Power Amplifier Bias Adjustment for Network Node Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reducing energy consumption in network nodes, such as radio base stations, primarily control power consumption by restricting data traffic, which is not an efficient or direct approach.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that aggregate bitrates for all traffic flows associated with a power amplifier, determine when power consumption can be reduced with acceptable effect, and adjust power consumption by reducing the power amplifier's bias or deactivating signal processing circuits, allowing for more granular control over power usage based on current and predicted bitrate differences and service types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power consumption is reduced by restricting data traffic, then energy consumption decreases, but network performance and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the bias of the power amplifier rather than restricting data traffic. The bias level is dynamically modified based on aggregated bitrate measurements, allowing the system to reduce power consumption while maintaining the data traffic flow and network performance. This resolves the contradiction by changing the control parameter from traffic restriction to amplifier bias adjustment.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power amplifier bias is reduced, then power consumption decreases, but transmission quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the aggregated bitrate and using this information to adjust the power amplifier bias. The system measures the current bitrate, compares it against thresholds, and dynamically adjusts the bias accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that transmission quality is maintained while achieving power consumption reduction, resolving the contradiction between power savings and transmission reliability.
3Measurement precision
If granular control of power amplifiers is implemented, then power adjustment precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple traffic flows into a single aggregated bitrate measurement for control purposes. Instead of individually controlling each power amplifier based on separate traffic flows, the system aggregates the bitrate data and applies a unified bias adjustment. This reduces the complexity of the control mechanism while maintaining granular power adjustment capability, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is presented a method for adjusting power consumption in a network node of a cellular communication system. The method is performed in a power adaption device and comprises the steps of: aggregating bitrates for all traffic flows associated with a power amplifier of the network node to an aggregated bitrate; determining when to adjust power consumption by determining when power consumption of the power amplifier can be reduced with acceptable effect on the traffic flows associated with the power amplifier; and adjusting power consumption by reducing power consumption of the power amplifier when it is determined that the power consumption of the power amplifier can be reduced with acceptable effect on the traffic flows associated with the power amplifier. A corresponding power adaptation device is also presented.