Telecommunications Cell Deactivation Using UE Measurement Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling the activation and deactivation of base stations in wireless access networks are inefficient due to modeling inaccuracies, the need for frequent updates, and assumptions about average user distributions, leading to suboptimal energy consumption and electromagnetic radiation management.
Innovation Solution
A method where user devices report measurement information about neighboring cells to determine if they can maintain quality of service when a cell is deactivated, allowing for real-time assessment and transfer of users to alternative cells, thereby reducing energy consumption and electromagnetic radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If base station activation/deactivation decisions are based on propagation models and configuration data, then energy consumption is reduced, but estimation accuracy deteriorates due to modeling errors and simplifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where user equipment (UE) measurement reports are collected and used to verify and update the accuracy of propagation models. The network controller receives measurement data from UEs about actual signal conditions and uses this feedback to refine the estimation of coverage areas and handover decisions, thereby improving estimation accuracy while maintaining energy savings from accurate cell deactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of cell deactivation opportunities by analyzing measurement reports and propagation models before actually deactivating cells. This preliminary action allows the network to evaluate potential energy savings against service quality requirements, ensuring accurate decisions are made before implementation, thus resolving the contradiction between energy reduction and estimation accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If planning tools are run in parallel with network operations to maintain up-to-date estimations, then estimation accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the network to self-update its propagation models and coverage estimations by automatically processing measurement reports from user equipment. Instead of requiring external planning tools to be run manually or in parallel, the system serves itself by continuously learning from actual network conditions, thereby maintaining estimation accuracy without increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts propagation models based on real-time measurement data from UEs rather than relying on static pre-configured models. This dynamic updating allows the network to maintain accurate estimations of coverage areas and handover conditions without requiring complex parallel planning tool operations, as the models evolve automatically with network conditions.
3Ease of operation
If cell deactivation decisions are based on average user distribution assumptions, then processing simplicity is maintained, but service quality deteriorates due to deviations from actual traffic patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from actual UE measurement reports to replace or supplement average user distribution assumptions. By collecting and analyzing real measurement data about user equipment locations and signal conditions, the system maintains processing simplicity while achieving accurate, real-time assessment of which cells can be safely deactivated without compromising service quality to specific users.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for deactivation of at least one first cell of a plurality of cells in a telecommunications network. User devices in the at least one first cell are triggered to report measurement information regarding one or more second cells of the plurality of cells to the telecommunications network. The measurement information is received in the telecommunications network (preferably using the still active at least one first cell) and analysed (in the telecommunications network or by an external system), in order to determine whether one or more user devices in the at least one first cell are eligible for being served by a second cell of the one or more second cells when the at least one first cell would be deactivated. When the one or more user devices are determined to be eligible for being served by the second cell of the one or more second cells, the one or more user devices are transferred, i.e. are handed over or perform cell reselection from the first cell to the second cell and the at least one first cell is deactivated.