Base Station Control via Power Line Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile radio network base stations integrated into facilities like street illumination devices are typically only active during limited times, restricting continuous mobile radio network operation due to energy-saving or environmental reasons, leading to high installation costs and unnecessary radio frequency exposure in populated areas.

Innovation Solution

A cellular mobile radio network setup that integrates base stations into existing facilities via a power supply network, using transceiver modules for bidirectional radio frequency signal transmission and a control device for facility management, allowing for efficient and cost-effective expansion with minimal new installations, and enabling operation during non-activated times of public facilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If base stations are integrated into facilities supplied via power supply network, then installation costs and time are reduced, but the facilities can only be active during limited times due to energy-saving reasons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation costVSAvoidoperation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the power supply function from the base station operation control. The power supply network continues to supply power continuously, while the base station is controlled independently through a control device that can activate it at any time, decoupling the operation schedule from the power supply schedule.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A control device acts as an intermediary between the power supply network and the base station. This control device receives signals from the power supply network and can independently activate the base station, allowing the base station to operate even when the power supply network is not actively supplying power to other facilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple base stations are deployed to cover entire country, then area coverage is improved, but installation costs and radio frequency exposure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidradio frequency exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base station operation is made dynamic rather than static. Base stations can be activated or deactivated based on real-time needs, allowing the network to provide wide area coverage when necessary while minimizing radio frequency exposure during periods when coverage is not required, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage area and harmful exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If base stations operate continuously, then mobile radio network availability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic activation of base stations based on signal requests from the power supply network. Instead of continuous operation, base stations are activated periodically when needed, maintaining network availability through on-demand operation while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation of all base stations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces installation costs and time, minimizes radio frequency exposure by using small cell sizes, and allows continuous operation of base stations without affecting the timing of public facilities, while adhering to strict state limits and energy efficiency standards.

Implementation Method 1

The transmission of electrical signals corresponding to the radio frequency signals is made possible bidirectionally between the first and second transceiver modules over the power supply network

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower Line Communication: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS7684823B2Cellular mobile radio network and method for setting up a base station of a cellular mobile radio network

Publication Date: 2010.03.23 INTERDIGITAL CE PATENT HOLDINGS SAS

AI summary

A cellular mobile radio network having at least one base station integrated into a facility supplied via a power supply network and being connected to an assigned base station controller. The at least one base station includes a module for exchanging radio frequency signals with mobile radio devices; a first transceiver module configured to couple the at least one base station to the power supply network; and a control device configured to control the facility. The control device is connected to the facility via the power supply network or directly, and includes an identification module and a module for communicating with a central unit, the control device being identifiable by the central unit based on the identification module.