Base Station Energy Saving via Signature Waveform Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks, particularly in energy-saving modes, face challenges in detecting user equipment (UE) attempts to register or connect to base stations, as existing proposals do not provide clear methods for base stations to transition from energy-saving states to active modes when UE activity is detected.

Innovation Solution

The method involves base stations transmitting uplink access configuration information, allowing user terminals to send a signature waveform that triggers the base station to transition from a low power mode to a high power mode, enabling the transmission of additional system information and facilitating UE registration and connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If the base station operates in energy-saving state transmitting only synchronization signal, CRS and MIB, then energy consumption is reduced, but the base station cannot detect UE registration attempts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase station energy consumptionVSAvoidUE registration detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The base station pre-configures and transmits uplink access configuration information containing RACH parameters before UE arrival. This preliminary action enables the base station to detect UE registration attempts using pre-prepared detection resources without needing to be in full operational state, thus maintaining energy savings while enabling detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces uplink access configuration information as an intermediary mechanism. This configuration contains RACH parameters that serve as a mediator between the energy-saving base station and UE registration attempts. The base station transmits this configuration in limited subframes, and UEs use it to initiate access, allowing the base station to detect registrations without full operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the base station transitions to fully active state to detect UE attempts, then UE registration detection is enabled, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE registration detection capabilityVSAvoidbase station energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs only the necessary partial actions for detection - transmitting uplink access configuration information in selected subframes and monitoring for RACH signals - without transitioning to full operational state. This partial action enables detection capability while avoiding the energy consumption of complete activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station transmits uplink access configuration information periodically in specific subframes (e.g., subframe 0 and subframe 5) rather than continuously. This periodic transmission pattern enables UE detection capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous full-operation mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by stationary object

If the base station transmits uplink access configuration information in limited subframes, then energy is saved, but UE connection setup time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase station energy consumptionVSAvoidUE connection setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base station transmits uplink access configuration information in advance in limited subframes, preparing UEs with necessary RACH parameters before connection requests. This preliminary configuration reduces the time needed for connection setup when UEs arrive, as they already have access parameters ready rather than needing to request them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

UEs use the pre-transmitted uplink access configuration information to autonomously initiate RACH procedures without requiring additional base station intervention. This self-service approach allows UEs to quickly establish connections using pre-configured parameters, reducing overall connection setup time while maintaining base station energy savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2824975B1Energy-saving base station and method

Publication Date: 2016.03.16 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

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AI summary

A method in a first base station comprises receiving, at the first base station, a signal from a user terminal, requesting, by the first base station in response to receiving the signal, the user terminal to send a control signal detectable by a second base station, and sending to the user terminal a message including uplink access configuration information. The uplink access configuration information is used by the user terminal to send a signature waveform to the second base station. The signature waveform triggers a transition of the second base station from a low power consumption mode to a high power mode.