Smart Node ON/OFF Scheduling Across Time-Frequency Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network nodes, such as RF repeaters and network-controlled repeaters, face challenges in efficiently managing their ON/OFF states to optimize power consumption and reduce interference, particularly in dynamic TDD configurations with semi-static and dynamic UL-DL indications.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling smart nodes (SNs) by receiving messages indicating specific time-frequency resources, allowing them to turn on or off based on these resources, ensuring they operate only in valid and non-overlapping time-frequency domains to avoid interference and improve coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If smart nodes operate continuously to provide coverage, then network coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The smart node switches between ON and OFF states periodically based on received wake-up indications. The node operates only during designated time intervals when activated by the network, rather than continuously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining necessary coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart node's operational state is dynamically adjusted based on network conditions and received indications. The node transitions between active and inactive states according to time-frequency resource allocations, optimizing the balance between coverage provision and energy consumption.
2Area of stationary object
If smart nodes operate in more time-frequency resources, then network coverage is improved, but interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The time-frequency resources are segmented into specific allocations for smart nodes. The node receives indications that define precise time-domain and frequency-domain resources where it should operate, preventing overlap with other transmissions and reducing interference while maintaining coverage in designated areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different time-frequency resources are assigned to different smart nodes or functions based on local network conditions. Each node operates with specific quality characteristics in its allocated resources, ensuring optimal performance without causing interference to other parts of the network.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If smart nodes switch ON/OFF frequently to optimize power, then power efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller acts as an intermediary that manages smart node activation. Instead of complex distributed decision-making at each node, the centralized controller receives wake-up indications and sends coordinated activation signals to multiple nodes, simplifying the overall system complexity while achieving power efficiency through controlled ON/OFF switching.
Data Source
AI summary
Presented are systems and methods for controlling a smart node ON/OFF state. A network node (e.g., smart node (SN)) may receive, from a wireless communication node (e.g., base station (BS) or gNB), at least one of: a first message indicating first time-domain and/or frequency-domain (T/F) resources; or a second message indicating a plurality of second T/F resources. The network node may determine to: (i) turn on a forwarding entity of the network node in at least one of: the first T/F resources; one or more of the plurality of second T/F resources; or one or more of a plurality of third T/F resources; and/or (ii) turn off the forwarding entity in at least one of: fourth T/F resources; one or more of the plurality of third T/F resources; or one or more of a plurality of fifth T/F resources.