A Survey on Energy Efficiency in Cellular Networks

Xiaochen Su, Enchang Sun, Meng Li, F. Richard Yu, Yanhua Zhang

College of Electronic Information and Control Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China.
College of Electronic Information and Control Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China Department of Systems and Computer Eng., Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

DOI: 10.4236/cn.2013.53B2117                

Abstract

With the continuous increase of user requirement, the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has developed rapidly. As a result, both capacity and coverage performances have been improved, and at the same time, the communication networks have been more energy-intensive. In order to improve the energy efficiency of cellular networks, the green communication must be realized in the future networks. In this article, we present a short survey on energy-efficient technology of cellular networks. Moreover, we classify them into three categories based on theirapplication scenarios: energy-efficient architectures, energy-efficient resource management and energy-efficient radio technologies. For the first scenario, the applications of relay, Coordinated Multiple Points (CoMP) and heterogeneous network are discussed in detail. For the second scenario, the switching off scheme will be introduced as an emphasis of this part. And for the third scenario, the Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) will be introduced as the representatives of the Energy-Efficient Radio Technologies. Finally, based on the technologies introduced above, a prospect forecast of the energy-efficient wireless cellular network is presented.

Keywords

Green Wireless Communication; Energy-Efficient; CoMP; Relay; Switching off Scheme

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	D. Q. Feng, C. Z. Jiang, G. B. Lim, L. J. Cimini, Jr., G. Feng and G. Y. Li, “A Survey of Energy-Efficient Wireless Communications,” Communications Surveys & Tutorials, IEEE, Vol. 15, No. 1, 2013, pp. 167-178. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/SURV.2012.020212.00049
[2]	M. Pejanovic-Djurisic, E. Stovrag and M. Ilic-Delibasic, “Fundamental Optimization Criteria For Green Wireless Communications,” MIPRO, 2012 Proceedings of the 35th International Convention, Opatija, 21-25 May 2012, pp. 733-736.
[3]	A. Amokrane, R. Langar, R. Boutaba and G. Pujolle, “A Green Framework for Energy Efficient Management in TDMA-based Wireless Mesh Networks,” Network and Service Management (CNSM), 2012 8th International Conference and 2012 Workshop on Systems Virtualiztion Management (SVM), Las Vegas, NV, 22-26 October 2012, pp. 322-328.
[4]	K. Son, H. Kim, Yung Yi and B. Krishnamachari, “Base Station Operation and User Association Mechanisms for Energy-Delay Tradeoffs in Green Cellular Networks,” IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Vol. 29, No. 8, 2011, pp. 1525-1536. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/JSAC.2011.110903
[5]	H. Bogucka and A. Conti, “Degrees of Freedom for Energy Savings in Practical Adaptive Wireless Systems,” IEEE Communications Magazine, Vol. 49, No. 6, 2011, pp. 38-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MCOM.2011.5783983
[6]	G. Y. Li, Z. k. Xu, C. Xiong, C. Y. Yang, S. Q. Zhang, Y. Chen and S. G. Xu. “Energy-Efficient Wireless Communications: Tutorial, Survey and Open Issues,” IEEE Wireless Communication, Vol. 18, No. 6, 2011, pp. 28-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MWC.2011.6108331
[7]	S. Tombaz, A. Vastberg and J. Zander, “Energy and Cost Efficient Ultra High Capacity Wireless Access,” IEEE Wireless Communication Magazine, Vol. 18, No. 5, 2011, pp. 18-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MWC.2011.6056688
[8]	M. Nasimi, F. Hashim and C. K. Ng, “Characterizing Energy Efficiency for Heterogeneous Cellular Networks,” Research and Development (SCOReD), 2012 IEEE Student Conference on, Pulau Pinang, 5-6 December 2012, pp. 198-202.
[9]	A. Singh and R. Mahapatra, “Energy Efficient Analysis of Heterogeneous Wireless Network,” Advance Computing Conference (IACC), 2013 IEEE 3rd International, Ghaziabad, 22-23 February 2013, pp. 531-535.
