Energy saving market for mobile operators

Ensuring seamless coverage accounts for the lion's share of the energy consumed in a mobile network. Overlapping coverage of three to five mobile network operators (MNOs) results in enormous amount of energy waste which is avoidable. The traffic demands of the mobile networks vary significantly throughout the day. As the offered load for all networks are not same at a given time and the differences in energy consumption at different loads are significant, multi-MNO capacity/coverage sharing can dramatically reduce energy consumption of mobile networks and provide the MNOs a cost effective means to cope with the exponential growth of traffic. In this paper, we propose an energy saving market for a multi-MNO network scenario. As the competing MNOs are not comfortable with information sharing, we propose a double auction clearinghouse market mechanism where MNOs sell and buy capacity in order to minimize energy consumption. In our setting, each MNO proposes its bids and asks simultaneously for buying and selling multi-unit capacities respectively to an independent auctioneer, i.e., clearinghouse and ends up either as a buyer or as a seller in each round. We show that the mechanism allows the MNOs to save significant percentage of energy cost throughout a wide range of network load. Different than other energy saving features such as cell sleep or antenna muting which can not be enabled at heavy traffic load, dynamic capacity sharing allows MNOs to handle traffic bursts with energy saving opportunity.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, to be published in ICC 2015 workshop on Next Generation Green IC

