Method for managing the energy consumption of wireless communication interfaces of an electronic access point device, electronic access point device and corresponding computer program.

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a method for managing the energy consumption of a network gateway comprising at least one communication interface to a local area network. The management method includes: upon detection (401) of congestion, determining (402) whether at least one station is connected to it, and if at least one station is connected, then detecting (403, 405) a first communication flow through said communication interface, between the wide area network and said local area network, on the one hand, and a second communication flow between several stations connected to the local area network, on the other hand, then: in the presence of a first communication flow, or in the presence of a second communication flow and whose throughput is less than a first predetermined threshold, modifying (406) an initial configuration of the communication interface in question to decrease its energy consumption, and otherwise, maintaining its initial configuration.Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 4.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing the energy consumption of wireless communication interfaces of an electronic access point device, electronic access point device and corresponding computer program. Technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication networks, and in particular wireless local area networks (WLANs). Such wireless local area networks generally include one or more electronic access point devices (APs), such as communication network gateways. More specifically, this disclosure relates to the management of the energy consumption of these communication network gateways and, in particular, the communication interfaces of these gateways to a local area network. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] In a residential or professional environment, an electronic device called an "access point" (or "AP") is typically a communication network gateway, for example, a "box" provided by an Internet service provider. Generally, such an electronic access point device includes at a minimum a wireless communication interface or radio interface or radio resource (these terms being used interchangeably hereafter), enabling the establishment of local wireless communications in accordance, for example, with one of the standards in the 802.11 family of standards from the "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers" (known by the acronym "IEEE"), or so-called "Wi-Fi" type networks.The terms "wireless communication interface" or "radio resource" or "radio interface" here refer to a physical electronic interface configured to operate bidirectional wireless communications between one or more compatible remote stations and a local or wide area communication network, for example according to a protocol from the IEEE 802.11 family of standards and / or between stations.

[0003] Such stations are, for example, user devices such as: computers, televisions, tablets or so-called "smart" phones (or "smartphone" in English), etc. or other electronic devices of the access point type such as electronic equipment forming a wireless communication coverage extension system (e.g., Wi-Fi extender, wireless repeater...).

[0004] Nowadays, more and more frequency bands are being used for wireless communications to meet the growing demand for data. Generally, by default, all radio interfaces are powered on, whether or not any stations are connected to one of them. Consequently, the proliferation of radio interfaces within the network gateway poses a significant power consumption problem. It should be noted that radio interfaces operating at 5 GHz or 6 GHz are particularly power-hungry.

[0005] A classic solution for reducing the energy consumption of a radio interface is to keep it powered on, but in a degraded mode (e.g., several transmit / receive chains are turned off). This makes it possible to reduce the radio interface's energy consumption while maintaining its ability to detect connection requests from stations. The drawback of this approach is that while it is possible to reduce the overall energy consumption of the network gateway (especially if the radio interface operates at 5 GHz or 6 GHz), these energy savings essentially only occur when no stations are connected to the network gateway's radio interfaces (the typical triggering condition for such a mechanism).

[0006] It is therefore desirable to overcome this drawback of the prior art. In particular, there is a need to improve the electrical energy consumption of the network gateway.

[0007] EXPOSE

[0008] It is particularly desirable to provide a solution which makes it possible to take advantage of a congestion phenomenon occurring on a link between an electronic access point device of the network gateway type and a wide area communication network, in order to save energy at the level of its communication interfaces to a local communication network.

[0009] To this end, a method for managing the energy consumption of a network gateway is proposed herein. This gateway comprises at least one first communication interface with a wide area network and at least one second communication interface with a local area network. This management method comprises: upon detection of congestion on said first communication interface, determining, for each second communication interface, whether at least one station is connected to said second communication interface, and for said second communication interface to which at least one station is connected, detecting a first communication flow via said second communication interface between said wide area network and said local area network, on the one hand, and a second communication flow via said second communication interface between several stations. connected to said local network, on the other hand, then: in the presence of a first communication flow via said second communication interface considered, between said extended network and said local network, or in the presence of a second communication flow, via said second communication interface considered, between several stations connected to said local network, and whose throughput is less than a predetermined throughput threshold, modify an initial configuration of said second communication interface considered to reduce its energy consumption, and otherwise, maintain its initial configuration.

[0010] Thus, it is possible to take advantage of congestion on a network gateway communication interface configured to allow bidirectional communication between the network gateway and a wide area network (WAN). In particular, it is possible to exploit this congestion to reduce the energy consumption of the network gateway's radio interfaces, which are configured to allow access to one or more local area networks (LANs).Indeed, since the network gateway's communication interface with the wide area network is limited due to congestion, it is not necessary to operate the gateway's radio communication interfaces with a local communication network at their maximum communication capacity when they are carrying flows between the local network and the wide area network.

[0011] In a particular embodiment, determining, for each second communication interface, whether at least one station is connected to said second communication interface under consideration includes: performing an action to manage the energy consumption of said second communication interface under consideration, when no station is connected to said second communication interface under consideration.

[0012] According to a particular embodiment, performing said energy consumption management action of said second communication interface under consideration includes: turning off said second communication interface under consideration.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the management method further comprises: when said configuration of said second communication interface has been modified, then checking whether said congestion is still detected, and when said congestion is still detected, determining whether airtime usage by said second communication interface is greater than or equal to a predetermined airtime threshold, and when said airtime usage by said second communication interface is greater than or equal to the predetermined airtime threshold, then restore said initial configuration of said second communication interface under consideration.

[0014] Advantageously, if the communication capabilities of a communication interface with a local communication network of the network gateway are reduced and the use of airtime (i.e., time taken to transmit and receive information to or from the local network) of this communication interface is greater than or equal to a predetermined airtime threshold, then it is possible to restore the communication capabilities of this communication interface with a local communication network.

[0015] According to a particular embodiment, the method further comprises: - when said configuration of said second communication interface considered has been modified, then check if said congestion is still detected, and when said congestion is no longer detected, restore said initial configuration of said second communication interface considered.

[0016] Advantageously, when the communication interface of the network gateway with the extended network is no longer experiencing congestion, it is possible to restore the communication capabilities of the communication interfaces with a local communication network of the network gateway.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment, modifying an initial configuration of said second communication interface under consideration includes: comparing a frequency band on which said second communication interface under consideration operates with a frequency band on which at least one other second communication interface operates, and if said frequency band on which said second communication interface under consideration operates is greater than said frequency band on which said at least one other second communication interface operates, then modify the initial configuration of said second communication interface under consideration as a priority, otherwise modify an initial configuration of said other second communication interface as a priority.