[10]	R. Amin, J. Martin, A. Eltawil and A. Hussien, “Spectral Efficiency and Energy Consumption Tradeoffs for Reconfigurable Devices in Heterogeneous Wireless Systems,” Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), 2012 IEEE, Shanghai, 1-4 April 2012, pp. 1698-1703.
[11]	L. Saker, S. E. Elayoubi, T. Chahed and A. Gati, “Energy Efficiency and Capacity of Heterogeneous Network Deployment in LTE-Advanced,” European Wireless, 2012. EW. 18th European Wireless Conference, Poznan, Poland 18-20 April 2012, pp. 1-7.
[12]	G. N. He, S. Q. Zhang, Y. Chen and S. G. Xu, “Energy Efficiency and Deployment Efficiency Tradeoff for Heterogeneous Wireless Networks,” Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM), 2012 IEEE, Anaheim, CA, 3-7 December 2012, pp. 3189-3194. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/GLOCOM.2012.6503605
[13]	B. Lee and S.-L. Kim, “Characterizing Energy and Deployment Efficiency Relations in Cellular Systems,” Signal Processing and Communication Systems (ICSPCS), 2012 6th International Conference on, Gold Coast, QLD, 12-14 December 2012, pp. 1-5.
[14]	J. Thompson and C. Khirallah, “Overview of Green Radio Research Outcomes,” Communications in China Workshops (ICCC), 2012 1st IEEE International Conference on, Bejing, 15-17 August 2012, pp. 69-73.
[15]	F. Heliot, M. A. Imran and R. Tafazolli, “Energy Efficiency Analysis of Idealized Coordinated Multi-Point Communication System,” Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), 2011 IEEE 73rd, Yokohama, 15-18 May 2011, pp.1-5.
[16]	O. Onireti, F. Heliot and M. A. Imran, “On the Energy Efficiency-Spectral Efficiency Trade-Off in the Uplink of CoMP System,” Wireless Communications, IEEE Transactions on, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2012, pp. 556-561. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TWC.2011.120911.111494
[17]	K. M. S. Huq, S. Mumtaz, J. Rodriguez and R. L. Aguiar, “Comparison of Energy-Efficiency in Bits per Joule on different downlink CoMP Techniques,” Communications (ICC), 2012 IEEE International Conference on, Ottawa, ON, 10-15 June 2012, pp. 5716-5720.
[18]	G. Cili, H. Yanikomeroglu and F. R. Yu, “Cell Switch Off Technique Combined with Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) Transmission for Energy Efficiency in Beyond-LTE Cellular Networks,” Communications (ICC), 2012 IEEE International Conference on, Ottawa, ON, 10-15 June 2012, pp. 5931-5935.
[19]	K. M. S. Huq, S. Mumtaz, M. Alam, A. Radwan and J. Rodriguez, “Energy Efficient CoMP Transmission in LTE-Advanced,” Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps), 2012 IEEE, Anaheim, CA, 3-7 December 2012, pp. 401- 404.
[20]	S. H. Wen and F. R. Yu, “Predictive Control for Energy Efficiency in Wireless Cellular Networks,” Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), 2012 IEEE 75th, Yokohama, 6-9 May 2012, pp. 1-5.
[21]	F. Pantisano, M. Bennis, W. Saad, R. Verdone and M. Latvaaho, “On the Dynamic Formation of Cooperative Multipoint Transmissions in Small Cell Networks,” Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps), 2012 IEEE, Anaheim, CA, 3-7 December 2012, pp. 1139-1144.
[22]	Y. T. Zhu, Z. M. Zeng, T. K. Zhang and L. Xiao, “Transmission Mode Selection for Energy Saving in The CoMP System with Semi-Smart Antenna,” Communications and Information Technologies (ISCIT), 2012 International Symposium on, Gold Coast, QLD, 2-5 October 2012, pp. 855-860.
