5G Base Station Beamforming Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communication systems, base stations often operate in low-load or no-load states, leading to high energy consumption due to continuous beam sweeping, even when only a few terminals are accessing the network.
Innovation Solution
A beamforming-based communication method that divides broadcast messages into groups when the cell information meets a low-load condition, and shuts down unused broadcast beams in each time window, reducing energy consumption by minimizing the number of active power amplifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base station performs continuous beam sweeping to send broadcast messages, then the coverage and accessibility are improved, but the energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the beam sweeping operation adjustable rather than fixed. The base station dynamically adapts its beam sweeping behavior based on load conditions: performing full beam sweeping when load is high, and reducing or suspending beam sweeping when load is low. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining coverage reliability and reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of beam sweeping frequency and duration based on load conditions. When the base station detects low load, it modifies the beam sweeping parameters (reducing frequency or suspending), thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate coverage. When load increases, it restores full beam sweeping to ensure coverage reliability.
2Loss of information
If the base station sends broadcast messages in all time windows, then the information availability is improved, but the resource waste increases in low-load states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by sending broadcast messages at specific intervals rather than continuously. The base station determines appropriate time windows for broadcast message transmission based on load conditions and synchronization signal periodicity. This periodic transmission ensures information availability while avoiding resource waste during low-load periods when fewer transmissions are needed.
3Productivity
If the base station activates all broadcast beams, then the service capacity is improved, but the number of active power amplifiers increases leading to higher energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively activating only the necessary broadcast beams and power amplifiers based on current load conditions. Instead of keeping all power amplifiers active, the base station extracts and activates only those needed for current service requirements. This reduces the number of active power amplifiers and associated energy consumption while maintaining adequate service capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A beamforming-based communication method includes: obtaining cell information; when the cell information meets a preset low-load condition, dividing to-be-processed broadcast messages into a plurality of broadcast message groups; determining, based on a preset correspondence between a broadcast message and a broadcast beam, a broadcast beam group corresponding to each broadcast message group and a broadcast beam for sending no broadcast message in each time window; sending the broadcast message group in each time window by using the broadcast beam group; and shutting down, in each time window, the broadcast beam for sending no broadcast message. Some broadcast beams are used in each time window to send the broadcast message, and the broadcast beam for sending no broadcast message is shut down.