Energy saving in an integrated home network infrastructure

Future home networking applications rely on a converged, robust and easy-to-use network infrastructure. When different technologies complement each other, high efficiency and high coverage range can be achieved. To support application fields like home automation, energy efficient technologies with low data rates must be integrated into the home network. These low data rate networks can be used to configure the high data rate network. In this contribution, the concept of a heterogeneous integrated home network infrastructure is described. Methods to save energy by switching on and off interfaces are presented. Their performance is analyzed by simulation and test bed implementation. By utilizing a wireless low data rate technology for network organization, the energy consumption of a typical home network can be reduced significantly.