[0018] Advantageously, when several communication interfaces with a local communication network of the network gateway are connected to one or more stations, and when, in addition, there is network traffic between these stations and the wide area network via these communication interfaces with a local communication network, or when a communication flow exists within a wireless communication network made available by these communication interfaces with a local communication network, then the reduction of the communication capacities of the communication interfaces with a local communication network is carried out according to a priority mechanism that takes into account the frequency band on which each of the communication interfaces with a local communication network operates. The communication interface With a local communication network operating on the highest frequency band among a set of communication interfaces, its communication capacity will be reduced first. It is therefore possible to reduce the network gateway's energy consumption by first reducing the communication capacity of the most energy-intensive interfaces (i.e., those operating on the highest frequency bands, for example, 5 GHz and 6 GHz).

[0019] According to a particular embodiment, modifying an initial configuration of said second communication interface under consideration comprises one or both, or a combination thereof, of the following modifications: - a reduction in the width of an operational channel of said second communication interface under consideration,

[0020] - a decrease in the number of transmission chains of said second communication interface considered,

[0021] - a decrease in the number of receive strings of said second interface of communication considered,

[0022] - a decrease in the emission power of said second interface of communication considered.

[0023] Also proposed here is a module for managing the energy consumption of at least one second communication interface to a local communication network of a network gateway, said network gateway further comprising at least one first communication interface with a wide area network. The management module comprises electronic circuitry configured to: upon detection of congestion on said first communication interface, determine, for each second communication interface, whether at least one station is connected to said second communication interface, and, for said second communication interface to which at least one station is connected, detect a first communication flow via said second communication interface, between said wide area network and said local area network, on the one hand, and a second communication flow,via said second communication interface, between several stations connected to said local network, on the other hand, then: in the presence of a first communication flow via said second communication interface, between said wide area network and said local network, or in the presence of a second communication flow, via said second communication interface, between several stations connected to said local network, and whose throughput is less than a predetermined throughput threshold, modify an initial configuration of said second communication interface to reduce its energy consumption, and otherwise, maintain its initial configuration.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, determining, for each second communication interface, whether at least one station is connected to said second communication interface under consideration includes: performing an action to manage the energy consumption of said second communication interface under consideration, when no station is connected to said second communication interface under consideration.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment, performing said energy consumption management action of said second communication interface under consideration includes: turning off said second communication interface under consideration.

[0026] According to a particular embodiment, the management module further includes electronic circuitry configured to: when said configuration of said second communication interface considered has been modified, then check whether said congestion is still detected, and when said congestion is still detected, determine whether airtime usage by said second communication interface considered is greater than or equal to a predetermined airtime threshold, and when said airtime usage by said second communication interface considered is greater than or equal to the predetermined airtime threshold, then restore said initial configuration of said second communication interface considered.

[0027] According to a particular embodiment, the management module further includes electronic circuitry configured to: when said configuration of said second communication interface considered has been modified, then check if said congestion is still detected, and when said congestion is no longer detected, restore said initial configuration of said second communication interface considered.

[0028] A network gateway is also proposed here, comprising at least one first communication interface with a wide area network and at least one second communication interface with a local area network. The network gateway includes a management module as described above.

[0029] Also proposed here is a computer program product, comprising instructions causing the execution, by a processor, of the process as described above, when said instructions are executed by the processor.

[0030] Also proposed here is a storage medium, storing a computer program comprising instructions causing the execution, by a processor, of the process as described above, when said instructions are read and executed by the processor. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] The features of this disclosure mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0032] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an example of an implementation environment for the energy consumption management process of the wireless communication interfaces of an electronic access point device of the network gateway type according to a particular embodiment;

[0033] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware architecture of a device electronic access point of the network gateway type according to a particular embodiment;

[0034] [Fig.3A] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware architecture of a wireless communication interface of an electronic access point device of gateway type according to a particular embodiment;

[0035] [Fig.3B] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware architecture of a communication interface of an electronic access point device of gateway type according to a particular embodiment;

[0036] [Fig.4] illustrates in diagram form the steps of a process for managing the energy consumption of wireless communication interfaces of an electronic access point device of gateway type according to a particular embodiment;

[0037] [Fig.5] illustrates in diagram form other steps in the management process of the energy consumption of the wireless communication interfaces of an electronic access point device of the network gateway type, according to a particular embodiment;

[0038] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware architecture of a module energy consumption management of wireless communication interfaces of an electronic access point device of the network gateway type, configured to perform all or part of the steps of the management process of Figs. 4 and 5.

[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

[0040] The general principle of one or more embodiments relates to reducing the energy consumption of an electronic access point device, such as a network gateway, by reducing the communication capacity of its wireless communication interfaces, establishing one or more wireless local area networks. More specifically, an object of this disclosure is the reduction of the communication capacity of the wireless communication interfaces of the network gateway when congestion is detected at a communication interface of that same gateway, thus preventing it from connecting to a wide area network (WAN).

[0041] Congestion, or overload, in a communication network is the reduction in quality of service that occurs when a node or link in the network carries more data than it can process. Typical effects include delays in packet processing, packets accumulating in queues, packet loss, reduced throughput, or the blocking of new connections. Various solutions exist for detecting and resolving such congestion.

[0042] The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) RFC 9330 Request for Comments introduces the technology known as "Low Latency, Low Loss, and Scalable Throughput" (also known as "L4S"). L4S technology functions as a congestion control mechanism by providing feedback on network bottleneck congestion to the applications being used. To this end, L4S uses an Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) mechanism to provide early warning of link-level congestion corresponding to a bottleneck by marking a "Congestion Experienced" (CE) code point in the IP header of packets.After receiving the packets, the receiver sends this congestion information back to the sender in the acknowledgment (ACK) packets of the transport protocol. The sender uses this congestion feedback to reduce its packet sending rate in order to avoid bottleneck delays.

[0043] According to another solution, when congestion is detected at an air interface of the radio access network of a cellular network (or "Radio Access Network" or "RAN") (e.g., via monitoring of indicators and metrics to monitor traffic load and quality of service on the air interface and the transport network), the core network of a cellular network can send notifications to user equipment ("User Equipment" or "UE") such as network gateways equipped with a UE for access to the wide area network ("WAN", typically considered to be Internet access), in order to limit their aggregated maximum bit rate ("Aggregated Maximum Bit Rate" or "AMBR").

