Base Station Soft-Cell Range Control for M2M Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems for Machine To Machine (M2M) or Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices face challenges in providing reliable and energy-efficient communication, especially in areas with poor coverage, where devices are static and primarily transmit on the uplink, leading to inefficient use of power due to soft-cell operations.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a first base station provides soft-cell communications in an extended range area outside its primary range, tracking the number of static, uplink-focused, power-limited devices and adjusting the communication range by changing reference signal sequences and transmission power, terminating soft-cell operations when a threshold is exceeded to optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If soft-cell operations are implemented to extend coverage for M2M devices, then network coverage is improved, but power consumption increases and communication efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base station dynamically adjusts the extended range area based on the number of connected M2M devices. When the device count exceeds a threshold, the base station reduces or terminates soft-cell operations in the extended range, thereby adapting the coverage area to actual demand and reducing unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of soft-cell communications by adjusting the extended range area coverage based on device density. When device density is high, the base station modifies the coverage parameters to reduce the extended area, optimizing the balance between coverage and energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If soft-cell operations are maintained in extended range areas, then communication reliability is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates when device load is high
Solution Approach 1:
The base station implements dynamic control of soft-cell operations by monitoring the number of connected M2M devices and adjusting the extended range area accordingly. This ensures that reliable communication is maintained when needed while avoiding resource waste when device load is high.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from device count monitoring to control soft-cell operations. When the number of devices exceeds a threshold, the base station receives feedback and terminates or reduces soft-cell operations in the extended range, optimizing resource efficiency while maintaining communication reliability when necessary.
3Area of stationary object
If base stations increase transmission power to cover extended range areas, then coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station dynamically adjusts its transmission power and extended range area based on the actual number of connected M2M devices. When device count is low, full extended coverage is maintained; when device count exceeds the threshold, the base station reduces transmission power and shrinks the extended range, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission power parameter based on device density in the extended range area. When the number of M2M devices exceeds the threshold, the base station reduces transmission power for the extended range, optimizing the balance between coverage area and energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may provide wireless communications in a network including a first base station and a second base station, with the first base station operating within a coverage area of the second base station. The method may include providing soft-cell communications in an extended range area of the first base station, with the extended range area being outside a primary range area of the first base station. A number of wireless devices in the extended range area connected and/or communicating with the first base station may be tracked. Responsive to the number of wireless devices in the extended range area connected and/or communicating with the first base station exceeding a threshold (Threshold_N), the extended range area over which soft-cell communications are provided may be reduced.