U.S. patent application number 13/976985 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-31 for techniques to manage energy savings for interoperable radio access technology networks.
The applicant listed for this patent is Joey Chou. Invention is credited to Joey Chou.
Application Number | 20130288686 13/976985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47072658 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130288686 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chou; Joey |
October 31, 2013 |
TECHNIQUES TO MANAGE ENERGY SAVINGS FOR INTEROPERABLE RADIO ACCESS
TECHNOLOGY NETWORKS
Abstract
Techniques to manage energy savings for interoperable radio
access technology (RAT) networks are described. An apparatus may
comprise a processing circuit to execute an energy management
application to manage energy consumption for one or more RAT
networks, the energy management application comprising a
distributed energy management component operative to manage energy
saving states for one or more network resources of a single RAT
network, the distributed energy management component to receive one
or more energy saving decision parameters from a network resource
profile associated with a network resource of the single RAT
network, determine whether to switch the network resource to one of
multiple energy saving states based on the one or more energy
saving decision parameters, and send an energy control directive to
instruct the network resource to switch energy saving states. Other
embodiments are described and claimed.
Inventors: |
Chou; Joey; (Scottsdale,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chou; Joey |
Scottsdale |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47072658 |
Appl. No.: |
13/976985 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 28, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US11/53679 |
371 Date: |
June 27, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61481024 |
Apr 29, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/436 ;
455/450; 455/574 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 27/2602 20130101;
H04J 11/0046 20130101; H04L 5/0055 20130101; H04W 36/14 20130101;
H04B 7/0413 20130101; H04W 72/1247 20130101; H04W 12/08 20130101;
H04B 7/0417 20130101; H04W 28/0268 20130101; H04W 84/12 20130101;
H04L 63/10 20130101; H04W 68/005 20130101; Y02D 30/70 20200801;
H04B 7/0452 20130101; H04L 47/125 20130101; H04L 1/1812 20130101;
H04L 5/0057 20130101; H04L 65/4076 20130101; H04W 52/0203 20130101;
H04B 7/0482 20130101; H04L 5/0053 20130101; H04N 21/2365 20130101;
H04B 7/0465 20130101; H04L 5/0092 20130101; H04W 88/10 20130101;
H04B 7/0486 20130101; H04L 27/2613 20130101; H04L 5/0048 20130101;
H04W 12/06 20130101; H04W 48/06 20130101; H04W 52/0219 20130101;
H04L 1/0032 20130101; H04L 5/0094 20130101; H04W 72/0406 20130101;
H04W 88/02 20130101; H04L 1/1861 20130101; H04N 21/64322 20130101;
H04B 7/0639 20130101; H04L 5/0051 20130101; H04L 5/0026 20130101;
H04W 4/70 20180201; H04B 7/0478 20130101; H04L 47/14 20130101; H04B
7/0632 20130101; H04W 72/0413 20130101; H04W 88/06 20130101; H04L
5/0035 20130101; H04W 28/0231 20130101; H04L 5/0025 20130101; H04W
72/042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/436 ;
455/574; 455/450 |
International
Class: |
H04W 52/02 20060101
H04W052/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a processor circuit; and an energy
management application operative on the processor circuit to manage
energy consumption for one or more radio access technology (RAT)
networks, the energy management application comprising a
distributed energy management component operative to manage energy
saving states for one or more network resources of a single RAT
network, the distributed energy management component to receive one
or more energy saving decision parameters from a network resource
profile associated with a network resource of the single RAT
network, determine whether to switch the network resource to one of
multiple energy saving states based on the one or more energy
saving decision parameters, and send an energy control directive to
instruct the network resource to switch energy saving states.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, the distributed energy management
component to receive one or more energy saving input values,
compare the received energy saving input values with corresponding
energy saving decision parameters, and determine whether to switch
the network resource to one of multiple energy saving states based
on the comparison results.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, the energy saving decision parameters
comprising stored defined values for traffic load information,
communication status information, channel status information,
channel quality information (CQI), quality of service class
indicator (QCI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),
signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise plus
interference (SNIR), signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SINAD),
carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), normalized signal-to-noise ratio
(E.sub.b/N.sub.0), bit error rate (BER), packet error rate (PER),
time information, date information, power consumption information,
user equipment information, or standby RAT network information.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, the energy saving input values
comprising real-time values for traffic load information,
communication status information, channel status information,
channel quality information (CQI), quality of service class
indicator (QCI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),
signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise plus
interference (SNIR), signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SINAD),
carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), normalized signal-to-noise ratio
(E.sub.b/N.sub.0), bit error rate (BER), packet error rate (PER),
time information, date information, power consumption information,
user equipment information, or standby RAT network information.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, the energy saving state comprising an
activated energy saving state where the network resource is
non-operational or a deactivated energy saving state where the
network resource is operational.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, the energy control directive
comprising an activate energy control directive to instruct the
network resource to switch from a deactivated energy saving state
to an activated energy saving state, or a deactivate energy control
directive to instruct the network resource to switch from the
activated energy saving state to the deactivated energy saving
state.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, the processor circuit and the energy
management application comprising part of a base station of a RAT
network.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, the network resource comprising a base
station platform component for a base station of the RAT
network.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, the network resource comprising a base
station platform component for a base station of the RAT network,
the base station platform component comprising a power supply, a
radio frequency (RF) transceiver, or an antenna array.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, the distributed energy management
component operative to send a handoff control directive to handoff
user equipment from the single RAT network to a standby RAT network
prior to sending an energy control directive to instruct the
network resource to switch energy saving states.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, the distributed energy management
component operative to receive an energy saving input value
comprising a traffic load value for the RAT network over a defined
time period, compare the traffic load value with an energy saving
decision parameter comprising a threshold value, and send an
activate energy control directive when the traffic load value is
less than the threshold value, and a deactivate energy control
directive when the traffic load value is greater than the threshold
value.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, the distributed energy management
component operative to receive an energy saving input value
comprising a standby RAT network value representing a standby RAT
network for the single RAT network.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, the distributed energy management
component operative to receive an energy saving input value
comprising a capability value representing an alternate RAT network
for the single RAT network that is compatible with user
equipment.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, the distributed energy management
component operative to compare the standby RAT network value with
the capability value.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, the distributed energy management
component operative to send an activate energy control directive
when the standby RAT network value matches the capability value,
and a deactivate energy control directive when the standby RAT
network value does not match the capability value.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, the distributed energy management
component operative to receive an energy saving input value
comprising a communication value representing a communication state
of the user equipment when the standby RAT network value matches
the capability value, and send an activate energy control directive
when the communication value indicates an active communication
state between the user equipment and the standby RAT network, and a
deactivate energy control directive when the communication value
indicates a deactive communication state between the user equipment
and the standby RAT network.
17. An apparatus, comprising: a processor circuit; and an energy
management application operative on the processor circuit to manage
energy consumption for one or more radio access technology (RAT)
networks, the energy management application comprising a
centralized energy management component operative to manage energy
saving states for one or more network resources of multiple
interoperable RAT networks, the centralized energy management
component to retrieve an energy saving schedule for network
resources of the multiple interoperable RAT networks, and according
to the energy saving schedule, receive one or more energy saving
decision parameters from a network resource profile associated with
a network resource of a single RAT network, determine whether to
switch the network resource to one of multiple energy saving states
based on the one or more energy saving decision parameters, and
send an energy control directive to instruct the network resource
to switch energy saving states.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, the energy saving state comprising
an activated energy saving state where the network resource is
non-operational or a deactivated energy saving state where the
network resource is operational.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, the energy control directive
comprising an activate energy control directive to instruct the
network resource to switch from a deactivated energy saving state
to an activated energy saving state, or a deactivate energy control
directive to instruct the network resource to switch from the
activated energy saving state to the deactivated energy saving
state.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, the processor circuit and the energy
management application comprising part of an operation,
administration, maintenance (OAM) device of a RAT network.
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. A method, comprising: receiving one or more energy saving
decision parameters from a network resource profile associated with
a network resource of a radio access technology (RAT) network;
determining whether to switch the network resource to one of
multiple energy saving states based on the one or more energy
saving decision parameters; and sending an energy control directive
to instruct the network resource to switch energy saving
states.
27. The method of claim 26, comprising: receiving one or more
energy saving input values; comparing the received energy saving
input values with corresponding energy saving decision parameters;
and determining whether to switch the network resource to one of
multiple energy saving states based on the comparison results.
28. The method of claim 26, comprising sending a handoff control
directive to handoff user equipment from the single RAT network to
a standby RAT network prior to sending an energy control directive
to instruct the network resource to switch energy saving
states.
