Remote Unit Autonomous Power Saving in Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communications systems face challenges in power saving, particularly in remote units of distributed communications systems, where high power consumption due to active circuits like power management circuits, power amplifiers, and RF filters leads to increased operating expenses.
Innovation Solution
The remote unit is configured to autonomously determine inactivity periods in the set of radio resources and enter a power saving mode operation without requiring control signaling or real-time triggers from the signal source, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the remote unit operates with active circuits (power management circuits, power amplifiers, RF filters) continuously to maintain communication readiness, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote unit dynamically adjusts its operational state by switching between active and power-saving modes based on communication activity. The circuit transitions from a continuous active state to a powered-down state during inactivity periods, making the system's power consumption adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote unit implements periodic monitoring of communication activity to determine when to enter and exit power-saving mode. By periodically checking for communication inactivity and responding with periodic power state changes, the system achieves reliable communication while reducing average power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the remote unit autonomously determines inactivity periods and enters power saving mode without control signaling, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote unit serves itself by autonomously monitoring its own communication activity and making independent decisions about when to enter power-saving mode. The system uses its own operational data to trigger power state changes without requiring external control or coordination with the base station.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuit acts as an intermediary between the communication interface and the power management system. It monitors communication signals and translates communication activity patterns into appropriate power state commands, mediating between the need for communication readiness and power conservation.
3Loss of energy
If the remote unit enters power saving mode during inactivity periods, then operating expenses are reduced, but response time to resume communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote unit performs preliminary monitoring of communication activity patterns to identify inactivity periods before fully entering power-saving mode. By detecting communication patterns in advance and preparing for power state transitions, the system can resume communication more quickly when activity is detected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors communication activity and uses this feedback to determine when to enter or exit power-saving mode. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures that the remote unit responds promptly to communication demands while maximizing power savings during genuine inactivity periods.
Data Source
AI summary
Autonomous power saving in a remote unit in a wireless communications system (WCS) is provided. The remote unit can be part of a distributed communications system (DCS) in the WCS, wherein the remote unit communicates downlink and uplink communications signals over a set of radio resources based on a non-cooperative connectivity to a signal source. Herein, the remote unit is configured to opportunistically engage in a power saving mode operation without requiring control signaling and/or a real time trigger from the signal source. More specifically, the remote unit is configured to determine an inactivity period(s) in the set of radio resources that is suited for the power saving mode operation and autonomously enter the power saving mode operation during the determined inactivity period(s). By autonomously engaging in the power saving mode operation, it is possible to reduce power consumption in the remote unit and overall operating expense of the WCS.