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EP-3598807-B1 - METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE ACTIVITY OF A BASE STATION ENTITY IN A MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK, BASE STATION ENTITY, MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK AND PROGRAM COMPRISING A COMPUTER READABLE PROGRAM CODE

EP3598807B1EP 3598807 B1EP3598807 B1EP 3598807B1EP-3598807-B1

Inventors

  • BREITBACH, Dr. Johannes Markus
  • RÖBKE, Matthias
  • KLATT, AXEL

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20120105

Claims (12)

  1. Method for controlling the activity of a base station entity (11) in a mobile communication network (10) by means of a mobile device (20), wherein the base station entity (11) is able to be operated in at least a first and a second operational mode, wherein the base station entity (11) comprises a transmitter chain and a receiver chain, wherein the first operational mode corresponds to the base station entity (11) transmitting radio frequency signals such that a control channel is received in a radio coverage area (11') of the base station entity (11) by the mobile device (20), wherein the second operational mode corresponds to the base station entity (11) -- switching off the transmitter chain for only parts related to certain transmission channels of the base station entity (11), and not providing the control channel in the radio coverage area (11') of the base station entity (11), -- switching off the receiver chain of the base station entity (11) for a predetermined inactivation time interval, and -- switching on the receiver chain of the base station entity (11) for a predetermined sensitive time interval, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, the mobile device (20) receives a first reactivation information (21) from the base station entity (11), wherein an activated broadcast control channel to transmit the first reactivation information (21) is temporarily provided for some periods of time by the base station entity (11) operating in the second operational mode, the first reactivation information (21) being related to the possibility and/or to the manner for the mobile device (20) to activate, using a second reactivation information (22), the first operational mode of the base station entity (11) starting from the second operational mode of the base station entity (11), -- in a second step, the mobile device (20) transmits the second reactivation information (22) to the base station entity (11) during the predetermined sensitive time interval of the base station entity (11), wherein dependent on a reception of the second reactivation information (22) by the base station entity (11) the first operational mode of the base station entity (11) is applied, wherein the second reactivation information (22) is a message or signal compliant to a communication on a Random Access Channel, RACH, of the base station entity (11).
  2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the control channel is at least one out of the following: -- a Broadcast Control Channel, e.g. BCCH, -- a pilot channel, e.g. CPICH, -- a physical synchronization channel, e.g. SCH, -- a paging indicator channel, e.g. PICH.
  3. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second reactivation information (22) is further a radiofrequency signal of a predetermined pattern regarding its frequency and timing.
  4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first reactivation information (21) is dependent on at least one out of the following: -- which service of a plurality of different services provided by the mobile communication network (10) is requested by the mobile device (20); -- whether the mobile device (20) is in a roaming situation within the mobile communication network (10); -- whether the base station entity (11) or another base station entity is to be reactivated.
  5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first reactivation information (21) comprises an indication when a predetermined reactivation time interval and/or the predetermined sensitive time interval begins and/or ends.
  6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first reactivation information (21) refers to at least one out of the following: -- a radio access technology of the base station entity (11) regarding to which the first operational mode of the base station entity (11) is possible to activate; -- a frequency or a plurality of frequencies that is/are possible to use for the second reactivation information (22); -- a format allowed for the second reactivation information (22); -- an indication about the geographic scope of validity of the first reactivation information (21).
  7. Mobile communication network (10) for controlling the activity of a base station entity (11) by means of a mobile device (20), wherein the base station entity (11) is able to be operated in at least a first and a second operational mode, wherein the first operational mode corresponds to the base station entity (11) transmitting radio frequency signals such that a control channel is received in a radio coverage area (11') of the base station entity (11) by the mobile device (20), wherein the second operational mode corresponds to the base station entity (11) being configured to -- switch off the transmitter chain for only parts related to certain transmission channels of the base station entity (11), and to not provide the control channel in the radio coverage area (11') of the base station entity (11), -- switch off the receiver chain of the base station entity (11) for a predetermined inactivation time interval, and -- switch on the receiver chain of the base station entity (11) for a predetermined sensitive time interval, wherein the mobile communication network (10) is provided such that a first reactivation information (21) is transmitted