29. The method of claim 26, comprising: receiving an energy saving
input value comprising a traffic load value for the RAT network
over a defined time period; comparing the traffic load value with
an energy saving decision parameter comprising a threshold value;
and sending an activate energy control directive when the traffic
load value is less than the threshold value, or a deactivate energy
control directive when the traffic load value is greater than the
threshold value.
30. The method of claim 26, comprising: receiving an energy saving
input value comprising a standby RAT network value representing a
standby RAT network for the RAT network; receiving an energy saving
input value comprising a capability value representing an alternate
RAT network for the single RAT network that is compatible with user
equipment; and comparing the standby RAT network value with the
capability value.
31. The method of claim 30, comprising sending an activate energy
control directive when the standby RAT network value matches the
capability value, or a deactivate energy control directive when the
standby RAT network value does not match the capability value.
32. The method of claim 30, comprising: receiving an energy saving
input value comprising a communication value representing a
communication state of the user equipment when the standby RAT
network value matches the capability value; and sending an activate
energy control directive when the communication value indicates an
active communication state between the user equipment and the
standby RAT network, and a deactivate energy control directive when
the communication value indicates a deactive communication state
between the user equipment and the standby RAT network.
33. An article of manufacture comprising a storage medium
containing instructions that when executed enable a system to:
receive one or more energy saving decision parameters from a
network resource profile associated with a network resource of a
radio access technology (RAT) network; receive one or more energy
saving input values; compare the received energy saving input
values with corresponding energy saving decision parameters
determine whether to switch the network resource to one of multiple
energy saving states based on the comparison results; and send an
energy control directive to instruct the network resource to switch
energy saving states according to the determination results.
34. The article of claim 33, further comprising instructions that
when executed enable the system to: send an activate energy control
directive to instruct the network resource to switch from a
deactivated energy saving state to an activated energy saving
state; or send a deactivate energy control directive to instruct
the network resource to switch from the activated energy saving
state to the deactivated energy saving state.
35. The article of claim 33, further comprising instructions that
when executed enable the system to send a handoff control directive
to handoff user equipment from the RAT network to a standby RAT
network prior to sending an energy control directive to instruct
the network resource to switch energy saving states.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/481,024 titled "Advanced Wireless
Communication Systems and Techniques" filed Apr. 29, 2011, and
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cellular networks continuously upgrade equipment to keep
pace with the insatiable demand of mobile users. This demand
increases energy consumption by orders of magnitude. Increased
energy consumption raises costs for mobile telecommunication
operators and subscribers, and also leads to environmental damage.
Solutions are needed to reduce energy consumption for cellular
networks, both at a mobile device level and a network device level.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the
present improvements have been needed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile
telecommunication system.
[0004] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a first apparatus.
[0005] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a state diagram.
[0006] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a first operating
environment.
[0007] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a second apparatus.
[0008] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a second operating
environment.
[0009] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile
telecommunication system.
[0010] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a third operating
environment.
[0011] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a fourth operating
environment.
[0012] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a fifth operating
environment.
[0013] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a sixth operating
environment.
[0014] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a first logic flow.
[0015] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a second logic
flow.
[0016] FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of a computing
architecture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Various embodiments are directed to energy saving techniques
for mobile telecommunication systems. Some embodiments are
particularly directed to energy saving management techniques for a
mobile telecommunication system comprising one or more radio access
technology (RAT) networks. The energy saving management techniques
may be used to manage underutilized network resources, such as
during off-peak hours, by activating or deactivating them as
necessary to reduce energy consumption while still fulfilling
service levels required by mobile network users. In one embodiment,
this activation/deactivation can be performed for a single RAT
system. In one embodiment, this activation/deactivation can be
performed for multiple interoperable RAT systems working together
to find an optimal balance between energy consumption and service
readiness. As a result, the embodiments can improve affordability,
scalability, modularity, extendibility, or interoperability for an
operator, device or network.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram for mobile
telecommunication system 100. The mobile telecommunication system
100 may comprise multiple interoperable RAT networks 102, 112. The
RAT networks 102, 112 may generally refer to a cellular radio
system that implements one or more network elements utilizing radio
frequency (RF) transceivers to communicate electromagnetic
representations of different types of information, including
without limitation voice information, data information, and control
information. Although FIG. 1 illustrates only two RAT networks 102,
112 for purposes of clarity, it may be appreciated that the mobile
telecommunication system 100 may comprise more than two RAT
networks as desired for a given implementation. The embodiments are
not limited in this context.
[0019] Each of the RAT networks 102, 112 may implement a different
cellular radio system. Examples of cellular radio systems offering
voice and/or data communications suitable for use by the RAT
networks 102, 112 may include without limitation Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM) systems, North American Digital Cellular
(NADC) systems, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems,
Extended-TDMA (E-TDMA) systems, Narrowband Advanced Mobile Phone
Service (NAMPS) systems, Wide-band CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA-2000,
Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) systems, UMTS Terrestrial
Radio Access (UTRA) systems, Evolved UTRA (EUTRA) systems,
Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) systems, Evolved
UTRAN (EUTRAN) systems, GSM with General Packet Radio Service
(GPRS) systems (GSM/GPRS), CDMA/1xRTT systems, Enhanced Data Rates
for Global Evolution (EDGE) systems, GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network
(GERAN) systems, Evolution Data Only or Evolution Data Optimized
(EV-DO) systems, Evolution For Data and Voice (EV-DV) systems, High
Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) systems, High Speed Uplink
Packet Access (HSUPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced
(LTE-A), and so forth. The embodiments, however, are not limited to
these examples.
[0020] In various embodiments, the RAT networks 102, 112 may
implement related cellular radio systems. For instance, the RAT
networks 102, 112 may implement cellular radio systems as defined
by the 3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) series of
standards, such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and so forth.
As such, the RAT networks 102, 112 may be interoperable.
Interoperable refers to the RAT networks 102, 112 supporting some
level of network sharing between different network operators. Other
related cellular radio systems may be used as well, such as those
cellular radio systems defined by the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) (e.g., the IEEE 802.11, 802.16 and
802.20 families of network standards), and others.
[0021] Each RAT network 102, 112 may be implemented as a cellular
radio system comprising one or more cells each serviced by at least
one base station. A cell may refer to an area of radio coverage as
defined by a transmission envelope created by one or more
radio-frequency (RF) transceivers implemented by a base station for
a cell. A base station is a wireless communications station
installed at a fixed location and used to wirelessly communicate
with one or more user equipment (UE).
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the RAT
network 102 may comprise multiple cells each having a base station
104-a to service one or more UE 106-b. For instance, at its current
location the UE 106-1 may be serviced by the base station 104-2.
Similarly, the RAT network 112 may comprise multiple cells each
having a base station 114-c to service one or more UE 116-d. For
instance, at its current location the UE 116-2 may be serviced by
the base station 114-4. Examples of UE 106-b, 116-d may include
without limitation a mobile electronic device, such as a cellular
telephone, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a handheld computer, a
laptop computer, and other mobile electronic devices, some of which
are described with reference to FIG. 14. A particular
implementation for base stations 104-a, 114-c may depend on a
specific type of cellular radio system implemented for each RAT
network 112, 120. For instance, assume the RAT network 102 is
implemented as a GSM system, and the RAT network 112 is implemented
as a UMTS system. In this case, each of the base stations 104-a may
be implemented as a base transceiver station (BTS), and each of the
base stations 114-c may be implemented as a Node B or evolved Node
B (eNodeB or eNB).
[0023] It is worthy to note that "a" and "b" and "c" and similar
designators as used herein are intended to be variables
representing any positive integer. Thus, for example, if an
implementation sets a value for a=5, then a complete set of base
stations 104-a may include base stations 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4
and 104-5. The embodiments are not limited in this context.
[0024] The RAT networks 102, 112 may each be managed by an
operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) device 110, 120,
respectively. The OAM devices 110, 120 may be generally arranged to
automate network planning, configuration and optimization for the
RAT networks 102, 112. In one embodiment, each RAT network 102, 112
may be managed by a separate OAM device 110, 120, respectively. In
one embodiment, both RAT networks 102, 112 may be managed by a
single OAM device 110 or 120. The embodiments are not limited in
this context.
[0025] The RAT networks 102, 112 may implement various energy
saving techniques to reduce energy consumption by individual
network elements of the RAT networks 102, 112, thereby reducing
overall energy consumption of the RAT networks 102, 112. For
instance, the energy saving techniques may reduce service
capabilities of the RAT network 102 to reduce its energy
consumption while providing a back-up by the RAT network 112, and
vice-versa. In one embodiment, for example, the energy saving
techniques implemented for the RAT networks 102, 112 may minor
those defined in 3GPP TR 32.834 version 3.0 titled "Study on OAM
aspects of Inter-RAT energy Saving" published in August 2011 ("3GPP
Energy Saving Specification"), as well as its revisions, progeny
and variants.
