Virtualized Base Station Power Allocation to Limit Energy Waste

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for dimensioning electrical power in telecommunications networks are inflexible and inefficient, leading to oversizing of resources and waste, particularly during sudden changes in demand, and do not optimize the distribution of power between base stations.

Innovation Solution

A method using a virtualization manager to adjust the dimensioning of electrical power based on virtual computing resources, allowing for the distribution of power between base stations by activating or deactivating servers and virtual functions, optimizing power allocation according to demand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the reserved electrical power is oversized to ensure sufficient margin during sudden demand increases, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of energy and waste of resources worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power allocation where the reserved electrical power is continuously adjusted based on real-time monitoring of actual power consumption and predicted demand patterns. The system transitions from static oversizing to dynamic right-sizing, allowing the power reserve to adapt to changing conditions and maintain reliability while minimizing energy waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor actual power consumption patterns and use this information to adjust the reserved electrical power. By continuously measuring and responding to actual usage, the system optimizes the power reserve to match real demand, preventing both over-provisioning and under-provisioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the reserved electrical power is distributed flexibly between base stations, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution flexibilityVSAvoidpower management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a power management controller as an intermediary device that handles the complex tasks of power allocation and distribution. This controller acts as a mediator between the power source and multiple base stations, implementing flexible power distribution algorithms while shielding the complexity from the base stations themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The power management system is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple base stations with different power requirements. The system implements multi-functional capabilities including power allocation, monitoring, adjustment, and optimization across the entire network, reducing the need for separate management systems at each base station.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the power plant is designed to supply electrical power to multiple radio sites simultaneously, then the productivity is improved, but the loss of substance worsens due to oversized infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capacityVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply system into modular units that can be independently controlled and allocated to different radio sites. Instead of a monolithic power plant that must be oversized for peak simultaneous demand, the system divides power capacity into manageable segments that can be dynamically assigned based on actual needs, reducing material waste while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment and planning of power requirements before allocating power capacity. By predicting future power needs and preparing allocation strategies in advance, the system can provision power capacity efficiently without requiring oversized infrastructure, as the power plant is sized according to predicted rather than worst-case scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4066111B1Method for dimensioning an electric power reserved by base stations
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 ORANGE SA
  • EP4066111B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4066111B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4066111B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for dimensioning an electrical power reserved by at least one current base station among a plurality of base stations (RAN1, RAN2) that are connected to a virtualization manager (VIM) of a network infrastructure (R), said method being implemented by said virtualization manager, the method comprising: receiving a request to dimension the reserved electrical power; parameterizing, depending on said request to dimension, at least one server (S11, S12, S21, S22) of at least one current base station; and controlling, depending on the parameterization of said at least one server, at least one virtual computational resource of the network infrastructure, so as to dimension the reserved electrical power.