Small Cell Operation State Control via Interference and Load Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE-A networks, managing energy consumption of small cells while maintaining communication quality is challenging due to interference and load variations, leading to inefficient energy use and potential quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that dynamically control the operation state of small cells by acquiring interference and load data, allowing them to transition through multiple sleep levels, reducing energy consumption without compromising communication quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If small cells operate continuously to maintain communication quality, then communication quality is preserved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation state adjustment for small cells, allowing them to transition between active and sleep states based on real-time network conditions. The controlling apparatus monitors traffic load and interference levels, then dynamically controls the operation state of small cells to match actual demand, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation for quality and energy conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operation state parameter of small cells between different modes (active, partial sleep, full sleep) based on network conditions. By adjusting this operational parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a fixed state, the system achieves both energy savings and quality maintenance when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If small cells are placed in sleep state to reduce energy consumption, then energy consumption decreases, but communication quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controlling apparatus continuously monitors network conditions including traffic load and interference levels, and uses this feedback to make informed decisions about small cell operation states. This feedback mechanism ensures that small cells remain active when needed for quality and can sleep when energy savings are prioritized, resolving the contradiction through condition-based control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables small cells to autonomously transition between operation states based on monitored conditions, with the controlling apparatus managing the state changes. This self-adjusting capability allows the network to automatically balance energy consumption and communication quality without manual intervention.
3Productivity
If small cells operate in active state to handle network load, then communication capacity is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial operation states for small cells, where cells can operate at reduced capacity or in partial sleep modes rather than full active state. This allows the system to maintain sufficient communication capacity while consuming less energy, applying the principle of doing just enough work needed rather than operating at full capacity continuously.
4Loss of energy
If small cells are controlled to sleep to save energy, then energy efficiency improves, but interference management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controlling apparatus as an intermediary that manages the operation states of multiple small cells centrally. This mediator coordinates sleep and active states across the network, managing interference and energy consumption in a unified manner rather than requiring complex distributed control at each small cell, thus improving energy efficiency while managing complexity centrally.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method controlling working state change of a small cell and a base station including the device. The device includes: an information acquiring unit that acquires interference between a small cell to be controlled and an adjacent small cell and/or load of the small cell to be controlled; and a state change determination unit that determines working state change to be performed by the small cell to be controlled according to the acquired interference and/or load. The working state includes multiple sleep levels from low to high. A sleep degree of the small cell to be controlled in a low sleep level is less than a sleep degree of the small cell to be controlled in a high sleep level, the working state change being performed among multiple sleep levels.