Access points using power over ethernet
View Patent ↗An access point coupled to an Ethernet port detects whether it is using power over Ethernet, and if so, adjusts its operation to maintain its power requirements within those capable of being supplied by power over Ethernet. The access point might include a detector capable of determining if external power is available, or if that access point is operating using power over Ethernet. If the access point is operating using power over Ethernet, it adjusts the operation of its radios, gracefully degrading those radios from (first) both radios operating in 3×3 mode, to (second) a first radio operating in 3×3 mode and a second radio operating in 2×2 mode, to (third) both radios operating in 2×2 mode. The power adaptation circuit may also throttle clock speeds in the system (processor or peripherals), or shut down or idle various peripherals to lower power consumption for the duration consumption is high.
1. A method, including steps of
determining whether an access point is operating subject to a set of power constraints; and
limiting power use by at least one radio or antenna subject to that set of power constraints;
wherein those steps of limiting include selecting whether to operate one or more radios or antennas in a first mode or a second mode;
wherein at least one of that first mode and that second mode include a 3×3 operational mode or a 2×2 operational mode.
2. A method as in claim 1 , including steps of
performing at least one of steps of:
idling one or more peripheral devices,
reducing a clock speed of one or more peripheral devices,
shutting down one or more peripheral devices,
reducing a clock speed of a processor.
3. A method as in claim 2 , wherein those peripheral devices include one or more of: flash memory, other memory.
4. A method as in claim 1 , wherein those constraints include at least some constraints in response to concurrent use of radios or antennas.
5. A method as in claim 1 , wherein those constraints include at least some constraints in response to use of power over Ethernet.
6. A method as in claim 1 , wherein those steps of determining include use of a power-detection circuit.
7. A method as in claim 1 , wherein those steps of limiting include selecting whether to operate two or more radios or antennas concurrently.
8. A non-transitory physical medium including computer instructions interpretable by a computing device, the computer instructions including
instructions determining whether an access point is operating subject to a set of power constraints; and
instructions limiting power use by at least one radio or antenna subject to that set of power constraints;
wherein those instructions limiting include information relating to selecting whether to operate one or more radios or antennas in a first mode or a second mode,
wherein at least one of that first mode and that second mode include a 3×3 operational mode or a 2×2 operational mode.
9. A physical medium as in claim 8 , wherein those constraints include at least some constraints in response to concurrent use of radios or antennas.
10. A physical medium as in claim 9 , wherein those constraints include at least some constraints in response to use of power over Ethernet.
11. A physical medium as in claim 8 , wherein those instructions determining include information relating to use of a power-detection circuit.
12. A physical medium as in claim 8 , wherein those instructions limiting include information relating to selecting whether to operate two or more radios or antennas concurrently.
13. Apparatus including
means for determining whether an access point is operating subject to a set of power constraints; and
means for limiting power use by at least one radio or antenna subject to that set of power constraints;
wherein those means for limiting include means for selecting whether to operate one or more radios or antennas in a first mode or a second mode;
wherein at least one of that first mode and that second mode include a 3×3 operational mode or a 2×2 operational mode.
14. Apparatus as in claim 13 , wherein those constraints include at least some constraints in response to concurrent use of radios or antennas.
15. Apparatus as in claim 13 , wherein those constraints include at least some constraints in response to use of power over Ethernet.
16. Apparatus as in claim 13 , wherein those means for determining include a power-detection circuit.
17. Apparatus as in claim 13 , wherein those means for limiting include means for selecting whether to operate two or more radios or antennas concurrently.
18. Apparatus including
a power-detection circuit coupled to an access point power source, said power-detection circuit being effective to determine whether an access point coupled to said access point power source is operating subject to a set of power constraints; and
a switch coupled to at least one radio or antenna, said switch being effective to limit power use by said at least one radio or antenna subject to said set of power constraints by selecting between a first operational mode or a second operational mode for said at least one radio or antenna;
wherein at least one of said first operational mode and said second operational mode include a 3×3 operational mode or a 2×2 operational mode.
19. Apparatus as in claim 18 , including a circuit responsive to concurrent use of radios or antennas.
20. Apparatus as in claim 18 , wherein that first operational mode or and that second operational mode collectively determine whether two or more radios or antennas operate concurrently.