Cell Operation in Wireless Networks Using Spatial Channel Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently managing cell operation to balance energy consumption and coverage, particularly in varying traffic demands, as existing methods fail to determine when to switch radio access network nodes on or off optimally, leading to random reactivation and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and network node that obtain information on available cell resources, current traffic demand, and spatial channel characteristics to determine the operation state of cells, allowing for efficient cell operation by switching off unnecessary cells and optimizing cell shapes, thereby reducing energy consumption and maintaining coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cells are switched off to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but network coverage may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The network node stores spatial channel characteristics data in advance, which represents the channel conditions between wireless devices and cells. When making cell switching decisions, this pre-stored data enables rapid assessment of whether switching off a cell will impact coverage, eliminating the need for real-time measurements and allowing energy-efficient switching without compromising coverage reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses stored spatial channel characteristics as feedback information to continuously monitor and assess the impact of cell switching on network coverage. This feedback mechanism allows the network node to make informed decisions about which cells can be safely switched off based on historical channel data, ensuring coverage requirements are maintained while reducing energy consumption
2Reliability
If cells are switched on again randomly or all at once, then coverage is restored, but energy efficiency is reduced due to lack of optimal timing
Solution Approach 1:
The cell switching system dynamically adjusts cell operation states based on current traffic demand and available cell resources. Rather than random or blanket switching, the system continuously evaluates the operational state of each cell and makes dynamic decisions about which cells to switch on or off, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining coverage based on real-time network conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The network node obtains and stores spatial channel characteristics data in advance, which is then used to determine the optimal timing for switching cells on or off. This pre-acquired information enables the system to predict when switching operations should occur to minimize energy consumption while ensuring coverage is maintained, rather than using random or reactive switching strategies
3Productivity
If more radio chains and antennas are added to handle increased traffic capacity, then traffic capacity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically configures the number of active radio chains and antennas based on current traffic demand. During low-traffic periods, fewer radio chains and antennas are activated, reducing device complexity and power consumption. During high-traffic periods, additional resources are activated to handle the increased load, optimizing the balance between capacity and complexity without requiring permanent over-provisioning of hardware
Data Source
AI summary
Operations by a wireless communication network include obtaining information of available cell resources of cells in at least a segment of the wireless communications network, and the current operation state of each cell in the segment. The operations further include obtaining a current traffic demand in the segment, and obtaining previously stored spatial channel characteristics for wireless devices being associated with the cells in the segment. The spatial channel characteristics for at least one wireless device of the wireless device is given between the at least one wireless device and at least two cells in the segment. A determination is then made whether to affect the operation state of at least one of the cells or not according to the information of available cell resources, the current traffic demand, and the previously stored spatial channel characteristics.