Energy and cost management in shared heterogeneous network deployments

Pla de Doctorat industrial de la Generalitat de CatalunyaDuring the recent years, a huge augmentation of the data traffic volume has been noticed, while a further steep increase is expected in the following years. As a result, questions have been raised over the years about the energy consumption needs of the wireless telecommunication networks, their carbon dioxide emissions and their operational expenses. Aiming at meeting the high traffic demands with flat energy consumption and flat incurred expenses, mobile network operators (MNOs) have opted to improve their position (i) by deploying heterogeneous networks (HetNets), which are consisted of macrocell base stations (MBSs) and small cell base stations (SBSs) and (ii) by sharing their infrastructure. However, questions could be raised about the extend to which HetNet densification is of aid. Given that network planning is executed according to high traffic load volumes, BS underutilisation during low-traffic hours cannot be neglected. Similarly, the aggregated energy needs of multiple SBSs equals the ones of an energy hungry MBS, having thus a respectable share of the net energy consumption. In this context, a set of research opportunities have been identified. This thesis provides contribution toward the achievement of a greener and more cost efficient operation of HetNet deployments, where multiple stakeholders develop their activity and where energy support can have the form of various alternate schemes, including renewable energy (RE) sources. Depending on the network energy support, i.e., whether RE sources are used in the network or not, the main body of this thesis is divided in two research directions. The first part of the thesis uses the technology of switching off strategies in order to explore their efficiency in terms of both energy and costs in a HetNet. The HetNet is assumed to be a roaming-based cooperative activity of multiple MNOs that is powered exclusively by grid energy. A switching off and a cost allocation scheme are proposed, using as criteria the BS type, the BS load and the roaming cost for traffic offloading. The performance of the proposed schemes is evaluated with respect to energy efficiency, cost savings and fairness, using computer-based simulations. The second part of the thesis explores energy and cost management issues in energy harvesting (EH) HetNet deployments where EH-BSs use an EH system (EHS), an energy storage system (ESS) and the smart grid (SG) as energy procurement sources. The EH-HetNet is assumed a two-tier network deployment of EH-MBSs that are passively shared among an MNO set and EH-SBSs that are provided to MNOs by an infrastructure provider. Taking into consideration the infrastructure location and the variety of stakeholders involved in the network deployment, approaches of RE exchange (REE) are proposed as a cooperative RE sharing for the shared EH-MBSs, based on bankruptcy theory, and a non-cooperative, aggregator-assisted RE trading, based on double auctions, for the EH-SBSs. The performance of the proposed schemes is evaluated in terms of the hours of independence of the studied system from the SG, the fairness regulated by the provided solution and the economical payoffs extracted for the stakeholdersDurante los últimos años, se ha notado un aumento enorme del volumen de tráfico de datos, mientras que se espera un nuevo aumento en los próximos años. Como resultado, se han planteado preguntas sobre las necesidades de consumo de energía de las redes inalámbricas de telecomunicaciones, sus emisiones de dióxido de carbono y sus gastos operativos. Con el objetivo de satisfacer las altas demandas de tráfico con consumo de energía constante y con gastos incurridos constantes, además de utilizar soluciones basadas en la nube, los operadores de redes móviles (MNOs) han optado por mejorar su posición (i) desplegando redes heterogéneas (HetNets), que consisten en estaciones base de macro-células (MBSs) y estaciones base de células pequeñas (SBSs), y (ii) compartiendo su infraestructura. Sin embargo, podrían plantearse preguntas sobre hasta qué punto la densificación de una HetNet es de ayuda. Dado que la planificación de la red se ejecuta de acuerdo con los volúmenes de carga de tráfico más elevados, no se puede descuidar la subutilización de las estaciones base (BS) durante las horas de poco tráfico. De manera similar, las necesidades de energía agregadas de múltiples SBSs son iguales a las de una MBS que consume mucha energía, teniendo así una parte respetable del consumo neto de energía. En este contexto, se ha identificado un conjunto de oportunidades de investigación. Esta tesis contribuye al logro de una operación más ecológica y rentable de las implementaciones de HetNet, donde múltiples partes interesadas desarrollan su actividad y donde el apoyo energético puede tener la forma de varios esquemas alternativos, incluidas las fuentes de energía renovables (RE). Dependiendo del soporte de energía de red, es decir, si las fuentes de RE se usan en la red o no, el cuerpo principal de esta tesis se divide en dos direcciones de investigación. La primera parte de la tesis utiliza la tecnología de las estrategias de apagado con el objetivo de explorar su eficiencia en términos de energía y gastos en una HetNet. Se asume que la HetNet es una actividad cooperativa basada en la itinerancia de múltiples MNO que se alimenta exclusivamente de energía de la red. Se propone un esquema de desconexión y de asignación de costes, que utiliza como criterios el tipo de BS, la carga de BS y el coste de la itinerancia para la descarga de tráfico. El rendimiento de los esquemas propuestos se evalúa con respecto a la eficiencia energética, el ahorro de costes y la equidad, usando simulaciones en computadora. La segunda parte de la tesis explora los problemas de gestión de energía y de costes en las implementaciones de HetNet donde las estaciones base recolectan energía usando un sistema EH (EHS), un sistema de almacenamiento de energía (ESS) y la red eléctrica inteligente (SG) como sistemas de adquisición de energía. Se asume que el EH-HetNet es una implementación de redes de dos niveles donde los EH-MBSs se comparten pasivamente entre un conjunto de MNOs y EH-SBSs se proporcionan a los MNOs de un proveedor de infraestructura. Teniendo en cuenta la ubicación de la infraestructura y la variedad de partes interesadas e involucradas en el despliegue de la red, se proponen enfoques de intercambio de RE (REE) como un intercambio cooperativo de RE para los EH-MBS compartidos, basado en la teoría de bancarrota, y un no cooperativo comercio de RE para los EH-SBSs, que es asistido por un agregador y basado en las subastas dobles. El rendimiento de los esquemas propuestos se evalúa en términos de las horas de independencia del sistema estudiado con respecto al SG, la imparcialidad regulada por la solución proporcionada y los beneficios económicos extraídos para las interesadas.Postprint (published version