[0026] When implementing energy saving techniques for a selected
RAT network 102, 112, it may be appreciated that there may be a
loss of service for any UE 106-b, 116-d currently operating within
the selected RAT network 102, 112. This effect may be somewhat
mitigated by using controlled hand-off techniques to hand-off the
UE 106-b, 116-d to another RAT network. However, those UE 106-b,
116-d having weak connections may be lost. Further, a difference in
service quality between RAT networks may be such that customer
experience during energy saving may be degraded. These and other
factors may be accounted for when deciding whether to implement
energy saving techniques for a RAT network 102, 112.
[0027] The energy saving techniques may be implemented in a
distributed or centralized manner. In one embodiment, for example,
the energy saving techniques may be implemented in a distributed
model by various network elements for the RAT networks 102, 112,
such as by one or more of the base stations 104-a, 114-c,
respectively. In one embodiment, for example, the energy saving
techniques may be implemented in a centralized model by a single
network element for each of the RAT networks 102, 112, such as the
OAM devices 110, 120, respectively. In one embodiment, for example,
the energy saving techniques may be implemented in a centralized
manner by a single network element for both of the RAT networks
102, 112, such as one of the OAM devices 110, 120.
[0028] When implemented in a distributed model, a network element
(e.g., a base station) for the RAT networks 102, 112 may download a
network resource profile that detail conditions for the network
element to enter or exit an energy saving mode. The network
resource profile may include parameters representing thresholds for
traffic loads, time schedules for when to enter or exit energy
saving modes, capability constraints, location constraints, and so
forth. The network element may compare these parameters with
real-time values, and make energy saving decision based on the
comparison results. The network element may then decide for itself
when to enter or exit an energy saving mode.
[0029] When implemented in a centralized model, the various network
elements for the RAT networks 102, 112 report information to a
central network element, such as one or both of the OAM devices
110, 120. In this manner, the OAM devices 110, 120 may collect
network level information, such as traffic loads for each RAT
network 102, 112, a number of active UE 106-b, 116-d, neighboring
cell information for potential standby cells of energy saving
cells, network topology information, and so forth. The OAM devices
110, 120 may download or store a network resource profile
associated with different network elements for the RAT networks
102, 112, with each network resource profile detailing conditions
for an associated network element to enter or exit an energy saving
mode. The network resource profile may include parameters
representing thresholds for traffic loads, time schedules for when
to enter or exit energy saving modes, capability constraints,
location constraints, and so forth. The OAM devices 110, 120 may
compare these parameters with real-time values, and make energy
saving decision for individual network elements based on the
comparison results. The OAM devices 110, 120 may then instruct the
various network element as to when to enter or exit an energy
saving mode.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 200. The
apparatus 200 may illustrate an example of the energy saving
techniques implemented in a distributed manner by various network
elements for the RAT networks 102, 112. Although the apparatus 200
as shown in FIG. 2 has a limited number of elements in a certain
topology, it may be appreciated that the apparatus 200 may include
more or less elements in alternate topologies as desired for a
given implementation.
[0031] In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus
200 comprises a processor circuit 218 and an energy management
application 220. The energy management application 220 may be
arranged for execution by the processor circuit 218 to manage
energy consumption for one or more RAT networks 102, 112. The
energy management application 220 may comprise, among other
elements, a distributed energy management component 222 arranged to
manage various energy saving states for one or more network
resources of a single RAT network 102, 112.
[0032] A network resource may comprise any network element of the
RAT networks 102, 112 that consumes power at a system level, device
level, or component level, including without limitation the base
stations 104-a, 114-c, the UE 106-b, 116-d, the OAM devices 110,
120, individual components (e.g., a processor, memory units,
displays, RF transceivers, peripherals, etc.) of these devices, and
other related network elements. The embodiments are not limited in
this context.
[0033] The distributed energy management component 222 may receive
one or more energy saving decision parameters 210-e from a network
resource profile 208 associated with a network resource of the
single RAT network 102, 112. The energy saving decision parameters
210-e may comprise any stored defined values useful for an energy
saving decision, such as threshold values for triggering energy
savings based on network conditions. For instance, assume an energy
saving decision is made based on a current traffic load for one or
both RAT networks 102, 112. In this case, an energy saving decision
parameter 210-1 may comprise a threshold value representing a
trigger point between a light and heavy traffic load for the RAT
networks 102, 112. Different energy saving decision parameters
210-e may be stored in a network resource profile 208 associated
with an individual network resource. In this manner, the energy
management application 220 may have fine control when attempting to
make energy saving decisions across the RAT networks 102, 112.
[0034] Examples for the energy saving decision parameters 210-e may
include without limitation stored defined values for traffic load
information, communication status information, channel status
information, channel quality information (CQI), quality of service
class indicator (QCI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),
signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise plus
interference (SNIR), signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SINAD),
carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), normalized signal-to-noise ratio
(E.sub.b/N.sub.0), bit error rate (BER), packet error rate (PER),
time information, date information, power consumption information,
user equipment information, or standby RAT network information. The
embodiments are not limited in this context.
[0035] The distributed energy management component 222 may
determine whether to switch the network resource to one of multiple
energy saving states based on the one or more energy saving
decision parameters 210-e. For instance, the distributed energy
management component 222 may receive one or more energy saving
input values 212-f, compare the received energy saving input values
212-f with corresponding energy saving decision parameters 210-e
from the network resource profile 208, and determine whether to
switch the network resource to one of multiple energy saving states
based on the comparison results.
[0036] The energy saving input values 212-f may comprise
instantaneous real-time values received by the energy management
application 220 and useful for comparison with the energy saving
decision parameters 210-e to make an energy saving decision.
Continuing with our previous example, assume an energy saving
decision parameter 210-1 may comprise a threshold value
representing a trigger point between a light and heavy traffic load
for the RAT networks 102, 112. In this case, an energy saving input
value 212-1 may comprise a statistical measure of a current traffic
load over a defined time interval for one or both of the RAT
networks 102, 112. If the energy saving input value 212-1 is less
than (or equal to) the energy saving decision parameter 210-1, then
the traffic load may be light enough to merit energy saving
measures for one of the RAT networks 102, 112. However, if the
energy saving input value 212-1 is greater than (or equal to) the
energy saving decision parameter 210-1, then the traffic load may
be heavy enough to maintain both of the RAT networks 102, 112 in
fully-operational states.
[0037] Examples for the energy saving input values 212-f may
roughly correspond to the stored defined values for the energy
saving decision parameters 210-e, and therefore include without
limitation real-time values for traffic load information,
communication status information, channel status information,
channel quality information (CQI), quality of service class
indicator (QCI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),
signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise plus
interference (SNIR), signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SINAD),
carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), normalized signal-to-noise ratio
(E.sub.b/N.sub.0), bit error rate (BER), packet error rate (PER),
time information, date information, power consumption information,
user equipment information, or standby RAT network information. The
embodiments are not limited in this context.
[0038] The distributed energy management component 222 may send an
energy control directive 230-g to instruct the network resource to
switch energy saving states based on the determination results.
Once the distributed energy management component 222 receives some
minimum or maximum number of energy saving decision parameters
210-e and corresponding energy saving input values 212-f, the
distributed energy management component 222 may run these values
through an energy saving decision algorithm to make an energy
saving decision for one or more network resources. The distributed
energy management component 222 may then send an appropriate energy
control directive 230-g to instruct the one or more network
resource to switch energy saving states based on the determination
results, as described in greater detail with reference to FIG.
3.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a state diagram 300. The
state diagram 300 illustrates different potential energy saving
states for a network resource. As shown in the state diagram 300, a
network resource may switch between an activated energy saving
state 302 and a deactivated energy saving state 304. The activated
energy saving state 302 is an energy saving state where a network
resource is implementing energy saving measures and enters (or
re-enters) a non-operational state where it is not consuming
energy. The deactivated energy saving state 304 is an energy saving
state where a network resource is not implementing any energy
saving measures and therefore enters (or re-enters) an operational
state where it is consuming energy.