[0044] Hereafter, "radio interfaces" means wireless communication interfaces configured to establish wireless local area networks (WLANs) through which stations can connect to each other and / or access, via the network gateway, a wide area network (WAN). Such radio interfaces are also called WLAN radio interfaces. Access to the Wide Area Network (WAN) is possible via one or more communication interfaces that allow the network gateway to connect to the WAN. Such communication interfaces are subsequently referred to as "WAN communication interfaces." It should be noted that the WAN communication interface can be a wireless communication interface.

[0045] Fig. 1 thus schematically illustrates an example of an implementation environment for a method of managing the energy consumption of one or more WLAN radio interfaces of an electronic access point device of the network gateway type, according to a particular embodiment.

[0046] Figure 1 shows a first local area network (LAN), denoted LAN and hereafter referred to as the LAN. This LAN includes an electronic access point device, here a network communication gateway, denoted GW. The network gateway GW is configured to operate primarily, but not exclusively, as a link and communication interface between the LAN and a second wide area network (WAN), denoted WAN and hereafter referred to as the WAN. Such a WAN is, for example, the Internet. To this end, the network gateway GW includes one or more WAN communication interfaces enabling it to connect to the WAN, for example, via a wired connection (ADSL or fiber), or via a wireless radio connection (cellular, e.g.2G to 5G as specified by one of the standards resulting from the cooperation of the "3rd Generation Partnership Project" or "3GPP").

[0047] The local area network (LAN) further comprises a set of stations such as: user devices STA1, STA2, STA3 (e.g., a personal computer STA1, a smartphone STA2, a tablet STA3) and one or more electronic access point devices forming a wireless communication coverage extension system (e.g., Wi-Fi extenders, wireless repeaters, etc., not shown). This wireless communication coverage extension system coordinates several access points integrated into communication nodes labeled NI and N2. These different access points are interconnected by means of a backhaul subnetwork. These access points all allow access to the LAN for other stations, such as the user device STA3.The NI and N2 access points can be connected to the GW network gateway via wired or wireless radio link for access to the WAN.

[0048] The user devices STA1, STA2, STA3 can be connected directly to the GW network gateway or via one of the access points located in the nodes of NI or N2 communication (as shown in [Fig.1]). The connection with the GW network gateway or the access points located in the NI, N2 communication nodes can be made via wired connection (e.g., Ethernet), or via other types of connection such as USB, wireless connection (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Z-Wave, Zigbee, DECT-ULE, etc.).

[0049] The GW network gateway thus includes wireless communication interfaces, or WLAN radio interfaces, in order to be capable of establishing one or more local wireless communication networks, of the WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) type, hereinafter referred to as a WLAN wireless local area network (not shown in [Fig. 1]). Such WLAN wireless local area networks use, for example, the 802.11 technology or standard in one of its versions, such as 802.11-2012, 802.11-2016 or 802.11-2020, with one or more of its amendments such as 802.11n-2009, 802.11ac-2013, 802.11ax-2021, or the provisional version of amendment P802.11be in its edition D7.0. These radio interfaces are configured to operate bidirectional wireless communications between one or more compatible stations and one or more wireless local area networks of type WLAN (not shown in [Fig.1]) thus extending the local area network.Some of these radio interfaces are capable of establishing bidirectional wireless communications according to one of the versions of the 802.11 standard in one or more frequency bands among the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands.

[0050] Hereafter, the user devices STA1, STA2, STA3 and the access points located in the communication nodes NI, N2 are referred to as "stations". Thus, the term "station" here refers to any electronic and / or computer device configured to be connected at least to the LAN communication network and, where applicable, to one or more WLAN wireless communication networks. In other words, these stations are capable of connecting to the LAN and / or to one or more WLAN wireless local area networks extending the LAN, in that they have the necessary permissions and configurations to access the resources of said LAN and / or the WLAN wireless local area networks extending the LAN.Subsequently, communications between stations within the same wireless local area network or to another wireless local area network via a WLAN radio interface 201, 202, are treated as communications between stations within the local area network LAN via a WLAN radio interface 201, 202.

[0051] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates an example of the hardware architecture of an electronic access point device of the GW network gateway type according to a particular embodiment.

[0052] The GW network gateway includes one or more WLAN radio interfaces that can be independently enabled or disabled. In particular, according to the example From [Fig. 2], the GW network gateway comprises a first WLAN radio interface 201 and a second WLAN radio interface 202. These first and second WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202 will be described in more detail later in relation to [Fig. 3A]. These first and second WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202 are configured to provide stations STA1 to STA3 with wireless connectivity to the local area network (LAN) and / or to one or more wireless WLAN communication networks extending the LAN.

[0053] The respective channels on which these first and second WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202 operate are the channels designated by "a" and "b". These channels "a" and "b" belong to a frequency band (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) which is divided into several so-called operational channels on which they can operate. In an IEEE 802.11 type network, these channels are generally 20 MHz wide and can be aggregated to increase the transmission capacity of the operational channel (40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz or even 320 MHz depending on the available spectrum width in the frequency band).

[0054] According to a particular embodiment, these first and second WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202 are configured to provide access to one or more distinct wireless WLAN communication networks. Indeed, it is possible to assign several Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) to a single WLAN radio interface (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). The SSID allows stations STA1 to STA3 to identify and connect to a specific wireless WLAN communication network. When a station STA1 to STA3 connects to a wireless WLAN communication network, it uses, among other things, the SSID to identify that network.

[0055] Thus, according to the example in [Fig. 2], the first WLAN radio interface 201 is configured to provide access to two distinct WLAN wireless communication networks: a first wireless communication network, designated WLAN 1.1, with the SSID "Home1", and a second wireless communication network, designated WLAN 1.2, with the SSID "Guest1". Similarly, the second WLAN radio interface 202 is configured to provide access to two distinct WLAN wireless communication networks: a first wireless communication network, designated WLAN 2.1, with the SSID "Home2", and a second wireless communication network, designated WLAN 2.2, with the SSID "Guest2". In the example in [Fig. 2], stations STA1 and STA2 are connected, via a Wi-Fi wireless connection, to the first WLAN wireless communication network, WLAN 1.1 provided by the first WLAN 201 radio interface and the STA3 station is connected, via a Wi-Fi type wireless connection, to the second WLAN 2.2 wireless communication network provided by the second WLAN 202 radio interface.

