RAN Traffic Distribution Estimation for Sleeping Base Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suspension control methods for base stations (BSs) in radio access networks (RANs) face challenges due to unclear traffic situations in sleeping BS coverage, leading to reduced power consumption efficiency and deteriorated performance, as activating sleeping BSs to assess traffic often proves difficult.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus estimates traffic distribution within a predetermined area using PM data, calculates similarity among candidate solutions, and selects an optimal traffic distribution to minimize power consumption while maintaining communication quality by setting BSs to sleep or active modes based on estimated traffic patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If base stations are set to sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but traffic distribution information becomes unavailable leading to deteriorated suspension control performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the sleeping base station's traffic distribution information through estimation algorithms. Instead of directly accessing real traffic data from sleeping BSs, the system generates estimated traffic distribution data that replicates the information needed for suspension control decisions, allowing the control system to function as if the BS were still active.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an estimation algorithm as an intermediary between the sleeping base stations and the suspension control system. This intermediary processes available data from operating BSs and generates inferred traffic distribution information for sleeping BSs, bridging the information gap without requiring the sleeping BSs to remain active.
2Measurement precision
If base stations are activated to assess traffic situation, then accurate traffic information is obtained, but power consumption increases and performance deteriorates due to difficulty in activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary estimation of traffic distribution for sleeping base stations using data from operating base stations before making suspension control decisions. This preliminary action provides sufficiently accurate traffic information without requiring actual activation of the sleeping BSs, thus avoiding the power consumption and operational difficulties associated with activation.
3Loss of energy
If periodic activation of sleeping base stations is performed to confirm traffic situation, then power consumption reduction effect is achieved, but communication quality may deteriorate due to unclear traffic situation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where estimated traffic distribution information from sleeping base stations is continuously updated and refined based on actual traffic patterns observed in operating base stations. This feedback loop ensures that suspension control decisions are based on accurate, up-to-date traffic information, maintaining communication quality while preserving power consumption benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores therein a program that causes a computer to execute an estimation process including solving, by using a predetermined term, a plurality of optimization problems of a traffic distribution within a predetermined area based on used bandwidth and throughput of base stations in operation within the predetermined area, calculating a similarity between a plurality of candidates of the traffic distribution within the predetermined area, the candidates being solutions of the optimization problem, selecting one traffic distribution from the candidates of the traffic distribution within the predetermined area based on the calculated similarity, and outputting the selected traffic distribution as the traffic distribution within the predetermined area.