from the base station entity (11) to the mobile device (20), wherein the mobile communication network (10) is configured such that an activated broadcast control channel to transmit the first reactivation information (21) is temporarily provided for some periods of time by the base station entity (11) operating in the second operational mode, the first reactivation information (21) being related to the possibility and/or to the manner for the mobile device (20) to activate, using a second reactivation information (22), the first operational mode of the base station entity (11) starting from the second operational mode of the base station entity (11), and wherein the mobile communication network (10) is furthermore provided such that the base station entity (11) receives the second reactivation information (22) from the mobile device (20), wherein the mobile communication network (10) is configured such that dependent on a reception of the second reactivation information (22) by the base station entity (11) the first operational mode of the base station entity (11) is applied, wherein the second reactivation information (22) is a message or signal compliant to a communication on a Random Access Channel, RACH, of the base station entity (11).
  8. Mobile communication network (10) according to claim 7, wherein the second reactivation information (22) is further a radiofrequency signal of a predetermined pattern regarding its frequency and timing.
  9. Base station entity (11) able for being controlled by means of a mobile device (20) in a mobile communication network (10), wherein the base station entity (11) is able to be operated in at least a first and a second operational mode, wherein the base station entity (11) comprises a transmitter chain and a receiver chain, wherein the first operational mode corresponds to the base station entity (11) transmitting radio frequency signals such that a control channel is received in a radio coverage area (11') of the base station entity (11) by the mobile device (20), wherein the second operational mode corresponds to the base station entity (11) -- switching off the transmitter chain for only parts related to certain transmission channels of the base station entity (11), and not providing the control channel in the radio coverage area (11') of the base station entity (11), -- switching off the receiver chain of the base station entity (11) for a predetermined inactivation time interval, and -- switching on the receiver chain of the base station entity (11) for a predetermined sensitive time interval, wherein the base station entity (11) is configured such that a first reactivation information (21) is transmitted to the mobile device (20), wherein the base station entity (11) is configured such that an activated broadcast control channel to transmit the first reactivation information (21) is temporarily provided for some periods of time by the base station entity (11) operating in the second operational mode, the first reactivation information (21) being related to the possibility and/or to the manner for the mobile device (20) to activate, using a second reactivation information (22), the first operational mode of the base station entity (11) starting from the second operational mode of the base station entity (11), and wherein the base station entity (11) is furthermore configured such that the base station entity (11) receives the second reactivation information (22) from the mobile device (20) during the predetermined sensitive time interval of the base station entity (11), wherein the base station entity (11) is configured such that dependent on a reception of the second reactivation information (22) by the base station entity (11) the first operational mode of the base station entity (11) is applied, wherein the second reactivation information (22) is a message or signal compliant to a communication on a Random Access Channel, RACH, of the base station entity (11).
  10. Base station entity (11) according to claim 9, wherein the second reactivation information (22) is further a radiofrequency signal of a predetermined pattern regarding its frequency and timing.
  11. Mobile device (20) for controlling the activity of a base station entity (11) in a mobile communication network (10), wherein the base station entity (11) is able to be operated in at least a first and a second operational mode, wherein the base station entity (11) comprises a transmitter chain and a receiver chain, wherein the first operational mode corresponds to the base station entity (11) transmitting radio frequency signals such that a control channel is received in a radio coverage area (11') of the base station entity (11) by the mobile device (20), wherein the second operational mode corresponds to the base station entity (11) -- switching off the transmitter chain for only parts related to certain transmission channels of the base station entity (11), and not providing the control channel in the radio coverage area (11') of the base station entity (11), -- switching off the receiver chain of the base station entity (11) for a predetermined inactivation time interval, and -- switching on the receiver chain of the base station entity (11) for a predetermined sensitive time interval, wherein the mobile device (20) is configured to receive a first reactivation information (21) from the base station entity (11), wherein the base station entity (11) is configured such that an activated broadcast control channel to transmit the first reactivation information (21) is temporarily provided for some periods of time by the base station entity (11) operating in the second operational mode, the first reactivation information (21) being related to the possibility and/or to the manner for the mobile device (20) to activate, using a second reactivation information (22), the first operational mode of the base station entity (11) starting from the second operational mode of the base station entity (11), and wherein the mobile device (20) is configured to transmit the second reactivation information (22) to the base station entity (11) during the predetermined sensitive time interval of the base station entity (11), wherein dependent on a reception of the second reactivation information (22) by the base station entity (11) the first operational mode of the base station entity (11) is configured to be applied, wherein the second reactivation information (22) is a message or signal compliant to a communication on a Random Access Channel, RACH, of the base station entity (11).
