EPOC CNU Power Manager Traffic-Based Sleep Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Ethernet Passive Optical Network Over Coaxial (EPOC) systems face inefficiencies in power management, particularly in reducing power consumption during low traffic conditions, leading to unnecessary energy usage and potential overheating.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an Ethernet Passive Optical Network Over Coaxial (EPOC) Coaxial Network Unit (CNU) with a traffic detection module and power manager module that determines traffic characteristics and adjusts power profiles by controlling RF transmit and receive circuitry, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters, and modulation settings based on traffic conditions, allowing for power-down modes or reduced transmission parameters when bandwidth is low.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If EPOC CNU maintains all components active to ensure continuous data transmission capability, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of components based on traffic conditions. The power manager module transitions RF transmit/receive circuitry, ADC, and DAC between active and power-down states, making the system adaptable to varying traffic demands rather than maintaining a fixed operational state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (power state of components) based on traffic characteristics. When traffic is detected, components are activated; when traffic is absent, components are powered down, thereby changing the power consumption parameter according to actual network conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If EPOC CNU operates at full transmission capacity to maintain high data rate capability, then communication speed is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by activating only the necessary transmission components based on actual traffic needs. Instead of maintaining full transmission capacity continuously, the system activates components partially (only when needed) and powers them down during idle periods, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining required data rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If EPOC CNU continuously monitors and manages power to reduce energy usage, then power saving is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower savingVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power management function is segmented into a dedicated power manager module that independently handles power control decisions. This module receives traffic information, determines appropriate power states, and controls the activation/deactivation of specific components (RF circuitry, ADC, DAC), thereby organizing the complexity into a manageable, modular structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2624589B1EPOC power saving modes
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • EP2624589B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2624589B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2624589B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for Ethernet Passive Optical Network Over Coaxial (EPOC) power saving modes are provided. The EPOC power savings modes allow an EPOC coaxial network unit (CNU) to enter a sleep mode based on user traffic characteristics. The sleep mode may include powering down one or more module of the EPOC CNU, including radio frequency (RF) transmit/receive circuitry and associated circuitry. In embodiments, the EPOC CNU may enter sleep mode based on instructions from an optical line terminal (OLT) or based on its own determination. Embodiments further include systems and methods that allow the EPOC CNU to maintain synchronization with a servicing coaxial media converter (CMC) when it enters a sleep mode.