Capacity Station Activation via Pilot Signal Power Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio communication networks face inefficiencies in energy consumption due to high capacity and data rate demands, leading to unnecessary activation of capacity stations, which can result in uneven load distribution and excessive energy usage, especially when coverage stations become heavily loaded.

Innovation Solution

A method where a coverage station sends activation control information to dormant capacity stations to adjust their pilot signal transmit power levels, determining the appropriate station to activate based on user measurement results, ensuring that only necessary capacity stations are activated at optimal power levels to manage load distribution effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple capacity stations are activated simultaneously at maximum transmit power level, then the coverage station load is reduced to proper level, but the overall energy efficiency of the network is not enhanced and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage station load reductionVSAvoidnetwork energy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the transmit power level of capacity stations dynamically. Instead of activating capacity stations at fixed maximum power, the system determines optimal power levels based on current load conditions and user distribution. The coverage station sends activation control information with specific power level instructions, allowing capacity stations to operate at appropriate power levels (e.g., 23dBm instead of maximum 26dBm) to match actual demand, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining load balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by selectively activating only the necessary capacity stations rather than all available stations. The coverage station evaluates user measurement results and determines the minimum number of capacity stations needed to handle the load. Additionally, it applies partial power activation where selected capacity stations operate at reduced power levels sufficient for current demand, avoiding the excessive energy consumption of full-power activation of all stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Productivity

If capacity stations are activated to share load when coverage station is heavy-loaded, then capacity requirements are met, but energy consumption increases due to numerous low power nodes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidbase station energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the activation state and power level of capacity stations dynamic rather than static. Capacity stations can transition between dormant and active states based on real-time load conditions. When activated, their power levels are dynamically adjusted according to the actual number of users and load distribution requirements. This dynamic approach allows the network to scale energy consumption with actual demand, avoiding continuous high energy consumption even when capacity is available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting both the activation state and transmit power level of capacity stations based on monitored load conditions. The coverage station continuously monitors its load and user distribution, then sends activation control information that changes the power parameter of selected capacity stations from dormant (zero power) to active at specific power levels, optimizing the balance between capacity provision and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If capacity stations work at maximum transmit power level, then enough load can be transferred out, but loads are not evenly distributed and energy is wasted when coverage station load is already low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload transfer efficiencyVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where user equipment measures pilot signals from capacity stations and reports measurement results back to the coverage station. The coverage station uses this feedback information about user distribution and signal quality to determine which capacity stations to activate and at what power levels. This closed-loop feedback ensures that capacity stations are activated only when and where needed, with power levels matched to actual user demand, preventing energy waste from activating stations in areas with insufficient user load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2704493B1Capacity stations activation method, wireless communication device and system
Publication Date: 2015.09.16 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2704493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2704493B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a capacity station activation method and system. The method includes: A coverage station sends activation control information to a capacity station, where the activation control information is used to enable the capacity station to send a pilot signal to a user in a power increasing manner; receives a measurement result of measuring the pilot signal by the user; determines, according to the measurement result, a capacity station that needs to be activated to meet a system requirement; and sends activation information to a determined capacity station that needs to be activated to activate the capacity station. With the capacity station activation method and system in the embodiments of the present invention, a capacity station that needs to be activated can be determined more accurately, and furthermore, transmit power of an activated capacity station can be controlled, thereby reducing energy consumption of a whole system.