Method for reducing the energy consumption of a wi-fi access point in a communication network

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for reducing the energy consumption of a Wi-Fi access point in a communication network comprising a set of Wi-Fi stations, this set being associated with the access point; the method comprising: - verifying the following conditions: - whether the set of Wi-Fi stations is at a distance less than or equal to a predetermined distance, and - whether a Wi-Fi repeater is not associated with the Wi-Fi access point, - and activating an energy management mode in the access point only when all the conditions are fulfilled.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Method for reducing the energy consumption of a Wi-Fi access point in a communications network.

[0001] Technical field

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for reducing the energy consumption of a Wi-Fi access point in a communication network comprising a set of Wi-Fi stations, this set being associated with the access point.

[0003] Such a network is, in particular, a home network equipped with a gateway as an access point allowing local equipment to be connected to the Internet.

[0004] The repeater allows you to connect equipment to the access point, this equipment being too far from the access point but close to the repeater.

[0005] The present invention relates in particular to an access point equipped with at least one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 5 GHz frequency band and one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 6 GHz frequency band.

[0006] State of the prior art

[0007] Generally speaking, Wi-Fi is the most widely used medium for transmitting data at home. It is used by a large and growing number of different devices (smartphone, tablet, PC, TV decoder, IOT equipment, etc.) and for a wide variety of uses: email, telephony, “Live” video, “OTT” video, IOT monitoring, etc.

[0008] Wi-Fi technologies are becoming more complex and provide additional tools that allow certain characteristics of the flows to be optimized, while taking into account certain constraints: 802.11e, 802.1 lu, 802.1 lax, OFDMA, . . .

[0009] The 6 GHz frequency band supports the same bandwidth and throughput as the 5 GHz band. It can nearly double the available Wi-Fi bandwidth in the home. Furthermore, the absence of interference and the exclusive presence on this band of equipment whose standard is 802.1 lax allows for unmatched quality of service and full benefit from the improvements made by the latest standards.

[0010] Today, Wi-Fi technology increasingly uses the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequency bands. Using these frequency bands increases the power consumption of the home gateway.

[0011]

[0012] The present invention aims to reduce the power consumption of the access point.

[0013] Another aim of the invention is the establishment of a new mechanism for reducing consumption while maintaining a satisfactory level of performance.

[0014] Statement of the invention

[0015] At least one of the aforementioned objectives is achieved with a method for reducing the energy consumption of a Wi-Fi access point in a communication network comprising a set of Wi-Fi stations, this set being associated with the access point; the method comprising: - a verification of the following conditions: - if the set of Wi-Fi stations is at a distance less than or equal to a predetermined distance, and - if a Wi-Fi repeater is not associated with the Wi-Fi access point, - activation of an energy management mode in the access point only when all conditions are met.

[0016] According to the invention, the conditions are met when all the verified conditions are respected, that is to say that all the Wi-Fi stations associated with the access point are located at a distance less than the predetermined distance, and the access point is not connected in Wi-Fi mode to a repeater. When all the conditions are not met, then there is no activation of an energy management mode.

[0017] Furthermore, a station is associated with an access point when the association phase, known to those skilled in the art, has concluded positively between this station and the access point.

[0018]

[0019] With the method according to the invention, the energy consumption of a home gateway is reduced by dynamically activating or deactivating energy-saving mechanisms.

[0020] In order to reduce this electricity consumption, we analyze the user's Wi-Fi usage and deduce a policy to reduce their electricity consumption without reducing Wi-Fi performance.

[0021] Thus, the user has no perception of change, yet his electricity consumption can be reduced, reducing the environmental impact of the access point. The reduction in consumption for a household may remain small but nevertheless not negligible for an entire fleet of access points of a national operator.

[0022] The present invention is remarkable in that conditions between the Wi-Fi stations and the access point are automatically checked and the activation Automatic energy management allows a reduction in consumption without impacting the performance of Wi-Fi communication.

[0023]

[0024] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the energy management mode may comprise the management of the Wi-Fi signal transmission power of the access point. Indeed, an energy management mode may therefore advantageously be the management of the electrical power, current and / or voltage, generated by the access point to communicate in Wi-Fi with the Wi-Fi stations.

[0025]

[0026] Preferably, the transmission power management may consist of reducing the transmission power to a predetermined minimum power level. The power reduction may consist of reducing the transmission power by a predefined percentage or several predefined percentages. For example, if a reduction of 15% is applied, this means that the Wi-Fi transmission power for this frequency is reduced to 15%. If a reduction of 50% is applied for a power of 30dBm, then the transmission power will be 27dBm (- 3).

