Small Cell Base Station Selection Using Signal Measurement Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small cell communication systems face challenges in selecting the appropriate base station for terminal devices, leading to potential communication quality issues due to obstacles, despite efforts to reduce power consumption by activating or deactivating base stations based solely on terminal device position.
Innovation Solution
A communication control device and method that includes a communication control unit to manage signal measurements by terminal devices for overlapping small cells and a state control unit to prevent idle states in selected base stations, ensuring better communication quality while reducing power consumption by selecting active base stations based on measurement results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a base station of a small cell is activated solely based on terminal device position, then power consumption is reduced, but communication quality deteriorates due to obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal device measures reference signals from multiple small cell base stations and reports the measurement results (RSRP/RSRQ values) to the network. The network then uses this feedback information to make intelligent decisions about which base stations should be activated, rather than relying solely on position information. This feedback loop ensures that communication quality is maintained while optimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurement and evaluation of multiple candidate base stations before making the activation decision. The terminal device measures reference signals from several small cell base stations in advance, and the network evaluates these measurement results along with position information to determine the optimal base station for activation. This preliminary action prevents poor communication quality by ensuring the selected base station has the best actual communication conditions.
2Reliability
If multiple small cell base stations are kept active to ensure communication quality, then power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the decision parameters from solely position-based to a composite evaluation that includes both position information and actual communication quality measurements (RSRP/RSRQ). This parameter change allows the system to accurately identify the single best base station for activation, avoiding the need to keep multiple base stations active and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining communication quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device autonomously performs measurements of reference signals from multiple small cell base stations and self-evaluates which base station provides the best communication quality. This self-service capability enables the terminal to provide accurate measurement feedback to the network, which then makes an informed activation decision, eliminating the need for the network to maintain multiple active base stations.
3Device complexity
If base station selection is based only on proximity, then device complexity is reduced, but communication quality deteriorates due to obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static position-based selection mechanism to a dynamic selection mechanism that incorporates real-time communication quality measurements. The terminal device dynamically measures reference signals from multiple base stations, and the network dynamically determines which base station to activate based on both position and measurement results. This dynamic approach maintains communication quality while adding minimal complexity through standardized measurement and reporting procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] To make it possible to suppress deterioration in communication quality of radio communication in a small cell while power consumption of a base station of the small cell is reduced. [Solution] Provided is a communication control device including: an acquisition unit configured to acquire a result of measurement performed by a terminal device with regard to one or more small cells which are partly or entirely overlapped by a macrocell; and a selection unit configured to select a base station which is not to be set in an idle state from base stations of the one or more small cells based on the result of the measurement.