Dynamic Radio Cell Activity Control for Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of restricted access cells in cellular networks leads to high electrical consumption and interference with conventional cellular networks, as these cells often remain active even when not in use, causing unnecessary energy consumption and network resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A control method that dynamically manages the activity state of restricted access cells based on the presence of authorized terminals within their geographic coverage area, activating them only when necessary and deactivating them when no terminals are present, thereby reducing energy consumption and minimizing network interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If restricted access cells are deployed to provide continuous radio coverage, then radio access quality for subscribers is improved, but electrical consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of cell activity states, allowing cells to transition between active and inactive states based on real-time presence information of terminals. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to maintain high radio access quality when terminals are present while reducing electrical consumption when cells are inactive, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of cell activity state from static (always on) to variable (active/inactive based on presence). By monitoring presence information and adjusting the activity state parameter accordingly, the system maintains service quality when needed while reducing energy consumption during periods of no activity, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If restricted access cells remain active continuously, then service availability is improved, but network interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts cell activity based on terminal presence detection. When terminals are absent, cells are deactivated to eliminate source of interference. When terminals are present, cells are activated to ensure service availability. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between maintaining service availability and reducing network interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by deactivating cells before they can cause harmful interference when no terminals are present. The control entity proactively manages cell activity states based on presence information, preventing potential interference issues before they occur, thus resolving the contradiction between service availability and interference reduction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cell management entities are deployed independently without coordination, then deployment flexibility is improved, but overall network resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple independently deployed cell management entities through a centralized control entity that coordinates their activity states. This coordination mechanism allows individual entities to maintain deployment flexibility while the centralized controller optimizes overall network resource utilization by managing active/inactive states across all cells, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the invention, a cellular network includes a first cell management entity adapted for managing a first radio cell that can be in an active or inactive state, a second cell management entity adapted for managing at least a second radio cell, and at least one control entity adapted for controlling the first cell management entity, wherein said first and second radio cells at least partially overlap each other geographically. At the control entity, a piece of presence information is obtained (21) concerning the presence of at least one terminal in a radio neighbouring area of the first cell. An activity state of the first cell is then decided (23, 24) on the basis of the piece of presence information, the radio neighbouring area of the first cell including at least the second cell.