CN112770377A

CN112770377A - Cell management method and communication device

Info

Publication number: CN112770377A
Application number: CN202110008097.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李露; 高谦; 贺琳; 李福昌; 苗守野
Original assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Current assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-01-05
Filing date: 2021-01-05
Publication date: 2021-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2041-01-05
Also published as: CN112770377B

Abstract

The application discloses a cell management method and a communication device, relates to the technical field of communication, and is used for reducing energy consumption of network equipment. The method comprises the following steps: a management device of a cell (hereinafter, for convenience of description, simply referred to as a management device) determines whether a target cell satisfies a preset energy saving condition, where the preset energy saving condition includes an energy saving index determined according to a performance index of the target cell and performance indexes of neighboring cells of the target cell; and if the target cell meets the preset energy-saving condition, the management equipment controls the target cell to start an energy-saving mode. The embodiment of the application is applied to the energy-saving process of the cell.

Description

Cell management method and communication device

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular relates to a cell management method and a communication device.

Background

In the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5-generation, 5G) era, a situation in which multiple systems coexist in a wireless network occurs. For example, the third generation partnership project (3 GPP) proposes two types of 5G network architectures, namely, stand-alone (SA) and non-stand-alone (NSA) architectures.

In order to ensure that users can use mobile services anytime and anywhere and meet the requirements of users on call quality in dense areas and busy hours, communication operators deploy a large number of network devices to achieve complete coverage of mobile signals. However, as the number of network devices increases, more and more energy is consumed. Therefore, how to reduce the energy consumption of the network device becomes an urgent problem to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a cell management method and a communication device, which are used for reducing the energy consumption of network equipment.

In order to achieve the purpose, the technical scheme is as follows:

in a first aspect, a method for managing a cell is provided, where the method includes: a management device of a cell (hereinafter, for convenience of description, simply referred to as a management device) determines whether a target cell satisfies a preset energy saving condition, where the preset energy saving condition includes an energy saving index determined according to a performance index of the target cell and performance indexes of neighboring cells of the target cell; and if the target cell meets the preset energy-saving condition, the management equipment controls the target cell to start an energy-saving mode.

Based on the technical scheme provided by the application, the target cell is controlled to start the energy-saving mode under the condition that the cell meets the preset energy-saving condition. The preset energy-saving condition is determined according to the performance index of the target cell and the performance index of the adjacent cell, namely, the cell can be controlled to start the energy-saving mode under the condition that the performance index of the cell meets the preset threshold value, and the method is flexible and accurate.

In a second aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which is applied to a chip or a system on chip in a management device, and may also be a functional module in the management device for implementing the method according to the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. The communication means may implement the functions performed by the managing device in each of the above aspects or possible designs, which functions may be implemented by hardware executing the corresponding software. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules corresponding to the functions. Such as: the communication device includes a processing unit.

The processing unit is used for judging whether the target cell meets a preset energy-saving condition, wherein the preset energy-saving condition comprises an energy-saving index, and the energy-saving index is determined according to the performance index of the target cell and the performance indexes of the adjacent cells of the target cell;

and the processing unit is further used for controlling the target cell to start the energy-saving mode if the target cell meets the preset energy-saving condition.

The specific implementation manner of the communication apparatus may refer to the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and the behavioral function of the management device in the cell management method provided in the first aspect may not be repeated here. Thus, the communication device provided may achieve the same advantageous effects as the first aspect or any of the possible designs of the first aspect.

In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which may be a management device or a chip or a system on chip in a management device. The communication means may implement the functions performed by the management device in each of the above aspects or possible designs, which may be implemented by hardware, such as: in one possible design, the communication device may include: a processor and a communications interface, the processor being operable to support a communications device to implement the functionality referred to in the first aspect above or in any one of the possible designs of the first aspect, for example: the processor is used for judging whether the target cell meets a preset energy-saving condition.

In yet another possible design, the communication device may further include a memory for storing computer-executable instructions and data necessary for the communication device. When the communication device is running, the processor executes the computer executable instructions stored in the memory to cause the communication device to perform the method for managing a cell according to the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which may be a readable non-volatile storage medium, and the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer instruction or a program, which when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method for managing a cell according to the first aspect or any one of the above aspects.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of managing a cell of the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the above aspect.

In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which may be a core network element or a chip or a system on a chip in a core network element, and includes one or more processors and one or more memories. The one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors for storing computer program code comprising computer instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the management apparatus to perform a method of managing cells as set forth in the first aspect above or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect.