[0056] The GW network gateway also includes a 203 communication interface for accessing the WAN, referred to as the "WAN 203 communication interface." This WAN 203 communication interface is configured to operate bidirectional communications between the GW network gateway and the WAN. This WAN 203 communication interface is, for example, a wireless communication interface, or radio interface, enabling the GW network gateway to connect to a cellular WAN of an operator's type via a 2G to 5G wireless radio link.

[0057] The GW network gateway further includes a processor 200 configured to control the functionalities of the GW network gateway and manage the various WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202, and the WAN communication interface 203. The processor 200 is specifically configured to manage the data flows between the WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202 and the WAN communication interface 203.

[0058] The GW network gateway further includes a power management module for the GW network gateway's WLAN radio interfaces (also referred to hereafter as the management module), denoted MOD. An example of the hardware architecture of this MOD management module is described below with reference to [Fig. 6]. The MOD management module is configured to implement all or part of the power management process for the GW network gateway's WLAN radio interfaces described below with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

[0059] According to the example in [Fig. 2], the network gateway GW further includes another communication interface 204 configured to provide compatible stations with wired connectivity (e.g., Ethernet) to the local area network (LAN). In the example in [Fig. 2], a station STA4 is wired to this other communication interface 204.

[0060] Figures [Fig.3A] and [Fig.3B] schematically illustrate respectively an example of the hardware architecture of a WLAN radio interface of a GW network gateway type access point electronic device according to a particular embodiment and an example of the hardware architecture of a WAN communication interface of a GW network gateway type access point electronic device according to a particular embodiment.

[0061] According to the example in [Fig. 3A], the first WLAN radio interface 201 (or the second WLAN radio interface 202) of the network gateway GW is controlled via the processor 200. The first WLAN radio interface 201 optionally includes its own processor 300 and a digital signal processing processor 301, commonly referred to as a "DSP" (Digital Signal Processor). The latter includes a digital-to-analog converter on the transmit channel and an analog-to-digital converter on the receive channel. It is Note that this dedicated 300 processor of the first WLAN 201 radio interface may be optional as a separate component depending on the implementation. Indeed, in some embodiments, its functionalities can be integrated with other components, such as the 200 processor.

[0062] The analog signals in transmission, respectively in reception, are modulated, respectively demodulated, by a radio frequency modem 302 comprising a mixer 303. A front-end module 304 amplifies the signal in transmission (power amplifier 305), while the signal in reception is amplified by a low noise converter block 306. A filter 307 switchable between the transmission channel and the reception channel is interposed between the output of the power amplifier 305 and the antenna 308 on the one hand and the input of the low noise converter block 306 and the antenna 308 on the other hand.

[0063] The embodiment shown in [Fig. 3A] illustrates the case where the first WLAN radio interface 201 (or the second WLAN radio interface 202) comprises a single transmit / receive chain; however, a radio interface may include several transmit / receive chains. Certain components may be common to several chains, for example, the processor 300 or the digital signal processing processor 301.

[0064] According to the example in [Fig. 3B], like the first WLAN radio interface 201 (or the second WLAN radio interface 202), the WAN communication interface 203 of the network gateway GW is controlled via the processor 200. The WAN communication interface 203 optionally includes a dedicated processor 310 and a digital signal processing unit 311, commonly referred to as a "DSP" (Digital Signal Processor). The latter includes a digital-to-analog converter on the transmission channel and an analog-to-digital converter on the reception channel. It should be noted that this dedicated processor 310 of the WAN communication interface 203 can be optional as a separate component, depending on the implementation. Indeed, in some embodiments, its functionalities can be integrated with other components, such as the processor 200.

[0065] The analog signals in transmission, respectively in reception, are modulated, respectively demodulated, by a radio frequency modem 312 comprising a mixer 313. A front-end module 314 amplifies the signal in transmission (power amplifier 315), while the signal in reception is amplified by a low noise converter block 316. A filter 317 switchable between the transmission channel and the reception channel is interposed between the output of the power amplifier 315 and the antenna 318 on the one hand and the input of the low noise converter block 316 and the antenna 318 on the other hand.

[0066] The embodiment shown in [Fig. 3B] illustrates the case where the WAN communication interface 203 comprises a single transmission / reception chain; it can also include several transmission / reception chains. Certain components may be common to several chains, for example, the processor 310 or the digital signal processing processor 311.

[0067] Figure 4 shows, in diagram form, the steps of the energy consumption management process for the WLAN radio interfaces 201, 202 according to one embodiment. All or part of this process is implemented by the MOD management module described below in connection with Figure 6.

[0068] During a 401 step, the MOD management module detects congestion on the WAN communication interface 203 of the network gateway GW. This congestion on the WAN communication interface 203 corresponds to the fact that this WAN communication interface 203 is carrying more data than it can process. In other words, it is experiencing queue delays and / or packet loss, etc.

[0069] For this purpose, the MOD management module obtains information called "congestion information" according to which the WAN communication interface 203 of the GW network gateway is experiencing congestion.

[0070] According to one embodiment, when the WAN communication interface 203 of the network gateway GW uses a high-speed cellular wireless link (of the 4G to 5G type) and congestion is detected on said communication interface, this congestion is then reported to the network gateway GW, for example by a cellular network entity sending a notification to the network gateway indicating a reduction in the AMBR value from the core network compared to the value usually received by the core network (a value that can be defined, for example, by averaging over time (e.g., over a day, over a week, etc.) the AMBR values ​​previously received). According to this example, congestion information can therefore be obtained by the management module MOD from the notification of the reduction in the AMBR value sent by the core network to the network gateway GW.More specifically, in a conventional manner, the GW network gateway's processor 200 receives the AMBR reduction notification via a management module configured to handle the WAN communication interface 203. Thus, according to one embodiment, this notification is then forwarded by the processor 200 to the management module MOD, which then detects congestion on the WAN communication interface 203. It should be noted that in this example, the GW network gateway's WAN communication interface is assumed to be of the radio type (e.g., 4G or 5G) and is therefore compatible with receiving AMBR reduction notifications. In an example, the communication interface... WAN port 203 of the gateway receives notification from the cellular network that the AMBR value has been reduced when the gateway receives a user device context setup request (UE context setup request) containing a parameter specifying the AMBR value. In another example, this AMBR reduction notification is received by the gateway via a bearer setup request (BDR) from the cellular network. Yet another example uses an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, used to modify a UE context or bearer context, to notify the user of the AMBR reduction.This message may also include certain other Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, such as the Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) parameter and the Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) parameter.

