Wireless CPE Power-Saving Switching for Backup WAN Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless customer premises equipment (CPE) consumes excess power during normal operations and is unable to efficiently switch to power-saving modes during power outages, leading to premature wear and increased energy costs, while cellular connectivity creates bottlenecks that degrade network performance.

Innovation Solution

The wireless CPE dynamically adjusts its operational modes based on client device connection information to reduce power consumption and extend backup power source lifespan by steering devices to low-power channels and configuring radios and ports efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wireless CPE operates at full power during normal conditions, then network performance is maintained, but power consumption increases and energy costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless CPE dynamically adjusts its operational state based on detected conditions. When a power-saving trigger is detected (such as power outage or low battery), the system transitions from full-power operation to power-saving mode, enabling adaptive power management that balances performance and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by implementing different actions based on detected conditions. These actions modify power consumption parameters while maintaining network functionality, allowing the CPE to operate efficiently under varying power availability conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If wireless CPE switches to power-saving modes during power outages, then power consumption is reduced, but the CPE cannot efficiently manage backup power sources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidbackup power management

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless CPE continuously monitors power source conditions and detects power-saving triggers. This feedback mechanism enables the system to identify when backup power is activated and respond appropriately by implementing power-saving actions, ensuring reliable management of backup power sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects power-saving conditions and implements appropriate actions without external intervention. The wireless CPE autonomously manages its power state by detecting triggers and executing power-saving measures, ensuring continuous operation during power outages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If cellular connectivity is used during power outages, then network connectivity is maintained, but network performance degrades due to bottlenecks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial power-saving actions that maintain essential network functionality while reducing overall power consumption. By selectively managing power to specific components and functions, the CPE preserves network connectivity through cellular modes while minimizing performance degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250358731A1Dynamic power saving operation

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 CHARTER COMM OPERATING LLC

AI summary

A wireless customer premises equipment (CPE) associated with a local area network (LAN) is operable to communicate with one or more upstream devices in a wired WAN mode and a cellular WAN mode. The wireless CPE may detect a power-saving trigger. In response, the wireless CPE may transition from the wired WAN mode to the cellular WAN mode and may implement a first action to reduce an amount of power used by the wireless CPE.