  12. Mobile device (20) according to claim 11, wherein the second reactivation information (22) is further a radiofrequency signal of a predetermined pattern regarding its frequency and timing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates inter alia to a method for controlling the activity of a base station entity in a mobile communication network. BACKGROUND ART It is known in the field of mobile communication systems, including mobile communication networks and mobile devices, that mobile devices can enter a so-called sleep mode with a reduced power consumption. This enables a prolonged time of usage of the mobile device between two successive battery charging processes. Especially during periods of low usage of the mobile communication network, the situation exists that base station entities are not used at all, i.e. in at least one network cell or some network cells of the typically cellular mobile communication network, there are no mobile devices present at all that request a communication service from the mobile communication network. It would be desirable to reduce the power consumption of especially those base stations or base station entities in periods of low usage of the mobile communication network. Presently, it is possible to monitor the network usage, e.g. by means of an operations and maintenance/management center (OMC) controlling the mobile communication network. In case that low network usage (or absence of network usage) is detected in one network cell or in a plurality of network cells, it would be possible to switch off at least partly the corresponding network equipment such as base station entities or other network components. However, such a centrally managed approach in monitoring the network activity and controlling the powering (off and on) of the network equipment (e.g., by the operations and maintenance/management center) would normally lead to comparably long switching intervals or to a time lag especially with regard to the reactivation of the network components, i.e. after a period of reduced activity. Therefore, it is difficult or impossible to provide a dynamical reaction (i.e. a comparably quick change in the presence of network services after a period of (locally) reduced activity) to low usage situations of the mobile communication network. The existence of comparably long activation time constants for powering on network components to provide certain services of the mobile communication network either means that a powering off (during low usage situations) is not realized at all or that a powering off implies a reduction in the service level of the mobile communication network (e.g. such that only GERAN (Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM)/EDGE radio access network) functionalities are present and no (or only reduced) third (3G) or fourth (4G) generation services, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) or Long Term Evolution (LTE) services, are available during powering off periods due to the fact that locally 3G/4G network components and associated functionality is powered off). Especially, it is usually not possible to quickly activate a base station entity of a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) network or of an Long Term Evolution (LTE) network when a mobile device establishes a Packet Switched (PS) connection in a GERAN network in geographical vicinity. Documents WO2010/093297 A1 and WO2009/140988 A1 describe methods and systems wherein a mobile device activates an inactive base station by transmitting a reactivation message. SUMMARY An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling the activity of a base station entity in a mobile communication network such that on the one hand it is possible to reduce power consumption of the base station entity where (and when) network functionality is not required due to low usage of the network and in the same time to provide the possibility to quickly provide the requested network functionality in case that a mobile device requests such a functionality. The object of the present invention is achieved by a method according to claim 1. According to the present invention, it is thereby advantageously possible that a base station entity can be activated in simple and effective manner such that the network functionalities and services can be provided to a user of the mobile device either instantaneously or at least with only a very short time lag. For example, it is possible according to the present invention -- to power off (i.e. switch to the second operational mode) such base station entities that are only in idle mode (due to low network usage or absence of network usage) and-- nevertheless to provide a good service quality to such users of the mobile communication network that request a service related to base station entity that has been powered off. This leads to an overall reduction of power consumption of the mobile communication network as it is possible to power off certain base station entities and their auxiliary components such as cooling entities or the like in a more granular manner (both in time and from a geographical perspective). Accor