gNB-UE Power Saving Timing for Lower Base Station Energy Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing complexity and energy consumption of next-generation networks, including 5G and 6G systems, due to diverse communication devices and data demands, necessitate improved energy-saving techniques to optimize network operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing standardized feedback mechanisms from user equipment (UE) to base stations (gNB) for enhanced gNB-UE coordination, allowing for longer sleep opportunities and optimized network energy consumption by reducing unnecessary activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If base stations operate continuously to maintain network availability and service quality, then network reliability and user experience are improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoidbase station energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by enabling base stations to operate in discontinuous modes with defined active and inactive periods. Base stations transition between full operation modes and power-saving modes according to predetermined time patterns, allowing the network to maintain availability during active periods while consuming less energy during inactive periods. This resolves the contradiction by accepting that not all users need continuous service simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making base station operation flexible rather than static. The system dynamically adjusts base station states based on real-time traffic conditions, user requests, and network load. When traffic is low, base stations can enter power-saving modes; when traffic increases, they can quickly transition to full operation. This dynamic adaptation allows the network to optimize the balance between reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If base stations enter power-saving modes to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but network response time and availability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase station energy consumptionVSAvoidnetwork response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having base stations perform wake-up procedures and prepare for operation before actual traffic needs arise. When a base station is in power-saving mode and traffic is detected, it can proactively wake up, retrieve necessary configuration information, and prepare resources in advance, rather than reacting after traffic begins. This reduces the effective response time penalty of being in power-saving mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies feedback mechanisms where the network monitors traffic conditions and user status, then provides feedback to determine when base stations should transition between power-saving and active modes. This feedback loop ensures that power-saving modes are only entered when appropriate and that transitions occur at optimal times, minimizing impact on network response time while maximizing energy savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If network parameters are optimized for energy saving, then operational costs are reduced, but network performance and service quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork energy expenditureVSAvoidnetwork service quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different parts of the network to have different operational characteristics. Not all base stations need to operate the same way; the system can optimize energy saving parameters locally at each base station based on its specific traffic patterns, user base, and geographic location. This enables fine-grained optimization where energy-saving measures are applied selectively rather than uniformly, preserving service quality where needed while reducing costs where appropriate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260019940A1Time domain network energy saving techniques

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 INTEL CORP

AI summary

An apparatus and system are described for reducing user equipment (UE) power consumption after a 5th generation NodeB (gNB) indicates transition to a power saving mode. Different configurations and rules for the UE to identify and use monitoring or transmission occasions within the PSM active time, as well as modification of UE timers during the PSM, are provided. Discontinuous transmission (DTX) and reception (DRX) configurations are signaled to the UE and contain periodicity, start slot/offset, and on duration, as well as activation of the configurations by downlink control information (DCI). UE reporting and paging based on the configurations are provided when light synchronization system block (SSB) transmission or discovery reference signal transmission is used by the gNB.