Wireless Access Node Duty Cycle Management in Dense Deployments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cellular communication networks face challenges in meeting increasing demands for data rates and efficiency due to low user activity in super dense deployments of wireless access nodes, leading to underutilization and excessive power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a discontinuous transmit and receive (DTX/DRX) mode of operation for wireless access nodes, where duty cycles are controlled based on alertness states to optimize energy efficiency by aligning DTX and DRX cycles, allowing for time and frequency alignment with user equipment, and configuring subsets of nodes to operate in intermediate alertness states to provide coverage in low-load service areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If more wireless access nodes are deployed to meet increasing data rate demands, then network capacity and data rates are improved, but power consumption increases due to underutilization of nodes in low-load areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic operation modes for wireless access nodes that allow them to transition between active and inactive states based on real-time traffic load conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables the network to maintain high capacity through dense deployment while reducing power consumption by deactivating nodes in low-load areas, directly resolving the contradiction between network capacity and energy usage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic monitoring of traffic load conditions and periodic switching between operation modes (active/inactive states). This periodic action allows the system to adapt to changing traffic patterns while maintaining optimal power consumption, enabling nodes to be activated only when needed and deactivated during low-load periods
2Reliability
If wireless access nodes operate continuously to ensure coverage, then service availability is maintained, but energy efficiency deteriorates in low-load service areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts node operation states based on monitored traffic load conditions. When traffic exceeds a threshold, nodes transition to active state to ensure service availability; when traffic is below the threshold, nodes transition to inactive state to improve energy efficiency. This dynamic state transition resolves the contradiction between maintaining service availability and reducing energy loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where traffic load conditions are continuously monitored and used to control the operation mode of wireless access nodes. This feedback loop ensures that nodes are activated only when traffic demand requires them, maintaining service availability while minimizing energy consumption during low-load periods
3Area of stationary object
If all wireless access nodes remain active to provide coverage, then network coverage is maintained, but power consumption increases due to underutilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coverage functions of multiple wireless access nodes by allowing inactive nodes to be served by neighboring active nodes. When a node is deactivated, its coverage area is effectively absorbed by adjacent active nodes, maintaining overall network coverage while reducing the number of active transmitting nodes, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage area and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which nodes are active and which are inactive based on real-time traffic conditions. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the network to maintain adequate coverage through fewer active nodes during low-load periods, reducing power consumption while ensuring that coverage needs are met by the active subset of nodes
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for efficient operation of wireless access nodes in a dense deployment of wireless access nodes in a cellular communication network. In general, the dense deployment of wireless access nodes includes multiple wireless access nodes in a service area. The service area is preferably, but not necessarily, a low-load service area. As used herein, a low-load service area is an area within an overall service area of the dense deployment of wireless access nodes in which all wireless access nodes are not needed to provide a desired data capacity. Overlapping radio coverage areas of the wireless access nodes in, or serving, the service area are leveraged to enable efficient operation of the wireless access nodes in the service area.