[23]	D. X. Cao, S. Zhou, C. Zhang and Z. S. Niu, “Energy Saving Performance Comparison of Coordinated Multi- Point Transmission and Wireless Relaying,” Global Telecommunications Conference (GLOBECOM 2010), 2010 IEEE, Miami, FL, 6-10 December 2010, pp. 1-5.
[24]	G. Chandwani, S. N. Datta and S. Chakrabarti, “Relay Assisted Cellular System for Energy Minimization,” India Conference (INDICON), 2010 Annual IEEE, Kolkata, 17-19 December 2010, pp. 1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/INDCON.2010.5712641
[25]	M. Al-Kali, Y. Li, D. Samb, C. Liu and D. S. Wang, “Performance Analysis for Energy Efficiency in Wireless Cooperative Relay Networks,” Communication Technology (ICCT), 2012 IEEE 14th International Conference on, Chengdu, 9-11 November 2012, pp. 423-427.
[26]	T. ur R. Ahsin and S. B. Slimane, “Area Energy Consumption in Cooperative Decode and Forward (DF) Relaying Scenarios,” Wireless Conference 2011, Sustainable Wireless Technologies (European Wireless), 11th European, Vienna, Austria, 27-29 April 2011, pp. 1-8.
[27]	Z. Z. Tang, H. Y. Wang and Q. Hu, “An Energy-Efficient Relay Selection Strategy Based on Optimal Relay Location for AF Cooperative Transmission,” World of Wireless, Mobile and Multimedia Networks (WoWMoM), 2012 IEEE International Symposium on, San Francisco, CA, 25-28 June 2012, pp.1-4.
[28]	M. Zhou, Q. M. Cui, R. Jantti and X. F. Tao, “Energy-Efficient Relay Selection and Power Allocation for Two-Way Relay Channel with Analog Network Coding,” Communications Letters, IEEE, Vol. 16, No. 6, 2012, pp. 816-819. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/LCOMM.2012.040912.112435??
[29]	J. H. Lee, Y. M. Lim, K. Kim, S. G. Choi and J. K. Choi, “Energy Efficient Cooperative Multicast Scheme Based on Selective Relay,” Communications Letters, IEEE, Vol. 16, No. 3, 2012, pp. 386-388. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/LCOMM.2012.011312.112375
[30]	Y. F. Wei, C. W. Wang, M. Song, Y. Ma and X. J. Wang, “Energy Saving Dynamic Relaying Scheme in Wireless Cooperative Networks Using Markov Decision Process,” Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), 2012 IEEE 75th, Yokohama, 6-9 May 2012, pp. 1-5.
[31]	D. Chen, H. Ji and X. Li, “An Energy-Efficient Distributed Relay Selection and Power Allocation Optimization Scheme over Wireless Cooperative Networks,” Communications (ICC), 2011 IEEE International Conference on, Kyoto, 5-9 June 2011, pp. 1-5.
[32]	O. Amin and L. Lampe, “Opportunistic Energy Efficient Cooperative Communication,” Wireless Communications Letters, IEEE, Vol. 1, No. 5, 2012, pp. 816-819. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/WCL.2012.061212.120206
[33]	T. Kang, X. K. Sun, Y. T. Zhu and T. K. Zhang, “A Self-adaptive Energy Efficient Transmission Mechanism in Relay Based Cellular Network,” Communications and Information Technologies (ISCIT), 2012 International Symposium on, Gold Coast, QLD, 2-5 October 2012, pp. 861-866.
[34]	C. Khirallah, J. S. Thompson and H. Rashvand, “Energy and Cost Impacts of Relay and Femtocell Deployments in Long-Term-Evolution Advanced,” Communications, IET, Vol. 5, No. 18, 2011, pp. 2617-2628. http://dx.doi.org/10.1049/iet-com.2011.0111
[35]	A. Bousia, E. Kartsakli, L. Alonso and C. Verikoukis, “Dynamic Energy Efficient Distance-Aware Station Switch On-Off Scheme for LTE-Advanced,” Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM), 2012 IEEE, Anaheim, CA, 3-7 December 2012, pp. 1532-1537.