[0040] The distributed energy management component 222 may control
a given energy saving state for a given network resource via the
energy control directives 230-g. For instance, a network resource
may be communicatively coupled to the distributed energy management
component 222 to receive an energy control directive 230-g, and
change energy saving states in response to the energy control
directive 230-g issued by the distributed energy management
component 222. For instance, the distributed energy management
component 222 may generate and send an activate energy control
directive 230-1 to instruct a network resource to switch from a
deactivated energy saving state 304 to an activated energy saving
state 302. The distributed energy management component 222 may also
generate and send a deactivate energy control directive 230-2 to
instruct a network resource to switch from an activated energy
saving state 302 to a deactivated energy saving state 304. In this
manner, the distributed energy management component 222 may cycle
various network resources for the RAT networks 102, 112 between
energy saving states in response to instantaneous network
conditions.
[0041] The network resources receiving the energy control
directives 230-g do not necessarily need to switch energy saving
states immediately upon receipt of the energy control directives
230-g. The network resources may delay switching energy saving
states to allow time for controlled hand-offs of any UE 106-b,
116-d currently serviced by the network resource. The energy
control directives 230-g may also have an associated time value
indicating when the network resource should switch between energy
saving states, such as in accordance with a network level schedule,
for example. Further, the network resources may turn off any fault
alarms when responding to explicit energy control directives
230-g.
[0042] Although the state diagram 300 only shows two energy saving
states 302, 304 corresponding to a binary non-consumption or
consumption of energy, respectively, it may be appreciated that
various intermediate energy saving states may be defined
corresponding to varying levels of energy consumption consistent
with various power management techniques. For instance, the state
diagram 300 may be modified to include various power states similar
to those defined by the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface
(ACPI) specification for computer systems, such as various global
states, devices states, processor states, performance states, and
so forth. Other power management techniques may be used as well. In
this manner, the apparatus 200 may manage energy consumption by
individual network resources or collective network resources of the
RAT networks 102, 112 with a finer degree of granularity, such as
placing a base station 104-a, 114-c in varying power saving modes
ranging from a full power operational state, various intermediate
power operational states (e.g., partial sleep mode, sleep mode,
deep sleep mode, etc.), and a completely power-off operational
state.
[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an operating environment
400. The operating environment 400 shows the apparatus 200 as
implemented by an exemplary base station 104-1 of the RAT network
102. The base station 104-1 is used by way of example and not
limitation, and the apparatus 200 may be implemented with any of
the base stations 104-a, 114-c of the respective RAT networks 102,
112 as desired for a given implementation. The embodiments are not
limited in this context.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the distributed energy management
component 222 may generate an activate energy control directive
230-1 or a deactivate energy control directive 230-2 as described
with reference to FIG. 3, and send the control directives 230-1,
230-2 to a network resource. In the operating environment 400, for
example, a network resource may comprise one or more of base
station platform components 402-i implemented by the base station
104-1. In one embodiment, for example, the base station platform
components 402-i for the base station 104-1 may include without
limitation a power supply 402-1, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver
402-2, and an antenna array 402-3, among others. Other possible
base station platform components 402-i may be described with
reference to FIG. 14. In this manner, the distributed energy
management component 222 may cause the base station 104-1 to cycle
between a full-power operational state and a no-power operational
state in response to network conditions via the control directives
230-1, 230-2.
[0045] The distributed energy management component 222 may send a
handoff control directive 240-1 to handoff UE 106-b from the RAT
network 102 to a standby RAT network 112 prior to sending an energy
control directive 230-g to instruct the network resource to switch
energy saving states. In order to preserve on-going communications
sessions with the UE 106-b currently within communication range of
the base station 104-1, the distributed energy management component
222 may send a handoff control directive 240-1 to initiate hand-off
operations for any active UE 106-b from the RAT network 102 to a
standby RAT network 112 prior to sending an energy control
directive 230-g to instruct the base station platform components
402-i to switch energy saving states. Alternatively, the
distributed energy management component 222 may instruct the base
station platform components 402-i to initiate hand-off operations
per normal operations. Once hand-off operations are completed, the
distributed energy management component 222 may then send a
deactivate energy control directive 230-2 to instruct the network
resource to switch to the deactivated energy saving state 304.
[0046] When the distributed energy management component 222 causes
the base station 104-1 to enter a deactivated energy saving state
304, and the base station 104-1 is powered off, it may still
preserve sufficient power to maintain operations of the energy
management application 220. For instance, the processor circuit 218
may be powered by a secondary power supply or power rail separate
from the power supply 402-1 of the base station platform components
402-i.
[0047] The distributed energy management component 222 may cycle
between the activated energy saving state 302 and the deactivated
energy saving state 304 as needed based on changing network
conditions. However, a potential design consideration which may
limit such cycles may be a time interval needed to switch between
energy saving sates 302, 304. This design consideration may
potentially limit a frequency for the cycles, and may be a factor
considered by the distributed energy management component 222 when
making energy saving decisions.
[0048] The distributed energy management component 222 may utilize
an energy saving decision algorithm to evaluate a set of decision
factors encoded by a set of energy saving decision parameters 210-e
and reflected by the corresponding energy saving input values
212-f. In one embodiment, for example, the distributed energy
management component 222 may receive an energy saving input value
212-1 comprising a traffic load value for the RAT network 102
(e.g., 49%) over a defined time period (e.g., minutes, hours, days,
etc.), compare the traffic load value with an energy saving
decision parameter 210-1 comprising a threshold value (e.g., 50%
traffic load), and send an activate energy control directive 230-1
when the traffic load value is less than the threshold value (e.g.,
comparison results=TRUE), and a deactivate energy control directive
230-2 when the traffic load value is greater than the threshold
value (e.g., comparison results=FALSE).
[0049] In one embodiment, for example, the distributed energy
management component 222 may receive an energy saving input value
212-2 comprising a standby RAT network value representing a standby
RAT network 112 for the RAT network 102.
[0050] In one embodiment, for example, the distributed energy
management component 222 may also receive an energy saving input
value 212-3 comprising a capability value representing an alternate
RAT network 112 for the RAT network 102 that is compatible with UE
106-b currently or potentially operating with the RAT network 102.
The distributed energy management component 222 may compare the
standby RAT network value with the capability value, and send an
activate energy control directive 230-1 when the standby RAT
network value matches the capability value, and a deactivate energy
control directive 230-2 when the standby RAT network value does not
match the capability value.
[0051] In one embodiment, for example, the distributed energy
management component 222 may receive an energy saving input value
212-4 comprising a communication value representing a communication
state of the UE 106-b when the standby RAT network value matches
the capability value, and send an activate energy control directive
230-1 when the communication value indicates an active
communication state between the UE 106-b and the standby RAT
network 112, and a deactivate energy control directive 230-2 when
the communication value indicates a deactive communication state
between the UE 106-b and the standby RAT network 112.
[0052] It may be appreciated that the distributed energy management
component 222 may implement different energy saving decision
algorithms utilizing additional or alternative decision factors
when making an energy saving decision for the RAT networks 102,
112, as described further below. The embodiments are not limited in
this context.
[0053] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an apparatus 500. The
apparatus 500 may be similar to the apparatus 200 as described with
reference to FIG. 2. In addition, apparatus 500 may provide an
example of the energy saving techniques implemented in a
centralized manner by a single network element for one or both of
the RAT networks 102, 112.
[0054] In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the apparatus
500 may comprise a processor circuit 518 and an energy management
application 524. The energy management application 524 may be
executed by the processor circuit 518 to manage energy consumption
for one or more RAT networks 102, 112. For instance, the energy
management application 524 may comprise a centralized energy
management component 524 arranged to manage energy saving states
for one or more network resources of multiple interoperable RAT
networks 102, 112.
[0055] Similar to the distributed energy management component 222,
the centralized energy management component 524 may make energy
saving decisions based on a set of energy saving decision
parameters 210-e and corresponding energy saving input values 212-f
for a single network resource. However, unlike the distributed
energy management component 222, the centralized energy management
component 524 may make such individual decisions using network
level information. As such, the centralized energy management
component 524 may make energy saving decisions within a greater
framework of network conditions and operational states for other
network resources within the RAT networks 102, 112. For instance,
when attempting to make an energy saving decision for a first
network resource such as a base station 104-1, the centralized
energy management component 524 may consider an energy saving
decision parameter 210-2 and corresponding energy saving input
value 212-2 representing a current energy saving state of a second
network resource such as a base station 104-2 in the RAT network
102. For example, the energy saving decision parameter 210-2 may
indicate that the base station 104-2 should be in an activated
energy saving state 302 before the base station 104-1 may enter a
deactivated energy saving state 304, and the energy saving input
value 212-2 may indicate that the base station 104-2 is currently
in a deactivated energy saving state 304. As such, this comparison
result would weigh against allowing the base station 104-1 to enter
a deactivated energy saving state 304. By way of contrast, the
distributed energy management component 222 may not necessarily
have access to such network level information, particularly if the
base stations 104-1, 104-2 are not adjacent to each other therefore
making it difficult to take direct statistical measurements (e.g.,
radio signal strength) to assess an energy saving state 302, 304 of
each other.