In a seventh aspect, a chip system is provided, where the chip system includes a processor and a communication interface, and the chip system may be configured to implement the function performed by the management device in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, for example, where the processor is configured to determine whether a target cell meets a preset energy saving condition. In one possible design, the system-on-chip further includes a memory to hold program instructions and/or data. The chip system may be formed by a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices, without limitation.

For technical effects brought by any design manner of the second aspect to the seventh aspect, reference may be made to the technical effects brought by the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and details are not repeated.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing a cell according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another cell management method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device 60 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Before describing the embodiments of the present application, the terms referred to in the embodiments of the present application are explained:

energy saving mode of cell: it means that the cell can turn off all or part of the functions or turn off all/part of the functions of the device to reduce power consumption. For example, the cell may implement the on energy saving mode by one or more of symbol off, channel off, narrowband off, cell off. As another example, the cell may reduce the transmit power of the signal to implement the power saving mode. Of course, energy saving can be achieved in other ways. Without limitation.

Anchor cell: also known as anchor stations. The anchor cell can be used as an anchor point to realize communication connection between the downstream cell and the core network equipment.

In an example, as shown in fig. 1, fig. 1 illustrates an architecture diagram of an Option 3 networking mode of a 5G NSA according to an embodiment of the present application. The Option 3 networking mode includes: a terminal, an evolved Node B (eNB) and a Next Generation base station (gNB) in communication with The terminal, and an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in communication with The eNB base station and The gNB base station.

The eNB base station and the EPC are connected through a control plane and a data plane. The terminal equipment and the eNB base station have control plane connection and user plane connection. The terminal and the gNB base station have a user plane connection therebetween. User plane data of the terminal equipment interacts with the EPC through the eNB base station. The control plane signaling of the terminal device is transmitted to the EPC through the eNB base station.

In fig. 1, the eNB base station is referred to as an anchor cell of the gNB base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, a cell may have one or more anchor cells, which is not limited.

In the embodiment of the present application, the eNB base station may also be referred to as a 4G base station or a Long Term Evolution (LTE) master evolved node b (master eNB, MeNB). The gbb base station may also be referred to as a 5G base station or a secondary fifth generation base station (SgNB).

With the development of 5G networks, the power consumption of the base station will also multiply. Due to the ultra-dense networking of the 5G base station and the use of the special large-scale array active antenna, the power consumption of the 5G base station is 2.5 times that of the 4G base station. Therefore, the communication carrier's expenditure in terms of electricity usage of the base station accounts for the cost of the communication carrier more and more. How to realize energy saving on the premise of ensuring the network service quality has important practical significance for communication operators.

At present, most of the traffic is borne by a few base stations due to the uneven distribution of the base stations, but the base stations which do not bear the traffic also need to keep working. Thus, the base station is caused to be congested in busy periods and have no traffic in idle periods. Meanwhile, with the development of communication technology, new and old systems coexist, which also results in higher energy consumption of old equipment.

For example, in a 5G NSA networking scenario, a 4G cell is an anchor cell for a terminal device to access a communication network. The terminal equipment can be accessed to the 5G cell only by accessing to the 4G cell first. Therefore, the relation between the 4G cell and the 5G cell needs to be considered in the 4/5G coordinated energy saving technology. If the 4G cell is operated to save energy without considering the situation of the 5G cell, it is likely that the 5G cell is still on to consume power but cannot access the terminal device.

Faced with this problem, in some energy saving approaches, it can be achieved by cell dynamic on and off.

Specifically, the energy-saving method may include the steps of:

and S1, determining the state information of the auxiliary cell by the basic cell.

S2, judging whether the auxiliary cell is in a sleep state, if so, executing S3; otherwise, step S4 is executed.

And S3, the basic cell makes cell awakening judgment, and when the load of the basic cell exceeds the system load threshold, the basic cell sends a cell awakening calling instruction to the auxiliary cell to activate the auxiliary cell to process the user access request.

S4, the auxiliary cell base station makes cell closing judgment, selectively closes the auxiliary cell, and sends a cell closing instruction to the basic cell, which indicates that the auxiliary cell is closed based on the purpose of saving network energy, and the basic cell base station processes the user access request.

The energy-saving method realizes the energy saving of the cellular cell by switching the cellular base station, and when facing more complex network topology, the method is difficult to provide full-area coverage and minimum interference and perform coverage compensation of the area.

In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for managing a cell, so as to reduce energy consumption of the cell. The method comprises the following steps: the management equipment judges whether the target cell meets a preset energy-saving condition or not; and if the target cell meets the preset energy-saving condition, controlling the target cell to start an energy-saving mode.

