Base Station Cell Deactivation Through Energy-Aware Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in optimizing energy consumption, particularly in managing the activation and deactivation of base stations to balance energy savings with the need to serve offloaded wireless devices.
Innovation Solution
A base station communicates with neighboring cells to offload wireless devices and deactivate cells strategically, considering energy consumption and coverage requirements, using information exchange to determine the most energy-efficient network configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a base station deactivates its cell to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to serve wireless devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base station dynamically adjusts its operational state based on real-time conditions. The cell is deactivated only when specific criteria are met (energy savings exceed additional energy consumption by neighboring base stations), allowing the system to adapt between active and inactive states optimally balancing energy consumption and service capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the base station from active to inactive state. By controlling the deactivation condition to ensure energy savings are positive (savings > additional consumption), the system transforms the base station's energy consumption parameter while maintaining overall network service quality through coordinated offloading
2Use of energy by moving object
If a base station offloads wireless devices to neighboring cells, then energy savings are achieved, but additional energy is consumed by neighboring base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs a feedback-based energy assessment before deactivation. It determines whether the energy savings from deactivation exceed the additional energy consumption that will be incurred by neighboring base stations. This feedback mechanism ensures that offloading decisions result in net positive energy savings for the overall network
Solution Approach 2:
The base station conducts preliminary calculations and assessments before executing the deactivation decision. By evaluating energy consumption and savings projections in advance, the system ensures that offloading operations are only performed when they will result in net energy benefits, preventing unnecessary energy losses
3Loss of energy
If a base station deactivates its cell, then overall network energy usage is reduced, but coverage area is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
Neighboring base stations act as intermediaries to compensate for the coverage loss. When a base station deactivates its cell, neighboring base stations increase their coverage to serve the previously covered area. This intermediary action maintains overall network coverage while enabling energy savings through selective deactivation
Data Source
AI summary
Base station cell activation/deactivation may be based on energy cost. A base station may communicate with at least one other base station to coordinate deactivation of a cell and/or offloading one or more wireless devices in the cell to at least one other cell. Determination of additional energy cost and/or capability for serving the offloaded wireless device(s) may be made to calculate overall energy saving and/or to ensure uninterrupted connectivity in view of the deactivation. Base station communication may improve energy efficiency by performing deactivation/activation of one or more cells based on energy usage.