Macro Base Station Control of Micro Base Station Non-Data Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous networks, macro-base stations and micro-base stations face challenges in efficiently managing downlink communications using multiple carriers, leading to unnecessary transmission of non-data signals by micro-base stations, which increases interference and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The macro-base station determines whether the micro-base station should transmit non-data signals like synchronization, broadcast, or measurement reference signals using a capacity carrier, and sends instructions to start or halt their transmission based on traffic information, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If micro-base stations continuously transmit non-data signals (synchronization, broadcast, measurement reference signals) using capacity carriers, then users can maintain connection and access services, but interference increases and power consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection maintenanceVSAvoidinterference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic transmission of non-data signals by micro-base stations instead of continuous transmission. The macro-base station controls micro-base stations to transmit synchronization signals, broadcast signals, and measurement reference signals at specific periodic intervals, thereby reducing interference and power consumption while maintaining user connection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The macro-base station autonomously determines traffic information and generates control signals to manage micro-base station transmissions. The system uses self-service mechanisms where the macro-base station monitors channel conditions and automatically adjusts non-data signal transmission without external intervention, optimizing the balance between connection reliability and interference reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If micro-base stations continuously transmit non-data signals, then users can access services, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice accessibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically activates or deactivates non-data signal transmission based on traffic conditions. When traffic demand is low, the macro-base station instructs micro-base stations to discard (stop transmitting) non-data signals to save power. When traffic demand increases, the system recovers transmission by reactivating these signals, thus optimizing power consumption while ensuring service accessibility when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Object-generated harmful factors

If macro-base station controls micro-base station transmissions, then interference and power consumption are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference reductionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control function for multiple micro-base stations into a single macro-base station. The macro-base station consolidates the management of traffic information, control signal generation, and transmission coordination for all micro-base stations, reducing overall system complexity compared to distributed control architectures where each base station would need independent control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3396996B1Radio base station and radio communication method

Publication Date: 2021.10.13 NTT DOCOMO INC

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AI summary

To provide a radio communication method when a macro-base station and micro-base station are regarded as a plurality of transmission points and the plurality of transmission points performs downlink communications using a plurality of carriers, in the radio communication method of the invention, a macro-base station (10) forming a macro-cell determines whether or not a micro-base station transmits a non-data signal that is at least one of a synchronization signal, broadcast signal, measurement reference signal and downlink control signal using a capacity carrier (ST102), and transmits instruction information for instructing the micro-base station (20) to start transmission of the non-data signal using the capacity carrier to the micro-base station when it is determined that the micro-base station transmits the non-data signal (ST103), and the micro-base station (20) starts transmission of the non-data signal using the capacity carrier based on the instruction information from the macro-base station (10) (ST104).