Discontinuous Data Transfer in Point-to-Multipoint Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The energy consumption of point-to-multipoint access network equipment increases with rising bit rates, posing challenges such as higher operational costs, battery drain, waste heat generation, and environmental concerns, particularly in remote locations powered by solar energy where power outages may occur.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the subscriber-sided network termination unit is only activated when data is intended for it, applying encryption, decryption, and error correction measures individually, and optimizing the central unit to handle data in a bursty manner rather than continuously, reducing the need for constant processing and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous data processing is implemented in subscriber-sided network termination units, then data transfer capability is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discontinuous data transfer by activating the network termination unit only during specific time intervals when data is intended for it. The central unit controls the timing of data transmission to specific subscribers, allowing their network termination units to remain inactive during periods when no data is destined for them, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining data transfer capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the operational state of network termination units dynamic rather than static. The units can switch between active and inactive states based on whether data is intended for them. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt energy consumption to actual data transfer needs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining data transfer capability and reducing energy usage.
2Speed
If high bit rates are used to increase network capacity, then data transfer speed improves, but energy consumption and waste heat increase
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing discontinuous data transfer at high bit rates, the system achieves high data transfer speed during active periods while reducing overall energy consumption through periodic inactive periods. The network termination units operate at high speed when data is transmitted but remain powered down or in low-power mode during intervals without data, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and energy loss.
3Loss of time
If network termination units remain active continuously, then data can be received immediately, but operational costs and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The central unit performs preliminary actions by determining in advance which subscriber-sided network termination units will receive data and when. This allows the system to activate only the specific units that need data at specific times, rather than keeping all units continuously active. The preliminary scheduling eliminates unnecessary operational costs and heat generation while ensuring data is received without delay when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method and apparatus are provided for transferring data from a central unit in a network to a subscriber-sided network termination unit via a distribution network that connects the central unit with the subscriber-sided network termination unit and multiple of other subscriber-sided network termination units. Measures for providing correct data transmissions, such as scrambling or forward error correction, are applied to the data for the single subscriber-sided network termination unit before the data are combined with data for other subscriber-sided network termination units. As a consequence, there is no longer a need to completely process the transferred data at each and every subscriber-sided network termination unit.