Implementing Low Power Mode in Set Top Boxes STB International Stakeholder Meeting San Francisco, California Suzanne Foster Ecos Consulting x 302

Possible Design Changes to Make Low Power Mode Possible Hardware enabling shut down of non critical systems –Hardware build so that circuits not in use can be powered down and then “wake” easily and quickly when needed for service –Analogous to “sleep” technology developed by Intel and others in PC world, sold in virtually all PCs on shelves today –Memory solutions already found in desktops could store program guide, etc. when in low power mode Hardware reducing power use, regardless of mode –“Power partitioning” chips –Power supply

Base system: 1024 MB DDRI, nVIDIA GeFORCE 4 MX 440 video card, 80 GB HD, DVD/CD-RW, stock power supply Power Partitioning Chips Save Energy in Desktops

Power Supply Possible Near Term Solution Efficiencies between 68% and 82% measured, 85% efficiency achievable today

Possible Design Changes to Make Low Power Mode Possible (cont.) Software changes to accommodate low power mode –“Energy Saver” DVR options that allow hard drives to spin down if customer chooses not to record material Communication protocols –enable proper security and downloads of content to customer from head end –communication among multiple STBs in one home

Goal: Energy Savings in Customer’s Homes Possible for low power mode to be technically achievable and measurable in the lab, but not implemented in the field Reasons for this could include: –Needs of the service provider not fully taken into account when designing system, so low power mode is disabled in field –Customer dissatisfaction with solution Lack of transparency to user Customer misunderstands important environmental impact and associated energy bill savings –Poor communication protocols between head end and box and among boxes

Test Method Implications IEC currently measures static power values for defined modes Alternate approach: measurement of STB energy over 24 hour period with standard duty cycle, allowing box to fall into low power as it would in the home Other considerations: –Easy to conduct –Reproducible –Robust –Representative

Discussion