WO2017199229A1

WO2017199229A1 - System and method for regulating power consumption

Info

Publication number: WO2017199229A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/052990
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sean Kyung Wan KIM; Toh Kay KWANG
Original assignee: Skylab Networks Pte. Ltd.
Priority date: 2016-05-20
Filing date: 2017-05-20
Publication date: 2017-11-23
Also published as: SG11201810253WA

Abstract

There is provided a system and a method for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar power energy source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly. The system comprises a data source unit, a data collection unit and a data processing unit.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REGULATING POWER CONSUMPTION

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and a method for regulating power consumption or usage from a power source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly and in particular, but not exclusively, to using a renewable source of energy, such as solar energy, as a power source.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application.

In order to meet the challenges of the world's growing energy needs, apart from increasing the use of technologies that are designed to improve energy efficiency, many countries have also looked to technologies that promote sustainable energy, which includes renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, wave and tidal power, hydroelectricity, geothermal energy, and bioenergy. To increase the use of renewable sources of energy, large-scale energy storage systems that are high performing, safe, sustainable and cost effective are required. Solar energy can be an advantageous source for electricity in areas that are off-grid, especially in areas where sunlight can be easily harnessed. However, to meet the needs of providing electricity in such areas even when sunlight is not available or is reduced, a considerable number of large batteries is incorporated in the energy storage systems to store solar energy so as to meet the power demand, in which power is drawn from deep cycle battery banks in times when electricity consumption is more than what the solar collectors can produce. Whilst having such battery banks is a solution for using solar energy all day long, it is very costly to set-up such systems.

In situations where there is a need to set up a temporary or even permanent system to provide wireless communication between communications devices, such as an event held in an outdoor area or in the event of a disaster, it is important that such a system can be deployed quickly and at the same time is cost effective. Typically, in order to set up a wireless communication system in any given area, the conventional method would require trenching works, electrical and communications cabling works to be carried out. However, such works are not only time consuming but also very expensive, and in the event of a disaster, it may be difficult or even impossible to carry out such works in the area.

A system that comprises wireless backhaul which utilises solar energy as a power source would be able to provide wireless communication between communications devices in the situations or events mentioned above without the need for trenching, electrical and communications cabling works. However, it may be very costly to set up such a system due to the large number of batteries required to form battery banks for storage of solar energy for off-grid uses so as to provide adequate power to meet the demands. Furthermore, the more electricity is required to be produced, the more solar panels the system would need for collecting as much sunlight as possible. As solar panels require a lot of space, it may pose a challenge to set up such a system in areas where suitable space for deployment is limited.

Therefore, the present invention seeks to provide a system and a method to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, to provide a system and a method for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar energy power source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly so as to optimise power consumption or usage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms "comprising", "consisting of, and the like, are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning "including, but not limited to".

Location, power and backhaul are the essential deployment considerations for setting up a wireless system. In some instances, an ideal location may not allow power to be drawn from a power grid or a fixed backhaul. In other instances, a location may not be suitable for wireless system deployment even though power and backhaul may be present due to obstruction to the radio line of sight. Advantageously, the present invention provides a solar powered solution enabling a wireless system to be set up at any desired location for providing and/or improving wireless connectivity.

The present invention has at least the following advantages:

1. The system for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar power energy source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly of the present invention can perform predictive weather analytics with on-site weather status based on forecasted information that is available on a communications platform or network such as the internet. Should future weather conditions become unfavourable for power generation, the system will be switched to an energy saving mode to conserve limited available power that is stored in the system. Should there be a fall in demand from wireless services such as 3g, 4g, 5g, Wi-Fi, and any other types of wireless services, the system will self-regulate power consumption accordingly taking into consideration future predictive data for weather conditions.

