Base Station Communications State Switching for Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in managing power saving modes, where base stations may not support certain communications applications, leading to unscheduled communications and unawareness of limitations by user equipment (UEs), resulting in inefficiencies and potential service disruptions.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where the base station identifies transitioning to a communication state with capability limitations, sends messages to UEs indicating these limitations, and adjusts communications accordingly, including updating semi-persistent scheduling configurations or grants, to ensure compliant operations within the base station's capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the base station enters a power saving mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but the base station cannot support certain communications applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase station energy consumptionVSAvoidcommunications application support

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base station dynamically switches between different communication states (e.g., full capability mode and power saving mode) based on network conditions and traffic demands. This allows the system to adapt its operational characteristics and energy consumption profile in real-time, rather than being fixed in a single state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the base station by defining distinct communication states with different capability profiles. When transitioning to a power saving state, specific parameters such as supported communications applications, maximum data rates, and service priorities are modified to reflect the reduced capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the base station does not signal capability limitations to UEs, then communication procedures are simpler, but UEs may attempt unsupported communications causing service disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication procedure complexityVSAvoidcommunication service reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs preliminary signaling to inform UEs of its current capability limitations before actual communication attempts occur. By providing advance notice of supported and unsupported communications applications, the system prevents UEs from initiating incompatible communication procedures that would fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the base station continuously signals its current communication state and capability limitations to connected UEs. This feedback loop allows UEs to adjust their communication behavior accordingly, ensuring that only supported communications applications are attempted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the base station supports all communications applications continuously, then service coverage is maximized, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunications application supportVSAvoidbase station energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously maintaining full operational capabilities, the base station periodically transitions between different communication states based on network conditions. During low-traffic periods, it can enter power saving modes with reduced capabilities, while switching to full capability modes when traffic demands require broader service support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Loss of information

If the base station transitions communication states without notifying UEs, then signaling overhead is reduced, but scheduled communications may fail due to capability mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidscheduled communication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs preliminary notification of state transitions before they take effect. By signaling upcoming capability changes to UEs in advance, the system allows for proper coordination of scheduled communications, ensuring that semi-persistent scheduling configurations and configured grants are adjusted appropriately before the transition occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12155468B2Communications state switching of a base station

Publication Date: 2024.11.26 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A base station may identify that the base station is going to enter a communication state associated with a capability limitation where the base station does not support at least one communications application while operating in the communication state. The communication state may be a power saving mode. The base station may transmit a message to a user equipment (UE) indicating the capability limitation(s) associated with the communication state, and communicate with the UE according to the capability limitation(s). The base station may identify that the base station has scheduled communications with a UE in accordance with an SPS configuration or a configured grant. The base station may transmit a message to the UE indicating an update for the SPS configuration or the configured grant based on a capability limitation associated with the communication state.