[0071] In another embodiment, alternatively or additionally, congestion information is obtained by analyzing the IP headers of packets destined for a station connected to the wireless local area network (WLAN). More specifically, the MOD management module obtains congestion information after analyzing the IP headers of packets destined for the WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202. This analysis includes, in particular: receiving packets from the wide area network (WAN) destined for a station connected to the wireless local area network (WLAN), and detecting whether an IP header of the packets contains a "Congestion Experienced" (or CE) code point.

[0072] In one embodiment, the MOD management module obtains congestion information from a congestion notification indicating that the WAN communication interface 203 is experiencing congestion. This congestion notification is transmitted to the MOD management module, for example, by a so-called "congestion module" of the network gateway GW configured to analyze the IP headers of packets destined for the WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202.

[0073] Indeed, when the network gateway (GW) is compatible with the L4S technology described above, it can, if necessary, mark the IP headers of all packets originating from the WAN and destined for all stations connected to the LAN via the L4S mechanism to indicate congestion in case some of these stations are compatible with this L4S mechanism. The compatible stations will then automatically reduce the amount of information to be transmitted in order to prioritize only critical flows.

[0074] Consequently, when congestion is detected on the WAN communication interface 203, it may be advantageous to reduce the capacity of the radio interfaces WLAN 201 and 202 are used to conserve energy. Since the WAN 203 communication interface is temporarily limited in its capacity due to congestion, it is not necessary to operate the WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202 at their maximum capacity. Often, the communication capacity within the local area network (LAN) is greater than the communication capacity of the wide area network (WAN) (maximum theoretical throughput).

[0075] During a step 402, in the event of congestion of the WAN communication interface 203 (i.e., the MOD management module has obtained congestion information), for each WLAN radio interface 201 and 202, the MOD management module determines whether at least one station is connected to the relevant WLAN radio interface 201, 202.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the MOD management module determines whether at least one station is connected to the relevant WLAN radio interface 201 or 202 by itself detecting whether at least one station is connected to said WLAN radio interface 201 or 202. In another embodiment, the MOD management module determines whether at least one station is connected to the relevant WLAN radio interface 201 or 202 by receiving a connection notification. This connection notification indicates whether one or more stations are connected to said WLAN radio interface 201 or 202, or whether no stations are connected to said WLAN radio interface 201 or 202. The MOD management module receives this connection notification from a so-called "connection module" of the gateway GW configured to determine whether stations are connected to said WLAN radio interface 201 or 202, for example.

[0077] If no station is connected to the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202 (response "no" at the end of step 402), the MOD management module takes action with respect to the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 in question in step 404. Advantageously, this action, referred to as the "energy consumption management action," is related to the energy consumption of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, if no station is connected to the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202 (response "no" at the end of step 402), the power consumption management action undertaken by the MOD management module is to shut down (step 404) the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 in question. To do this, the MOD management module transmits a first message, called a "shutdown message," to the relevant WLAN radio interface 201, 202, indicating that it must be shut down.

[0079] In another embodiment, if no station is connected to the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202 (response "no" at the end of step 402), the energy consumption management action undertaken by the MOD management module is a combination of one or more of the capacity reductions as described in connection with step 406 described below, such as:

[0080] - reduce the operating channel width of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202,

[0081] - reduce the number of transmission channels of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202,

[0082] - reduce the number of receiving channels of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202,

[0083] - reduce the overall transmission power of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202,

[0084] - to increase the periodicity of sending "beacon frette" beacon frames.

[0085] In another embodiment, if no station is connected to the interface Given that WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202 are considered (responding to "no" after step 402), the action taken by the MOD management module after this first iteration is to repeat, with or without a timeout, the detection of interface congestion via step 401. If, after this new iteration of the steps in [Fig. 4], congestion is again detected, then one or more actions related to the energy consumption of the WLAN radio interface 201 and 202 can be taken. Advantageously, the first iteration allows for no action to be taken when the detected congestion was brief and is no longer detected during the second iteration.

[0086] Upon detection of congestion, the congestion module MOD checks if the congestion is still present.

[0087] To this end, according to one embodiment, the MOD management module checks whether, after a predetermined period, it still detects the previously detected congestion (i.e., it receives new congestion information). Thus, as long as the MOD management module detects congestion, the shutdown of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 remains in effect. Conversely, if, after the predetermined period, the MOD management module no longer detects congestion (i.e., it receives no new congestion information), the nominal operating mode of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 is restored.

[0088] In another embodiment, alternatively or additionally, the MOD management module checks whether it has received a congestion clearance notification indicating that the previously detected congestion has ended. In one example, this notification is issued by the core network and received by processor 200 of the GW network gateway, which then transmits this congestion clearance notification to the MOD management module. Alternatively, or additionally, this congestion clearance notification is transmitted to the MOD management module by a congestion module of the GW network gateway configured to analyze the IP headers of packets destined for WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202.

[0089] If at least one station is connected to the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202 (response "yes" at the end of step 402), during a step 403, the MOD management module determines whether a first communication flow between the radio interface WLAN interfaces 201 and 202, and WAN interface 203 of the network gateway (GW) are present (i.e., one or more stations on the local area network (LAN) are accessing the wide area network (WAN). The term "communication flow" here refers to the movement of data packets from one station to another on the local area network (LAN) and / or from a station to the wide area network (WAN).

[0090] For this purpose, according to one example, the MOD management module detects whether a first communication flow via the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 between stations on the local area network (LAN) and the WAN communication interface 203, for access to the wide area network (WAN), is present. In an alternative, the MOD management module determines whether this first communication flow is present by receiving a first communication flow notification indicating its absence or presence. The MOD management module receives this first communication flow notification from a module called the "first communication flow module" of the gateway (GW) configured to determine whether this first communication flow is present or absent.