The target cell starts the energy saving mode according to the above description, which is not described in detail.

The preset energy saving condition may include a performance index of the target cell and a performance index of the target cell. Specifically, reference may be made to the following description, which is not described herein.

In the embodiment of the present application, the target cell and the neighboring cell refer to cells having a common coverage area. The neighboring cell may be referred to as an energy-saving compensation cell/common coverage cell of the target cell.

The technical scheme of the embodiment of the application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. The term "system" may be used interchangeably with "network". CDMA systems may implement wireless technologies such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), CDMA2000, and the like. UTRA may include Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) technology and other CDMA variant technologies. CDMA2000 may cover the Interim Standard (IS) 2000(IS-2000), IS-95 and IS-856 standards. TDMA systems may implement wireless technologies such as global system for mobile communications (GSM). The OFDMA system may implement wireless technologies such as evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11(Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16(WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash OFDMA, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are UMTS as well as UMTS evolved versions. Various versions of 3GPP in Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-based evolution are new versions of UMTS using E-UTRA. The 5G communication system (including the 5G NSA network and the 5G SA network), New Radio (NR) is the next generation communication system under study. In addition, the communication system can also be applied to future-oriented communication technologies, and the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are all applied.

The network architecture and the service scenario described in the embodiment of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and do not form a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, and as a person of ordinary skill in the art knows that along with the evolution of the network architecture and the appearance of a new service scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

As shown in fig. 2, fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the communication system includes: a plurality of cells (e.g., cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3 in fig. 2), one or more terminal devices (e.g., terminal devices in fig. 2) communicatively connected to the plurality of cells, and a core network device.

The cell in fig. 2 may also be referred to as an access device or a Radio Access Network (RAN). For example, it may be a base station. The base station may be a base station transceiver station (BTS) in a global system for mobile communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), a base station (node B) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), an eNB, an internet of things (IoT) or an eNB in a narrowband base-internet of things (NB-IoT), a base station in a future 5G mobile communication network or a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) for future evolution, which is not limited in any way by the embodiments of the present application.

In fig. 2, cell 2 and cell 3 need to interact with the core network device through cell 1. Cell 1 is the anchor cell. Cell 2 and cell 3 are cells having cell 1 as an anchor cell. For example, in conjunction with the network architecture of fig. 1, cell 1 may be an eNB base station, and cells 2 and 3 may be gNB base stations.

The core network may be a core network of a communication operator, such as a 4G core network (e.g., EPC in fig. 1).

In an embodiment of the application, the terminal device is used for providing voice and/or data connectivity services to a user. The terminal may be referred to by different names, such as User Equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, mobile station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, vehicular user equipment, terminal agent or terminal device, and the like. Optionally, the terminal may be various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, and computers with communication functions, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, the handheld device may be a smartphone. The in-vehicle device may be an in-vehicle navigation system. The wearable device may be a smart bracelet. The computer may be a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, and a laptop computer.

In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal devices may be distributed throughout the wireless network.

In particular, the apparatus of fig. 1 and 2 may adopt the structure shown in fig. 3, or include the components shown in fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication apparatus 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the communication apparatus 300 may be a management device or a chip in the management device or a system on a chip. As shown in fig. 3, the communication device 300 includes a processor 301, a communication interface 302, and a communication line 303.

Further, the communication device 300 may further include a memory 304. The processor 301, the memory 304 and the communication interface 302 may be connected by a communication line 303.

The processor 301 is a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a general purpose processor Network (NP), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 301 may also be other devices with processing functions, such as, without limitation, a circuit, a device, or a software module.

A communication interface 302 for communicating with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication network may be an ethernet, a Radio Access Network (RAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or the like. Communication interface 303 may be a module, circuitry, communication interface, or any device capable of enabling communication.

A communication line 303 for transmitting information between the respective components included in the communication apparatus 300.

A memory 304 for storing instructions. Wherein the instructions may be a computer program.

The memory 304 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and/or instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and/or instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disc storage medium or other magnetic storage devices, and the like, without limitation.

It is noted that the memory 304 may exist separately from the processor 301 or may be integrated with the processor 301. The memory 304 may be used for storing instructions or program code or some data or the like. The memory 304 may be located inside the communication device 300 or outside the communication device 300, which is not limited. The processor 301 is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory 304 to implement the measurement method provided by the following embodiments of the present application.

In one example, the processor 301 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in fig. 3.

As an alternative implementation, the communication device 300 may comprise a plurality of processors, for example, the processor 307 may be included in addition to the processor 301 in fig. 3.