Energy and cost management in shared heterogeneous network deployments

During the recent years, a huge augmentation of the data traffic volume has been noticed, while a further steep increase is expected in the following years. As a result, questions have been raised over the years about the energy consumption needs of the wireless telecommunication networks, their carbon dioxide emissions and their operational expenses. Aiming at meeting the high traffic demands with flat energy consumption and flat incurred expenses, mobile network operators (MNOs) have opted to improve their position (i) by deploying heterogeneous networks (HetNets), which are consisted of macrocell base stations (MBSs) and small cell base stations (SBSs) and (ii) by sharing their infrastructure. However, questions could be raised about the extend to which HetNet densification is of aid. Given that network planning is executed according to high traffic load volumes, BS underutilisation during low-traffic hours cannot be neglected. Similarly, the aggregated energy needs of multiple SBSs equals the ones of an energy hungry MBS, having thus a respectable share of the net energy consumption. In this context, a set of research opportunities have been identified. This thesis provides contribution toward the achievement of a greener and more cost efficient operation of HetNet deployments, where multiple stakeholders develop their activity and where energy support can have the form of various alternate schemes, including renewable energy (RE) sources. Depending on the network energy support, i.e., whether RE sources are used in the network or not, the main body of this thesis is divided in two research directions. The first part of the thesis uses the technology of switching off strategies in order to explore their efficiency in terms of both energy and costs in a HetNet. The HetNet is assumed to be a roaming-based cooperative activity of multiple MNOs that is powered exclusively by grid energy. A switching off and a cost allocation scheme are proposed, using as criteria the BS type, the BS load and the roaming cost for traffic offloading. The performance of the proposed schemes is evaluated with respect to energy efficiency, cost savings and fairness, using computer-based simulations. The second part of the thesis explores energy and cost management issues in energy harvesting (EH) HetNet deployments where EH-BSs use an EH system (EHS), an energy storage system (ESS) and the smart grid (SG) as energy procurement sources. The EH-HetNet is assumed a two-tier network deployment of EH-MBSs that are passively shared among an MNO set and EH-SBSs that are provided to MNOs by an infrastructure provider. Taking into consideration the infrastructure location and the variety of stakeholders involved in the network deployment, approaches of RE exchange (REE) are proposed as a cooperative RE sharing for the shared EH-MBSs, based on bankruptcy theory, and a non-cooperative, aggregator-assisted RE trading, based on double auctions, for the EH-SBSs. The performance of the proposed schemes is evaluated in terms of the hours of independence of the studied system from the SG, the fairness regulated by the provided solution and the economical payoffs extracted for the stakeholdersDurante los últimos años, se ha notado un aumento enorme del volumen de tráfico de datos, mientras que se espera un nuevo aumento en los próximos años. Como resultado, se han planteado preguntas sobre las necesidades de consumo de energía de las redes inalámbricas de telecomunicaciones, sus emisiones de dióxido de carbono y sus gastos operativos. Con el objetivo de satisfacer las altas demandas de tráfico con consumo de energía constante y con gastos incurridos constantes, además de utilizar soluciones basadas en la nube, los operadores de redes móviles (MNOs) han optado por mejorar su posición (i) desplegando redes heterogéneas (HetNets), que consisten en estaciones base de macro-células (MBSs) y estaciones base de células pequeñas (SBSs), y (ii) compartiendo su infraestructura. Sin embargo, podrían plantearse preguntas sobre hasta qué punto la densificación de una HetNet es de ayuda. Dado que la planificación de la red se ejecuta de acuerdo con los volúmenes de carga de tráfico más elevados, no se puede descuidar la subutilización de las estaciones base (BS) durante las horas de poco tráfico. De manera similar, las necesidades de energía agregadas de múltiples SBSs son iguales a las de una MBS que consume mucha energía, teniendo así una parte respetable del consumo neto de energía. En este contexto, se ha identificado un conjunto de oportunidades de investigación. Esta tesis contribuye al logro de una operación más ecológica y rentable de las implementaciones de HetNet, donde múltiples partes interesadas desarrollan su actividad y donde el apoyo energético puede tener la forma de varios esquemas alternativos, incluidas las fuentes de energía renovables (RE). Dependiendo del soporte de energía de red, es decir, si las fuentes de RE se usan en la red o no, el cuerpo principal de esta tesis se divide en dos direcciones de investigación. La primera parte de la tesis utiliza la tecnología de las estrategias de apagado con el objetivo de explorar su eficiencia en términos de energía y gastos en una HetNet. Se asume que la HetNet es una actividad cooperativa basada en la itinerancia de múltiples MNO que se alimenta exclusivamente de energía de la red. Se propone un esquema de desconexión y de asignación de costes, que utiliza como criterios el tipo de BS, la carga de BS y el coste de la itinerancia para la descarga de tráfico. El rendimiento de los esquemas propuestos se evalúa con respecto a la eficiencia energética, el ahorro de costes y la equidad, usando simulaciones en computadora. La segunda parte de la tesis explora los problemas de gestión de energía y de costes en las implementaciones de HetNet donde las estaciones base recolectan energía usando un sistema EH (EHS), un sistema de almacenamiento de energía (ESS) y la red eléctrica inteligente (SG) como sistemas de adquisición de energía. Se asume que el EH-HetNet es una implementación de redes de dos niveles donde los EH-MBSs se comparten pasivamente entre un conjunto de MNOs y EH-SBSs se proporcionan a los MNOs de un proveedor de infraestructura. Teniendo en cuenta la ubicación de la infraestructura y la variedad de partes interesadas e involucradas en el despliegue de la red, se proponen enfoques de intercambio de RE (REE) como un intercambio cooperativo de RE para los EH-MBS compartidos, basado en la teoría de bancarrota, y un no cooperativo comercio de RE para los EH-SBSs, que es asistido por un agregador y basado en las subastas dobles. El rendimiento de los esquemas propuestos se evalúa en términos de las horas de independencia del sistema estudiado con respecto al SG, la imparcialidad regulada por la solución proporcionada y los beneficios económicos extraídos para las interesadas

