Discontinuous Transmission for Mobile Network Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication networks face challenges in managing network traffic load, leading to coverage issues when too few cells are active and resource wastage, interference, and environmental impact when too many cells are active, especially due to varying traffic loads throughout the day and season.

Innovation Solution

Implementing discontinuous transmission (DTX) at multiple levels - symbol, subframe, and frame levels - in mobile phone network nodes based on traffic load thresholds, allowing for adaptive resource allocation and reduction in unnecessary cell activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If cells are combined when traffic load is low, then energy consumption is reduced, but coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cell structure into multiple transmission points, allowing selective activation of transmission points based on traffic load. This segmentation enables partial cell operation rather than complete cell shutdown, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining coverage through remaining active transmission points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of transmission point activation states based on real-time traffic load conditions. Transmission points can be dynamically switched between active and inactive states, allowing the system to adapt coverage and energy consumption to current network demands rather than using static cell configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If too many cells are active, then coverage is maintained, but energy consumption increases and interference is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling different transmission points within the same cell to have different operational states. Some transmission points can be active while others are inactive, allowing localized optimization of energy consumption and interference management while maintaining overall coverage through the remaining active points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of transmission points from binary cell-level activation to granular transmission point-level activation. This parameter change allows finer control over the number of active transmission elements, enabling optimization of energy consumption and interference while maintaining coverage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by stationary object

If cell shutdown and startup is implemented, then energy consumption is reduced, but system complexity and burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by allowing only certain transmission points within a cell to be deactivated rather than shutting down the entire cell. This partial deactivation reduces energy consumption while avoiding the complex shutdown and startup procedures that would be required for complete cell activation/deactivation, thereby reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3143804B1Discontinuous transmission for a mobile phone network node
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3143804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3143804B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3143804B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile phone network node may determine traffic load associated with a mobile phone network and initiate discontinuous transmission at a frame level, based at least in part upon, determining that the traffic load is less than a first threshold. The mobile phone network node may further initiate discontinuous transmission at a subframe level, based at least in part upon, determining that the traffic load is greater than the first threshold and less than a second threshold and initiate discontinuous transmission at a symbol level, based at least in part upon, determining that the traffic load is greater than the second threshold.