Dynamic Power Management for Cable-Powered Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices powered via transmission media, such as Ethernet cables, face limitations due to reduced power budgets compared to dedicated power sources, leading to reduced functionality and performance, as they can only draw less power than what is available from a wall outlet.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power control module that dynamically manages power consumption by determining the power budget based on cable loss values and available power, selectively enabling or disabling device functions to optimize performance within the available power constraints, using data from sensors, cloud-based controllers, and empirical data to intelligently allocate power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If power is transmitted via a transmission media (e.g., Ethernet cable), then device connectivity and simplified power delivery are improved, but the power budget available to the device is reduced compared to dedicated power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management that continuously monitors power consumption of individual device functions and adjusts their operational states in real-time. The power control module dynamically enables or disables functions based on current power availability, cable loss conditions, and device performance requirements, transforming a static power budget constraint into a dynamic optimization problem that adapts to changing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters of device functions (enabling/disabling, scaling performance) based on the power budget derived from cable characteristics. By measuring cable loss and calculating available power, the system adjusts functional parameters to match the reduced power budget while maintaining optimal device performance within constraints
2Adaptability or versatility
If device functions are enabled to provide comprehensive functionality, then device versatility is improved, but power consumption exceeds the limited power budget from transmission media
Solution Approach 1:
The power control module dynamically adjusts the set of enabled device functions based on real-time power budget calculations. Rather than statically disabling functions, the system continuously evaluates which functions can be actively supported within the power budget and adjusts functionality dynamically, allowing maximum versatility within power constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments device functions into individually controllable units with measurable power consumption characteristics. This segmentation allows the power control module to selectively enable or disable specific functions based on power availability, rather than treating device functionality as an indivisible whole, thereby optimizing the balance between versatility and power consumption
3Power
If the device operates with reduced power budget, then power delivery via transmission media is maintained, but device performance is reduced compared to independently powered operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically optimizes device performance by adjusting which functions are active and at what performance levels, rather than operating at a fixed reduced performance state. The power control module continuously monitors cable power delivery capability and adjusts device performance dynamically to extract maximum productivity from the available power budget
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters of device functions to optimize performance within the constrained power budget. By adjusting performance parameters (such as processing speed, transmission power, sensor sampling rates) based on available power, the system maintains higher productivity than would be possible with static performance reduction
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes: obtaining a power loss value for a cable that couples a device to a power source, where the power loss value is indicative of an amount of power lost through the cable during power transmission from the power source to the device; and determining, based at least in part on the power loss value for the cable, a power budget value indicative of an amount of power received by the device from the power source.