Energy sharing and trading in multi-operator heterogeneous network deployments

© 2020 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.With a view to the expected increased data traffic volume and energy consumption of the fifth generation networks, the use of renewable energy (RE) sources and infrastructure sharing have been embraced as energy and cost-saving technologies. Aiming at reducing cost and grid energy consumption, in the present paper, we study RE exchange (REE) possibilities in late-trend network deployments of energy harvesting (EH) macrocell and small cell base stations (EH-MBSs, EH-SBSs) that use an EH system, an energy storage system, and the smart grid as energy procurement sources. On this basis, we study a two-tier network composed of EH-MBSs that are passively shared among a set of mobile network operators (MNOs), and EH-SBSs that are provided to MNOs by an infrastructure provider (InP). Taking into consideration the infrastructure location and the variety of stakeholders involved in the network deployment, we propose as REE approaches 1) a cooperative RE sharing, based on bankruptcy theory, for the shared EH-MBSs and 2) a non-cooperative, aggregator-assisted RE trading, which uses double auctions to describe the REE acts among the InP provided EH-SBSs managed by different MNOs, after an initial internal REE among the ones managed by a single MNO. Our results display that our proposals outperform baseline approaches, providing a considerable reduction in SG energy utilization and costs, with satisfaction of the participant parties.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Game-theoretic infrastructure sharing in multioperator cellular networks

©2016 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.The introduction of fourth-generation wireless technologies has fueled the rapid development of cellular networks, significantly increasing the energy consumption and the expenditures of mobile network operators (MNOs). In addition, network underutilization during low-traffic periods (e.g., night zone) has motivated a new business model, namely, infrastructure sharing, which allows the MNOs to have their traffic served by other MNOs in the same geographic area, thus enabling them to switch off part of their network. In this paper, we propose a novel infrastructure-sharing algorithm for multioperator environments, which enables the deactivation of underutilized base stations during low-traffic periods. Motivated by the conflicting interests of the MNOs and the necessity for effective solutions, we introduce a game-theoretic framework that enables the MNOs to individually estimate the switching-off probabilities that reduce their expected financial cost. Our approach reaches dominant strategy equilibrium, which is the strategy that minimizes the cost of each player. Finally, we provide extensive analytical and experimental results to estimate the potential energy and cost savings that can be achieved in multioperator environments, incentivizing the MNOs to apply the proposed scheme.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Energy-efficient infrastructure sharing in multi-operator mobile networks

