Base Station Amplifier Load Control for Low-Traffic Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art base stations consume excessive power even during low traffic loads, leading to inefficient operation and increased power consumption per data bit, as they are optimized for maximum traffic without significant power reduction.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dividing the transmission medium into resource blocks, adjusting the amplifier's operation point by decreasing or increasing the number of resource blocks and power levels based on traffic load thresholds, and dynamically changing the modulation encoding scheme to optimize power usage, thereby reducing the amplifier's output load and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base station is optimized for maximum traffic load, then it can handle peak demand effectively, but it consumes more than 50% of maximum power even when no data is transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The base station dynamically adjusts the amplifier's operation point and the number of active resource blocks based on real-time traffic load conditions. During low traffic periods, the system reduces power consumption by operating the amplifier at lower power levels and deactivating unused resource blocks, while maintaining full capacity during peak demand
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including the amplifier's operation point, bias voltage levels, and resource block allocation based on traffic load thresholds. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the base station adapts its power consumption to match actual traffic requirements
2Reliability
If the amplifier operates at maximum output load, then it provides sufficient signal strength for all users, but the power consumption increases significantly during low traffic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by activating only the necessary portion of the amplifier's capacity and resource blocks based on current traffic demand. Instead of operating at full capacity continuously, the base station uses only the required subset of resources, reducing energy waste while maintaining sufficient signal quality for active users
Solution Approach 2:
The base station periodically measures traffic load and adjusts amplifier operation accordingly. The system transitions between different operational states (high power during peak traffic, low power during low traffic) based on periodic load assessment, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining service quality
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method comprising the following steps:—measuring (S1) a traffic load;—determining (S2), if the traffic load is lower than a first threshold;—decreasing (S3) a maximum used output load of an amplifier of the base station, if the traffic load is lower than the first;—adjusting (S4) an operation point (102; 104; 106; 108; 112; 114; 116; 118; 124) of the amplifier, if the traffic load is lower than the first threshold;—determining (S2), if the traffic load is higher than a second threshold;—increasing (S5) the maximum used output load of the amplifier, if the traffic load is higher than the second threshold; and—adjusting (S4) the operation point of the amplifier, if the traffic load is higher than the second threshold.