Network Energy-Saving Cells with UE Access via Control-Channel Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in balancing network energy efficiency with user equipment access, as cells operating in energy saving mode may not transmit discovery signals, making it difficult for user equipment to discover or connect with suitable cells, leading to unnecessary power consumption and delay in transitioning cells to active mode.
Innovation Solution
User equipment and network nodes implement mechanisms to monitor control channels and transmit signals based on paging signals and measurements to identify and connect with cells operating in energy saving mode, facilitating efficient transition to active mode for better network access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cell transmits signals (SIBs, SSBs) more frequently, then network access for UEs is improved, but power consumption of the cell increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cell dynamically transitions between active mode and energy saving mode based on network conditions and UE access requirements. In active mode, the cell transmits signals frequently to ensure good network access. In energy saving mode, the cell reduces signal transmission frequency to conserve power, while still allowing UE access through alternative mechanisms like RRM procedures and neighbor cell measurements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a cell operates in energy saving mode and reduces signal transmission, then power consumption is reduced, but UE discovery and access capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
When a cell operates in energy saving mode, it uses intermediary mechanisms to maintain UE access capability. The cell transmits reduced signal sets (such as minimum necessary SSBs or reference signals) that act as intermediaries to enable UE discovery. Additionally, neighboring cells in active mode serve as intermediaries by providing measurement references that allow UEs to indirectly assess and access the energy saving cell through RRM procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The network performs preliminary actions by configuring UEs with advance information about energy saving cells, including their identities, frequencies, and measurement parameters. This preliminary configuration allows UEs to efficiently discover and access energy saving cells without requiring full signal transmission, thereby maintaining access capability while reducing power consumption.
3Ease of operation
If RRM procedures are performed to connect with energy saving cells, then UE can access suitable cells, but delay and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary configuration of UEs with information about energy saving cells, including cell identities, frequency configurations, and measurement parameters, before the UE needs to access them. This advance preparation significantly reduces the time and signaling overhead required during actual access, as the UE does not need to perform extensive discovery and measurement procedures from scratch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates the essential access functionality from the full RRM procedure suite. When accessing energy saving cells, the UE performs only the necessary minimal measurements and reporting required for access, rather than executing complete RRM procedures. This extraction of essential functions reduces access delay and signaling overhead while maintaining adequate access capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may monitor a control channel of a first cell associated with a first network node based at least in part on the first cell operating in a first operating mode. The UE may transmit, to the first network node or a second network node, a first signal associated with establishing a connection with the first cell or with a second cell, associated with the first network node or the second network node, the second cell operating in a second operating mode, the first signal being transmitted based at least in part on at least one of: a paging signal associated with the first cell, or one or more measurements associated with the second cell. Numerous other aspects are provided.