LTE Base Station Synchronization for Off-Peak Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LTE base stations face high power consumption due to the need for power amplifiers, especially in scenarios with low data transmission, such as off-peak hours or night time, which is not efficiently addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing adaptive scheduling and antenna/MIMO muting techniques to reduce power consumption by identifying off-peak hours, reducing cell size, and transmitting only minimum required signaling and control information, including reference symbols, PDCCH, PSS, SSS, PBCH, PUCCH, and PRACH, while turning off unnecessary components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If base stations transmit full signaling and control information continuously, then network reliability and coverage are maintained, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The base station dynamically adjusts its transmission behavior based on traffic conditions. During off-peak hours, it transitions to a reduced functionality mode where only essential synchronization signals (PSS, SSS) and reference symbols are transmitted, while full signaling and control information transmission is suspended. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability when needed while reducing power consumption during low-traffic periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting complete signaling and control information continuously, the base station transmits only a partial set of essential signals during off-peak hours. Specifically, it transmits PSS, SSS, and reference symbols which are sufficient for basic network functionality and UE synchronization, while omitting redundant control channels and signaling messages. This partial action approach maintains core network reliability while significantly reducing power consumption.
2Productivity
If base stations use multiple antennas and MIMO techniques, then capacity and signal robustness increase, but power consumption increases due to multiple power amplifiers
Solution Approach 1:
The base station segments its antenna array into active and inactive groups based on traffic conditions. During off-peak hours, only a subset of antennas (e.g., one or two) remains active for transmitting essential synchronization signals, while other antenna elements are turned off. This segmentation allows the system to maintain basic network functionality with reduced power consumption from fewer active power amplifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station employs MIMO and multiple antennas only partially during off-peak hours, using just enough antenna elements to maintain basic synchronization and coverage. Instead of activating all power amplifiers and MIMO chains, the system activates only the minimum necessary components (1-2 antennas) to transmit PSS, SSS, and reference symbols, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining essential network capacity.
3Ease of operation
If base stations operate at full power during all hours, then service quality is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates during off-peak hours
Solution Approach 1:
The base station implements periodic operation with distinct active and dormant phases based on traffic patterns. During off-peak hours (e.g., nighttime), it transitions to a low-power periodic mode where only essential synchronization signals are transmitted at reduced intervals or with reduced power. During peak hours, full-power operation resumes. This periodic adaptation maintains service quality when users are active while dramatically improving energy efficiency during low-traffic periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station changes key operational parameters during off-peak hours, including reducing transmit power for non-essential channels, disabling MIMO configurations, and minimizing the number of active antennas. These parameter changes allow the system to maintain adequate service quality for remaining users while optimizing energy efficiency by operating at lower power levels when full capacity is not required.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and computer software are disclosed for providing an energy efficient base station with synchronization. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed, comprising: performing traffic analysis to determine off-peak hours duration when traffic is light; updating downlink and uplink schedulers to transmit a minimum required signaling and control information; and wherein updating downlink and uplink scheduler for minimum required signaling and control information further comprises scheduling, in a downlink direction, at least one of transmitting only reference symbols over selected OFDM symbols, PDCCH on up to a first three OFDM symbols, PSS and SSS on a central six PRBs and PBCH.