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Energy-efficiency schemes for base stations in 5G heterogeneous networks: a systematic literature review

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Abstract

In today’s 5G era, the energy efficiency (EE) of cellular base stations is crucial for sustainable communication. Recognizing this, Mobile Network Operators are actively prioritizing EE for both network maintenance and environmental stewardship in future cellular networks. The paper aims to provide an outline of energy-efficient solutions for base stations of wireless cellular networks. A total of 5722 studies have been figured out by using the search string and after performing the six stages of SLR protocol, 82 studies were finalised that are published in 26 supreme journals and 19 featured conferences. EE solutions have been segregated into five primary categories: base station hardware components, sleep mode strategies, radio transmission mechanisms, network deployment and planning, and energy harvesting. The predominance of sleep mode procedures is evident in the selected survey studies. Notably, China, Korea, and the US are vigorously engaged in this field, specifically related to the 5G network. This review paper identifies the possible potential solutions for reducing the energy consumption of the networks and discusses the challenges so that more accurate and valid measures could be designed for future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Preetjot Kaur & Roopali Garg

  2. Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Punjab, 140401, India

    Vinay Kukreja

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Appendices

Appendix A: Acronyms

3GPP

Third Generation Partnership Project

5G

Fifth Generation

AMF

Access and Mobility Management Function

BS

Base Station

C2POWER

Cognitive radio and Cooperative strategies for POWER saving

CAPEX

Capital expenditures

CoMP

Coordinated Multi-Point transmission and reception

CR

Cognitive Radio

DL

DownLink

EARTH

Energy Aware Radio and neTwork tecHnologies

EE

Energy Efficiency

GHG

Greenhouse gas emissions

HetNet

Heterogenous Network

ICT

Information and Communications Technology

IIOT

Industrial Internet of Things

mMIMO

massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output

MNO

Mobile Network Operators

MU-MC

Multi user and Multi cell

OFDM

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing

OPEX

Operating Expenses

PA

Power Amplifier

PAPR

Peak to average power ratio

PPP

Poisson Point Process

PSO

Particle Swarm Optimization

QA

Question Answers

QAC

Quality Assurance Criteria

QAM

Quadrature Amplitude Modulation

QoS

Quality of service

QPSK

Quadrature Phase Shift Keying

RAN

Radio Access Network

RAT

Radio access technology

RQ

Research Question

SE

Spectral Efficiency

SLR

Systematic Literature Review

SWIPT

Simultaneous Wireless Information and Power Transfer

UAV

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

UDN

UltraDense Networks

UE

User Equipment

UL

UpLink

URLLC

Ultra-reliable Low Latency Communications

Appendix B: Quality assessment criteria

1.1 Appendix B.1: Quality assessment framework

Section 1

Screening Question

Does the research paper mention about EE problem of wireless networks? Does the paper specifically refer to the energy consumption problem of base stations?

After evaluating Sect. 1, proceed to Sect. 2 if you obtain a positive response; otherwise, reject the research.

Section 2

Analysis of EE improvement techniques

Does the study depict the technique used for EE of base stations? How well does that approach work, and can it be classified? Has the study mentioned the type of EE technique employed or the details of the algorithms used in the research process?

If the above elements are well-explained, then proceed on to Sect. 3.

Sections 3 and 4

Findings

Is there a concise summary of the findings? Was the experiment’s result shown in the study? Is there enough data for the comparative analysis?

Accept the study if the aforementioned findings are adequately stated; otherwise, reject it.

Section 5

Accuracy Analysis

Is there a discussion over the critical accuracy measures used? Verify if the study is evaluated for accuracy measurement as per the metrics defined in the paper.

Accept it if the aforementioned questions are successfully addressed; otherwise, reject it.

1.2 Appendix B.2: Quality assessment flow

The flowchart represents the flow of questions asked for checking the quality of extracted studies.

figure d

Appendix C: Main highlights of study

The table represents some of the glimpses of the review paper.

Key point statements

Associated facts

The year wherein the first thought of research on EE of wireless networks got initiated

Was 1992 by J. C. Kelly

The year from which the research on this topic speeded up

2010 onwards

The motivation behind the interest of scholars in this field

High cost and environmental concern

The active continent in this research

Asia

Active countries in this research

China and US

Active researcher

Emil Björnson

Major project

EARTH

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Kaur, P., Garg, R. & Kukreja, V. Energy-efficiency schemes for base stations in 5G heterogeneous networks: a systematic literature review. Telecommun Syst 84, 115–151 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11235-023-01037-x

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