2. The system of the present invention enables wireless network coverage to be quickly extended to areas as the need arises. For example, in situations where there is a need to set up a temporary or even permanent system to provide wireless communication between communications devices, such as an event held in an outdoor area or in the event of a disaster, the system of the present invention can be deployed quickly without the need for trenching works, electrical and communications cabling works to be carried out, and at the same time is cost effective.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for regulating power consumption from a power source of a system for providing wireless connectivity between wireless-based devices, comprising:

detecting wireless-based enabled devices in a service area;

monitoring current power capacity of the system for measuring spare capacity of the power source;

calculating the distance between a wireless-based enabled device and a wireless access point and the distance between the wireless-based enabled device and a wireless device scanner for each wireless-based enabled device detected; scoping the number of wireless-based enabled devices in the service area; and

calculating the optimum operation band of frequency and the required frequency bandwidth (FB) and transmission power (TP) of any wireless-based device of the system; and

determining the operating capacity of the system based on the calculated values of FB and TP.

Preferably, determining the operating capacity of the system based on the calculated values of FB and TP comprises reducing the operating capacity of the system, increasing the operating capacity of the system or turning off the radio service of the system.

Preferably, if the current FB > the required FB, the FB is reduced to the range of the required FB.

Preferably, if the current TP > the required TP, the TP is reduced to the range of the required TP.

Preferably, if the current measured spare capacity of the power source (MSC) < a pre- configured threshold, the FB and TP are reduced to the pre-configured level.

Preferably, if the number of wireless-based enabled devices is zero, the radio service of the system is turned off until a wireless-based enabled device is detected. Preferably, if the current FB < the required FB, the FB is increased to the range of the required FB.

Preferably, if the current TP < the required TP, the TP is increased to the range of the required TP.

Preferably, when the current MSC > a pre-configured threshold, the FB and TP are increased to cover current estimated usage. Preferably, scoping the number of wireless-based enabled devices in the service area comprises defining sectors per certain distance from wireless access point in the service area and mapping each sector point with Received Signal Strength (RSS) and finding the distance from the wireless access point in the sectorised map.

Preferably, calculating the optimum operation band of frequency comprises finding overlapped usage of frequency from other access points, and finding the least congested frequency by measuring max- signal-to-noise ratio.

Preferably, calculation of the required frequency bandwidth is based on the following:

wherein,

• N - Number of Active Devices (users)

• F_r - Required Frequency Bandwidth

· U_m- Maximum number of users

• B_q- QoS Bandwidth for user

• B_w - WiFi bandwidth

• B_h - Backhaul bandwidth

• K - spare capacity

· F_max- Maximum frequency bandwidth in Access point

• Fi - new allocated frequency bandwidth

Preferably, calculating the distance between a wireless-based enabled device and a wireless access point and the distance between the wireless-based enabled device and a wireless device scanner for each wireless-based enabled device detected is based on the Free Space Path Loss (FSPL) formula.

Preferably, the method further comprises correcting distorted Received Signal Strength (RSS) based on the following:

wherein,

Preferably, the method further comprises detecting of rouge access point.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for regulating power consumption from a power source for providing wireless connectivity between wireless-based devices, comprising:

a data source unit;

a data collection unit; and a data processing unit, wherein the data source unit, the data collection unit and the data processing unit interconnect via a communication means, and are operable to perform the method as detailed in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention.

Preferably, wherein the data processing unit processes data based on the following:

wherein,

• s: - Weight value for PL (0.0 - 0.8)

if the distance of devices is closed to the access point, & will be reduced, and vice versa.

• a will be determined by Gausian distribution (80% from left)