As an alternative implementation, the communication apparatus 300 further includes an output device 305 and an input device 306. Illustratively, the input device 306 is a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick-like device, and the output device 305 is a display screen, speaker (spaker), or like device.

It is noted that the communication apparatus 300 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system or a device with a similar structure as that in fig. 3. Further, the constituent structure shown in fig. 3 does not constitute a limitation of the terminal device, and the terminal device may include more or less components than those shown in fig. 3, or combine some components, or a different arrangement of components, in addition to the components shown in fig. 3.

In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, and may also include a chip and other discrete devices.

In addition, acts, terms, and the like referred to between the embodiments of the present application may be mutually referenced and are not limited. In the embodiment of the present application, the name of the message exchanged between the devices or the name of the parameter in the message, etc. are only an example, and other names may also be used in the specific implementation, which is not limited.

In the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same or similar items having substantially the same function and action. For example, the first terminal and the second terminal are only used for distinguishing different terminals, and the sequence order thereof is not limited. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terms "first," "second," etc. do not denote any order or quantity, nor do the terms "first," "second," etc. denote any order or importance.

It is noted that, in the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean exemplary, illustrative, or descriptive. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "e.g.," is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present concepts related in a concrete fashion.

In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, "a plurality" means two or more. "and/or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, which may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of the singular or plural items. For example, at least one (one) of a, b, or c, may represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, wherein a, b, c may be single or multiple.

The following describes a positioning method provided in an embodiment of the present application with reference to the communication system shown in fig. 1. In the following description, the terms and the like used in the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the specific embodiments described above. In the embodiment of the present application, the name of the message exchanged between the devices or the name of the parameter in the message, etc. are only an example, and other names may also be used in the specific implementation, which is not limited. The actions related to the embodiments of the present application are only an example, and other names may also be used in the specific implementation, for example: the term "comprising" in the embodiments of the present application may also be replaced by "carrying" or the like.

As shown in fig. 4, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing a cell, where the method includes:

step 401, the management device determines a preset energy saving condition of the target cell.

The management device may be the communication apparatus in fig. 3 described above, or may have the communication apparatus in fig. 3. The target cell may be cell 1 in fig. 1.

The preset energy-saving condition may limit a condition for the target cell to start the energy-saving mode. Alternatively, the condition for the target cell to turn off the energy saving mode may be limited. The preset energy saving condition may be configured in the management device in advance, or may be obtained by the management device from another device, for example, may be obtained from the target cell, or may be obtained from the core network device, without limitation.

For example, when the management device determines that some performance parameters or current states of the target cell satisfy a preset energy-saving condition, the target cell may be controlled to start the energy-saving mode. For another example, when the management device determines that some performance parameters or the current state of the target cell do not satisfy the preset energy-saving condition, the management device controls the target cell to switch from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, or ensures the current operating state.

In one example, the preset energy saving condition may include an energy saving index. The energy saving indicator may reflect the load status of the target cell.

For example, the energy saving index of the target cell may be determined according to the performance index of the target cell and the performance indexes of the neighboring cells of the target cell.

The performance index of the cell may also be referred to as a performance parameter of the cell, and may include one or more of radio resource utilization, Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection number, and cell traffic, for example. Other indicators, such as capability information of the cell, may of course be included. The capability information of the cell may refer to a maximum number of terminal devices that the cell can access.

For example, the management device may calculate the energy saving index of the target cell according to the following formula:

where n denotes the number of performance indicators of the target cell, m denotes the number of neighbor cells of the target cell, W_iA current value representing an ith performance indicator of the target cell; w is a_iA threshold value corresponding to the ith individual performance index of the target cell is represented; q_ijCurrent value of i-th performance indicator, q, representing jth neighbor cell of target cell_ijAnd the maximum value corresponding to the ith individual performance index of the jth adjacent cell is shown, and n, m, i and j are positive integers.

The maximum value corresponding to the ith performance index of the jth adjacent cell is the maximum value that the ith performance index of the jth adjacent cell can carry/allow. For example, if the performance indicator is the number of RRC connections, the maximum value corresponding to the number of RRC connections of the neighboring cell is the maximum number of RRC connections that can be carried/allowed by the neighboring cell.

Wherein sign (x) is a sign function, and when x is less than 0, sign (x) is-1; when x is 0, sign (x) is 0; when x >0, sign (x) is 1.

Wherein, in the formula I

A contribution value representing whether the target cell can determine to turn on energy saving,

representing the contribution of the target cell's neighbor cells.

