Upper-Layer Base Station Power Control for Heterogeneous Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous wireless communication networks, the existing technologies face challenges in minimizing power consumption when multiple small cells (microcells, picocells, or femtocells) are present within a macrocell, leading to unnecessary power consumption due to incorrect handover decisions and lack of adjacent relationships between macrocells and small cells.

Innovation Solution

An upper-layer base station is introduced that communicates with lower-layer base stations to determine which ones satisfy connection preconditions based on terminal attribute information, such as position, communication type, and operating frequency, allowing only those necessary base stations to switch from a power-saving mode to normal operation mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple lower-layer base stations are present within an upper-layer cell, then communication coverage and capacity are improved, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary base stations switching to normal operation mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The upper-layer base station performs preliminary determination of connection preconditions before activating lower-layer base stations. It evaluates terminal attribute information (position, communication type, operating frequency) in advance to identify which lower-layer base stations actually need to be activated, preventing unnecessary power consumption while ensuring adequate communication capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different operational modes to different lower-layer base stations based on local conditions. Not all lower-layer base stations are activated uniformly; instead, the system determines locally which base stations satisfy connection preconditions and activates only those, optimizing the balance between coverage and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If lower-layer base stations are activated without evaluating connection preconditions, then response speed is improved, but power is consumed unnecessarily by adjacent base stations that should remain in power saving mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover response speedVSAvoidunnecessary power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The upper-layer base station performs preliminary evaluation of connection preconditions before activating lower-layer base stations. This preliminary action ensures that only base stations that actually need to be activated are turned on, preventing energy waste from adjacent base stations that should remain in power-saving mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from terminal attribute information (position, communication type, operating frequency) to determine activation decisions. The upper-layer base station continuously monitors terminal status and adjusts lower-layer base station activation accordingly, ensuring optimal balance between response speed and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the upper-layer base station determines connection preconditions based on terminal attribute information, then power consumption is minimized, but system complexity increases due to additional evaluation procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The upper-layer base station's control section performs multiple functions: it determines connection preconditions, evaluates terminal attribute information, and controls lower-layer base station activation. By consolidating these functions in a single multi-functional control mechanism, the patent minimizes the increase in system complexity while achieving effective power management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9161307B2Upper-layer base station, lower-layer base station and wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

An upper-layer base station forms an upper-layer cell in a wireless communication system in which lower-layer cells are superimposed onto the upper-layer cell. This upper-layer base station includes: an upper-layer wireless section that achieves communication with a wireless terminal that is present within the upper-layer cell; an upper-layer inter-station communication section that achieves communication with lower-layer base stations that form the lower-layer cells; and an upper-layer control section that, via the upper-layer inter-station communication section, commands any one of the lower-layer base stations that satisfies preconditions for making a connection in order to communicate with a wireless terminal that is currently performing communication to switch from a power saving mode to a normal operation mode.