SON Base Station Energy Saving via RRC and PRBU Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for data-intensive services in the 5G era has led to a significant rise in base station establishment, resulting in exponential power consumption, necessitating an energy-saving technology for intelligent base stations.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for energy saving in a wireless communication system, utilizing a self-organizing network (SON) to monitor RRC connections, determine energy-saving opportunities, and adjust the power of base stations based on current and predicted physical resource block usage (PRBU) of neighboring stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If base station establishment is increased to meet data-intensive service demand, then service capacity and coverage are improved, but power consumption increases exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capacityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic power adjustment by transitioning base stations between active and sleep states based on real-time traffic conditions. The controller monitors RRC connection counts and PRBU metrics, dynamically switching base stations to energy-saving mode when traffic is low while maintaining service capacity when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between service capacity and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters of base stations by adjusting power consumption levels based on traffic load. When RRC connection count and PRBU fall below thresholds, base stations are parameter-changed to sleep state with reduced power consumption. When thresholds are exceeded, parameters are adjusted to active state, balancing service capacity requirements with energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If base station power is reduced to save energy, then power consumption decreases, but service quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidservice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors RRC connection counts, PRBU, and traffic patterns to determine optimal power adjustment timing. This feedback loop ensures base stations are activated before service quality deteriorates and deactivated when traffic is sufficiently low, maintaining service quality while reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by predicting future traffic patterns and proactively adjusting base station power states before service quality degradation occurs. The controller uses historical data and thresholds to anticipate traffic spikes and pre-activates base stations, preventing service quality deterioration while maximizing energy savings during low-traffic periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If base station power is adjusted dynamically, then energy efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling base stations to autonomously monitor their own operational status (RRC connection count, PRBU) and automatically adjust their power states without requiring complex centralized control. The base stations self-evaluate against predefined thresholds and autonomously transition between active and sleep states, improving energy efficiency while minimizing control system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250168766A1Apparatus and method for energy saving in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2025.05.22 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST
  • US20250168766A1 patent drawing
  • US20250168766A1 patent drawing
  • US20250168766A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Proposed are a method performed by an apparatus related to a self-organizing network (SON) in a wireless communication system, and an apparatus supporting the same. Proposed are a method performed by a first apparatus in a wireless communication system, and an apparatus supporting the same. The method may include receiving the number of RRC connections from a first base station, determining whether the number of RRC connections exceeds a threshold value for energy saving, obtaining information on a second base station neighboring the first base station on the basis of the fact that the number of RRC connections does not exceed the threshold value, and determining an energy saving base station on the basis of current physical resource block usage (PRBU) and predicted PRBU of the second base station.