Deactivation of micro cells in cellular wireless networks
AssigneeFujitsu Limited
InventorsHui Xiao, Rajaguru Mudiyanselage Mythri Hunukumbure
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cell ranking algorithm for power saving in a cellular wireless network having a heterogeneous network structure of macro and micro cells. The algorithm determines when and which micro cells in the network can be deactivated, by which the power consumption of the network can be reduced. A micro cell (Micro d) having a traffic load below a threshold value is deactivated and its load is assigned to adjacent macro cells (Macro a, Macro b) acting as compensation cells. The proposed algorithm is based on the comprehensive consideration of factors that have influence on the power saving of the network and the balance between the traffic load (or quality of service) and the energy saving.
Claims19
A method of managing power consumption in a heterogeneous network providing cells for wireless communication, the network including basic coverage cells overlapping with additional capacity cells, the method comprising:
- (i) determining traffic loads on the basic coverage cells and additional capacity cells;
- (ii) triggering an analysis process when the load on at least one cell meets a threshold condition;
- (iii) if an additional capacity cell meets the threshold condition, seeking one or more basic coverage cells as a compensation cell to take over the load on that additional capacity cell;
- and/or
- (iv) if a basic coverage cell meets the threshold condition, seeking at least one additional capacity cell from which the basic coverage cell can take over the load as a compensation cell;
- (v) marking for deactivation a additional capacity cell considered in step (iii) and for which at least one compensation cell has been found and/or marking for deactivation an additional capacity cell found in step (iv), and
- (vi) deactivating any additional capacity cell marked for deactivation and instructing at least one compensation cell to take over the load from the additional capacity cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.