[0091] If an initial communication flow is present (response "yes" at the end of step 403), then, during step 406, the MOD management module modifies a configuration of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 in question. "Configuration" is understood to mean the configuration of the operational channels and / or the number of transmit / receive channels of the WLAN radio interface and / or the transmit power of the WLAN radio interface. This configuration modification consists of reducing the communication capabilities of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 in question, according to one or a combination of the reduction criteria described below. To do this, the MOD management module transmits a second message, called the "communication capacity reduction message," to the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 concerned, indicating that it must reduce its communication capabilities.This second message includes, for example, an indication of the reduction criterion or criteria to be met. This not only reduces the energy consumption of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202, but also addresses the congestion problem of the WAN communication interface 203 by reducing the network traffic arriving at this interface.

[0092] If there is no first communication flow (response "no" at the end of step 403), then, during a step 405, the MOD management module determines whether there is a second communication flow via the radio interface 201, 202 considered, to the local communication network LAN, for example in the form of data flows between one or more stations.

[0093] For this purpose, according to an example, the MOD management module detects if a second communication flow exists between one or more stations on the local area network (LAN). A second communication flow is present via the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202. In one variant, the MOD management module determines whether a second communication flow exists via the considered radio interface 201, 202 to the local area network (LAN) by receiving a second communication flow notification indicating whether a second communication flow within the LAN via the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202 is present or absent. The MOD management module receives this second communication flow notification from a module called the "second communication flow module" of the gateway (GW), which is configured to determine whether a second communication flow within the LAN via the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202 is present or absent.

[0094] If a second communication stream is present, the MOD management module measures the throughput of this second communication stream. If this throughput value of the second communication stream is less than a first predetermined threshold, called the "throughput threshold," denoted SI (resulting in "yes" at the end of step 405), then the MOD management module modifies the configuration of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 in question by reducing its communication capabilities during step 406. This predetermined throughput threshold SI is, for example, 50 Mbps transmitted over the WLAN wireless local area network via a 5 GHz WLAN radio interface with 4 transmit and receive antennas, the theoretical throughput of which can reach 4.8 Gbps. This allows for support of 4K resolution video at 60fps. In another example, the predetermined throughput threshold SI is 10 Mbps to support HD resolution video or 20 Mbps to support 4K resolution video.

[0095] In other words, if there is no second communication flow implementing a WLAN radio interface 201, 202 or if the throughput value of the second communication flow is less than the first predetermined threshold SI (i.e., packets transiting via said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 would support a reduction in the communication capacities of said WLAN radio interface 201, 202), then it is possible to reduce the communication capacities of said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 according to the various reduction criteria described below, in order to limit the consumption due to this WLAN radio interface 201, 202, until congestion is no longer detected (i.e., until the management module obtains no congestion information at the end of the predetermined period).

[0096] Conversely, if the throughput value of the second communication stream is greater than or equal to the first predetermined threshold SI (resulting in a "no" response at the end of step 405), then the management module MOD starts a time delay before repeating the management process steps as described above. The term "time delay" defines a minimum waiting period before repeating the management process as described above.

[0097] As mentioned previously, the reduction of the communication capabilities of either of the WLAN radio interfaces 201, 202 or both, can be done according to either or a combination of the reduction criteria described below.

[0098] It should be noted that if the MOD management module does not detect congestion on the WAN communication interface 203, then the configuration of the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202 remains unchanged.

[0099] A first criterion for reduction is the decrease in the operational channel width (e.g., typically for a radio interface operating on the 5 or 6 GHz band: going from 160 MHz to 40 MHz, or even 20 MHz). In this case, the width of the operational channel currently in use by the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 is broadcast in a beacon, specifically in an "Information Element" field (e.g., "VHT Operation element", "HE Operation element", "EHT Operation element", etc.). Indeed, when a radio interface is activated in an IEEE 802.11 network, it periodically transmits beacons or, on demand, by transmitting a probe response frame if a probe request frame has been received. The "Information Element" then indicates the upcoming change in the operational channel.This "Information Element" includes a counter that decrements at each beacon, and when it reaches 0, the operational channel changes.

[0100] Alternatively, this "Information Element" indicating the change of operational channel can also be emitted via a management frame ("(Robust) Public Action Element" as defined in the IEEE 802.11-2020 standard) spontaneously in order to warn stations without having to wait for them to receive the beacon.

[0101] Alternatively, any change to this operational channel width, whether upward or downward, can be made conventionally using an extended channel change message (also known as a "Charnel Switch Announcement" or CSA) indicating the new channel width. Indeed, a CSA message, as defined by the IEEE 802.1 Ih standard, allows a radio interface to announce that it is switching to a new channel before beginning transmission on that channel. This message can be included in the beacon (with a countdown indicating when the operational channel change will occur) and / or broadcast via an additional management frame.

[0102] In addition to reducing the maximum throughput offered (i.e., bandwidth) on said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 and thus helping to reduce congestion on the WAN communication interface 203, this has the effect of limiting the energy consumption of said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 (fewer processing / calculations to be performed because (less data to process). Advantageously, reducing bandwidth does not impact the range of a WLAN radio interface, especially when stations are located some distance from the gateway. Indeed, limiting the bandwidth of a system with constant overall transmission power improves the power of each subcarrier in an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system, and therefore the signal-to-noise ratio at the receiver.

[0103] A second reduction criterion is the reduction in the number of transmission channels (e.g., typically for a radio interface: going from 4 transmit antennas to 2 transmit antennas, or even one transmit antenna). This reduction in the number of transmission channels can be achieved, conventionally, through the use of an Information Element (OMI / OMN) of type OMI / OMN (Operation Modification Indication or Operation Modification Notification) as defined by amendment 802.1lax or 802.1lac of the IEEE 802.11 protocol. This OMI / OMN type Information Element indicates to stations the maximum number of spatial streams supported in transmission and / or reception. It should be noted that there cannot be more spatial streams than antennas.It is therefore possible for the WLAN radio interface, whose communication capabilities are limited, to notify stations of these changes, which will be broadcast in the "Information Element" field of the beacon (e.g., the "Supported VHT-MCS and NSS Set" field in the "Information Element" of type "VHT Operation").

[0104] In addition to reducing the maximum throughput offered on said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 and thus helping to reduce congestion on the WAN communication interface 203, this has the effect of reducing the number of power amplifiers 305 to be powered, one power amplifier 305 being associated with a transmission chain, and thus reducing the consumption of said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 (these power amplifiers 305 being significant sources of consumption within the front modules 304, especially on the high bands 5 GHz / 6 GHz).

[0105] A third reduction criterion is the reduction of the number of receiving chains, which has the effect of reducing receiving operations (even though they are less energy-intensive than transmitting operations). This reduction in the number of receiving chains can be achieved in the same way as the reduction of transmission chains described above.