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a plurality of data processor executable instructions that when executed by a data processor in a system causes the system to perform the method as detailed in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar power energy source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly. The system comprises a data source unit, a data collection unit and a data processing unit. The data source unit connects to the data collection unit via a communications means. The data collection unit connects to the data processing unit similarly via a communications means. The three units are connected as described above for the communication of data from one unit to another unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar power energy source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly. The method comprises the steps of detecting users in a service area; monitoring the current power (battery) capacity, so as to measure spare capacity of the battery (measured spare capacity (MSC)); calculating certain distances by using Free Space Path Loss (FSPL) formula; scoping down the number of effective communications devices (registered and not registered) to the number of communications devices which are only in the effective service zone/service area or interested zone; calculating (i) optimal operation band of frequency; and (ii) required frequency bandwidth (FB) and transmission power (TP) in Wi-Fi and microwave; and/or (iii) calculating or finding the optimum band of operating; and (iv) finding correlation coefficient between power consumption and the capacity of Wi-Fi and microwave channel; and reducing or increasing capacity of wireless based solutions infrastructure such as Wi- Fi infrastructure or turning radio service off.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of detecting rogue AP. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network comprising a system for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar energy power source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a module (adaptive network manager) for use in a system for regulating power consumption from a solar power energy source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the ensuing description, which proceeds with reference to the following illustrative drawings of various embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of illustrative example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for regulating power consumption from a solar power energy source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the system of Figure 1 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a diagram of the system of Figure 1 or the system of Figure 2 in communication with a network.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of the system of Figure 1 or the system of Figure 2 in communication with a network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a single line diagram of components of the system in communication with a network of Figure 4 being electrically interconnected to one another in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a diagram of a cluster of battery stacks and charge controllers of the network of Figure 4 arranged for energy aggregation and optimisation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Additionally, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

The use of the singular forms "a", an", and "the" include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The use of "or", "/" means "and/or" unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms "including" and "having" as well as other forms of those terms, such as "includes", "included", "has", and "have" are not limiting.

The use of the term "wireless-based" includes 3g, 4g, 5g, Wi-Fi, and any other kinds of wireless connection.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system 10 for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar energy power source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly (Figure 1). The system 10 comprises a data source unit 12, a data collection unit 14 and a data processing unit 16. The data source unit 12 connects to the data collection unit 14 via a communications means. The data collection unit 14 connects to the data processing unit 16 similarly via a communications means. The three units 12, 14, 16 are connected as described above for the communication of data from one unit to another unit.

The data source unit 12 sources for data from a communications platform or network such as the Internet 18 in relation to information on weather forecast 20 and daylight hours 22. The data source unit 12 also comprises an energy management module 24 having an accelerometer 26, a luminosity sensor 28, a humidity sensor 30, a wireless device scanner such as a Wi-Fi device scanner 32 and a battery information system 34. The data collection unit 14 communicates with the data source unit 12 to retrieve the weather forecast for the next hours of daylight 36. The data collection unit 14 also detects weather condition 38 through the help of the accelerometer 26, luminosity sensor 28 and humidity sensor 30 of the data source unit 12. The data collection unit 14 further detects the number of communications devices in the area that the system 10 is placed to service (service area) 40 via the Wi-Fi device scanner 32 of the data source unit 12. The data collection unit 14 also detects battery capacity and current power consumption 42 when it communicates with the battery information system of the data source unit 12.

Referring to Figure 1, the data processing unit 16 comprises at least one algorithm for processing the data collected by the data collection unit 14. An algorithm is used to score 44 the data collected on weather forecast from the Internet (a) and also to score 46 the data collected on the weather condition from the accelerometer, luminosity sensor and humidity sensor (b). After the scoring these two sets of data, the weighted value 48 of (a)*(b) = (rl).

An algorithm is used to score 50 the number of communications devices detected in the service area (c), an algorithm is used to score 52 the spare battery capacity (d), and an algorithm is used to score the current power consumption (e) based on the data provided to the data processing unit 16 by the data collection unit 14. After the scoring of the three sets of data mentioned above, the scores 54 are calculated as follows: (d)*(e) / (c) = (r2).

Taken together, (rl)*(r2) = new strategy value (si) 56. The data processing unit 16 then compares 58 the new strategy value (si) with current strategy value (sO) and would determine if there is a need to adjust network capacity 60. If necessary, the network capacity would be adjusted accordingly 62. If no adjustments are required, the system 10 continues to collect data 64 which is performed by the data collection unit 14.

Weather Condition Value: Score < 1 : Bad weather (cloudy/rainy/snowy)

Score = 1 : Normal weather

Score > 1 : Good weather Battery Spare Capacity Value: Score < 1 : Low

Score = 1 : Medium Score > 1 : High

The system 10 constantly collects the various data described above and processes the data, making use of the data so as to regulate the power consumption or usage from a solar energy power source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly.

