Distributed Base Station Switching for Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular network technologies face challenges in efficiently switching base stations on and off without centralized control, leading to increased energy consumption and environmental impact, as they fail to dynamically adapt to traffic load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A distributed method that determines traffic load information between capacity and coverage base stations, allowing for dynamic switching of base stations between on and off modes using coordinated multipoint information, without the need for centralized control, to optimize energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If base stations are kept always ON to ensure network coverage and capacity, then network reliability and service availability are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic base station switching between ON and OFF states based on real-time traffic load conditions. The system continuously monitors traffic parameters and automatically switches base stations to OFF when load is low and to ON when load increases, replacing the static always-ON approach with a dynamic adaptive state management mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables base stations to autonomously determine their own operational state by monitoring local traffic load conditions. Each base station independently evaluates whether to switch ON or OFF based on its own traffic characteristics, eliminating the need for centralized control and allowing self-adaptive energy management
2Use of energy by moving object
If base stations are dynamically switched OFF to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but network response time and switching complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring base stations in a ready state and pre-establishing switching protocols before actual switching is needed. The system prepares switching parameters and maintains base stations in a quick-start mode, enabling rapid transition when switching is required without lengthy initialization delays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where base stations continuously report their operational status and traffic load conditions to the network controller. This real-time feedback enables the system to make informed switching decisions and adjust operational states dynamically, reducing unnecessary switching delays and optimizing the timing of ON/OFF transitions
3Stability of the object's composition
If centralized control is used for base station switching, then switching coordination is improved, but system complexity and control overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the switching control function from a centralized controller and distributes it to individual base stations. Each base station independently monitors its own traffic load and makes switching decisions locally, eliminating the complex centralized control system while maintaining coordinated switching through distributed autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the base station switching control into independent decision-making units at each base station level. Instead of a monolithic centralized controller, the system divides control responsibilities across multiple autonomous base stations, each managing its own ON/OFF state based on local conditions, thereby reducing overall system complexity
4Productivity
If more base stations are deployed to meet capacity demands, then network capacity and data rates are improved, but energy consumption and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation of base stations based on real-time traffic demand. Instead of maintaining all deployed base stations in ON state, the system activates only the necessary number of base stations when traffic load increases and deactivates others when demand is low, enabling flexible adaptation to varying capacity requirements and optimizing the energy-capacity tradeoff
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and system for dynamically switching at least a base station in ON/OFF mode in a cellular network. The method comprises: determining traffic load information of BSs; exchanging the traffic load information between BSs; determining at least a preferred BS for one of a switched OFF mode and a switched ON mode. The system comprises: at least a coverage BS with a master controller; at least a capacity BS with a slave controller adapted to be in one of the switched ON mode and the switched OFF mode depending on network conditions and to satisfy cellular traffic loads, and at least a communication interface adapted to provide interface between at least the coverage BS and the capacity BS.