Dynamic energy-aware network re-configuration for cellular urban infrastructures

Abstract

Energy saving management aims to match the capacity offered by operators to the actual traffic demand at off-peak times when the network load under-utilizes the maximum capacity dimension. Such a process is relatively complex in cellular infrastructures since mobility and user activity patterns may create load fluctuations. This paper introduces energy-aware network re-configuration methods to flexibly re-act to load variations encouraging none or minimal extra energy consumption. A simulation-based study evaluates the performance of the proposed schemes considering the network service quality and energy cost.