For example, the performance index of the target cell includes radio resource utilization, RRC connection number, and cell traffic, that is, n is 3. The target cell has 2 neighboring cells, cell 2 and cell 3, respectively, i.e., m is 2. The current value of the performance index of the target cell and the corresponding threshold, and the current values of the performance indexes of the cell 2 and the cell 3 and the corresponding maximum values may be shown in table 1.

TABLE 1

It should be noted that the performance indicators and the number, the threshold corresponding to the cell, and the maximum value in table 1 are only exemplary, and other performance indicators may be included without limitation.

From Table 1, the above formulas

In the formula

In summary, the energy saving index K of the target cell is 4.

Step 402, if the target cell meets the preset energy-saving condition, controlling the target cell to start an energy-saving mode.

The target cell meeting the preset energy-saving condition may mean that the energy-saving index of the target cell is greater than or equal to a preset threshold. The preset threshold may be set according to needs, and may be, for example, 3, 5, etc., without limitation.

Specifically, the management device may control the target cell to start the energy saving mode when the performance index of the target cell is greater than or equal to a preset threshold; when the performance index of the target cell is smaller than the preset threshold, the management device may not start the energy saving mode in the target cell, that is, the management device determines that the target cell maintains the current working state.

For example, if the energy saving index K of the target cell is 4 and the corresponding threshold is 3, it indicates that the target cell meets the preset energy saving condition, and the management device may control the target cell to start the energy saving mode.

For example, if the energy saving index K of the target cell is 4 and the corresponding threshold is 5, it indicates that the target cell does not satisfy the preset energy saving condition, and the management device may control the target cell not to start the energy saving mode. That is, the management device may determine that the target cell maintains the current operating state.

The energy saving mode may refer to the above description, and is not repeated.

In a possible implementation manner, when the management device is the target cell or is an apparatus in the target cell, the management device may directly turn on the energy saving mode.

In another possible implementation manner, when the management device is another network device or an apparatus in another network device, for example, a core network device or an apparatus in a core network device, the management device may send, to the target cell, an instruction for instructing the target cell to start the energy saving mode. Accordingly, the target cell may start the energy-saving mode after receiving the instruction from the management device to instruct the target cell to start the energy-saving mode.

The instructions may include one or more parameters, which may be used to indicate the number of channels/size of narrow waves/number of antennas/number of sectors, etc. that the target cell turns off. Without limitation.

The core network device may be the core network device in fig. 1.

Based on the technical scheme of fig. 4, the target cell is controlled to start the energy-saving mode when the cell meets the preset energy-saving condition. The preset energy-saving condition is determined according to the performance index of the target cell and the performance index of the adjacent cell, namely, the cell can be controlled to start the energy-saving mode under the condition that the performance index of the cell meets the preset threshold value, and the method is flexible and accurate.

In a possible embodiment, in order to avoid affecting the normal operation of other cells after the target cell starts the energy saving mode, for example, the target cell is an anchor cell of a certain cell (e.g., cell a). If the performance index of the target cell is smaller than the preset value, the target cell directly starts the energy-saving mode, which may affect the operation of the cell a, for example, the cell a cannot send data to the core network. The method provided by the embodiment of the application can further comprise the following steps: the management device determines whether the target cell is an anchor cell.

The anchor cell may refer to the above description.

For example, as shown in fig. 1, the target cell may be cell 1, and the target cell is an anchor cell of cell 2.

In a possible implementation manner, if the target cell is not the anchor cell, the management device may perform step 401 and step 402.

In another possible implementation manner, if the target cell is an anchor cell of another cell (for convenience of description, it may be simply referred to as a first cell), the management device may determine whether the first cell starts the energy saving mode. If the first cell starts the energy saving mode, the management device may perform the above step 401 and step 402; if the energy-saving mode is not turned on by the first cell, the management device may determine that the energy-saving mode is not turned on by the target cell, or control the target cell to maintain the current working state.

In another possible embodiment, in order to adapt to cells of different network types, the method provided in this embodiment may further include: and the management equipment judges whether the target cell starts an energy-saving mode or not according to the network type of the target cell.

The network type may refer to a type of a network provided by the target cell. For example, the management device may determine the network type of the target cell according to the frequency band corresponding to the target cell. Specifically, the network systems corresponding to different frequency bands may refer to the dividing manner in the prior art, and are not described in detail.

In a possible implementation manner, if the target cell is a cell of the first network type, the management device may execute the technical solution in fig. 4; if the target cell is a cell of the second network type, the management device may execute the technical solution provided in the first embodiment.

