Energy savings in the consumption of electronic devices used in WiFi networks
Mobile communications have revolutionized the way we communicate and WiFi networks are widely used for this purpose. WiFi networks rely on electronic devices such as access points, switches, and routers that operate continuously. However, this constant operation poses two significant issues: the financial burden of energy consumption reflected in bills and the environmental impact of carbon dioxide emissions, a highly pollutant gas.
Read this open access paper on the FACETS website.
The key solution to address these challenges is energy savings. We present an innovative approach to save energy in devices used in WiFi networks. The WiFi network devices (access points, switches and routers) were classified into two groups: a) Those that remain on continuously and to provide constant coverage of the network, b) Those that can be turned off when there are no users connected.
A strategy is formulated and formalized to determine when to turn on or off the access points according to the number of users connected to the network and thus save energy on these devices. To save energy in switches and routers, a machine learning grouping technique is used. These devices are grouped based on the similarity in the time they remain inactive.
This model was applied at the higher education institution, Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander, demonstrating the feasibility of energy savings. The mathematical model for energy conservation is adaptable to any hierarchical wireless network. The energy savings percentages surpass those achieved by current methods, showcasing the effectiveness of this approach. Overall, the proposed method provides a tangible and efficient means to reduce both energy costs and environmental impact in WiFi networks.
Read the paper — A novel energy-saving method for campus wired and dense WiFi network applying machine learning and idle cycling techniques by Ricardo Alvarado and Alvaro Suárez.