The system 10 can also comprise a monitoring device (not shown) for users such as installers and/or operators of the system 10. The monitoring device preferably features an integrated web server, enabling graphical displays of daily, monthly and lifetime energy data of the system 10 to be viewed using a simple web browser or other means suitable for viewing. The users of the system 10 can also change or configure the settings of the system 10 through the user-interface and respond to system email alerts promptly. A user- configurable data logger and integrated FTP server provides users with powerful analytical tool for data download and analysis.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system 100 for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar energy power source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly (Figure 2). The system 100 comprises a data source unit 112, a data collection unit 114 and a data processing unit 116. The data source unit 112 connects to the data collection unit 114 via a communications means. The data collection unit 114 connects to the data processing unit 116 similarly via a communications means. The three units 112, 114, 116 are connected as described above for the communication of data from one unit to another unit.

The data source unit 112 sources for data from a communications platform or network such as the Internet 118 in relation to information on weather forecast 120 and daylight hours 122. The data source unit 112 also comprises an energy management module 124 having an accelerometer 126, a luminosity sensor 128, a humidity sensor 130, a wireless device scanner such as a Wi-Fi device scanner 132 and a battery information system 134. The data collection unit 114 communicates with the data source unit 112 to retrieve the weather forecast for the next hours of daylight 136. The data collection unit 114 also detects weather condition 38 through the help of the accelerometer 126, luminosity sensor 128 and humidity sensor 130 of the data source unit 112. The data collection unit 114 further detects the number of communications devices in the area that the system 110 is placed to service (service area) 140 via the Wi-Fi device scanner 132 of the data source unit 112. The data collection unit 114 also detects battery capacity and current power consumption 142 when it communicates with the battery information system of the data source unit 112.

Referring to Figure 2, the data processing unit 116 comprises at least one algorithm for processing the data collected by the data collection unit 114. An algorithm is used to score 144 the data collected on weather forecast from the Internet (a) and also to score 146 the data collected on the weather condition from the accelerometer, luminosity sensor and humidity sensor (b). After the scoring these two sets of data, the weighted value 148 of (a)*(b) = (rl).

An algorithm is used to score 150 the number of communications devices detected in the service area (c), the required frequency is calculated (d) 151, an algorithm is used to score 153 the spare battery capacity (e), and an algorithm is used to score the current power consumption (f) based on the data provided to the data processing unit 116 by the data collection unit 114. The required output power without weather condition is referred to as (r2) 152, and the estimated left battery time is referred to as (r3) 154. The scoring of the number of devices (c) 150 is obtained by (d)-(r2). The scoring of the spare capacity (e) 153 is obtained by (r3)-(r2).

Taken together, the final required output power with weather condition (rl) is referred to as (r4), and the estimated left battery time based on (r4) is referred to as (r5) 156. The data processing unit 116 then compares strategy value (si) with current strategy value (sO) 158 and would determine if there is a need to adjust network capacity 160. If necessary, the network capacity would be adjusted accordingly 162. If no adjustments are required, the system 100 continues to collect data 164 which is performed by the data collection unit 114, and a strategy value based on (r4) and (r5) is calculated which is referred to as (si) 168.

The data collected is processed based on the following:

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar power energy source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly. The method comprises the following steps or algorithm:

Step 1: Detecting users in a service area

(a) Search for communications devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, personal digital assistants and sensors that have wireless capabilities such as Wi-Fi capabilities or configured with Wi-Fi function (potential users) by using wireless passive scanning via a device scanner, such as a Wi-Fi device scanner, for capturing beacon from communication devices.

(b) Search for communications devices that are Wi-Fi registered devices by retrieving media access control (MAC) address on wireless access point such as Wi-Fi access point (AP).

(c) Search for communications devices that are Wi-Fi registered devices by monitoring address resolution protocol (ARP) and GARP (Gratuitous ARP) on Ethernet Bridge (switch).

