Load Adaptive Control of Telecommunications Supporting Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing energy consumption in telecommunications networks due to growing data traffic necessitates strategies to reduce energy requirements, particularly in load-adaptive network operations where network capacity varies with traffic demand, leading to fluctuating power needs that current systems struggle to efficiently manage.

Innovation Solution

A method that links traffic and power requirement information across different network sections through network management systems, enabling a comprehensive control system to optimize energy usage in operating points by aggregating data and controlling supporting systems like air conditioning and power supply adaptively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If network capacity is increased to handle growing data traffic, then data transmission capability is improved, but energy consumption increases sharply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic capacity adjustment in network elements by enabling them to adapt their resource allocation and power consumption based on real-time traffic conditions. Network elements can scale their operational capacity up or down dynamically, allowing the system to maintain high data transmission capability when needed while reducing energy consumption during low-traffic periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters of network elements based on traffic demand. By adjusting parameters such as processing speed, resource allocation, and power states of network elements, the system optimizes the balance between data transmission capability and energy consumption, avoiding constant high-power operation regardless of actual traffic needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If load-adaptive operation is implemented to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but coordination between different network management systems becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges previously separate network management functions into a unified framework where network elements, network management systems, and operations management systems work together through standardized interfaces. This integration allows load-adaptive operation to be implemented across multiple network sections without requiring complex point-to-point coordination between independent management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements universal load-adaptive control mechanisms that can be applied across different types of network elements and network sections. The standardized management approach allows the same principles to be used whether controlling access network elements, aggregation network elements, or core network elements, simplifying the overall coordination complexity.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If network elements are controlled independently by separate network management systems, then system autonomy is maintained, but comprehensive load-adaptive control across operating points cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem autonomyVSAvoidload-adaptive control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested control architecture where autonomous network elements are nested within network management systems, which are in turn nested within operations management systems. This hierarchical nesting allows each level to maintain its autonomy and decision-making capabilities while being coordinated by higher levels to achieve comprehensive load-adaptive control across the entire network and operating points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces operations management systems as intermediary entities that coordinate between independent network management systems and the supporting systems at operating points. These intermediaries aggregate information from multiple network management systems and translate it into coordinated control actions, enabling comprehensive load-adaptive control without requiring direct complex interactions between all network management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If supporting systems like air conditioning and power supply are continuously operated to ensure network element functionality, then system reliability is maintained, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily during low traffic periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidsupporting system energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback loops where network elements report their actual traffic load and power requirements to network management systems, which then translate this information into control signals for supporting systems. This feedback mechanism ensures that air conditioning and power supply systems operate at levels matched to actual network element needs, maintaining reliability when required while reducing energy consumption during low-traffic periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses forecasted traffic data to proactively adjust supporting system operation before peak loads occur. By anticipating traffic patterns and pre-adjusting power supply and cooling capacities, the system maintains reliability during expected high-traffic periods while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during low-traffic periods, rather than reacting after conditions change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2760159B1Load adaptive control of supportive systems in a telecommunications network
Publication Date: 2017.07.26 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP2760159B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2760159B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2760159B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The telecommunication network has network elements that are arranged together with supporting system in operating location. The network elements of different network sections are arranged together in operating element. An operating center management system is connected to each network management system, and is adapted to collect data from network sections, to determine an adaptive control of load-supporting system from data information relating to current and/or future anticipated capacity requirements of network portions and perform on the basis of detected capacity requirements. An independent claim is included for method for load-adaptive controlling support system in telecommunications network.