Implementing Low Power Mode in Set Top Boxes

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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
• sfoster_at_ecosconsulting.com

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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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Power Partitioning Chips Save Energy in Desktops
Base system 1024 MB DDRI, nVIDIA GeFORCE 4 MX
440 video card, 80 GB HD, DVD/CD-RW, stock
power supply
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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 Customers 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