SRS-Based Pico Cell Activity Control for Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile networks, the dynamic activation and deactivation of pico cells to manage traffic load lead to frequent switching and increased energy consumption, causing unnecessary power consumption and interference, and require adaptations in control protocols.
Innovation Solution
A method where a base station receives measurement reports from subordinate cells on uplink reference signals to control their activity, allowing for efficient selection and activation/deactivation based on traffic load thresholds, using SRS measurements to assess channel quality and optimize cell usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pico cells are dynamically activated and deactivated to manage traffic load, then network capacity and data rate are improved, but energy consumption increases and device lifetime decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements of downlink channel quality by subordinate base stations before activation. Measurement reports are collected and evaluated in advance to determine suitable candidates for activation, avoiding reactive switching and reducing frequent on/off cycles that shorten device lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where subordinate base stations report measured downlink channel quality to the superordinate base station. This feedback loop enables informed decisions about cell activation/deactivation based on actual channel conditions, optimizing the balance between network capacity and energy consumption.
2Measurement precision
If downlink signals are temporarily transmitted for measurement, then channel quality can be assessed, but power consumption and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the superordinate base station transmit downlink signals for measurement, the system inverts the approach by having subordinate base stations transmit their own downlink signals. This allows channel quality measurement without requiring the superordinate base station to activate its transmit chain, significantly reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Subordinate base stations perform self-measurement of their own downlink channel quality using their own transmitted signals. This self-service approach eliminates the need for coordinated transmission activation and reduces overall system power consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If measurement reports are collected from all subordinate cells, then accurate channel quality assessment is achieved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects measurement reports from all subordinate base stations (excessive action) to ensure comprehensive channel quality assessment, but optimizes the reporting mechanism to minimize overhead. The superordinate base station evaluates these reports to select the most suitable cell for activation, achieving accurate assessment without excessive signaling burden.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile network comprises a cell, with one or more subordinate cells having regions that are each located at least partially within a coverage region of the cell. A base station serving the cell receives a measurement report from a further base station. The further base station is operable for serving one of the subordinate cells. The measurement report indicates a result of a measurement performed by the further base station on an uplink reference signal transmitted by a user equipment. On the basis of the measurement report, the base station controls activity of the subordinate cell.