[0106] However, this reduction in the number of receive channels can cause connection losses for stations located somewhat far from the GW network gateway because there is less receive diversity. According to one embodiment, to overcome this drawback, this reduction in the number of receive channels is done according to the Received signal strength (RSSI) of stations associated with this WLAN 201, 202 radio interface. For example, typically in Wi-Fi for a WLAN 201, 202 radio interface with four receiving antennas, if:

[0107] - no station is connected to said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 with a If the receive power level is less than -75 dBm, then the number of receive antennas of said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 will decrease to 1.

[0108] - no station is connected to said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 with a receive power level below -80 dBm and at least one station is connected to said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 with a receive power level between -75 and -80 dBm, then the number of receive antennas of said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 will decrease to 2,

[0109] - at least one station is connected to said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 with a If the power level in reception is less than -80 dBm, then the number of receiving antennas of said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 is not changed and remains at four.

[0110] A fourth reduction criterion is the reduction of the overall transmission power of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 (e.g., from 30 dBm to 23 dBm). In addition to reducing the maximum data rate offered on said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 and thus helping to reduce congestion on the WAN communication interface 203, this has the effect of decreasing the power level required to be applied to the power amplifiers 305, a power amplifier 305 being associated with a transmission chain, and therefore reducing the power consumption of said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 (these power amplifiers 305 being significant sources of power consumption within the front-end modules 304, especially on the high 5 GHz / 6 GHz bands).

[0111] According to one embodiment, when the MOD management module needs to reduce the communication capacity of at least two WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202, a mechanism for prioritizing the reduction of communication capacity is implemented. More specifically, the reduction of communication capacity of a radio interface depends on the frequency band on which it operates. Indeed, the higher the frequency band used by the radio interface, the more energy it consumes. For example, if the first WLAN radio interface 201 operates at 6 GHz, then it consumes more energy than the second WLAN radio interface 202, which operates at 2.4 GHz.Thus, if at least one station is connected to each of the WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202, then during step 406, the MOD management module first compares the frequency bands used by the first and second WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202. Then, the MOD management module implements capacity reduction. Communication is prioritized first for the radio interface with the highest frequency band (e.g., the first radio interface operating at 6 GHz) among the WLAN radio interfaces (e.g., the second WLAN 202 radio interface operating at 2.4 GHz). In other words, the MOD management module prioritizes reducing the communication capabilities of the most power-intensive WLAN radio interfaces over those that are less power-intensive.

[0112] It should be noted that reducing the communication capabilities of the radio interface operating on the highest frequency band may be sufficient if an energy saving criterion (e.g., number of watts to be saved) is associated with this process, and therefore there is no need to reduce the communication capabilities of radio interfaces with a lower frequency band.

[0113] Figure 5 illustrates in diagram form further steps in the process of managing the energy consumption of the WLAN radio interfaces 201, 202 of the GW network gateway, according to a particular embodiment.

[0114] In the event of saturation of either the first or second WLAN radio interfaces 201, 202 for a predetermined period (e.g., due to an excessive reduction in the communication capacity of said WLAN radio interface, without, however, leading to its shutdown), the communication capacity of said WLAN radio interface 201, 202 is progressively restored. A saturation criterion is then defined, corresponding to a second predetermined threshold, denoted S2, called the airtime threshold (i.e., the amount of time used by a radio interface to communicate (transmit and receive) and is expressed as a percentage of the observation time), which must be exceeded over a predetermined observation period to restore the communication capacity of the WLAN radio interfaces 201, 202.

[0115] For example, if the transmissions and / or receptions of the WLAN radio interface 201 or 202, whose communication capabilities have been reduced, are above the predetermined "airtime" threshold S2, for example 70% of the "airtime" over an observation period of 5 seconds, then it may be advisable to cancel one or a combination of the previous reductions in communication capabilities (i.e., reduction in the number of transmit and / or receive channels and / or reduction in the operational channel and / or reduction in the transmit power) until this saturation criterion is no longer met.

[0116] Thus, during a 501 step, the MOD management module determines, for each WLAN radio interface 201 and 202, whether its communication capabilities have been reduced following the detection of congestion.

[0117] If the WLAN radio interface 201, 202 in question has reduced capacity (response "yes" at the end of step 501), then, during a step 502, the MOD management module checks whether the detected congestion is still present. For this, according to In one embodiment, the MOD management module checks after a predetermined period whether it receives any new congestion information. If, after this predetermined period, the MOD management module receives no congestion information (a "no" response at the end of step 502), then the MOD management module detects that there is no longer any congestion, and the initial configuration of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202, which was modified (i.e., reduced communication capacity), is restored during step 504. To do this, the MOD management module sends a message to the affected WLAN radio interface 201, 202 to restore the initial configuration. This message includes, for example, an indication that one or more of the implemented reduction criteria should be reversed.

[0118] According to another embodiment, as described above, alternatively or additionally, the MOD management module checks whether it has received a congestion clearance notification indicating that the previously detected congestion has ended. Advantageously, receiving a congestion clearance notification eliminates the need for a timer.

[0119] If, on the contrary, the MOD management module obtains, at the end of the predetermined period, new congestion information, (i.e., there is still congestion) (response "yes" at the end of step 502) and / or if it receives a notification of the end of congestion, then, during a step 503, the MOD management module determines whether the saturation criterion is met, that is, whether the use of airtime by the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202 is greater than or equal to the predetermined airtime threshold S2.

[0120] If the use of "airtime" by the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202 is greater than or equal to the predetermined airtime threshold S2 (response "yes" at the end of step 503), then the MOD management module executes step 504 and restores the initial configuration of the WLAN radio interface 201, 202.

[0121] If the use of "airtime" by the considered WLAN radio interface 201, 202 is less than the predetermined airtime threshold S2 (response "no" at the end of step 503), then the MOD management module repeats step 502.

[0122] Fig. 6 schematically illustrates the hardware architecture of a MOD management module configured to execute all or part of the steps of the management process illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

[0123] The MOD 600 management module comprises, connected by a communication bus 610, one or more of the following elements: a processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) 601; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 602; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 603, for example Flash memory; a data storage device, such as a disk hard disk drive (HDD), or a storage media reader, such as an SD card reader (Secure Digital) 604; at least one I / F communication interface 605 enabling the MOD management module 600 to interact with the GW network gateway processor 200 and the WLAN radio interfaces 201 and 202. In a particular embodiment, the I / F communication interface 605 enables the MOD management module to interact with a congestion module and / or a connection module and / or a first-flow communication module and / or a second-flow communication module.

