AI-Driven Base Station MIMO Muting for Radio Power Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of antennas in base stations, particularly in extreme MIMO systems, leads to higher power consumption without adequate solutions for energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network device with artificial intelligence models to determine expected radio resource demand, employing micro discontinuous transmission, MIMO muting, and power-domain techniques to optimize energy efficiency, including techniques like POLITE for reducing transmit power and crest factor, and controlling effective isotropic radiated power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of antennas at base stations is increased to enable eMIMO systems, then spectral efficiency and quality of service are improved, but power consumption at the base stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements micro-discontinuous transmission techniques where the base station periodically activates and deactivates antenna elements and RF chains based on traffic demand. Instead of continuously operating all antennas, the system uses periodic scheduling to activate only the necessary subset of antennas during specific time slots, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining spectral efficiency during active periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active antenna elements and RF chains based on real-time traffic conditions and channel states. The base station can adaptively switch between different MIMO configurations (e.g., from full eMIMO mode to reduced mode) to match the current service demand, optimizing the balance between spectral efficiency and power consumption.
2Productivity
If wider bandwidths and very large antenna array sizes are used in eMIMO systems, then spectral efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by activating only a subset of antenna elements and RF chains rather than operating the full eMIMO system at all times. The base station determines the minimum necessary configuration to meet current service requirements, using partial antenna arrays and reduced bandwidth allocations when full capacity is not needed, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate spectral efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The large antenna array is segmented into multiple independent groups or subsets, each capable of independent activation. The base station can selectively activate specific segments based on spatial distribution of users and traffic patterns, rather than operating the entire array, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining service quality in active segments.
3Reliability
If more antenna elements and RF chains are activated, then transmission capability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as the number of active antenna elements, RF chain configurations, transmit power levels, and bandwidth allocations based on traffic demand and channel conditions. By adjusting these parameters adaptively, the system maintains reliable transmission capability when needed while minimizing energy consumption during low-demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station uses feedback from channel state information, traffic demand reports, and power consumption measurements to continuously optimize the activation state of antenna elements and RF chains. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain transmission reliability by activating necessary components while reducing energy loss by deactivating unnecessary ones.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for a network device, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device to: determine an expected radio resource demand, perform, at least based on the expected radio resource demand, at least one of a) a micro discontinuous transmission technique, or b) a multiple input multiple output, MIMO, muting technique, or c) a power-domain decision.