[0056] The centralized energy management component 524 may retrieve
an energy saving schedule 526 for network resources of the multiple
interoperable RAT networks 102, 112 that reflects such network
level information. The energy saving schedule 526 may list when
certain network resources for the RAT networks 102, 112 should be
placed in an activated energy saving state 302 or a deactivated
energy saving state 304. In this manner, the energy saving schedule
526 may provide a desired balance of service readiness and energy
savings across the entire RAT networks 102, 112.
[0057] In accordance with the energy saving schedule 526, the
centralized energy management component 524 may receive one or more
energy saving decision parameters 210-e from a network resource
profile 208 associated with a network resource of a single RAT
network 102 or 112. The centralized energy management component 524
may also receive one or more energy saving input values 212-f
corresponding to the energy saving decision parameters 210-e. The
centralized energy management component 524 may perform comparison
operations, and determine whether to switch the network resource to
one of multiple energy saving states 302, 304 based on the
comparison results. The centralized energy management component 524
may then send an energy control directive 230-1, 230-2 to instruct
the network resource to switch between energy saving states 302,
304 according to the determined results.
[0058] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of an operating environment
600. The operating environment 600 shows the apparatus 500 as
implemented by an exemplary OAM device 110 of the RAT network 102.
The OAM device 110 is used by way of example and not limitation,
and the apparatus 500 may be implemented with one or both of the
OAM devices 110, 120 of the respective RAT networks 102, 112 as
desired for a given implementation. The embodiments are not limited
in this context.
[0059] In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the OAM
device 110 may implement the energy management application 220 with
the centralized energy management component 524. As a network level
device receiving information for many if not all of the network
elements for the RAT networks 102, 112, the OAM device 110 may make
individual energy saving decisions for particular network resources
using the network level information. The OAM device 110 may then
issue energy control directives 230-1, 230-2 to different base
stations 104-a, 114-c. In turn, the base stations 104-a, 114-c may
power-on or power-off some or all of the base station platform
components 402-i, 602-j, respectively, to switch to an appropriate
energy saving state 302, 304. Further, the centralized energy
management component 524 may issue hand-off control directives
240-h, or alternatively cause base stations 104-a, 114-c to issue
such hand-off control directives 240-h, prior to placing the
different base stations 104-a, 114-c in a deactivated energy saving
state 304.
[0060] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile
telecommunication system 700. The mobile telecommunication system
700 may be the same or similar to the mobile telecommunication
system 100, and provides more details for the exemplary RAT
networks 102, 112, OAM device 110 and base stations 104-1,
114-1.
[0061] More particularly, the mobile telecommunication system 700
illustrates a particular use scenario where the RAT network 102 is
arranged to provide overlay/back-up coverage for the RAT network
112. In this role, the RAT network 102 does not take any energy
saving measures, and therefore will always remain in a full-power
operational state to provide services to the UE 106-b, 116-d. As
such, the RAT network 102 may sometimes be referred to as a
"standby RAT network" to signify its always-on operational state.
By way of contrast, the RAT network 112 does take energy saving
measures under the control of the OAM device 110, and as such,
various network resources for the RAT network 112 may be switched
between the activated energy saving state 302 and the deactivated
energy saving state 304 to create a balance between energy savings
and service-readiness across the RAT networks 102, 112.
[0062] In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the mobile
telecommunication system 700 may comprise network elements of
multiple RAT networks 102, 112. For instance, the mobile
telecommunication system 700 may comprise a first base station
104-1 for a first cell 740 of a first RAT network 102. The first
base station 104-1 may be arranged to always remain in a
deactivated energy saving state 304. The mobile telecommunication
system 700 may further comprise a second base station 114-1 for a
second cell 750 of a second RAT network 112 interoperable with the
first RAT network 102. The second base station 114-1 may be
arranged to switch between an activated energy saving state 302 and
a deactivated energy saving state 304.
[0063] The mobile telecommunication system 700 may further comprise
an OAM 110 device communicatively coupled to the first and second
base stations 104-1, 114-1 of the first and second cells 740, 750,
respectively. The OAM device 110 may comprise a processor circuit
518 and an energy management application 220. The energy management
application 220 may comprise a centralized energy management
component 222 (shown in FIG. 5) operative on the processor circuit
518 to receive one or more energy saving decision parameters 210-e
from a network resource profile 208 associated with the second base
station 114-1 for the second cell 750, determine whether to switch
the second base station 114-1 to the activated energy saving state
302 or the deactivated energy saving state 304 based on the one or
more energy saving decision parameters 210-e, and send an energy
control directive 230-g to instruct the second base station 114-1
to switch to the activated energy saving state 302 or the
deactivated energy saving state 304 based on the determination
results.
[0064] The first base station 104-1 may have a first RF transceiver
706 coupled to a first antenna array 710 arranged to send and
receive electromagnetic representations of information within a
first transmission envelope 712. The second base station 114-1 may
have a second RF transceiver 726 coupled to a second antenna array
730 arranged to send and receive electromagnetic representations of
information within a second transmission envelope 732. The first
and second transmission envelopes 712, 732 may partially or fully
overlap each other.
[0065] The first and second cells 740, 750 may implement any
combination of different cellular radio systems. In one embodiment,
for example, the first cell 740 may comprise a GSM cell, and the
second cell 750 may comprise a UMTS cell. In one embodiment, for
example, the first cell 740 may comprise a GSM cell, and the second
cell 750 may comprise a LTE cell. In one embodiment, for example,
the first cell 740 may comprise a UMTS cell, and the second cell
750 may comprise a LTE cell. In one embodiment, for example, the
first cell 740 may comprise a CDMA2000 cell, and the second cell
750 may comprise a LTE cell. These are merely a few examples of
suitable combinations, and other combinations exist as well. The
embodiments are not limited in this context.
[0066] The energy management application 220 of the OAM device 110
may make energy saving decisions for the base stations 104-1, 114-1
based on several factors as encoded in the energy saving decision
parameters 210-e. Some of those factors may include, among other
factors, a current traffic load for the RAT network 112, an
availability of a standby cell 740 for the cell 750, a device
capability constraint for UE 116-d currently operating within the
cell 750, and a device location constraint for UE 116-d relative to
the cell 750 which affects whether a UE 116-d may communicate with
the standby cell 740. Such energy saving decisions may be described
in more detail with reference to FIGS. 8-11.
[0067] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of an operating environment
800. The operating environment 800 illustrates an exemplary use
scenario for the centralized energy management component 524
utilizing an energy saving decision algorithm with multiple
decision factors, including an exemplary UE capability
constraint.
[0068] As shown in operating environment 800, the operating
environment 800 illustrates multiple over-lapping cells for
different interoperable RAT networks 812, 814 and 816, each having
a pair of cells. The RAT networks 812, 814 and 816 may co-locate
certain equipment, such as RF transceivers of base stations, for
each of the RAT networks 812, 814 and 816 on a same cellular tower
850.
[0069] In this use scenario, assume a first RAT network 812
comprises a GSM network having GSM cells 810-1, 810-2, a second RAT
network 814 comprises a UMTS network having UMTS cells 820-1,
820-2, and a third RAT network 816 comprises a LTE cell having LTE
cells 830-1, 830-2. The RAT networks 812, 814 and 816 are
interoperable in the sense that all three networks are designed
using a same or similar set of standards following a same
evolutionary path, where the GSM network is a second generation
(2G) network, the UMTS network is a third generation (3G) network
evolved from GSM, and the LTE network (or LTE-A) is a fourth
generation (4G) network evolved from GSM and/or UMTS.
[0070] Mobile devices (or UE) may be designed to operate with each
of the RAT networks 812, 814 and 816. For instance, the UE 802-k
may be GSM devices designed to operate with the GSM network 812,
the UE 804-l may be UMTS devices designed to operate with the UMTS
network 814, and the UE 806-m may be LTE devices designed to
operate with the LTE network 816. Furthermore, some or all of the
UE 802-k, 804-l, 806-m may be "dual-mode" mobile devices capable of
operating with more than one network. This is a typical scenario to
allow redundant coverage for mobile devices to allow operations
when portions of a network have been upgraded with more advanced
cellular technologies (e.g., 3G or 4G), while other portions of the
network have not (e.g., 2G). For instance, assume the UE 804-l,
806-m may be designed to also operate with the GSM network 812 in
addition to the UMTS network 814 and the LTE network 816,
respectively.