[0124] The processor 601 is capable of executing instructions loaded into RAM 602 from ROM 603, external memory (not shown), the data storage device 604, such as an SD card, or a communication network (not shown). When the management module 600 is powered on, the processor 601 is capable of reading instructions from RAM 602 and executing them. These instructions form a computer program causing the processor 601 to implement the behaviors, steps, and algorithms described herein, particularly in combination with all or part of the steps in Figures 4 and / or 5.

[0125] All or part of the behaviors, steps, and algorithms described herein can thus be implemented in software form by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine, such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a microcontroller, or be implemented in hardware form by a dedicated machine or component (chip) or a dedicated set of components (chipset), such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Generally, the 600 management module comprises electronic circuitry arranged and configured to implement the behaviors, steps, and algorithms described herein.

[0126] It should be noted that the term "module" can refer to a software component as well as a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components, a software component itself corresponding to one or more computer programs or subprograms or more generally to any element of a program capable of implementing a function or a set of functions.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for managing the energy consumption of a network gateway (GW) comprising at least one first communication interface (203) with a wide area network (WAN) and at least one second communication interface (201, 202) with a local area network (LAN), said management method being characterized in that it comprises: upon detection (401) of congestion on said first communication interface (203), determining, for each second communication interface (201, 202), whether at least one station (STA1, STA2, STA3) is connected to said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration, and, for said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration to which at least one station (STA1, STA2, STA3) is connected, detecting (403, 405) a first communication flow via said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration, between said wide area network (WAN) and said local area network (LAN), on the one hand,and a second communication flow, via said second communication interface (201, 202) considered, between several stations connected to said local area network (LAN), on the other hand, then: in the presence of a first communication flow via said second communication interface (201, 202) considered, between said wide area network (WAN) and said local area network (LAN), or in the presence of a second communication flow, via said second communication interface (201, 202) considered, between several stations connected to said local area network (LAN), and whose throughput is less than a predetermined throughput threshold (SI), modify (406) an initial configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202) considered to decrease its energy consumption, and otherwise, maintain its initial configuration.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining, for each second communication interface (201, 202), whether at least one station (STA1, STA2, STA3) is connected to said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration comprises: - performing an action to manage the energy consumption of said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration, when no station (STA1, STA2, STA3) is connected to said second communication interface (201, 202) considered.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein performing said energy consumption management action of said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration comprises: turning off said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: - when said configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202) has been modified, then check (502) whether said congestion is still detected, and when said congestion is still detected, determine (503) whether airtime usage by said second communication interface (201, 202) is greater than or equal to a predetermined airtime threshold (S2), and when airtime usage by said second communication interface (201, 202) is greater than or equal to the predetermined airtime threshold (S2), then restore (504) said initial configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202).

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: - when said configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202) has been modified, then check (502) whether said congestion is still detected, and when said congestion is no longer detected, restore (504) said initial configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202).

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein modifying an initial configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202) comprises: comparing a frequency band on which said second communication interface (201, 202) operates with a frequency band on which at least one other second communication interface operates, and whether said frequency band on which said second communication interface (201, 202) operates is greater than said band of frequency on which said at least one other second communication interface operates, then modify (406) the initial configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202) considered as a priority, otherwise modify an initial configuration of said other second communication interface as a priority.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein modifying an initial configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration comprises one or a combination of the following modifications: - a decrease in the width of an operational channel of said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration, - a decrease in the number of transmit chains of said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration, - a decrease in the number of receive chains of said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration, - a decrease in the transmit power of said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration.

8. A power consumption management module for at least a second communication interface (201, 202) to a local area network (LAN) of a network gateway (GW), said network gateway (GW) further comprising at least a first communication interface (203) with a wide area network (WAN), said management module (MOD) being characterized in that it comprises electronic circuitry configured to: upon detection of congestion on said first communication interface (203), determine, for each second communication interface (201, 202), whether at least one station (STA1, STA2, STA3) is connected to said second communication interface (201, 202), and, for said second communication interface (201, 202) to which at least one station (STA1, STA2, STA3) is connected, detect a first communication flow via said second communication interface (201, 202).between said wide area network (WAN) and said local area network (LAN), on the one hand, and a second communication flow, via said second communication interface (201, 202) considered, between several stations connected to said local area network (LAN), on the other hand, then:, in the presence of a first communication flow via said second communication interface (201, 202) considered, between said wide area network (WAN) and said local area network (LAN), or in the presence of a second communication flow, via said second communication interface (201, 202) considered, between several stations connected to said local area network (LAN), and whose throughput is less than a predetermined throughput threshold (SI), modify an initial configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202) considered to reduce its energy consumption, and otherwise, maintain its initial configuration.

9. Management module (MOD) according to claim 8, wherein determining, for each second communication interface (201, 202), whether at least one station (STA1, STA2, STA3) is connected to said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration comprises: - performing an action to manage the energy consumption of said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration, when no station (STA1, STA2, STA3) is connected to said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration.

10. Management module (MOD) according to claim 9, wherein performing said energy consumption management action of said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration includes: turning off said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration.

11. Management module (MOD) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising electronic circuitry configured to: - when said configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202) has been changed, then check (502) whether said congestion is still detected, and when said congestion is still detected, determine (503) whether airtime usage by said second communication interface (201, 202) is greater than or equal to a predetermined airtime threshold (S2), and when said airtime usage by said second communication interface (201, 202) is greater than or equal to the predetermined airtime threshold (S2), then restore (504) said initial configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202) under consideration.

12. Management module (MOD) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising electronic circuitry configured to: - when said configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202) has been modified, then check (502) whether said congestion is still detected, and when said congestion is no longer detected, restore (504) said initial configuration of said second communication interface (201, 202).

13. Network gateway (GW) comprising at least a first communication interface (203) with a wide area network (WAN) and at least a second communication interface (201, 202) with a local area network (LAN), said network gateway being characterized in that it comprises a management module (MOD) according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

14. Product computer program, comprising instructions causing a processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, when said instructions are executed by the processor.

15. Storage medium, storing a computer program comprising instructions causing a processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, when said instructions are read and executed by the processor.

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