Methods, Systems, And Computer Program Products For Controlling Data Transmission Based On Power Cost

• US 20090124233A1
• Filed: 11/09/2007
• Published: 05/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Scenera Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Original Assignee: Scenera Technologies LLC (Scenera Research LLC)
• Inventors: Morris, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US11/937,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20090124233A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling data transmission based on power cost. A power cost per unit data associated with successfully sending data from a sending device to a receiving device in a communications network is determined. The determined power cost per unit data is compared to a first threshold. Transmission of data from the sending device to the receiving device is delayed based on a determination that the power cost per unit data exceeds the first threshold.

Claims

1. A method for controlling data transmission based on power cost, the method comprising:

determining a power cost per unit data associated with successfully sending data from a sending device to a receiving device in a communications network;

comparing the power cost per unit data to a first threshold; and

delaying transmission of data from the sending device to the receiving device based on a determination that the power cost per unit data exceeds the first threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining a power cost per unit data associated with successful communications between a sending device and a receiving device in the communications network comprises:

determining a data transmission rate associated with successfully sending data from the sending device to the receiving device;

determining a power consumption rate associated with data transmission; and

determining the power cost per unit data based on the determined data transmission rate and determined power consumption rate.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein determining a data transmission rate associated with successfully sending data from the sending device to the receiving device includes determining at least one of a data throughput, a bit error rate (BER), a number of retries, a number of dropped packets, and a number of collisions.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein determining a data transmission rate associated with successfully sending data from the sending device to the receiving device includes determining a data transmission rate based on a transmission attribute of a network protocol layer.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the power consumption rate associated with data transmission is determined based on at least one of:

whether a transmitter of the sending device is currently active;

a utility charge for power supplied to the sending device; and

a monitored power level for power supplied to the sending device.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein determining the power cost per unit data based on the determined data transmission rate and determined power consumption rate includes dividing the determined power consumption rate by the determined data transmission rate.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein delaying transmission of data from the sending device to the receiving device includes delaying transmission of only non-real-time data.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein delaying transmission of data from the sending device to the receiving device includes pausing and restarting data transmission.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the sending device is an intermediate device.

10. The method of claim 1 comprising:

determining a data transmission policy based on at least one data transmission-related characteristic; and

determining the first threshold based on the data transmission policy.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein determining a data transmission policy based on at least one data transmission-related characteristic includes determining the data transmission policy based on at least one of a type of data being transmitted, a priority associated with the type of data being transmitted, a priority assigned to data transmission by a user, a communication network type, a type of transmission, a data size being transmitted, a type of application requesting the transmission, a destination of the data transmission, a time of day, a location of the sending device, previous data transmissions, and remaining battery capacity.

12. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium for performing steps comprising:

determining a power cost per unit data associated with successfully sending data from a sending device to a receiving device in a communications network;

comparing the power cost per unit data to a first threshold; and

delaying transmission of data from the sending device to the receiving device based on a determination that the power cost per unit data exceeds the first threshold.

13. A system for controlling data transmission based on power cost, the system comprising:

means for determining a power cost per unit data associated with successfully sending data from a sending device to a receiving device in a communications network;

means for comparing the power cost per unit data to a first threshold; and

means for delaying transmission of data from the sending device to the receiving device based on a determination that the power cost per unit data exceeds the first threshold.

14. A system for controlling data transmission based on power cost, the system comprising:

a power cost monitor configured to determine a power cost per unit data associated with successfully sending data from a sending device to a receiving device in a communications network and that compares the power cost per unit data to a first threshold; and

a transmitter controller configured to delay transmission of data from the sending device to the receiving device based on a determination that the power cost per unit data exceeds the first threshold.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the power cost monitor comprises:

a data rate monitor configured to determine a data transmission rate associated with successfully sending data from the sending device to the receiving device;

a power consumption rate monitor configured to determine a power consumption rate associated with data transmission, wherein the power consumption rate determination takes any unsuccessful data transmissions into account; and

a processor configured to determine the power cost per unit data based on the determined data transmission rate and determined power consumption rate and compares the power cost per unit data to the first threshold.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the data rate monitor is configured to determine a data transmission rate associated with successfully sending data from the sending device to the receiving device by determining at least one of a data throughput, a bit error rate (BER), a number of dropped packets, a number of retries, and a number of collisions.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the data rate monitor is configured to determine a data transmission rate associated with successfully sending data from the sending device to the receiving device based on a transmission attribute of a network protocol layer.

18. The system of claim 15 wherein the power consumption rate monitor is configured to determine a power consumption rate associated with data transmission based on at least one of:

whether a transmitter of the sending device is currently active;

a utility charge for power supplied to the sending device; and

a monitored power level for power supplied to the sending device.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein the processor is configured to determine the power cost per unit data based on the determined data transmission rate and determined power consumption rate by dividing the determined power consumption rate by the determined data transmission rate.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein the transmitter controller is configured to delay transmission of data from the sending device to the receiving device by delaying transmission of only non-real-time data.

21. The system of claim 14 wherein the transmitter controller is configured to delay transmission of data from the sending device to the receiving device by pausing and restarting data transmission.

22. The system of claim 14 wherein the sending device is an intermediate device.

23. The system of claim 14 wherein the processor is configured to:

determine a data transmission policy based on at least one data transmission-related characteristic; and

determine the first threshold based on the data transmission policy.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the processor is configured to determine a data transmission policy based on at least one data transmission-related characteristic by determining the data transmission policy based on at least one of a type of data being transmitted, a priority associated with the type of data being transmitted, a priority assigned to data transmission by a user, a communication network type, a type of transmission, a data size being transmitted, a type of application requesting the transmission, a destination of the data transmission, a time of day, a location of the sending device, previous data transmissions, and remaining battery capacity.