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Implementing Low Power Mode in Set Top Boxes
STB International Stakeholder Meeting
San Francisco, California
Suzanne Foster
Ecos Consulting
970.259.6801 x 302
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Possible Design Changes to Make Low Power Mode Possible
• Hardware enabling shut down of non critical systems– Hardware build so that circuits not in use can be powered
down and then “wake” easily and quickly when needed for service
– Analogous to “sleep” technology developed by Intel and others in PC world, sold in virtually all PCs on shelves today
– Memory solutions already found in desktops could store program guide, etc. when in low power mode
• Hardware reducing power use, regardless of mode – “Power partitioning” chips – Power supply
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Base system: 1024 MB DDRI, nVIDIA GeFORCE 4 MX 440 video card, 80 GB HD, DVD/CD-RW, stock power supply
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Athlon 64 3000+
Athlon 64 3500+
Athlon 64 3800+
Athlon 64 4000+
Athlon FX-53
Athlon FX-55
System Idle State Power (AC watts)
Base system
+ Cool 'n Quiet
Power Partitioning Chips Save Energy in Desktops
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Power Supply Possible Near Term Solution
Efficiencies between 68% and 82% measured, 85% efficiency achievable today
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Possible Design Changes to Make Low Power Mode Possible (cont.)
• Software changes to accommodate low power mode– “Energy Saver” DVR options that allow hard drives to
spin down if customer chooses not to record material
• Communication protocols – enable proper security and downloads of content to
customer from head end– communication among multiple STBs in one home
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Goal: Energy Savings in Customer’s Homes
• Possible for low power mode to be technically achievable and measurable in the lab, but not implemented in the field
• Reasons for this could include:– Needs of the service provider not fully taken into account when
designing system, so low power mode is disabled in field– Customer dissatisfaction with solution
• Lack of transparency to user• Customer misunderstands important environmental impact and
associated energy bill savings
– Poor communication protocols between head end and box and among boxes
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Test Method Implications
• IEC 62087 currently measures static power values for defined modes
• Alternate approach: measurement of STB energy over 24 hour period with standard duty cycle, allowing box to fall into low power as it would in the home
• Other considerations:– Easy to conduct– Reproducible– Robust– Representative
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Discussion