The grade of the first network system is higher than that of the second network system. For example, the first network standard may be a 5G network, and the second network standard may be a 4G network. Of course, the first network system and the second network system may be other network systems, and are not limited.

In another possible implementation manner, to avoid that the target cell affects the use of the access target cell after the energy-saving mode is turned on, before the target cell turns on the energy-saving mode, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include: the management device switches one or more terminal devices accessing the target cell to the adjacent cell of the target cell.

Reference may be made to the above description for the description of the neighbour cells of the target cell. And are not described in detail.

In a possible implementation manner, in a case that the target cell has a plurality of neighboring cells, the management device may switch one or more terminal devices accessing the target cell to a cell with a highest priority among the plurality of neighboring cells according to priorities of the plurality of neighboring cells. Of course, the management device may also switch to one or more terminal devices accessing the target cell to a cell with the smallest load among the plurality of neighboring cells according to the load conditions of the plurality of neighboring cells.

In another possible implementation manner, if the energy saving mode is also turned on by the neighboring cell of the target cell, or the neighboring cell also meets the preset energy saving condition, the target cell does not turn on the energy saving mode.

In another possible implementation manner, if the target cell is an anchor cell and the first cell further has another anchor cell, the management device may switch one or more terminal devices accessing the target cell to another anchor cell.

For example, the management device may switch the one or more terminal devices to an anchor cell with the highest priority according to priorities of other anchor cells. For another example, the management device may also switch the one or more terminal devices speaking to the anchor cell with the smallest load according to the load conditions of other anchor cells.

The method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described below with reference to specific examples.

In the technical scheme of fig. 5, the first network standard is a 5G network, and the second network standard is a 4G network. The method provided by the embodiment of the application can comprise the following steps:

step 501, the management device obtains cell information of a target cell.

Wherein the cell information of the target cell can be used to reflect the basic situation of the target cell. For example, the cell information of the target cell may include at least a network type of the target cell, anchor point information of the target cell, a performance index of the target cell, and a performance index of a neighboring cell.

The anchor point information of the target cell may refer to the number, priority, load condition, and the like of other anchor point cells possessed by the downstream cell of the target cell. For example, the target cell is an anchor cell of the first cell. The anchor information of the target cell may include whether the first cell has other anchor cells than the target cell and data, performance index, priority, compliance, etc. of the anchor cell of the first cell.

Step 502, the management device determines an energy saving condition corresponding to the network type of the target cell according to the network type of the target cell.

The energy-saving condition may be used to limit a condition for the management device to control the target cell to start the energy-saving mode.

For example, if the network type of the target cell is a 5G network, the management device may directly determine whether the target cell meets a preset energy saving condition. That is, the management apparatus may perform steps 503 to 505 described below; if the network type of the target cell is the 4G cell, the management device may determine whether the target cell is an anchor cell and determine whether the target cell starts the energy-saving mode based on whether the target cell is the anchor cell. That is, the management apparatus may perform steps 506 to 514 described below.

Step 503, the management device determines whether the target cell meets a preset energy-saving condition.

Step 504, if the target cell meets the preset energy-saving condition, the management device switches a terminal device accessing the target cell to an adjacent cell of the target cell, and controls the target cell to start an energy-saving mode.

And 505, if the target cell does not meet the preset energy-saving condition, the management equipment determines that the target cell keeps the current working state.

The steps 503 to 505 may refer to the steps 401 to 402.

Step 506, the management device determines whether the target cell is an anchor cell.

Step 507, if the target cell is not the anchor cell, the management device determines whether the target cell meets a preset energy-saving condition.

Step 508, if the target cell meets the preset energy-saving condition, the management device switches a terminal device accessing the target cell to an adjacent cell of the target cell, and controls the target cell to start an energy-saving mode.

Step 509, if the target cell does not satisfy the preset energy saving condition, the management device determines that the target cell keeps the current working state.

In the steps 507 to 509, the steps 401 to 402 may be referred to.

Step 510, if the target cell is the anchor cell, the management device determines whether the first cell starts the energy saving mode.

If the first cell starts the energy saving mode, the management device executes step 511; if the energy saving mode is not turned on in the first cell, the management device performs steps 512 to 514.

Step 511, the management device switches one or more terminal devices accessing the target cell to an adjacent cell of the target cell, and controls the target cell to start an energy-saving mode.

Step 512, the management device determines whether the first cell has a second cell, and one or more terminal devices accessing the target cell may switch to the second cell.

Wherein the second cell may be an anchor cell of the first cell other than the target cell. The one or more terminal devices accessing the target cell may be handed over to the second cell may mean that the one or more terminal devices may be in communication connection with the second cell.

