Optical Wireless Access Point Control for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical wireless communication (OWC) systems in industrial settings face high power consumption due to the need for multiple access points to maintain seamless connectivity across large areas, especially in environments with obstacles like metal racks and machinery that impede RF wave propagation.
Innovation Solution
A control system that manages optical wireless communication access points by activating only those in the direct path of moving end devices and setting others to reduced power modes based on their distance and likelihood of future activation, using historical data to optimize power usage and reduce latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple access points are activated to maintain seamless connectivity across large areas, then coverage area and connectivity reliability are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary actions by predicting future positions of moving end devices based on historical trajectory data, and proactively activating access points before they are actually needed. This allows the system to maintain seamless connectivity while minimizing the number of simultaneously active access points, thereby reducing power consumption while preserving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the set of active access points based on real-time positions of end devices and predicted future positions. Access points are activated and deactivated dynamically as devices move through the coverage area, ensuring connectivity reliability is maintained only where and when needed, thus optimizing power consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If access points are deactivated to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but latency increases when devices move to new areas
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses historical trajectory data to predict future positions of moving end devices and proactively activates access points in advance before devices actually reach their coverage areas. This preliminary activation eliminates handover latency while keeping access points inactive (and thus low-power) during periods when no devices are present
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actual device positions and compares them with predicted positions, using this feedback to refine future predictions and adjust the timing of access point activations. This feedback mechanism ensures minimal latency while optimizing power consumption based on actual usage patterns
3Ease of manufacture
If a grid of access points with wide coverage is deployed, then installation ease is improved, but the number of active access points increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
While the physical grid layout remains static and easy to install, the system dynamically controls which access points are active at any given time based on real-time and predicted device positions. This dynamic activation pattern reduces the number of simultaneously powered access points, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the installation simplicity of the grid configuration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces overall power consumption by ensuring only necessary access points are actively powered, while maintaining seamless connectivity and high-quality service for moving devices in industrial environments.
Implementation Method 1
The modem transmitter includes an optical frontend which transforms an electrical signal of the transmit data to an optical signal (for example using an LED)
Implementation Method 2
the modem receiver transforms the optical signal to an electrical receive data signal (using a photodiode)
Data Source
AI summary
A control system is provided for an optical wireless communications system comprising a plurality of optical communications access points, APs, (102) which have a combined field of view which defines a coverage area, wherein the APs are for communicating with end devices, EDs, (204) over a communications medium of an optical wireless local area network. At least one ED is movable through the coverage area and thereby is in communications range of different APs along a path through the coverage area. The controller obtains a topology of a movable area, wherein the movable area is defined by the physical space through which a movable ED may move. An AP is identified which has a movable ED in its field of view (210), and then a first sub-set of the APs is activated which are determined as possibly being next along the path through the movable area from the identified AP. A second subset of the APs are determined not to be next along the path through the movable area. and they are switched to a reduced power mode.