[0027]

[0028] According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the energy management mode can comprise the management of the number of active Wi-Fi antennas in the access point.

[0029] With the method according to the invention, energy saving mechanisms are dynamically activated or deactivated on the various available Wi-Fi cards. The number of antennas used is optimized depending on the situation in order to reduce consumption.

[0030]

[0031] Enabling or disabling antenna count management does not impact the radio performance of communication between the access point and all Wi-Fi stations.

[0032] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the management of the number of active Wi-Fi antennas in the access point can only be activated when the following additional condition is met: if the bandwidth consumption of a Wi-Fi station does not exceed a predetermined consumption threshold.

[0033] In other words, in the management of the number of antennas, we add, in addition to or instead of the previous condition, an additional condition to be respected before activating this management mode.

[0034] We do not want to reduce the number of antennas if the Wi-Fi communication bandwidth between the access point and a Wi-Fi station exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0035] This consumption threshold is for example equal to 50%, for example between 30 and 60%.

[0036] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the management of the number of active Wi-Fi antennas in the access point may comprise a deactivation of one or more antennas so as to allow operation of the access point with a predetermined minimum number of Wi-Fi antennas. It is possible to envisage a reduction in the number of antennas as a function of the bandwidth, 3 then 2 then 1 according to different configurable thresholds.

[0037] Thus, in antenna number management mode, we can consider systematically going from four to two antennas, that is to say by dividing the maximum number of antennas by two.

[0038]

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said predetermined distance may be the distance corresponding to a predetermined RSSI (“Received Signal Strength Indication”) signal intensity such as for example - 55dBm. The value of -55 is configurable.

[0040]

[0041] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the access point can be an internet connection router or a Wi-Fi repeater within the communication network.

[0042] The invention can thus make it possible to reduce consumption across all access points in a communications network.

[0043] The access point according to the invention can generally be considered, for a domestic communication network, as a domestic gateway or a "homegateway" in English or any other device capable of connecting user equipment to the Internet.

[0044]

[0045] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the verification can be periodic.

[0046] Thus, conditions are regularly checked. And depending on the thresholds, one or more energy management systems are activated or not. Since Wi-Fi stations can be mobile devices, periodic verification helps optimize energy management.

[0047]

[0048] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, when the access point is configured to operate at different frequencies, the activation of an energy management mode applies to all frequencies.

[0049] Thus, when one of the energy managements is active, the restrictions apply for all frequencies in order to ensure homogeneity in the radiation pattern of the home gateway. For example, if a station is connected on the 5GHz and if the saving criteria are met, then a reduction in the number of active antennas will be carried out both on the 5GHz, 2.4GHz and also 6GHz.

[0050]

[0051] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a communication network comprising an access point and a set of Wi-Fi stations. According to the invention, the access point is configured to implement a method as described above.

[0052]

[0053] The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processing unit in an access point and / or in a repeater in a communication network comprising a set of Wi-Fi stations, cause the latter to implement the method as described above.

[0054] Description of figures and embodiments.

[0055] Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, and the following appended drawings:

[0056] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a house equipped with an access point in the form of an internet gateway, a repeater and a user's Wi-Fi stations;

[0057] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating steps of a method according to the invention;

[0058] [Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment without the power saving management;

[0059] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment with energy saving activation according to the invention; and

[0060] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating two simultaneous connections between the access point and two successive repeaters according to the invention. Figure 5 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment with energy saving deactivation according to the invention.

[0061] The embodiments which will be described below are in no way limiting; it will be possible in particular to implement variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one preferably functional characteristic without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art.

[0062] Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a house 1 equipped with an access point 2 which is a router or gateway allowing access to the Internet 3 via a wired connection 4 based on coaxial cable or optical fiber.

[0063] The access point 2 comprises a processing unit 7, such as a microprocessor for example, to implement the method according to the invention; a Wi-Fi module 8 for communication at 2.4GHz; a Wi-Fi module 9 for communication at 5GHz; and a Wi-Fi module 10 for communication at 6GHz.

[0064] There is also a repeater 11. This repeater is intended to extend the coverage of the three Wi-Fi frequency bands. In this case, the repeater 11 is equipped with a microprocessor 12 to manage a Wi-Fi module 13 in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, a Wi-Fi module 14 in the 5 GHz frequency band and a Wi-Fi module 15 in the 6 GHz frequency band. Its function is to serve as a relay between communications between the access point 2 and equipment or stations that are too far from the access point 2 but close to the repeater.