[36]	X. Chen, Z. Feng and D. Yang, “An Energy-Efficient Macro-Micro Hierarchical Structure with Resource Allocation in OFDMA Cellular Systems,” Communications and Net-working in China (CHINACOM), 2012 7th International ICST Conference on, Kun Ming , 8-10 August 2012, pp. 519-523.
[37]	O. H. Eunsung, S. Kyuho and B. Krish-namachari, “Dynamic Base Station Switching-On Off Strategies for Green Cellular Networks,” Wireless Communications, IEEE Transactions on, Vol. 12, No. 5, 2013, pp. 2126- 2136. doi:10.1109/TWC.2013.032013.120494
[38]	W. Guo and T. O’Farrell, “Dynamic Cell Expansion Traffic Aware Low Energy Cellular Network,” Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Fall), 2012 IEEE, Quebec City, 3-6 September 2012, pp. 1-5.
[39]	H.-S. Jung, H.-T. Roh and J.-W. Lee, “Energy and Traffic Aware Dynamic To-pology Management for Wireless Cellular Networks,” Communication Systems (ICCS), 2012 IEEE International Conference on, Singapore, 21-23 November 2012, pp. 205-209.
[40]	Y. Wu and Z. Niu, “Energy Efficient Base Station Deployment in Green Cellular Networks with Traffic Variations,” Communications in China (ICCC), 2012 1st IEEE International Conference on, Beijing, 15-17 August 2012, pp. 399-404.
[41]	A. Bousia, E. Kartsakli, L. Alonso and C. Verikoukis, “Energy Efficient Base Station Maximization Switch Off Scheme for LTE-Advanced,” Computer Aided Modeling and Design of Communication Links and Networks (CAMAD), 2012 IEEE 17th International Workshop on, Barcelona, 17-19 September 2012, pp. 256-260.
[42]	L. Chiaraviglio, D. Ciullo, G. Koutitas, M. Meo and L. Tassiulas, “Energy-Efficient Planning and Management of Cellular Networks,” Wireless On-demand Network Systems and Services (WONS), 2012 9th Annual Conference on, Courmayeur, 9-11 January 2012, pp. 159-166.
[43]	D. Quintas and V. Friderikos, “On Dynamic Policies to Switch Off Relay Nodes,” Communications (ICC), 2012 IEEE International Conference on, Ottawa, 10-15 June 2012, pp. 2945-2950.
[44]	S.-Y. Lee and D.-N. Yang, “Joint Selection of On/off Relay Mode and Adaptive Modulation Mode for Green Cooperative Multicast Networks,” Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Fall), 2012 IEEE, Quebec City, 3-6 September 2012, pp. 1-5.
[45]	G. Micallef, P. Mogensen and H.-O. Scheck, “Cell Size Breathing and Possibilities to Introduce Cell Sleep Mode,” Wireless Conference (EW), 2010 European, Lucca, 12-15 April 2010, pp. 111-115. doi:10.1109/EW.2010.5483401
[46]	L. A. Suarez, L. Nuaymi and J. Bonnin, “Energy Performance of a Distributed BS Based Green Cell Breathing Algorithm,” Wireless Communication Systems (ISWCS), 2012 International Symposium on, Paris, 28-31 August 2012, pp. 341-345.
[47]	X. Weng, D. Cao and Z. Niu, “Energy-Efficient Cellular Network Planning under Insufficient Cell Zooming,” Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), 2011 IEEE 73rd, Yokohama, 15-18 May 2011, pp. 1-5.
[48]	P. Yu, Q. Yang, F. Fu and K. S. Kwak, “Inter-Cell Cooperation Aided Dynamic Base Station Switching for Energy Efficient Cellular Networks,” Communications (APCC), 2012 18th Asia-Pacific Conference on, Jeju Island, 15-17 October 2012, pp.159-163.