Step 2: Monitoring the current power (battery) capacity, so as to measure spare capacity of the battery (measured spare capacity (MSC)).

Step 3: Calculating the following distance by using Free Space Path Loss (FSPL) formula (a) Distance between a wireless-based enabled device such as a Wi-Fi enabled device and the Wi-Fi AP.

(b) Distance between a wireless-based enabled device such as a Wi-Fi enabled device and the device scanner. Step 4: Scoping down the number of effective communications devices (registered and not registered) to the number of communications devices which are only in the effective service zone/service area or interested zone. The zone or area can be at any site that the system is deployed, such as a shopping area, a bus stop, etc. The Step 4 comprises:

(a) Defining sectors per certain distance from Wi-Fi access point in the effective service zone or interested zone and mapping each sector point with Received Signal

Strength; and

(b) Finding the point of the user locations (the distance from AP) in the sectorized map.

Step 5: Calculating (i) optimal operation band of frequency by finding overlapped usage of frequency from other access points, and finding the least congested frequency by measuring MAX(SNR - signal-to-noise ratio); and (ii) required frequency bandwidth (FB) and transmission power (TP) in any wireless-based solutions; and/or (iii) calculating or finding the optimum band of operating. In calculating or finding the optimum band of operating, one method is to determine the correlation coefficient between power consumption and the capacity of Wi-Fi and microwave channel.

Calculation of the required frequency bandwidth in the Step 5(ii) is based on the following:

Step 6: Determining the operating capacity of the system by reducing or increasing capacity of wireless-based infrastructure such as Wi-Fi infrastructure or turning radio service off

(i) Reducing

(a) If the current FB > the required FB, then to reduce FB to the range of the required FB.

(b) If the current TP > the required TP, then to reduce TP to the range of the required TP.

(c) If the current MSC < a pre-configured threshold, then to reduce FB and TP to the pre-configured level.

(ii) Stop (or turning radio service off)

(a) If the number of effective users is zero (0), then turning radio service off until the any effective user is detected.

(iii) Increasing

(a) If the current FB < the required FB, then to increase FB to the range of the required FB.

(b) If the current TP < the required TP, then to increase TP to the range of the required TP.

(c) Step 6(i)(c) had been applied and the current MSC > a pre-configured threshold, then to increase FB and TP to cover the current estimated usage.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the following steps or algorithm: Step 7: Detection of rogue AP

As it is typical for any outdoor/public wireless networking such as Wi-Fi to face the security problem of having rogue AP, it is important that the system of the present invention is able to address this problem. In the process of the Step 1(a) described above in the previous embodiment, "rogue AP" that has not been deployed by the system can be detected so as to protect users of the system. The steps to detect rogue AP are as follows:

(a) Detect AP around the wireless-based AP such as Wi-Fi AP and wireless-based device scanner such as Wi-Fi device scanner of the system. (b) Compare MAC address with the AP database of the system.

(c) If the detected AP with the set service identifier (SSID) of the system is not in the database of the system, then to raise an alert to the operation team to remove the AP.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, further to the Step 3, the calculation of (a) distance between a wireless-based enabled device such as a Wi-Fi enabled device and the Wi-Fi AP; and (b) distance between a wireless-based enabled device such as a Wi-Fi enabled device and the device scanner, by using the FSPL formula, the step further comprises correcting distorted Received Signal Strength (RSS) due to various interference and multi-path fading by means of various techniques including Fingerprinting, Time of Arrival (ToA) and Angle of Arrival (AoA). In particular:

wherein,

• D - distance between Access Point and User device in Meter

• d - measured distance

• do - reference distance

With reference to Figure 3, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a network 200 comprising the system 10 or 100 for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar energy power source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly at a service area.