[0065] The repeater 11 is directly connected by wire to the access point 2. Communication between the gateway 2 and the repeater 11 is via a wired link 211 based on coaxial cable or optical fiber.

[0066] Home devices can connect wired or wirelessly to access point 2 to access the Internet 3.

[0067] In the example of Figure 1, there is a television 5 and a mobile telephone 6a of the “smartphone” type, both connected to the gateway 2 wirelessly by Wi-Fi. When the television 5 is in operation, a digital television service is notably activated between the television 5 and the access point 2.

[0068] We can see another mobile phone 6b connected to the repeater 11 to access the internet by implementing different types of services: web, download, telephony, etc.

[0069] The combination of access point 2, repeater 11, television 5 and mobile phones 6a and 6b forms a home network.

[0070] The access point 2 and the repeater 11 comprise conventional hardware and software means for serving as an access point and repeater between equipment and the Internet and further comprise one and / or the other a computer program product for implementing the method according to the invention.

[0071] When the mobile phone 6a comes close to the access point 2, an association is made, for example, via the Wi-Fi module 9 to the 5 GHz frequency band.

[0072] The present invention can be applied to such a network as described in Figure 1 but can also be applied to a communication network not comprising a repeater.

[0073] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating steps of implementing the method according to the invention. This may be the method implemented within the access point 2. It is considered that only the television 5 and the telephone 6a are associated with the access point 2.

[0074] The verification process starts at step 16, for example, provided there is at least one Wi-Fi station associated with the access point. A verification can be considered if at least one Wi-Fi station is connected to the access point. If so, the process is started; otherwise, a delay is allowed before testing again.

[0075] After step 16, the first check is to verify in step 17 that all Wi-Fi stations are within a predetermined distance or less.

[0076] If not, for example when the phone 6a has moved beyond the maximum required distance, we move on to step 19.

[0077] If so, the second check 18 is performed, which consists of knowing whether a repeater is not connected in Wi-Fi mode to the access point. In the case of Figure 1, the repeater 11 is considered as a second access point. The connection between the access point 2 and the repeater 11 being wired, in check 18, the condition is fulfilled, so the output is "yes".

[0078] However, if for example the link 211 were wireless, this would mean that it is necessary to maintain sufficient transmission power to ensure communication with the repeater 11. In this case, the condition of step 18 would not be met and the output of step 18 would be “no”.

[0079] Both checks 17 and 18 can be carried out in parallel or one after the other without importance in the order, i.e. first check 17 or first check 18.

[0080] When the conditions required in checks 17 and 18 are met, i.e. an output equal to "yes", then transmission power management is triggered. For example, the transmission power of Wi-Fi modules 8, 9 and 10 can be lowered to a predetermined minimum value.

[0081] On the other hand, when at least one of the checks 17 and 18 does not meet the required condition, i.e. when the output is “no”, then step 19 is carried out, consisting of deactivating a transmission power management mode if such a mode was previously in the active state. Indeed, a no in step 17 or 18 means that the conditions are not or are no longer met for the implementation of transmission power management.

[0082] If a transmission power management mode was not previously in active state, we simply move to a time delay step 24 before the start 16 of a next verification process.

[0083] When both checks 17 and 18 are positive, we apply the transmission power management in step 20 and we carry out a fourth in parallel verification 21. This step 20 can be implemented immediately after step 18 or at the end of the process after step 21.

[0084] Step 21 is to determine whether the bandwidth consumption of a Wi-Fi station does not exceed a predetermined consumption threshold. In the case of Figure 1, if the threshold is, for example, 50% and the TV consumes more than 50% of the Wi-Fi bandwidth, then the condition is not met, the output of step 21 is "no" and we move on to step 22.

[0085] Furthermore, in the case of an access point that can communicate at different frequencies, for example 5GHz and 6GHz, the conditions according to the invention apply to each of the frequency bands. For example, regarding the consumption threshold, if the 5GHz band is used at 20% and the 6GHz band at 52%, then the deactivation threshold at 50% is reached.

[0086] Step 22 consists of deactivating a mode for managing the number of active Wi-Fi antennas if such a mode was previously in active state. Indeed, a no in step 21 means that the conditions are not or are no longer met for implementing the management of the number of Wi-Fi antennas.

[0087] If a Wi-Fi antenna number management mode was not previously in active state, we simply move to a timeout step 24 before the start 16 of a next verification cycle.

