5G Base Station Slot Control for Energy Saving and Interference Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high energy consumption and inter-cell interference caused by the high-density layout of 5G base stations, leading to increased operational costs and reduced communication quality.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for energy saving control of base stations that dynamically adjust slot states based on service load, using PRB utilization rates and slot thresholds, and maintain independent slot bitmaps for each cell to suppress inter-cell interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If the base station operates in idle mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but service quality deteriorates due to delayed response to user access requests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station energy consumptionVSAvoidservice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station dynamically adjusts its operational state between idle and active modes based on real-time traffic conditions. When no users are present, the base station enters idle mode to save energy; when users arrive, it quickly transitions to active mode to provide service, thus resolving the contradiction between energy savings and service quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The network side device pre-configures downlink data for user equipment before the UE actually needs it. This preliminary preparation allows the base station to remain in idle mode while still being able to quickly serve users when they arrive, as the data is already ready to transmit, thus maintaining service quality without continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the base station remains in connected mode to ensure quick service response, then service quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice response speedVSAvoidbase station energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of maintaining continuous connected mode, the base station periodically transitions between idle and connected states based on traffic patterns. This periodic activation allows the system to achieve necessary service response levels while minimizing energy consumption by keeping the base station in low-power idle mode during periods of no activity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The network side device performs preliminary data preparation and buffering without requiring the base station to remain in connected mode. This self-service approach at the network level enables the base station to enter idle mode while still being able to quickly serve users when needed, reducing energy consumption without sacrificing service quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If downlink data is buffered at the base station in idle mode, then service quality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidbase station complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data buffering function from the base station and relocates it to the network side device. This allows the base station to remain in a simple idle state with minimal functionality, while the network side device handles the complex task of data preparation and buffering, thus improving service quality without increasing base station complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The network side device acts as an intermediary between the core network and the base station. It receives downlink data, prepares it for transmission, and buffers it until needed, then forwards it to the base station for final transmission to the user. This intermediary approach enables service quality improvement while keeping the base station simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4236479B1Control method and apparatus for energy conservation of base station, and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 ZTE CORP
  • EP4236479B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4236479B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4236479B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A control method and apparatus for energy conservation of a base station, and a computer-readable storage medium. The control method for energy conservation of a base station comprises: acquiring service data of a base station (201); triggering the base station, which corresponds to the service data and meets a trigger condition, to enter an energy conservation state (202); calculating a service load capacity corresponding to the base station entering the energy conservation state (203); and controlling the turning-off or turning on of a corresponding time slot according to the relationship between the calculated service load capacity and a pre-set time slot threshold value (204).