©2015 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.Network infrastructure sharing and base station switching off mechanisms have been recently introduced as promising solutions toward energy and cost reduction in cellular networks. Although these techniques are usually studied independently, their combination offers new alternatives to MNOs for serving their users and could potentially provide them with additional benefits. In this article we introduce the concept of intra-cell roaming-based infrastructure sharing, where the MNOs may switch off their BSs and roam their traffic to active BSs operated by other MNOs in the same cell. Motivated by the coexistence of multiple operators in the same area, we present possible network deployments and architectures in current and future cellular scenarios, discussing their particular characteristics. In addition, we propose an innovative distributed game theoretic BS switching off scheme, employing an integrated cost function that takes into account all the different cases for a given operator to serve its own traffic (i. e. through active BSs of neighboring cells or exploiting intra-cell roaming-based infrastructure sharing). Finally, we demonstrate some indicative simulation results in realistic scenarios to quantify the potential energy and financial benefits that our proposed scheme offers to the MNOs in multioperator environments, providing them with the necessary incentives to participate in the infrastructure sharing.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Energy sustainable paradigms and methods for future mobile networks: A survey

In this survey, we discuss the role of energy in the design of future mobile networks and, in particular, we advocate and elaborate on the use of energy harvesting (EH) hardware as a means to decrease the environmental footprint of 5G technology. To take full advantage of the harvested (renewable) energy, while still meeting the quality of service required by dense 5G deployments, suitable management techniques are here reviewed, highlighting the open issues that are still to be solved to provide eco-friendly and cost-effective mobile architectures. Several solutions have recently been proposed to tackle capacity, coverage and efficiency problems, including: C-RAN, Software Defined Networking (SDN) and fog computing, among others. However, these are not explicitly tailored to increase the energy efficiency of networks featuring renewable energy sources, and have the following limitations: (i) their energy savings are in many cases still insufficient and (ii) they do not consider network elements possessing energy harvesting capabilities. In this paper, we systematically review existing energy sustainable paradigms and methods to address points (i) and (ii), discussing how these can be exploited to obtain highly efficient, energy self-sufficient and high capacity networks. Several open issues have emerged from our review, ranging from the need for accurate energy, transmission and consumption models, to the lack of accurate data traffic profiles, to the use of power transfer, energy cooperation and energy trading techniques. These challenges are here discussed along with some research directions to follow for achieving sustainable 5G systems.Comment: Accepted by Elsevier Computer Communications, 21 pages, 9 figure

Spectrum on demand : a competitive open market model for spectrum sharing for UAV-assisted communications

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)-assisted communication has gathered significant interest of the industry, especially with regards to the vision of providing ubiquitous connectivity for beyond 5G (B5G) networks. In this article, we motivate the need for utilizing licensed spectrum for UAV-assisted communication and discuss its advantages such as reliability and security. Moreover, we explore a new dimension to spectrum sharing by proposing a decentralized competitive open market approach based model, where the different mobile network operators (MNOs) have the opportunity to lease the spectrum to UAV base stations (UAV-BSs), leading to new revenue generation opportunities. The proposed spectrum sharing mechanism is based on the logarithmic utility function and willingness to pay of each UAV-BS. We provide a tradeoff analysis between spectrum sharing and price offered by the MNOs, highlighting the impact of the willingness to pay on the spectrum sharing. The results also highlight the behaviour of price and spectrum shared w.r.t. time, thereby providing an insight into different performance regions until the algorithm converges to it’s optimal value. In addition, we also present future directions that could lead to interesting analyses, especially with regards to incentive-based spectrum sharing and security