[0071] This use scenario may be used to demonstrate when the energy
management application 220 of the OAM device 110 makes an energy
saving decision for one or more base stations of the RAT networks
812, 814 and 816 based on several factors as encoded in the energy
saving decision parameters 210-e, including a current traffic load
for the RAT network 112, an availability of a standby cell 740 for
the cell 750, and a device capability constraint for UE 116-d
currently operating within the cell 750.
[0072] For instance, assume that the energy management application
220 receives an energy decision parameter 210-1 and an energy
saving input value 212-1 to check a traffic load constraint for an
energy saving decision algorithm. Assuming a current traffic load
is lower than the threshold value, the centralized energy
management component 524 may decide that one or more of the UMTS
cells 820-1, 820-2 of the UMTS network 814 and/or the LTE cells
830-1, 830-2 of the LTE network 816 may be potential candidate for
energy savings. In this role, the UMTS cells 820-1, 820-2 of the
UMTS network 814 and/or the LTE cells 830-1, 830-2 of the LTE
network 816 may be referred to herein as "energy saving cells."
[0073] The centralized energy management component 524 may then
check to see if the UMTS cells 820-1, 820-2 and/or the LTE cells
830-1, 830-2 have an available standby cell. In this case, since
the GSM cells 810-1, 810-2 fully overlap the other cells, and are
compatible with the UMTS network 814 and LTE network 816, the
centralized energy management component 524 may receive an energy
decision parameter 210-2 and an energy saving input value 212-2 to
check a standby cell constraint for the energy saving decision
algorithm. In this role, the GSM cells 810-1, 810-2 may be referred
to herein as "standby cells."
[0074] Additionally or alternatively, the UMTS cells 820-1, 820-2
of the UMTS network 814 and/or the LTE cells 830-1, 830-2 of the
LTE network 816 may be referred to as a "RAT 1 Cell" using
terminology consistent with the 3GPP Energy Saving Specification.
The GSM cells 810-1, 810-2 may be referred to as "RAT 2 Cell" using
terminology consistent with the 3GPP Energy Saving Specification. A
RAT 1 Cell provides basic service coverage, while a RAT 2 Cell
provides additional capacity and/or different services or service
quality at specific locations.
[0075] The centralized energy management component 524 may finally
check equipment capabilities for the UE 804-l, 806-m to see if some
or all of the UE 804-l, 806-m are capable of operating with the GSM
cells 810-1, 810-2. Since the UE 804-l, 806-m are dual-mode mobile
devices capable of communicating with the GSM cells 810-1, 810-2 in
a second mode, the centralized energy management component 524 may
receive an energy decision parameter 210-3 and an energy saving
input value 212-3 to check a UE capability constraint for the
energy saving decision algorithm.
[0076] When all three conditions for the traffic load constraint,
standby cell constraint and UE capability constraint are TRUE, the
centralized energy management component 524 may issue an activate
energy control directive 230-1 to power management components 714
of one or more base stations of the UMTS network 814 and/or the LTE
network 816 to enter an activated energy saving state 302. When one
of the three conditions is FALSE, and the base stations of the UMT
network 814 and/or the LTE network 816 are in a deactivated energy
saving state 304, the centralized energy management component 524
may do nothing and leave the UMT network 814 and/or the LTE network
816 in a deactivated energy saving state 304 until all three
conditions turn TRUE. When one of the three conditions is FALSE,
and the base stations of the UMT network 814 and/or the LTE network
816 are already in an activated energy saving state 302, the
centralized energy management component 524 may issue a deactivate
energy control directive 230-2 to the power management components
714 of one or more base stations of the UMT network 814 and/or the
LTE network 816 to enter a deactivated energy saving state 304
until all three conditions turn TRUE again. For instance, if a
traffic load for a RAT network having a network resource in an
activated energy saving state 302 rises to above a threshold value,
the network resource may be placed in deactivated energy saving
state 304 to support the increased traffic loads.
[0077] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of an operating environment
900. The operating environment 900 is similar to the operating
environment 800 as described with reference to FIG. 8. The
operating environment 900 illustrates an exemplary use scenario for
the centralized energy management component 524 utilizing an energy
saving decision algorithm with multiple decision factors, including
an exemplary UE location constraint.
[0078] This use scenario may be used to demonstrate when the energy
management application 220 of the OAM device 110 makes an energy
saving decision for one or more base stations of the RAT networks
812, 814 and 816 based on several factors as encoded in the energy
saving decision parameters 210-e, including a current traffic load
for the RAT network 112, an availability of a standby cell 740 for
the cell 750, a device capability constraint for UE 116-d currently
operating within the cell 750, and a device location constraint for
UE 804-1 operating in the UMTS cell 820-1 which affects whether a
UE 804-1 may communicate with the standby GSM cell 810-1.
[0079] As described with the operating environment 800, the
centralized energy management component 524 may check the traffic
load constraint, standby cell constraint and UE capability
constraint for the UE 804-l, 806-m. In addition, the centralized
energy management component 524 may further check a UE location
constraint. The UE location constraint may refer to a given
location for the UE 804-l, 806-m relative to a standby cell. In
other words, the centralized energy management component 524 may
check whether the UE 804-l, 806-m is within a radio transmission
range for the standby cell. The centralized energy management
component 524 may receive an energy saving decision parameter 210-4
and an energy saving input value 212-4 to check a UE location
constraint.
[0080] In the operating environment 900, for example, the UE 804-1
may be at an edge of a transmission envelope for the UMTS cell
820-1, which is just outside a transmission envelope of the GSM
cell 810-1. In this case, the UMTS cell 820-1 cannot enter an
activated energy saving state 302 since the UE location constraint
for the energy saving decision algorithm is FALSE. However, if the
UE 804-1 were to move within the transmission envelope of the GSM
cell 810-1, and all other energy saving conditions are TRUE, the
centralized energy management component 524 may issue an activate
energy control directive 230-1 to a power management component 714
of one or more base stations of the UMTS cell 820-1 to enter an
activated energy saving state 302.
[0081] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of an operating
environment 1000. The operating environment 1000 illustrates an
exemplary use scenario for the centralized energy management
component 524 utilizing an energy saving decision algorithm with
multiple decision factors, including an exemplary UE capability
constraint and/or an exemplary UE location constraint for one or
more macro cells.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 10, the operating environment 1000
illustrates multiple over-lapping cells for different interoperable
RAT networks 1012, 1014 and 1016. The RAT network 1012 may locate
certain equipment, such as an RF transceiver of a base station, on
a cellular tower 1050 to form a macro cell 1002. The RAT network
1014 may comprise smaller micro cells 1004-1, 1004-2. The RAT
network 1016 may comprise an even smaller pico cell 1006. The micro
cells 1004-1, 1004-2 and the pico cell 1006 may each be fully
enveloped by a transmission envelope for the macro cell 1002.
[0083] In this use scenario, the macro cell 1002 of the RAT network
1012 may provide basic coverage, while the micro cells 1004-1,
1004-2 and the pico cell 1006 are used to boost network capacity
for coping with higher traffic loads, such as during peak hours.
Assuming the RAT networks 1012, 1014 and 1016 have some measure of
interoperability, the centralized energy management component 524
may use the three or four decision factors discussed with reference
to FIGS. 8, 9 to determine whether to place the micro cells 1004-1,
1004-2 and/or the pico cell 1006 in an activated energy saving
state 302 or a deactivated energy saving state 304 based on testing
results for these decision factors.
[0084] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of an operating
environment 1100. The operating environment 1100 illustrates an
exemplary use scenario for the centralized energy management
component 524 utilizing an energy saving decision algorithm with
multiple decision factors, including an exemplary UE capability
constraint and/or an exemplary UE location constraint for one or
more macro cells, micro cells and pico cells.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 11, the operating environment 1100
illustrates multiple over-lapping cells for different interoperable
RAT networks 1112, 1114 and 1116. The RAT network 1112 may locate
certain equipment, such as an RF transceiver of a base station, on
a cellular tower 1150 to form a macro cell 1102-1. The RAT network
1112 may locate certain equipment, such as an RF transceiver of a
base station, on a cellular tower 1160 to form a macro cell 1102-2.
The RAT network 1116 may comprise smaller micro cells 1006-1,
1006-2 and 1006-3. The micro cells 1106-1, 1106-3 may each be fully
enveloped by a corresponding transmission envelope for each of the
macro cells 1102, 1104, respectively. The micro cell 1106-2,
however, may be fully enveloped by both transmission envelopes of
the macro cells 1102, 1104.
