RF Site Controller Adaptive Control Channel Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Radio frequency (RF) site controllers in communication networks continuously transmit outbound signaling messages, consuming excess power even when there is no new activity within their coverage area, leading to unnecessary energy usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a process where the RF site controller operates its control channel in a keyed state for a first dynamic time interval and a de-keyed state for a second dynamic time interval, based on characteristics of the coverage area and serviced devices, to reduce power consumption by periodically refraining from broadcasting outbound signaling messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the RF site controller continuously transmits outbound signaling messages over the control channel, then network functionality and communication reliability are maintained, but power consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The RF site controller transmits outbound signaling messages periodically rather than continuously. The controller determines whether to transmit based on whether new activity has occurred on the control channel during a first dynamic time interval. This periodic transmission approach maintains network functionality when needed while conserving power during idle periods, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the RF site controller refrains from broadcasting outbound signaling messages to save power, then energy consumption is reduced, but network monitoring capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The RF site controller implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the control channel for new activity. The controller listens for inbound signaling messages from communication devices and uses this feedback to determine when to resume transmission. This ensures that power is conserved during idle periods while the controller remains responsive to network events, preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The RF site controller transmits an outbound de-keying notification message before ceasing transmission of outbound signaling messages. This preliminary action informs communication devices that the controller will stop broadcasting, allowing devices to maintain monitoring capability selectively without continuous power consumption from the controller, thus preserving monitoring capability while reducing energy use.
Data Source
AI summary
One example radio frequency (RF) site controller is configured to communicate with a first communication device over a control channel to establish a traffic channel over which the first communication device is configured to communicate with a second communication device. The RF site controller may control the control channel to switch between operating in (i) a keyed state (in other words a full-power state) for a first dynamic period of time and (ii) a de-keyed state (in other words, a lower-powered state) for a second dynamic period of time. At least one of the first dynamic period of time and the second dynamic period of time may be based on a characteristic of at least one of a group consisting of a coverage area being serviced by the RF site controller and one or more communication devices being serviced by the RF site controller.