability, leading to increased operational costs and environmental impact, as they send synchronization signals frequently regardless of user equipment (UE) activity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power-saving mode where RAN access stations can deactivate primary components when inactive and use a low-power beacon signal for UE devices to wake them up as needed, allowing for efficient power usage during both idle periods and low-traffic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If base stations operate continuously at full power to ensure constant service availability, then network reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station dynamically adjusts its operational state between active and low-power modes based on traffic conditions. The system transitions from a static full-power operation to a dynamic state that adapts to changing network demands, enabling power savings while maintaining service availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station implements periodic synchronization signals at reduced frequency during low-traffic periods. Instead of continuous full-power operation, the system uses periodic beacon signals to maintain basic functionality while consuming less power, achieving a balance between reliability and energy efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If base stations send synchronization signals frequently to maintain network synchronization, then synchronization precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from frequent continuous synchronization signal transmission to periodic transmission. Synchronization signals are sent at reduced intervals during low-traffic periods, maintaining adequate synchronization precision while significantly reducing the power consumption associated with continuous signal generation and transmission.
3Use of energy by moving object
If base stations deactivate primary components to save power during idle periods, then power consumption is reduced, but network availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base station maintains a low-power beacon signal and synchronization functionality even when primary components are deactivated. This preliminary maintained capability ensures that the station can quickly reactivate and restore full service availability when traffic arrives, preventing complete service interruption while achieving power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
A low-power beacon signal acts as an intermediary between complete deactivation and full operation. This intermediate state maintains basic network presence and synchronization capabilities at minimal power consumption, serving as a mediator that preserves network availability while achieving significant power reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods allow access stations to save power when no user equipment (UE) devices require service from the access station. The access station may enter a low power-consumption mode (or “sleep mode”) when the access station is inactive. The access station transmits a beacon signal when in the low power-consumption mode to indicate to UE devices in a coverage area of the access station that the access station is in the low power-consumption mode. The access station receives a wake-up signal from a device and, in response, exits the low power-consumption mode.