DSL Modem Tone Subset Selection for Battery Power Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
DSL modems and routers face challenges in power management, particularly when operating on battery power, as the finite battery life limits the duration of service during outages or low usage periods, necessitating improved power-saving techniques.
Innovation Solution
Implementing the 'Save-Our-Showtime' (SOS) functionality, which reduces the number of tones used for communication between DSL devices and DSLAMs, even in the absence of noise or interference, by leveraging a handshake protocol and power management systems to detect low power events and switch to a reduced set of tones, thereby conserving power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the full set of tones is used for communication, then communication quality and reliability are maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a reduced set of tones (subset of the full tone set) for communication during battery-powered operation. The system selectively activates only the necessary subset of tones required for basic communication functionality, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate communication reliability. This is implemented through the tone manager component that controls which tones are activated based on power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the set of tones used for communication based on power availability. When AC power is available, the full set of tones is used for optimal communication quality. When battery power is detected, the system transitions to using a reduced set of tones. This dynamic adaptation is achieved through power state monitoring and conditional tone activation managed by the tone manager.
2Reliability
If battery power is used during power outages, then service continuity is maintained, but operational duration is limited by finite battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the communication system when battery power is detected. Specifically, it modifies the communication parameters by reducing the number of active tones from the full set to a reduced subset. This parameter change reduces the power consumption rate, thereby extending the operational duration on battery power while maintaining service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of power source availability and proactively adjusts tone activation before battery depletion occurs. The power manager continuously monitors power source status and triggers the tone manager to switch to reduced tone sets in advance, ensuring extended operational duration without compromising service continuity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a reduced set of tones is used, then power consumption is reduced, but communication bandwidth and quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial action by activating only the essential subset of tones required for basic communication functionality during battery-powered operation. The tone manager identifies and activates only the minimum necessary tones to maintain acceptable communication service, thereby reducing power consumption while preserving adequate communication bandwidth for essential operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating tone activation based on communication requirements. Different tones are activated or deactivated based on their specific functional importance. Critical tones for basic communication are maintained, while less critical tones are deactivated during battery-powered operation, optimizing the balance between power consumption and communication quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Power saving in computing devices is provided. A first computing device communicates with a second computing device using a first set of tones. A low power event is detected by the first computing device. In response to the detected low power event, a request to communicate using a second set of tones is sent to the second computing device by the first computing device. The second set of tones has fewer tones than the first set of tones, and may be a subset of the first set of tones.