Relay Node Maintains UE Connectivity During Base Station Energy Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks face high energy consumption, particularly in radio access networks, with existing technologies struggling to efficiently manage energy state transitions, leading to coverage changes and potential disconnection of user equipment (UEs) when base stations switch between energy modes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of relay nodes that can relay information between a base station and out-of-coverage UEs, obtaining and reporting information such as signal strength and quality, to maintain network connectivity and reduce energy usage by dynamically adjusting energy states based on traffic conditions and UE priorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a base station transitions from high energy state mode to low energy state mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but coverage area decreases and UEs may become out of communication range
Solution Approach 1:
A relay node is introduced as an intermediary device between the base station and UEs that are out of direct coverage when the base station operates in low energy state mode. The relay node receives and transmits signals, enabling extended coverage without requiring the base station to maintain high power transmission. This mediator allows the base station to reduce energy consumption while still providing service to remote UEs through the relay path.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If a base station operates in low energy state mode, then energy savings are achieved, but network connectivity is lost for out-of-coverage UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The relay node serves as a mediator that maintains network connectivity for UEs when the base station operates in low energy state mode. By establishing an indirect communication path through the relay node, the system ensures that UEs remain connected to the network even though they are out of direct coverage of the energy-saving base station, thus preserving service reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the communication path based on the base station's energy state. When the base station transitions to low energy state mode, the network dynamically routes traffic through the relay node for affected UEs. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain connectivity reliability while optimizing energy consumption based on real-time operational conditions.
3Reliability
If relay nodes are deployed to maintain coverage during energy state transitions, then connectivity is preserved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay node is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall network complexity. It can serve multiple UEs simultaneously and perform various functions including signal relaying, measurement reporting, and energy state management. By consolidating these functions in a single versatile device rather than requiring specialized components for each function, the system reduces overall device complexity while maintaining connectivity reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are provided for wireless communications. For example, a relay network device can determine that at least one user equipment (UE) is in a communication range of a relay network device and out of a communication range of a network device operating in a first energy state mode. The relay network device can obtain information associated with the at least one UE and can transmit, to the network device operating in the first energy state mode, a report comprising the information.