Network Handover Method for Access Node Energy Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
As wireless networks expand to meet increasing traffic demands, access network devices face continuous increases in energy consumption and operational costs due to the need to maintain active cells even when few terminal devices are connected, leading to wasteful energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A network handover method where an access network device proactively sends messages to another access network device to hand over terminal devices and switch off cells, allowing the first access network device to conserve energy without affecting user experience, by requesting cell handover and switching off cells even when no terminal devices are actively transmitting data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the access network device waits for terminal devices to disconnect before switching off cells, then the cell switching decision is conservative and reliable, but energy consumption increases due to prolonged active state
Solution Approach 1:
The access network device proactively initiates cell handover procedures and switches off cells before terminal devices naturally disconnect. By sending first messages to neighboring base stations and second messages to terminal devices in advance, the system performs the switching action beforehand, eliminating the need to wait for natural disconnection and reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliability through coordinated handover.
2Loss of energy
If the access network device switches off cells immediately without handover coordination, then energy saving is maximized, but user experience deteriorates due to potential connection disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs handover preparation in advance by sending first messages to neighboring base stations and second messages to terminal devices before actually switching off the cell. This preliminary coordination ensures that terminals are ready to connect to alternative cells, maintaining user experience while enabling immediate energy saving.
Solution Approach 2:
The access network device receives feedback through first response messages from neighboring base stations and second response messages from terminal devices. This feedback mechanism confirms that handover is possible and terminals are ready, allowing the system to switch off cells confidently without disrupting user connections.
3Ease of operation
If the access network device sends individual messages to each terminal device for handover, then the handover process is precise and controlled, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple individual handover messages into a single second message that can be broadcast to multiple terminal devices simultaneously. This consolidation reduces signaling overhead by avoiding repeated transmissions of the same handover information while maintaining precise control over the handover process through the coordinated message structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A first access network device (AND) sends a first message to a second AND. The first message is usable to request to hand over a group of terminal devices under the first AND to the second AND. The group of terminal devices includes one or more terminal devices. In response to the first AND receiving a first response message from the second AND for the first message, the first AND sends a second message to the terminal devices. The first response message is usable to indicate that the terminal devices are allowed to be handed over to the second AND, and the second message is usable to indicate the terminal devices to be handed over to the second AND. After the terminal devices are handed over to the second AND, the first AND switches off one or more cells.