Load-Adaptive Control for Wireless Network Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current telecommunications networks lack comprehensive, overarching controls to minimize energy consumption based on usage behavior or traffic requirements, with power management mechanisms in different network segments being fundamentally different and not readily compatible, limiting their effectiveness in achieving energy efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method for load-adaptive control of network elements and sections by continuously acquiring mobile device position and data rate information to adjust bit rates and power states across connected networks, including cellular, access, and aggregation networks, allowing for redundant component switching, clock rate reduction, and bit rate reduction through less complex coding or lower transmission frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If capacity reserve is maintained for expected traffic peaks, then network reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic capacity adjustment where network elements continuously adapt their operational state based on real-time traffic load conditions. Capacity is scaled up during peak periods and scaled down during off-peak periods, replacing the static capacity reserve approach with a dynamic response mechanism that maintains reliability only when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters of network elements (such as processing speed, transmission power, or active component count) based on traffic conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining fixed high-capacity settings, the system reduces energy consumption while preserving the ability to handle peak traffic when it actually occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by stationary object

If load-adaptive control is implemented in individual network sections, then energy efficiency is improved locally, but overall network energy efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal energy efficiencyVSAvoidoverall network energy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges load-adaptive control mechanisms across multiple network sections and layers (access network, core network, transport network) into a unified control system. This integration allows coordinated energy savings across the entire network by considering interdependencies between different sections, rather than isolated local optimizations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal load-adaptive control framework that can be applied across diverse network elements and technologies (DSL, fiber, wireless, core routing). This multi-functional approach enables consistent energy efficiency improvements throughout the heterogeneous network infrastructure by applying similar adaptive principles universally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by stationary object

If comprehensive control between fixed and mobile networks is implemented, then overall energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall energy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary control entities or signaling mechanisms that coordinate between fixed and mobile network domains. These intermediaries translate and harmonize control signals across different network types, enabling comprehensive load-adaptive control without requiring direct complex integration between all fixed and mobile network elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2563075B1Method and device for load-adaptive, comprehensive control of operational states in convergent fixed and mobile wireless networks with the aim of improving energy efficiency
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2563075B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2563075B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2563075B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The position of a mobile radio data terminal and the data rate required by the components of the mobile telephone network is detected continuously. The position data and the data rate requirement of the components in the aggregation network and/or the wireless network, which are based on the position data in the local vicinity and are responsible for satisfying the data rate requirement of the mobile terminal, is forwarded, to control the bit rate and power states of the components in the aggregation network and/or the wireless network. An independent claim is included for a network of components.