Terminal Cell Switching for Base Station Power Savings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies have not thoroughly studied how to specifically implement power savings in base stations, particularly in terms of control mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A terminal and base station communication method that involves receiving a downlink control signal for energy savings, and switching a secondary cell to a primary cell based on this signal, thereby reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a base station maintains multiple active cells (primary and secondary) for terminal communication, then communication quality and service reliability are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidbase station power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic cell role switching where a secondary cell can be switched to become a primary cell based on downlink control signals. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the base station to adapt its active cell structure according to traffic conditions, maintaining communication reliability while enabling power savings by consolidating active cells when possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of cells by switching the role of secondary cells to primary cells through control signals. This parameter change enables the base station to optimize its resource allocation and power consumption by adjusting which cells are actively serving terminals, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining communication quality and reducing power usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If a base station activates all configured cells for service, then system capacity and data transmission rate are improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidbase station power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic cell activation and role switching mechanisms where secondary cells can be switched to primary cell status when needed for capacity expansion. This allows the base station to scale its active cell count dynamically based on traffic demand, achieving high system capacity when necessary while conserving energy during low-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base station periodically evaluates traffic conditions and sends downlink control signals to switch secondary cells to primary cell status when capacity is needed. This periodic assessment and switching enables the system to maintain high productivity during peak periods while reducing power consumption during off-peak periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4557861A1Terminal, base station, and communication method
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4557861A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4557861A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4557861A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

This terminal includes: a reception unit that receives a downlink control signal relating to power saving in a base station; and a control unit that switches a secondary cell to a primary cell on the basis of the downlink control signal.