Dynamic Radio Site Activation for Power Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio communication systems in lower density regions face high power consumption due to continuous or intermittent broadcasting of radio sites, which is costly and inefficient, especially in areas with fewer incidents, while still requiring high availability for emergency responses.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for dynamically activating and de-activating adjacent radio sites based on the location of subscriber units, using a radio controller to identify and activate/de-activate sites as needed, reducing unnecessary power usage and resource consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radio sites continuously broadcast to ensure availability, then system reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation and deactivation of radio sites based on real-time subscriber unit location and traffic conditions. The system transitions from static continuous broadcasting to dynamic on-demand activation, where radio sites are activated only when subscribers are present or approaching, and deactivated when areas are empty. This resolves the contradiction by making the system availability adaptive rather than fixed, reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state parameter of radio sites from continuous 'on' state to conditional 'on' state based on detected conditions (subscriber presence, location, traffic patterns). By monitoring parameters like subscriber location and activation history, the system adjusts the broadcast state accordingly, resolving the contradiction between availability and power consumption through parameter-based control.
2Reliability
If radio sites are activated frequently to maintain availability, then system reliability is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses subscriber units to essentially service themselves by utilizing their own location reports and communication patterns to trigger activation of nearby radio sites. When a subscriber enters an area, their location data automatically initiates activation of relevant sites without requiring manual intervention or continuous operational expenditure, reducing operational costs while maintaining availability through self-triggered activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary activation of radio sites based on predicted subscriber movement patterns and location history. By analyzing past behavior and predicting future locations, the system can proactively activate sites before subscribers actually need them, reducing the frequency of activation compared to reactive approaches while ensuring availability, thereby reducing operational costs.
3Reliability
If radio sites remain active in low-density areas, then service availability is maintained, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service area into individual radio sites or cells that can be independently activated and deactivated. Rather than maintaining all sites active simultaneously, the system segments activation to only those sites currently or potentially needed by subscribers in low-density areas. This segmentation approach reduces overall resource consumption while maintaining service availability where subscribers are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different activation quality levels to different locations based on local conditions. In low-density areas without current subscribers, sites are deactivated or put in low-power mode. In areas where subscribers are detected or predicted to be present, sites are activated with full service quality. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by tailoring resource allocation to actual local needs rather than maintaining uniform availability everywhere.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio site controller is configured to dynamically activate adjacent radio sites by first identifying, based at least on a current location of a subscriber unit in a currently activated first radio site, a currently de-activated second radio site located adjacent to the first radio site, and subsequent activating the identified second radio site. The identified second radio site may be a single de-activated adjacent second radio site, all de-activated adjacent second radio sites, or a subset of de-activated adjacent second radio sites based on a subscriber unit travel direction determination.