Intelligent Repeater Offload for Low-Power Radio Access Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless networks face significant power consumption due to the operation of base stations, which include hardware components that consume substantial electrical power for sending and receiving wireless signals and performing baseband processing.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that selectively uses low-power wireless repeaters to offload connectivity from underutilized base stations, allowing them to enter a low-power mode while maintaining connectivity through compatible repeaters that repeat wireless signals, thus reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If base stations are operated continuously to maintain network coverage, then network reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverage reliabilityVSAvoidbase station power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts base station operational states based on real-time traffic conditions. Base stations transition between active, idle, and sleep states, with the network controller continuously monitoring traffic load and reconfiguring the network topology accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability when needed while reducing power consumption during low-traffic periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The network controller implements periodic monitoring of traffic conditions and periodic reconfiguration of base station states. Traffic conditions are evaluated at regular intervals, and base stations are transitioned between operational states in periodic cycles, allowing the system to maintain coverage during high-traffic periods while conserving energy during low-traffic periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If base stations are shut down to reduce power consumption, then power usage is improved, but network coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase station power consumptionVSAvoidnetwork coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Wireless repeaters serve as intermediary devices between active base stations and areas that would otherwise experience coverage gaps. When base stations are transitioned to sleep state, repeaters are activated to relay signals and maintain coverage in previously served areas. This intermediary approach allows the network to reduce base station power consumption while preventing complete coverage loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network coverage area is segmented into multiple zones served by different base stations and repeaters. When traffic conditions allow, certain base station segments are deactivated while other segments (active base stations and repeaters) maintain coverage. This segmentation enables selective power reduction without complete coverage loss, as different spatial segments are managed independently based on local traffic conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If wireless repeaters are deployed to maintain coverage during base station offload, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork power consumptionVSAvoidnetwork infrastructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Wireless repeaters are designed as multi-functional devices that can operate in multiple modes: signal relaying when base stations are offline, direct service provision in remote areas, and collaborative operation with active base stations. This universality reduces the need for specialized equipment for different scenarios, thereby managing complexity while providing flexible coverage maintenance during base station offload operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250301403A1Systems and methods for intelligent repeater offload in a radio access network

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A system described herein may identify one or more Key Performance Indicators (“KPIs”) associated with a first base station. The system may identify, based on the one or more KPIs, an occurrence of a particular event, and select a second base station and a repeater device. The repeater device and the second base station may implement the same set of wireless frequencies. The system may cause the repeater device to repeat wireless signals transmitted to or from the second base station, and may cause the first base station to shut down or to enter a low-power mode. A UE that is wirelessly connected to the first base station prior to the first base station shutting down or entering the low-power mode, may wirelessly connect to the second base station via the repeater device based on the first base station shutting down or entering the low-power mode.