[49]	J. Zhou, M. Li, L. Liu, X. She and L. Chen, “Energy Source Aware Target Cell Selection and Coverage Optimization for Power Saving in Cellular Networks,” Green Computing and Communications (GreenCom), 2010 IEEE/ACM Int'l Conference on & Int'l Conference on Cyber, Physical and Social Computing (CPSCom), Hangzhou, 18-20 December 2010, pp. 1-8.
[50]	H. Tao and N. Ansari, “ICE Intelligent Cell BrEathing to Optimize the Utilization of Green Energy,” Communications Letters, IEEE, Vol. 16, No. 6, 2012, pp. 866-869. doi:10.1109/LCOMM.2012.042312.120486
[51]	D. Niyato, X. Lu and P. Wang, “Adaptive Power Management for Wireless Base Stations in a Smart Grid Environment,” Wireless Communications, IEEE, Vol. 19, No. 6, 2012, pp. 44-51. doi:10.1109/MWC.2012.6393517
[52]	H. Ghaz-zai, E. Yaacoub, M. Alouini and A. Abu-Dayya, “Optimized Green Operation of LTE Networks in the Presence of Multiple Electricity Providers,” Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps), 2012 IEEE, Anaheim, 3-7 December 2012, pp. 664-669.
[53]	C.-L. Chen, W. E. Stark and S.-G. Chen, “Energy-Band- width Efficiency Tradeoff in MIMO Multi-Hop Wireless Networks,” Selected Areas in Communications, IEEE Journal on, Vol. 29, No. 8, 2011, pp. 1537-1546. doi:10.1109/JSAC.2011.110904
[54]	O. Adigun, and C. Politis, “Energy Efficiency Analysis for MIMO Transmission Schemes in LTE,” Computer Aided Modeling and Design of Communication Links and Networks (CAMAD), 2011 IEEE 16th International Workshop on, Kyoto, 10-11 June 2011, pp. 77-81.
[55]	O. Adigun, and C. Politis, “Feedback Information and Energy Efficiency of MIMO Transmission Modes in LTE,” Sarnoff Symposium (SARNOFF), 2012 35th IEEE, Newark, 21-22 May 2012, pp. 1-5.
[56]	L. Liu, G. Miao and J. Zhang, “Energy-Efficient Scheduling for Downlink Multi-User MIMO,” Communications (ICC), 2012 IEEE International Conference on, Ottawa, 10-15 June 2012, pp. 4390-4394.
[57]	G. Miao and J. Zhang, “On Optimal Energy-Efficient Multi-User MIMO,” Global Telecommunications Coference (GLOBECOM 2011), 2011 IEEE, Houston, 5-9 December 2011, pp. 1-6.
[58]	C. Xiong, G. Y. Li, S. Zhang, Y. Chen and S. Xu, “Energy and Spectral-Efficiency Tradeoff in Downlink OFDMA Networks,” Wireless Communications, IEEE Transactions on, Vol. 10, No. 11, 2011, pp. 3874-3886. doi:10.1109/TWC.2011.091411.110249
[59]	F.-S. Chu and K.-C. Chen, “Energy Efficient OFDMA: Trade-Off between Computation and Transmission Energy,” Personal Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), 2011 IEEE 22nd International Symposium on, Toronto, 11-14 September 2011, pp. 96-101.
[60]	C. Sun, Y. Cen and C. Yang, “Energy Efficient OFDM Relay Systems,” Communications, IEEE Transactions on, Vol. 61, No. 5, 2013, pp. 1797-1809. doi:10.1109/TCOMM.2013.021913.120555
[61]	C. Xiong, G. Y. Li, S. Zhang and S. Xu, “CSI Feedback Reduction for Energy-Efficient Downlink OFDMA,” Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), 2012 IEEE, Shanghai, 1-4 April 2012, pp. 1135-1139.