Cell Reactivation for Positioning Accuracy in Energy-Saving Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication networks, especially in E-UTRAN systems, the deactivation of cells for energy savings can lead to insufficient active neighbor cells for accurate UE positioning, particularly in cases where cells are temporarily deactivated, causing inaccuracies in location determination that may not meet accuracy mandates for emergency services.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that change the status of network access nodes from active to deactivated and send messages to a location server, with the option to reactivate deactivated cells for positioning purposes by sending them into a probing or beacon mode, allowing them to transmit positioning reference signals without establishing connections with user equipment, and adjusting antenna or power configurations for improved coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If cells are deactivated for energy savings, then energy consumption is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to insufficient active neighbor cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts cell status between active and deactivated states based on real-time positioning requirements. The location server monitors positioning accuracy needs and reactively activates cells only when positioning operations are required, then deactivates them afterward to maintain energy savings while ensuring positioning accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Cells are activated periodically or on-demand for positioning operations rather than remaining continuously active. The system implements periodic positioning measurements using activated cells, then deactivates them between measurement cycles, creating a rhythmic pattern of activation that balances energy consumption with positioning accuracy requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If all cells remain active to ensure positioning accuracy, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential cells needed for positioning operations from the complete set of available cells. The location server identifies and activates only those specific cells required for accurate positioning measurements, leaving other cells deactivated, thereby achieving positioning accuracy with minimal energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational status parameter of cells from continuously active to dynamically controlled states. By modifying the cell status parameter between active and deactivated based on positioning needs, the system reduces energy consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If deactivated cells are reactivated for positioning, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity increases due to status management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidcell status management

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The location server implements a feedback mechanism that monitors positioning measurement results and cell availability status. Based on this feedback, the system automatically decides whether to activate or deactivate cells, creating a self-regulating control loop that manages cell status complexity while ensuring positioning accuracy is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables cells to self-manage their activation and deactivation states based on received commands from the location server. Each cell autonomously transitions between active and deactivated states according to positioning requirements, reducing the overall system complexity by distributing the management burden to individual cell units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9961660B2Reactivating cells to improve positioning accuracy

Publication Date: 2018.05.01 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY

AI summary

A network access node (eNodeB for example) changing status from active to deactivated sends a message to a location server indicating the changed status. The location server collects from uplink messages indications of which of a plurality of cells have a deactivated status and stores this information in its local memory. Then the location server utilizes the stored indications to ensure that all cells in a list provided to a user equipment for location assistance will have an active status. In various embodiments: the message is sent only when the status is changed for energy saving purposes; a list of cells included in a location request message may have some deactivated cells so the location server sends a message to the eNodeB to activate deactivated cells in the list which is done prior to providing the list to a user equipment; and a partial-activation for a probing/beacon mode is disclosed.