xDSL Subscriber Board Power Management via Dynamic Voltage and Transmission Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for reducing power consumption on xDSL subscriber boards are inefficient, as they either limitively reduce transmit power or passively optimize power supply voltage, leading to low energy savings and interworking issues with existing modem systems.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically adjusts the maximum downlink nominal total transmission power and power supply voltage of line drivers based on user port service bandwidth, SNRM, and transmission mode, optimizing line transmit power while ensuring service quality and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the maximum downlink nominal total transmission power is reduced to lower power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but line quality and service bandwidth may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidline quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the maximum downlink nominal total transmission power based on real-time detection of line connection parameters (SNRM, service bandwidth, transmission mode). The system continuously monitors these parameters and adjusts the power level accordingly, transitioning from static power settings to dynamic adaptive power control, thereby optimizing the balance between power consumption and line quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmission power parameter based on detected line conditions. By calculating the required power level according to service bandwidth, SNRM, and transmission mode, the system adjusts the maximum downlink nominal total transmission power to the optimal value, ensuring sufficient power for quality maintenance while avoiding excessive power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the power supply voltage is passively optimized according to output power, then some power reduction is achieved, but the power supply must meet requirements of all line drivers, limiting further reduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower supply flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different power supply voltages to different line drivers based on their individual requirements. Instead of using a uniform high voltage to satisfy all line drivers, the system calculates and assigns the minimum necessary voltage to each line driver according to its specific output power and service conditions, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate performance for each driver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply voltage is dynamically adjusted for each line driver based on real-time detection of line connection parameters and calculated power requirements. This dynamic voltage assignment allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize power consumption without compromising any line driver's operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If the maximum downlink nominal total transmission power is reduced, then power consumption is reduced, but transmit power is limited and line driver power transmission efficiency becomes very low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransmit power efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes transmit power efficiency by dynamically adjusting the maximum downlink nominal total transmission power parameter based on actual line conditions. By calculating the optimal power level according to service bandwidth, SNRM, and transmission mode, the system ensures that transmit power is neither excessive (wasting energy) nor insufficient (reducing efficiency), thereby achieving high power transmission efficiency while consuming appropriate power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Use of energy by moving object

If Max SNRM is limited to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but many modems on the live network cannot support this feature, causing interworking problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidinterworking compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of limiting Max SNRM (which causes compatibility issues), the patent changes the approach by dynamically adjusting the maximum downlink nominal total transmission power parameter. This alternative parameter adjustment achieves power consumption reduction while maintaining compatibility with existing modems that do not support Max SNRM limiting, thereby avoiding interworking problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2675145B1Method, device and system for reducing energy consumption of xdsl user board
Publication Date: 2015.09.16 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2675145B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2675145B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2675145B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method for reducing power consumption on an xDSL subscriber board, including: obtaining a maximum downlink service bandwidth that a registered user port provides for a user, a downlink signal-to-noise ratio margin in line connection parameters of the user port, and transmission mode information in a line template bound to the user port; determining whether the downlink signal-to-noise ratio margin is larger than a preset value, if yes, reducing a maximum downlink nominal total transmission power; otherwise, configuring the maximum downlink nominal total transmission power as a downlink transmit power in line connection parameters of the current port; calculating, according to the maximum downlink nominal total transmission power and transmission mode, a minimum undistorted power supply voltage required by a corresponding line driver of each registered user port under the current configuration of the bound template, comparing minimum undistorted power supply voltage values, to find the largest value; and controlling an output voltage of a power module of a line driver equaling to the largest value.