Wireless Access Point Power Management via Dynamic Load Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Densely deployed wireless access points experience excess electric power consumption during off-peak hours due to idle conditions, as they operate under light load, leading to inefficient energy usage.

Innovation Solution

A power management system and method that adjusts the transmitting range of access points based on load conditions and system time, using a switch to determine the necessary access points to enable or disable, thereby reducing power consumption during preset time intervals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless access points are densely deployed to improve network coverage and user convenience, then service quality and accessibility are improved, but electric power consumption increases during off-peak hours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of access point operating states based on real-time load conditions and time intervals. The switch controller dynamically transitions access points between normal operation, light load, and shutdown states, making the system adaptable to varying traffic demands while reducing power consumption during low-usage periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters of access points based on load conditions and time intervals. By adjusting transmission power, antenna configuration, and operational state parameters according to actual network demand, the system maintains coverage quality while optimizing energy consumption patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If all access points operate continuously to ensure adequate network coverage, then service availability is maintained, but excess power is consumed during light load conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidexcess power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the access point network into multiple operational groups that can be independently controlled. The switch controller divides access points into those remaining active and those being shut down based on spatial distribution and load conditions, allowing selective power management while maintaining overall service availability through coordinated operation of active segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service power management where access points automatically adjust their operational states based on detected load conditions and switch controller instructions. The access points autonomously transition between operation modes without manual intervention, optimizing their own power consumption while maintaining necessary service coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If access points reduce transmitting range to save power during off-peak hours, then energy consumption is reduced, but network coverage area decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidnetwork coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality adjustment by configuring access points with different transmission parameters in different spatial locations and time intervals. Access points in areas with remaining traffic demand maintain full coverage, while those in low-traffic areas reduce transmission range and power, creating locally optimized quality characteristics that balance coverage and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements partial action by reducing rather than completely eliminating transmission during light load conditions. Access points operate in a reduced capacity with lower power and narrower beam patterns during off-peak hours, providing minimal necessary coverage while consuming significantly less energy, rather than fully shutting down or maintaining full power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10104609B2Switch, system for power management and method for power management

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 WISTRON NEWEB CORP

AI summary

A switch, a system for power management and a method for power management are provided. Multiple modules are included in the switch. A determination module determines whether a system time of the switch is in a preset time interval. If yes, a switch module switches the switch to a first mode and sends a first switch signal indicating the first mode to multiple access points (APs). A collecting module collects coverage over clients of each of the APs. A searching module searches for at least one first AP among the APs based on the coverage of each of the APs. An adjustment module disables at least one second AP among the APs other than the at least one first AP after a preset time.