Pico Cell State Management via UE Positioning Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment of pico cells in mobile communication networks faces challenges in balancing capacity and performance requirements with power consumption and interference, exacerbated by varying network loads over time.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for managing cells in a mobile communication network that uses positioning data to selectively switch pico cells between active and inactive states, based on the location and movement of user equipment (UE) within their coverage areas, to optimize power usage and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pico cells are deployed to improve capacity and performance, then network capacity and UE performance are improved, but power consumption and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic cell state management where pico cells transition between active and inactive states based on real-time positioning data of UEs. The base station continuously monitors UE locations and adjusts cell states accordingly, making the network infrastructure adaptive to varying traffic conditions rather than operating in fixed states.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses UE positioning data to predictively activate pico cells before UEs actually enter their coverage areas. By correlating positioning information with coverage area boundaries, the base station can prepare cells in advance, ensuring seamless service continuity while avoiding unnecessary activation when no UEs are present.
2Productivity
If pico cells are deployed to improve capacity and performance, then network capacity and UE performance are improved, but interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of interference into a beneficial mechanism for cell management. By monitoring interference conditions and UE positioning, the system selectively activates pico cells only when and where needed, transforming what could be a harmful interference problem into a controlled resource allocation strategy that improves overall network efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The implementation applies different operational states to different spatial locations within the network. Each pico cell's active or inactive state is determined by local conditions - specifically the presence and positioning of UEs in its coverage area - rather than applying a uniform state across all cells, thereby minimizing interference in areas where it is not needed.
3Reliability
If pico cells are activated to serve UEs, then service quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables pico cells to effectively serve themselves through automated state management. The base station uses positioning data from UEs to autonomously determine when pico cells should be activated or deactivated, eliminating the need for manual intervention and enabling the network to self-optimize its power consumption based on actual service requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The implementation establishes a feedback loop where UE positioning information continuously informs cell state decisions. The base station receives positioning data, correlates it with coverage areas, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust pico cell states, ensuring service quality is maintained while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication network comprises a first cell (200) and a second cell (210, 220, 230, 240) arranged in a coverage area of the first cell (200). A node (100) of the mobile communication network obtains positioning data of a UE (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16). The node (100) correlates the positioning data to a coverage area of the second cell (210, 220, 230, 240). Depending on the correlation of the positioning data and the coverage area of the second cell (210, 220, 230, 240), the node (100) selects between an active state and an inactive state of the second cell (210, 220, 230, 240). In accordance with the selected state, the node controls a base station of the second cell (210, 220, 230, 240).