[0086] In this use scenario, the macro cells 1102, 1104 of the RAT
networks 1112, 1114 may provide basic coverage, while the micro
cells 1106-1, 1106-2 and 1106-3 are used to boost network capacity
for coping with higher traffic loads, such as during peak hours.
Assuming the RAT networks 1112, 1114 and 1116 have some measure of
interoperability, the centralized energy management component 524
may use the three or four decision factors discussed with reference
to FIGS. 8-10 to determine whether to place the micro cells 1106-1,
1106-2 and 1006-3 in an activated energy saving state 302 or a
deactivated energy saving state 304 based on testing results for
these decision factors.
[0087] Operations for the above-described embodiments may be
further described with reference to one or more logic flows. It may
be appreciated that the representative logic flows do not
necessarily have to be executed in the order presented, or in any
particular order, unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, various
activities described with respect to the logic flows can be
executed in serial or parallel fashion. The logic flows may be
implemented using one or more hardware elements and/or software
elements of the described embodiments or alternative elements as
desired for a given set of design and performance constraints. For
example, the logic flows may be implemented as logic (e.g.,
computer program instructions) for execution by a logic device
(e.g., a general-purpose or specific-purpose computer).
[0088] FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a logic flow 1200. The
logic flow 1200 may be representative of some or all of the
operations executed by one or more embodiments described herein,
such as the distributed energy management component 222 or the
centralized energy management component 524 of the energy
management application 220.
[0089] In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the logic
flow 1200 may receive one or more energy saving decision parameters
from a network resource profile associated with a network resource
of a RAT network at block 1202. For example, the energy management
application 220 may receive one or more energy saving decision
parameters 210-e from a network resource profile 208 associated
with a network resource of a RAT network 102, 112. Examples of a
network resource may comprise the base stations 104-a, 114-c, such
as the exemplary base station 104-1 and/or the base station
platform components 402-i, among others.
[0090] The logic flow 1200 may determine whether to switch the
network resource to one of multiple energy saving states based on
the one or more energy saving decision parameters at block 1204.
For example, the energy management application 220 may determine
whether to switch the network resource to one of multiple energy
saving states 302, 304 based on the one or more energy saving
decision parameters 210-e. The energy management application 220
may receive one or more energy saving input values 212-f, compare
the received energy saving input values 212-f with corresponding
energy saving decision parameters 210-e, and determine whether to
switch the network resource to one of multiple energy saving states
302, 304 based on the comparison results.
[0091] The logic flow 1200 may send an energy control directive to
instruct the network resource to switch energy saving states at
block 1206. For example, the energy management application 220 may
send an energy control directive 230-g to instruct the network
resource to switch energy saving states 302, 304 based on
comparison results. The energy management application 220 may send
a handoff control directive 240-h to handoff UE 106-b, 116-d from
the RAT network 102 to a standby RAT network 112 prior to sending
an energy control directive 230-g to instruct the network resource
to switch energy saving states.
[0092] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a logic flow 1300. The
logic flow 1300 may be representative of some or all of the
operations executed by one or more embodiments described herein,
such as an energy savings decision algorithm implemented for the
distributed energy management component 222 or the centralized
energy management component 524 of the energy management
application 220. As indicated by the logic flow 1300, an energy
control directive 230-g may be issued after no decision factors
have been evaluated, a single decision factor has been evaluated,
or some combination of multiple different decision factors have
been evaluated, as desired for a given implementation. The
embodiments are not limited in this context.
[0093] In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the logic
flow 1300 may check a traffic load value at block 1302. For
instance, an energy saving decision algorithm for the energy
management application 220 may check a traffic load constraint by
receiving an energy saving input value 212-1 comprising a traffic
load value for the RAT network 112 over a defined time period
(e.g., minutes, hours, etc.). The energy saving decision algorithm
may compare the traffic load value with an energy saving decision
parameter 210-1 comprising a threshold value. The energy saving
decision algorithm may send an activate energy control directive
230-1 when the traffic load value is less than the threshold value,
or a deactivate energy control directive 230-2 when the traffic
load value is greater than the threshold value.
[0094] The logic flow 1300 may check a standby RAT network value
representing a standby RAT network at block 1304. For example, the
energy saving decision algorithm may check a standby network
constraint by receiving an energy saving input value 212-2
comprising a standby RAT network value representing a standby RAT
network 102 for the RAT network 112. The energy saving decision
algorithm may compare the standby RAT network value with an energy
saving decision parameter 210-2 comprising suitable standby
networks compatible with the RAT network 112. The energy saving
decision algorithm may send an activate energy control directive
230-1 when the standby RAT network value and the energy saving
decision parameter 210-2 match, or a deactivate energy control
directive 230-2 when the standby RAT network value and the energy
saving decision parameter 210-2 do not match.
[0095] The logic flow 1300 may check a capability value
representing a RAT network operable with a set of UE at block 1306.
For example, the energy saving decision algorithm may check a UE
capability constraint by receiving an energy saving input value
212-3 comprising a capability value representing alternate RAT
networks with which the UE 116-d may operate. The energy saving
decision algorithm may compare the capability value with an energy
saving decision parameter 210-3 comprising a type of network
implemented by the standby network value. The energy saving
decision algorithm may send an activate energy control directive
230-1 when the capability value (e.g., a GSM device) and the
network type implemented by the standby network (e.g., a GSM
network) match, or a deactivate energy control directive 230-2 when
there is no match.
[0096] The logic flow 1300 may check a communication value
representing a communication state of a set of UE at block 1308.
For example, the energy saving decision algorithm may check a UE
location constraint by receiving an energy saving input value 212-4
comprising a communication value representing a communication state
of the UE 116-d. For instance, the communication value may comprise
a binary value (e.g., 1 or 0) corresponding to whether a UE 116-1
may communicate (e.g., TRUE) or may not communication (e.g., FALSE)
with the base station 104-1 of the RAT network 102. Alternatively,
the communication value may comprise a statistical measurement of
some form of channel quality, such as a received signal strength
indicator (RSSI) or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), for example. The
energy saving decision algorithm may compare the communication
value with an energy saving decision parameter 210-4 comprising an
interpretation for the communication value (e.g., 1=TRUE, 0=FALSE)
or a threshold value for a given level of channel quality. The
energy saving decision algorithm may send an activate energy
control directive 230-1 when the communication value and the energy
saving decision parameter 210-4 match, or a deactivate energy
control directive 230-2 when there is no match.
[0097] It may be appreciated that an energy saving decision
algorithm may evaluate additional or alternative decision factors
as encoded in the energy saving decision parameters 210-e. For
instance, an energy saving decision algorithm may use a time of day
corresponding to peak and non-peak hours, certain dates
corresponding to network outages or upgrades, network operator
preferences, energy saving target values, and so forth. The
embodiments are not limited to a number or type of decision factors
implemented by a given energy saving decision algorithm for the
energy management application 220.
[0098] FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary computing
architecture 1400 suitable for implementing various embodiments as
previously described. As used in this application, the terms
"system" and "device" and "component" are intended to refer to a
computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware
and software, software, or software in execution, examples of which
are provided by the exemplary computing architecture 1400. For
example, a component can be, but is not limited to being, a process
running on a processor, a processor, a hard disk drive, multiple
storage drives (of optical and/or magnetic storage medium), an
object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a
computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a
server and the server can be a component. One or more components
can reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and a
component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed
between two or more computers. Further, components may be
communicatively coupled to each other by various types of
communications media to coordinate operations. The coordination may
involve the uni-directional or bi-directional exchange of
information. For instance, the components may communicate
information in the form of signals communicated over the
communications media. The information can be implemented as signals
allocated to various signal lines. In such allocations, each
message is a signal. Further embodiments, however, may
alternatively employ data messages. Such data messages may be sent
across various connections. Exemplary connections include parallel
interfaces, serial interfaces, and bus interfaces.
[0099] In one embodiment, the computing architecture 1400 may
comprise or be implemented as part of an electronic device.
Examples of an electronic device may include without limitation a
mobile device, a personal digital assistant, a mobile computing
device, a smart phone, a cellular telephone, a handset, a one-way
pager, a two-way pager, a messaging device, a computer, a personal
computer (PC), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook
computer, a handheld computer, a tablet computer, a server, a
server array or server farm, a web server, a network server, an
Internet server, a work station, a mini-computer, a main frame
computer, a supercomputer, a network appliance, a web appliance, a
distributed computing system, multiprocessor systems,
processor-based systems, consumer electronics, programmable
consumer electronics, television, digital television, set top box,
wireless access point, base station, subscriber station, mobile
subscriber center, radio network controller, router, hub, gateway,
bridge, switch, machine, or combination thereof. The embodiments
are not limited in this context.