The network 200 comprises the system 10 or 100, in the form of an adaptive network manager module 202 and a solar energy monitoring system 204, a solar energy power source 206, a wireless access point 208 and a Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch 210. Each of the adaptive network manager module 202, the solar monitoring system 204, the solar energy power source 206, the wireless access point 208 and a wireless backhaul system such as a microwave client 212 and a microwave source 214, is connected to or in communication with the PoE switch 210. The solar energy monitoring system 204 is for monitoring solar energy that is available at the service area. The solar energy monitoring system 204 and the adaptive network manager module 202 can be integrated into a single system. For example, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the solar energy monitoring system can comprise the adaptive network manager module as shown in Figure 4. In another embodiment of the invention, the functions of the solar energy monitoring system can be integrated into the adaptive network manager module to form an integrated system (not shown).

The solar energy power source (or power source) 206 comprises at least one solar panel and a battery module comprising one or more rechargeable batteries. The battery module is environmentally friendly and can outlast lead-acid batteries by many years providing a much higher level of safety while avoiding lead-acid battery maintenance and thermal issues.

The power source 206 also comprises a photovoltaic (PV) charge controller and a PV array. The PV charge controller tracks the maximum power point of the PV array to deliver the maximum available current for charging the one or more batteries in the battery module. When charging, the PV charge controller regulates battery voltage and output current based on the amount of energy available from the PV array and state-of-charge of the battery. The power source 206 further comprises an inverter, which converts the variable direct current (DC) output of a PV solar panel into a utility frequency alternating current (AC) that can be fed into the off-grid electrical network. Advantageously, the environmentally friendly battery module is suitable for years of hassle-free operation in stationary and long duration applications for providing power to network equipment especially at remote locations. The battery module is able to self- balance, which means that there is no need to run an equalising charge to ensure that the batteries in the battery module do not drag each other out of balance. This simplifies installation, eliminates maintenance and greatly increases the life of the battery bank.

Preferably, the battery is salt water based and can last for a longer period (over a period of about ten years) as compared to a normal battery (over a period of about two years). Alternatively, a non-salt water based battery can be used. Although such a battery typically has a life span of about two years, such a battery may also be cost effective depending on the area that needs to be serviced by the system 10 or 100 and the network 200. The size of the battery can also be changed according to manage power budgeting needs.

Solar power is stored in the battery module for use when the power grid is down or for off- grid power usage. The system provides power to offset the grid power whenever there is sunlight available for harnessing and would send excess power to the PV charge controller for credit for use at a later time, such as when there is no sunlight available.

Through the adaptive network manager module 202, the network (or system) 200 will self- organise its harvested solar energy through period of time, energy pattern from connected devices and environment. Thus the resources will be well managed and energy distribution to other needed devices through load balancing features. With reference to Figure 4, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a network 300 comprising the system 10 or 100 in the form of a solar energy monitoring system 302 for regulating power consumption or usage from a solar energy power source for providing connectivity between communications devices wirelessly at a service area. The network 300 comprises the system (or solar energy monitoring system) 302, a solar energy power source 304, a wireless access point 306 which can be in the form of a Wi-Fi access point in this particular embodiment, and a PoE switch 308, a PoE injector 310 and a wireless backhaul system 312. Each of the solar monitoring system 302, the switch 308 and the PoE injector 310 is connected to the solar energy power source 304 such as by means of a power line. The switch 308 is connected to the Wi-Fi access point 306 such as by means of an Ethernet cable. The PoE injector 310 is connected to the microwave backhaul system 312 such as by means of an Ethernet cable.

The wireless backhaul system 312 is typically in the form of a microwave backhaul system, as shown in Figure 3. The wireless backhaul system 312 is connected to the network 300 via the PoE switch 308 or injector 310 and is called a point to multi point system and a point to point system. The wireless backhaul system 312 provides connection to public internet fibre points for communications devices like access points (AP) or sensors to be able to connect to a cloud to be monitored and managed. The cloud can be part of the data source unit 12 of the system 10 or the data source unit 112 of the system 100. With the big data weather cloud, the system 10 or 100 is able to provide analysis for the actual site (service area) to make a collective decision so as to manage the radio network and its power consumption characteristics. The system 10 or 100 is also able to manage communication links and content delivery operations in an optimised way to utilise stored energy in an efficient manner through the data processing unit 16 of the system 10 or the data processing unit 116 of the system 100.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a single line diagram of how components of the system 302 in communication with the network 300 is being electrically interconnected is shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 shows a cluster of battery stacks and charge controllers 400 of the network 300 arranged for energy aggregation and optimisation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The battery stacks and charge controllers comprise one or more sensor nodes, and when the sensor nodes are organised in clusters, either a single hop or multi- hop mode of communication can be used to send their data to their respective cluster heads. The mode to select would vary depending on the desired or given settings. A hybrid communication mode, which is a combination of single hop and multi-hop modes, can also be used. It is preferable to employ the hybrid communication mode as it is more cost effective than either of the two modes described above. Advantageously, through a data aggregation model, it is possible to optimise energy aggregation of the system and network that would also take into account the overall desired design of the network.

