Inter-RAT Coverage Determination for Energy Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy saving management (ESM) techniques in wireless communication systems assume that legacy cell coverage wholly encompasses hot spot cells, leading to unnecessary prevention of legacy cell component switching off, resulting in wasted energy when this assumption fails.
Innovation Solution
Implementing inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) coverage determination to allow source cells to activate an energy saving state when covered by a combination of cells from different RATs, enabling efficient energy consumption reduction and improved resource management across multiple RAT environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If existing ESM techniques assume legacy cell coverage wholly encompasses hot spot cell coverage, then energy saving management can be simplified, but this leads to wasted energy when the assumption fails and legacy cells cannot switch off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the coverage determination parameter from assuming single-cell encompassment to evaluating multi-cell coverage combinations. The network management apparatus determines whether a combination of legacy cells (from different RATs) can collectively cover the hot spot cell, rather than requiring one legacy cell to fully encompass it. This parameter change enables accurate energy saving decisions while avoiding waste.
2Reliability
If legacy cells are prevented from switching off to maintain coverage, then service continuity is ensured, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic energy saving states for legacy cells based on real-time coverage requirements. Instead of statically preventing legacy cells from switching off, the system dynamically determines whether each legacy cell can enter an energy saving state by evaluating whether the combination of legacy cells (including those in energy saving state) still provides adequate coverage for the hot spot cell. This dynamic approach ensures service continuity while reducing energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If inter-RAT coverage determination is implemented to allow more energy saving opportunities, then energy consumption decreases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coverage determination process into distinct evaluation steps: identifying legacy cells, determining their individual coverage areas, evaluating combinations of legacy cells, and deciding energy saving states. The network management apparatus performs segmented assessments rather than holistic complex calculations, making the inter-RAT coverage determination more manageable and implementable while still enabling energy savings.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems and techniques are described for determining inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) coverage for energy saving management (ESM). In some embodiments, a network management (NM) apparatus may determine that a source cell of a network of a first RAT is triggered to activate an energy saving state and that the source cell is partially overlapped by each of a plurality of cells of one or more networks of one or more RATs different from the first RAT. The NM apparatus may instruct the source cell to activate the energy saving state when a combination of the plurality of cells provides coverage of the source cell. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.