Microcell Base Station Energy Saving via Paging Response Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy saving solutions for Femto Cell APs are limited in scope and accuracy, particularly when not covered by a macrocell, and can be misactivated due to high exterior noise, leading to ineffective energy saving.
Innovation Solution
A method where a microcell base station enters an idle state if no user equipment is detected and switches to an active state upon receiving a response signal sent after a paging signal, with a period N times the length of a radio frame, allowing for accurate detection of user presence and enabling energy saving in areas not covered by a macro network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If noise power detection technology is used to determine user presence, then the Femto Cell AP can switch states based on detected noise levels, but the system may be misactivated by high exterior noise and energy saving cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the response signal received from user equipment to determine whether to activate the Femto Cell AP. The base station sends a paging signal and waits for a response signal within a specific time window. This feedback mechanism ensures that activation occurs only when actual user presence is confirmed, not due to external noise interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary response signal mechanism between the base station and the Femto Cell AP. Instead of directly detecting noise power, the system uses the response signal as an intermediary indicator of user presence. This intermediary layer filters out false activations caused by exterior noise while maintaining reliable detection of actual users.
2Loss of energy
If the Femto Cell AP stays in idle state to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the system cannot respond to user equipment when not covered by a macrocell
Solution Approach 1:
The Femto Cell AP dynamically switches between idle and active states based on received response signals. The system maintains flexibility by being able to activate when needed (including in areas not covered by macrocells) while conserving energy during idle periods. This dynamic state transition enables the system to adapt to different coverage scenarios and user presence conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The paging signal mechanism serves multiple functions: it detects user presence, enables activation in macrocell coverage areas, and also enables activation in areas not covered by macrocells. This universal approach allows the Femto Cell AP to operate effectively in diverse scenarios while maintaining energy efficiency through selective activation.
3Measurement precision
If the base station sends paging signals frequently to detect user presence, then user presence detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station sends paging signals periodically rather than continuously, with a specific period that is N times the length of a radio frame. This periodic action allows the system to detect user presence at regular intervals while consuming less energy compared to continuous monitoring. The periodic paging signals are sufficient to detect user presence accurately without requiring constant transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for energy saving in communication system, where a base station enters idle state if no residence of user equipment is detected in a cell, comprises: receiving, by the base station in idle state, a response signal from user equipment after receiving a paging signal sent by the base station with a period N times a length of a radio frame; switching, by the base station, to active state. An energy saving base station and a microcell access gateway are also disclosed. Since the method is independent of whether a user equipment has been sent a signal to a macro network, application scope is enlarged. Since whether to enter active state is determined according to the feedback of user terminal, whether there is residence of user equipment in the microcell can be sensed more accurately, improving accuracy of state switching and reliability of smart energy saving of the microcell.