[0088]

[0089] When the verification in step 21 gives a positive result, that is to say that the consumption of each Wi-Fi band remains below a predetermined threshold, then antenna management is set up in step 23 and we move on to the timing phase in step 24.

[0090] Generally speaking, verification steps 17, 18 and 21 can be carried out completely successively, successively two by two or in parallel. When they are carried out in parallel, it is necessary to wait until all the verifications have been completed before deducing the management(s) to be implemented.

[0091]

[0092] Figures 3 to 5 show three situations within a communication network 26 according to the invention.

[0093] In Figure 3, no energy saving management mode is activated. This may be the case before implementing the method according to the invention or when the energy saving management modes are rendered inoperative.

[0094] An antenna 25 can be seen which may be representative of the Wi-Fi antennas of the access point 2 in Figure 1. The telephone 6a and the television 5 are associated with the access point equipped with the antenna 25.

[0095] In Figure 4, the power saving management modes are operational. The checks show that the TV 5 and the telephone 6a meet the conditions for implementing transmission power management. For example, the TV 5 and the telephone 6a are included in a circle 27 respecting the distance conditions. Indeed, within this circle 27 it is considered that the RSSI intensity is satisfactory. In such a situation, the transmission power via the antenna 25 is controlled, more precisely reduced.

[0096] On the other hand, in Figure 5, the telephone 6a has moved beyond the circle 27, this leads to the deactivation of the transmission power management mode because the thresholds are no longer reached. This power must in fact be sufficient to allow acceptable communication with the telephone 6a which has moved away.

[0097]

[0098] The present invention can be broken down into two types of energy management: - Management of the radio transmission power, and - Management of the number of active radio antennas.

[0099] Each management has its own activation and deactivation thresholds, if one of the thresholds is not reached, this energy saving function is deactivated.

[0100] Thresholds related to transmission power management may include: - RSSI, the stations should not be too far from the access point so as not to see their performance decrease, if the station is associated with -55dBm RSSI and lower, the energy saving function is not activated. - A Wi-Fi repeater must not be connected.

[0101] Thresholds related to managing the number of active radio antennas may include: - RSSI, the stations should not be too far from the access point so as not to see their performance decrease, if the station is associated with -55dBm RSSI and lower, the energy saving function is not activated. - A Wi-Fi repeater must not be connected. - The home gateway must not be connected via Wi-Fi to any other device. The bandwidth consumption of the radio of a currently connected Wi-Fi device should not exceed 50% or its overall performance may be reduced. This is therefore referred to as talk time on the Wi-Fi channel.

[0102] If the global energy saving mechanism is activated, it analyzes all the energy management configured in the system, such as for example the management of the transmission power only or the management of the transmission power but also the active management of the antennas.

[0103] If an energy management meets all of its trigger criteria, this management is activated.

[0104]

[0105] With the method according to the invention, the energy consumption of a home gateway is reduced by dynamically activating or deactivating energy-saving mechanisms on the different Wi-Fi cards available.

[0106]

[0107] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described. Many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the present invention as described.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for reducing the energy consumption of a Wi-Fi access point in a communication network comprising a set of Wi-Fi stations, this set being associated with the access point; the method comprising: - a verification of the following conditions: - if the set of Wi-Fi stations is at a distance less than or equal to a predetermined distance, and - if a Wi-Fi repeater is not associated with the Wi-Fi access point, - activation of an energy management mode in the access point only when all conditions are met.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the energy management mode comprises the management of the Wi-Fi signal transmission power of the access point.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the transmission power management consists of reducing the transmission power to a predetermined minimum power level.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy management mode comprises the management of the number of active Wi-Fi antennas in the access point.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the management of the number of active Wi-Fi antennas in the access point is only activated when the following additional condition is met: if the bandwidth consumption of a Wi-Fi station does not exceed a predetermined consumption threshold.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the consumption threshold is 50%.

7. Method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the management of the number of active Wi-Fi antennas in the access point comprises a deactivation of one or more antennas so as to allow operation of the access point with a predetermined minimum number of Wi-Fi antennas.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said predetermined distance is the distance corresponding to a signal intensity RS SI (“Received Signal Strength Indication”) of -55dBm.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access point is an internet connection router or a Wi-Fi repeater within the communication network.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the verification is periodic.

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the access point is configured to operate at different frequencies, the activation of an energy management mode applies to all frequencies.

12. Communication network comprising an access point and a set of Wi-Fi stations, characterized in that the access point is configured to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processing unit in an access point and / or in a repeater in a communication network comprising a set of Wi-Fi stations, cause the latter to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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