Energy Efficient Control of Microwave Networks

Abstract

Wireless microwave radio links have become a core component in modern communication infrastructure, providing access in places where fiber-optic cables are infeasible. High capacity links are commonly realized through bonding of multiple independent, parallel radio links, but utilization for these very rarely exceeds 50%. This means that half of the radio link hardware is consuming power without providing any useful capacity. To combat this, we propose a software controller which can dynamically control power to radio hardware, adapting capacity to demand by powering off radios at periods of low utilization in order to reduce overall energy consumption. Results from computer simulations and measurements in a physical setup show that it is possible to save up to 50% of energy consumed by radio hardware in these links with very small, if any, impact on users.