The network and system of the present invention provides for connectivity between communications devices wirelessly. Communications devices such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets, personal digital assistants and sensors are able to connect to other communications devices such as a wireless LAN (WLAN) network, preferably using the IEEE 802.11/Wi-Fi 2450 MHz and 5800 MHz bands, and also to each other (e.g. a mobile phone to another mobile phone) via communications devices/means such as WLAN network, Wi-Fi, etc.

Advantageously, with the present invention, network coverage can be quickly extended to areas as the need arises. For example, in situations where there is a need to set up a temporary or even permanent system to provide wireless communication between communications devices, such as an event held in an outdoor area or in the event of a disaster, the system of the present invention can be deployed quickly without the need for trenching works, electrical and communications cabling works to be carried out, and at the same time is cost effective.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, and with regard to one or more embodiments, for the purposes of clarity of understanding, it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes, variations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

It would be further appreciated that although the invention covers individual embodiments, it also includes combinations of the embodiments discussed. For example, the features described in one embodiment is not being mutually exclusive to a feature described in another embodiment, and may be combined to form yet further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for regulating power consumption from a power source of a system for providing wireless connectivity between wireless-based devices, comprising:

detecting wireless-based enabled devices in a service area;

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the operating capacity of the system based on the calculated values of FB and TP comprises reducing the operating capacity of the system, increasing the operating capacity of the system or turning off the radio service of the system.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein if the current FB > the required FB, the FB is reduced to the range of the required FB.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein if the current TP > the required TP, the TP is reduced to the range of the required TP.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein if the current measured spare capacity of the power source (MSC) < a pre-configured threshold, the FB and TP are reduced to the pre-configured level.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein if the number of wireless-based enabled devices is zero, the radio service of the system is turned off until a wireless-based enabled device is detected.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein if the current FB < the required FB, the FB is increased to the range of the required FB.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein if the current TP < the required TP, the TP is increased to the range of the required TP.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein when the current MSC > a pre-configured threshold, the FB and TP are increased to cover current estimated usage.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein scoping the number of wireless-based enabled devices in the service area comprises defining sectors per certain distance from wireless access point in the service area and mapping each sector point with Received Signal Strength (RSS) and finding the distance from the wireless access point in the sectorised map.

11. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein calculating the optimum operation band of frequency comprises finding overlapped usage of frequency from other access points, and finding the least congested frequency by measuring max-signal-to-noise ratio.

12. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein calculation of the required frequency bandwidth is based on the following:

wherein,

The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein calculating the distance between a wireless-based enabled device and a wireless access point and the distance between the wireless-based enabled device and a wireless device scanner for each wireless-based enabled device detected is based on the Free Space Path Loss (FSPL) formula.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises correcting distorted Received Signal Strength (RSS) based on the following:

wherein,

15. The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising detecting of rouge access point.

16. A system for regulating power consumption from a power source for providing wireless connectivity between wireless-based devices, comprising:

a data source unit; a data collection unit; and a data processing unit, wherein the data source unit, the data collection unit and the data processing unit interconnect via a communication means, and are operable to perform the method as detailed in claims 1 to 15.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the data processing unit processes data based on the following:

wherein,

18. A computer program product comprising a plurality of data processor executable instructions that when executed by a data processor in a system causes the system to perform the method as detailed in claims 1 to 15.