Base Station Sleep Mode Coordination via Traffic Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face high power consumption due to base stations, with little effort made to reduce power without affecting performance, and there is a need to efficiently manage the sleep mode of base stations to balance traffic load and minimize interference.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an operation mode controller that coordinates base stations to enter and exit sleep mode based on traffic load and user localization, using resource usage reports to determine when small cells can switch to sleep mode and when to wake up, ensuring seamless handover of users to neighboring cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If base stations remain in active mode to maintain service availability, then service quality is ensured, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base station dynamically switches between active mode and sleep mode based on traffic load conditions. When traffic load is below a threshold, the base station enters sleep mode to save power; when traffic load exceeds the threshold, it transitions back to active mode to ensure service quality. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by adapting the system state to actual demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of the base station (active vs. sleep mode) based on traffic load parameters. By monitoring traffic load and adjusting the operational state accordingly, the system achieves both power savings and service availability, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If base stations enter sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but service continuity may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before the base station enters sleep mode, the system performs preliminary actions including notifying neighboring base stations and preparing for potential user handovers. This ensures that when the base station wakes up or users need service, the transition is seamless and service continuity is maintained, thus resolving the contradiction between energy savings and service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where base stations monitor traffic load continuously and adjust their operational state accordingly. When users or traffic conditions change, the base station receives feedback and transitions from sleep mode back to active mode, ensuring service continuity while maintaining energy efficiency during low-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If base stations switch between active and sleep modes frequently, then power consumption is optimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumption optimizationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station enters sleep mode for a predetermined period when traffic load is low, rather than switching frequently and irregularly. This periodic action with predetermined duration simplifies the control logic and reduces system complexity while still achieving power consumption optimization through regular sleep cycles during low-traffic periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2912890B1Supporting a base station to enter and leave sleep mode in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 ZTE (USA) INC
  • EP2912890B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2912890B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2912890B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

Two methods of managing the operation mode of a first base station and a second base station are provided. One method uses an operation mode controller that sends respective resource usage status requests to the first and second base stations and receives respective resource usage information reports from the base stations. If the UE resource usage information associated with the first base station and the second base station satisfies a predefined condition, the operation mode controller sends a sleep/wakeup command to the first base station, the sleep command including instructions for the first base station to hand over its UE to the second base station. Next, the operation mode controller notifies the second base station that the first base station is going to enter a predefined sleep or wakeup mode, the wakeup notification including instructions for the second base station to hand over its UE to the first base station. In the other method, a sleep mode request and a corresponding sleep mode response are exchanged directly between a first base station and a second base station. The first base station enters a predefined sleep mode if the second base station responds to the sleep mode request from the first base station.