Network Energy Saving via Mobile Station Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face challenges in achieving energy savings while maintaining Quality of Service (QoS) levels, particularly due to the complexity and delay associated with switching off radio cells and managing interactions between different Radio Access Technologies (RATs), which can lead to reduced user satisfaction and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method where mobile stations actively contribute to network energy saving by transmitting preferred or accepted network energy saving information to network control nodes, allowing for dynamic control of energy-saving modes, such as discontinuous reception and transmission, and base station sector switching, enabling end users to participate in energy-saving decisions through user-friendly applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If a radio cell is switched off to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but radio coverage holes are introduced causing UEs to be unable to connect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidradio coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network is segmented into multiple RAT layers (GSM layer at 900 MHz and LTE layer at 2600 MHz), where each layer provides independent coverage. This allows selective switching off of LTE cells while maintaining coverage through the GSM layer, resolving the contradiction between energy saving and coverage reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The GSM layer acts as an intermediary backup coverage layer. When LTE cells are switched off, the GSM layer provides fallback coverage, ensuring continuous service availability while enabling energy savings in the LTE layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple RAT layers are deployed to prevent coverage holes, then radio coverage reliability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio coverageVSAvoidnetwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple RAT layers (GSM and LTE) are merged into a unified network architecture where they coexist and can be managed together. The management system coordinates between layers, combining their strengths to provide reliable coverage while simplifying overall network control through centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by stationary object

If LTE cells are switched off and UEs are redirected to GSM, then energy saving is achieved, but connection delay increases due to inter-RAT handover requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidconnection delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network is pre-configured with multiple RAT layers providing coverage before any cell switching occurs. UEs are kept in idle mode on the backup layer (GSM) while the primary layer (LTE) is switched off, eliminating the need for inter-RAT handover and reducing connection delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of switching UEs between RATs when cells are activated/deactivated, the approach is inverted: UEs are pre-positioned on the backup RAT layer while the primary layer is deactivated. This eliminates handover procedures and reduces connection delay while maintaining energy savings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Use of energy by stationary object

If MIMO is disabled to reduce energy consumption, then energy saving is improved, but peak data rates are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddata rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network dynamically adapts MIMO configuration based on traffic conditions and energy requirements. MIMO can be selectively enabled or disabled per cell, per time period, or per UE, allowing the system to optimize between energy consumption and data rate performance according to current network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2805550B1Method for controlling network energy saving in a wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2019.08.07 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a method in a wireless communication system for controlling network energy saving, said wireless communication system comprising at least one communication network, at least one network control node and one or more mobile stations, said method comprising the steps of: transmitting, by a mobile station, at least one network energy saving information to at least one network control node, wherein said at least one network energy saving information indicates a preferred or an accepted network energy saving mode by said mobile station; receiving, by said at least one network control node, said at least one network energy saving information; and controlling, by said at least one network control node, network energy saving in said at least one communication network by using said at least one network energy saving information. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method in a mobile station, a method in a network control node, a method in a wireless communication system, a mobile station device, a network control device, computer program, and a computer program product thereof.