For example, when the target cell is cell 1 in fig. 2, the first cell may be cell 2 in fig. 2, and the second cell may be cell 3 in fig. 2. Alternatively, the first cell may be cell 3 in fig. 2 and the second cell may be cell 2 in fig. 2. Without limitation.

Step 513, if the first cell has a second cell and one or more terminal devices accessing the target cell can be switched to the second cell, the management device switches the one or more terminal devices accessing the target cell to the second cell and controls the target cell to start the energy saving mode.

Step 514, if the first cell does not have the second cell, or one or more terminal devices accessing the target cell cannot be switched to the second cell, the management device determines that the target cell keeps the current working state.

Based on the technical scheme of fig. 5, the target cell is controlled to start the energy-saving mode when the cell meets the preset energy-saving condition. The preset energy-saving condition is determined according to the performance index of the target cell and the performance index of the adjacent cell, namely, the cell can be controlled to start the energy-saving mode under the condition that the performance index of the cell meets the preset threshold value, and the method is flexible and accurate.

All the schemes in the above embodiments of the present application can be combined without contradiction.

In the embodiment of the present application, the management device may be divided into the functional modules or the functional units according to the above method examples, for example, each functional module or functional unit may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented in a form of hardware, or may be implemented in a form of a software functional module or a functional unit. The division of the modules or units in the embodiment of the present application is schematic, and is only a logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

In the case of dividing each functional module corresponding to each function, fig. 6 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 60, where the communication device 60 may be a pair management device or a chip applied to the pair management device, and the communication device 60 may be configured to execute the functions of the pair management device in the above-described embodiments. The communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 may include: a processing unit 601.

A processing unit 601, configured to determine whether the target cell meets a preset energy saving condition.

The preset energy saving condition may include an energy saving index, and the energy saving index is determined according to the performance index of the target cell and the performance index of the neighboring cell of the target cell.

A processing unit 601, configured to control a target cell to start an energy saving mode if any target cell meets a preset energy saving condition.

The specific implementation of the communication device 60 may refer to a behavior function of the management device in the cell management method shown in fig. 4 or fig. 5.

In one possible design, the communication device 60 shown in fig. 6 may further include a communication unit 602 and a storage unit 603. The communication unit 602 may be used to obtain information of a cell. The memory unit 603 is used for storing program codes and instructions.

Energy saving index of target cell in possible design

Wherein n represents the number of performance indexes of the target cell, m represents the number of adjacent cells of the target cell, and W _ i represents the current value of the ith performance index of the target cell; w _ i represents a threshold value corresponding to the ith individual performance index of the target cell; q _ ij represents the current value of the ith performance index of the jth adjacent cell of the target cell, Q _ ij represents the maximum value corresponding to the ith performance index of the jth adjacent cell, and n, m, i and j are positive integers.

In a possible design, the processing unit 601 is further configured to determine whether the target cell is an anchor cell before determining whether the target cell meets a preset energy saving condition; and if the target cell is not the anchor cell and meets the preset energy-saving condition, controlling the target cell to start the energy-saving condition.

In a possible design, the processing unit 601 is further configured to control the target cell to start the energy saving mode if the target cell is an anchor cell of the first cell and the first cell is in the energy saving mode.

In a possible design, the processing unit 601 is further configured to control the target cell to start the energy saving mode if the first cell is not in the energy saving mode and the first cell further has a second cell, where the second cell is an anchor cell of the first cell except for the target cell.

In a possible design, the processing unit 601 is further configured to, if one or more terminal devices are connected to the target cell, handover the one or more terminal devices to a neighboring cell of the target cell.

As yet another implementable manner, the processing unit 601 in fig. 6 may be replaced by a processor, which may integrate the functions of the processing unit 601. The communication unit 602 in fig. 6 may be replaced by a transceiver or transceiver unit, which may integrate the functionality of the communication unit 602.

Further, when the processing unit 601 is replaced by a processor and the communication unit 602 is replaced by a transceiver or a transceiver unit, the communication device 60 according to the embodiment of the present application may be the communication device shown in fig. 3.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments may be performed by relevant hardware instructed by a computer program, which may be stored in the above computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, may include the processes in the above method embodiments. The computer readable storage medium may be an internal storage unit of the communication device (including the data sending end and/or the data receiving end) of any previous embodiment, such as a hard disk or a memory of the communication device. The computer readable storage medium may also be an external storage device of the terminal device, such as a plug-in hard disk, a Smart Memory Card (SMC), a Secure Digital (SD) card, a flash memory card (flash card), and the like, which are provided on the terminal device. Further, the computer-readable storage medium may include both an internal storage unit and an external storage device of the communication apparatus. The computer-readable storage medium stores the computer program and other programs and data required by the communication apparatus. The above-described computer-readable storage medium may also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or is to be output.