[0100] The computing architecture 1400 includes various common
computing elements, such as one or more processors, co-processors,
memory units, chipsets, controllers, peripherals, interfaces,
oscillators, timing devices, video cards, audio cards, multimedia
input/output (I/O) components, and so forth. The embodiments,
however, are not limited to implementation by the computing
architecture 1400.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 14, the computing architecture 1400
comprises a processing unit 1404, a system memory 1406 and a system
bus 1408. The processing unit 1404 can be any of various
commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other
multi-processor architectures may also be employed as the
processing unit 1404. The system bus 1408 provides an interface for
system components including, but not limited to, the system memory
1406 to the processing unit 1404. The system bus 1408 can be any of
several types of bus structure that may further interconnect to a
memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus,
and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available
bus architectures.
[0102] The computing architecture 1400 may comprise or implement
various articles of manufacture. An article of manufacture may
comprise a computer-readable storage medium to store various forms
of programming logic. Examples of a computer-readable storage
medium may include any tangible media capable of storing electronic
data, including volatile memory or non-volatile memory, removable
or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable
or re-writeable memory, and so forth. Examples of programming logic
may include executable computer program instructions implemented
using any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled
code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code,
object-oriented code, visual code, and the like.
[0103] The system memory 1406 may include various types of
computer-readable storage media in the form of one or more higher
speed memory units, such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access
memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDRAM),
synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), programmable ROM
(PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable
programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, polymer memory such as
ferroelectric polymer memory, ovonic memory, phase change or
ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS)
memory, magnetic or optical cards, or any other type of media
suitable for storing information. In the illustrated embodiment
shown in FIG. 14, the system memory 1406 can include non-volatile
memory 1410 and/or volatile memory 1412. A basic input/output
system (BIOS) can be stored in the non-volatile memory 1410.
[0104] The computer 1402 may include various types of
computer-readable storage media in the form of one or more lower
speed memory units, including an internal hard disk drive (HDD)
1414, a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1416 to read from or write
to a removable magnetic disk 1418, and an optical disk drive 1420
to read from or write to a removable optical disk 1422 (e.g., a
CD-ROM or DVD). The HDD 1414, FDD 1416 and optical disk drive 1420
can be connected to the system bus 1408 by a HDD interface 1424, an
FDD interface 1426 and an optical drive interface 1428,
respectively. The HDD interface 1424 for external drive
implementations can include at least one or both of Universal
Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1494 interface technologies.
[0105] The drives and associated computer-readable media provide
volatile and/or nonvolatile storage of data, data structures,
computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For example, a
number of program modules can be stored in the drives and memory
units 1410, 1412, including an operating system 1430, one or more
application programs 1432, other program modules 1434, and program
data 1436.
[0106] A user can enter commands and information into the computer
1402 through one or more wire/wireless input devices, for example,
a keyboard 1438 and a pointing device, such as a mouse 1440. Other
input devices may include a microphone, an infra-red (IR) remote
control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen, or the
like. These and other input devices are often connected to the
processing unit 1404 through an input device interface 1442 that is
coupled to the system bus 1408, but can be connected by other
interfaces such as a parallel port, IEEE 1494 serial port, a game
port, a USB port, an IR interface, and so forth.
[0107] A monitor 1444 or other type of display device is also
connected to the system bus 1408 via an interface, such as a video
adaptor 1446. In addition to the monitor 1444, a computer typically
includes other peripheral output devices, such as speakers,
printers, and so forth.
[0108] The computer 1402 may operate in a networked environment
using logical connections via wire and/or wireless communications
to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 1448.
The remote computer 1448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a
router, a personal computer, portable computer,
microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or
other common network node, and typically includes many or all of
the elements described relative to the computer 1402, although, for
purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 1450 is
illustrated. The logical connections depicted include wire/wireless
connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1452 and/or larger
networks, for example, a wide area network (WAN) 1454. Such LAN and
WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and
companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such
as intranets, all of which may connect to a global communications
network, for example, the Internet.
[0109] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1402
is connected to the LAN 1452 through a wire and/or wireless
communication network interface or adaptor 1456. The adaptor 1456
can facilitate wire and/or wireless communications to the LAN 1452,
which may also include a wireless access point disposed thereon for
communicating with the wireless functionality of the adaptor
1456.
[0110] When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1402
can include a modem 1458, or is connected to a communications
server on the WAN 1454, or has other means for establishing
communications over the WAN 1454, such as by way of the Internet.
The modem 1458, which can be internal or external and a wire and/or
wireless device, connects to the system bus 1408 via the input
device interface 1442. In a networked environment, program modules
depicted relative to the computer 1402, or portions thereof, can be
stored in the remote memory/storage device 1450. It will be
appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and
other means of establishing a communications link between the
computers can be used.
[0111] The computer 1402 is operable to communicate with wire and
wireless devices or entities using the IEEE 802 family of
standards, such as wireless devices operatively disposed in
wireless communication (e.g., IEEE 802.11 over-the-air modulation
techniques) with, for example, a printer, scanner, desktop and/or
portable computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), communications
satellite, any piece of equipment or location associated with a
wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom),
and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi (or Wireless Fidelity),
WiMax, and Bluetooth.TM. wireless technologies. Thus, the
communication can be a predefined structure as with a conventional
network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two
devices. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11x
(a, b, g, n, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless
connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to
each other, to the Internet, and to wire networks (which use IEEE
802.3-related media and functions).
[0112] Various embodiments may be implemented using hardware
elements, software elements, or a combination of both. Examples of
hardware elements may include devices, components, processors,
microprocessors, circuits, circuit elements (e.g., transistors,
resistors, capacitors, inductors, and so forth), integrated
circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC),
programmable logic devices (PLD), digital signal processors (DSP),
field programmable gate array (FPGA), memory units, logic gates,
registers, semiconductor device, chips, microchips, chip sets, and
so forth. Examples of software elements may include software
components, programs, applications, computer programs, application
programs, system programs, machine programs, operating system
software, middleware, firmware, software modules, routines,
subroutines, functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces,
application program interfaces (API), instruction sets, computing
code, computer code, code segments, computer code segments, words,
values, symbols, or any combination thereof. Determining whether an
embodiment is implemented using hardware elements and/or software
elements may vary in accordance with any number of factors, such as
desired computational rate, power levels, heat tolerances,
processing cycle budget, input data rates, output data rates,
memory resources, data bus speeds and other design or performance
constraints, as desired for a given implementation.
[0113] Some embodiments may comprise an article of manufacture. An
article of manufacture may comprise a storage medium to store
logic. Examples of a storage medium may include one or more types
of computer-readable storage media capable of storing electronic
data, including volatile memory or non-volatile memory, removable
or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable
or re-writeable memory, and so forth. Examples of the logic may
include various software elements, such as software components,
programs, applications, computer programs, application programs,
system programs, machine programs, operating system software,
middleware, firmware, software modules, routines, subroutines,
functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces, application
program interfaces (API), instruction sets, computing code,
computer code, code segments, computer code segments, words,
values, symbols, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, for
example, an article of manufacture may store executable computer
program instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the
computer to perform methods and/or operations in accordance with
the described embodiments. The executable computer program
instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source
code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static
code, dynamic code, and the like. The executable computer program
instructions may be implemented according to a predefined computer
language, manner or syntax, for instructing a computer to perform a
certain function. The instructions may be implemented using any
suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled
and/or interpreted programming language.
[0114] Some embodiments may be described using the expression "one
embodiment" or "an embodiment" along with their derivatives. These
terms mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least
one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment"
in various places in the specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiment.
[0115] Some embodiments may be described using the expression
"coupled" and "connected" along with their derivatives. These terms
are not necessarily intended as synonyms for each other. For
example, some embodiments may be described using the terms
"connected" and/or "coupled" to indicate that two or more elements
are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. The
term "coupled," however, may also mean that two or more elements
are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate
or interact with each other.
[0116] It is emphasized that the Abstract of the Disclosure is
provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b), requiring an
abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature
of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding
that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning
of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description,
it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a
single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.
This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an
intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than
are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following
claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all
features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following
claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with
each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. In the
appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as
the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising"
and "wherein," respectively. Moreover, the terms "first," "second,"
"third," and so forth, are used merely as labels, and are not
intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
[0117] Although the subject matter has been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended
claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described
above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the
claims.
* * * * *