Network Element Sleep Mode for Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in reducing energy consumption while minimizing message latency and control complexity, particularly in idle modes where network elements remain in power-intensive standby modes even when not receiving or sending data.
Innovation Solution
A method where a network element enters an idle mode for a predetermined duration based on the destination address of a message, deactivating complex functions and reducing energy consumption, and then returns to standby mode, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network elements remain in standby mode to monitor the channel for incoming messages, then network responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having network elements alternate between standby mode (monitoring channel) and sleep mode (low energy state). The element periodically wakes up to check for messages and returns to sleep mode when no messages are present, creating a rhythmic pattern of activity that reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining network responsiveness.
2Use of energy by moving object
If network elements enter sleep mode to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but message latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having network elements wake up before the actual message arrival time. The element determines a wake-up time based on when a message is expected to arrive, activates its receiver in advance, and then returns to sleep mode after the message is received or the wake-up period expires. This ensures the element is ready to receive messages without continuously monitoring the channel.
3Reliability
If network elements continuously monitor the channel in standby mode, then collision detection is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having network elements alternate between standby mode (monitoring channel) and sleep mode (low energy state). The element periodically wakes up to check for messages and returns to sleep mode when no messages are present, creating a rhythmic pattern of activity that reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining network responsiveness.
4Ease of operation
If network elements use MAC protocols to control mode transitions, then communication coordination is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling network elements to autonomously determine their own mode transitions based on locally stored message information. Each element uses its own message buffer and timing information to decide when to wake up and monitor the channel, eliminating the need for complex centralized MAC protocol coordination and reducing overall control complexity in the network.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for an energy-efficient operation of a network element (10, 11, 13, 13, 14, 15) in a network (1). The network element receives a first target address (202, 302) for user data (200, 300) of a message (2, 3) in a standby mode (21) and uses the target address to determine that the user data is not specified for the network element. The network element then switches over into a sleep mode (23) for a specified duration (Δt, Δt'). After the specified duration expires, the network element switches back from the sleep mode into the standby mode or into a transmission mode (24). The energy consumption (E0, E0', E-1, E-1 ') of the network element is lower in the sleep mode than in the standby mode. The invention further relates to a network element which is designed to carry out a corresponding method and to a network with such a network element. The method can be provided as a computer program and as such can be stored on a machine-readable storage medium.