It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" and the like in the description, claims and drawings of the present application are used for distinguishing different objects and not for describing a particular order. Furthermore, the terms "include" and "have," as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those steps or elements listed, but may alternatively include other steps or elements not listed, or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

It should be understood that in the present application, "at least one" means one or more, "a plurality" means two or more, "at least two" means two or three and three or more, "and/or" for describing an association relationship of associated objects, meaning that three relationships may exist, for example, "a and/or B" may mean: only A, only B and both A and B are present, wherein A and B may be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural items. For example, at least one (one) of a, b, or c, may represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", wherein a, b, c may be single or plural.

Through the above description of the embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and simplicity of description, the foregoing division of the functional modules is merely used as an example, and in practical applications, the above function distribution may be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device may be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the above described functions.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the modules or units is only one logical functional division, and there may be other divisions when actually implemented, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or may be integrated into another device, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may be one physical unit or a plurality of physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed in a plurality of different places. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.

The integrated unit, if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application may be essentially or partially contributed to by the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions may be embodied in the form of a software product, where the software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a device (which may be a single chip, a chip, or the like) or a processor (processor) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a U disk, a removable hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present disclosure should be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for managing a cell, the method comprising:

judging whether a target cell meets a preset energy-saving condition, wherein the preset energy-saving condition comprises an energy-saving index, and the energy-saving index is determined according to the performance index of the target cell and the performance index of a cell adjacent to the target cell;

and if the target cell meets the preset energy-saving condition, controlling the target cell to start an energy-saving mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy savings index

Where n represents the number of performance indicators of the target cell, m represents the number of neighbor cells of the target cell, W_iA current value representing an ith performance indicator of the target cell; w is a_iA threshold value corresponding to the ith performance index representing the target cell; q_ijA current value, q, of an i-th performance indicator representing a j-th neighbor cell of the target cell_ijRepresents the ith of the jth neighbor cellAnd n, m, i and j are positive integers corresponding to the maximum value of the performance index.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein before determining whether the target cell satisfies the preset energy-saving condition, the method further comprises:

judging whether the target cell is an anchor cell;

and if the target cell is not the anchor cell and meets the preset energy-saving condition, controlling the target cell to start an energy-saving mode.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

and if the target cell is an anchor cell of a first cell and the first cell is in/starts an energy-saving mode, controlling the target cell to start the energy-saving mode.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

and if the first cell is not in/starts the energy-saving mode and the first cell also has other anchor point cells except the target cell, controlling the target cell to start the energy-saving mode.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, further comprising:

and if the target cell is connected with one or more terminal devices, switching the one or more terminal devices to the adjacent cell of the target cell.

7. A communications apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

the processing unit is used for judging whether a target cell meets a preset energy-saving condition, wherein the preset energy-saving condition comprises an energy-saving index, and the energy-saving index is determined according to the performance index of the target cell and the performance indexes of the adjacent cells of the target cell;

the processing unit is further configured to control the target cell to start an energy saving mode if the target cell meets a preset energy saving condition.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, the target energy savings indicator

Where n represents the number of performance indicators of the target cell, m represents the number of neighbor cells of the target cell, W_iA current value representing an ith performance indicator of the target cell; w_iA threshold value corresponding to the ith performance index representing the target cell; q_ijA current value, q, of an i-th performance indicator representing a j-th neighbor cell of the target cell_ijAnd the maximum value corresponding to the ith individual performance index of the jth adjacent cell is represented, and n, m, i and j are positive integers.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein before determining whether the target cell satisfies the preset energy-saving condition, the processing unit is further configured to:

judging whether the target cell is an anchor cell;

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

and if the first cell is not in/starts the energy-saving mode and the first cell also has a second cell which is an anchor point cell of the first cell except the target cell, controlling the target cell to start the energy-saving mode.

12. The apparatus according to any of claims 7-11, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:

13. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions that, when executed, implement the method of any of claims 1-6.

14. A communications apparatus, comprising: a processor, a memory, and a communication interface; wherein, the communication interface is used for the communication device to communicate with other equipment or networks; the memory is used to store one or more programs, the one or more programs including computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method of any of claims 1-6 by executing the computer-executable instructions stored by the memory.