Guangtongxin yanjiu (Jun 2024)
Discussion of Full Lifecycle Energy Efficiency of Optical Communication Systems
Abstract
【Objective】This paper discusses full lifecycle energy efficiency of optical communication systems in the purpose of energy conservation and carbon reduction. It aims to establish a universal model for description of energy efficiency, which covers all stages of system lifecycle, and it is not limited to specific technologies or network structures. It also analyzes the key influencing factors for improvement of energy efficiency of optical communication systems.【Methods】This paper explores the useful work and energy consumption of optical communication systems, to establish a universal model for energy efficiency. In the expression of useful work, in addition to the commonly used factor data rate, distance factor is introduced as an important factor. The paper recommends that the value generated by data transmissions which meet specific quality requirements and maintaining network connectivity in specific scenario applications should be considered in the description of the useful efficacy. The description method is named as comprehensive useful efficacy. In the discussion of energy consumption, the system lifecycle is decomposed into four stages: manufacturing, installation and construction, operation and maintenance, and waste recycling. Main influencing factors of energy efficiency improvement are discussed based on the established model.【Results】Main results of the research include: (1) Distance factor can be one of the main factors for evaluating the useful work of a system, and distance factors affect energy consumption at various stages of the system's lifecycle; (2) For new scenarios and applications, setting weights for data transmissions which meet specific quality requirements and assigning values for maintaining connectivities status in description of the system useful work could reflect the value brought by the energy cost of the system to meet the needs of scenario applications; (3) Energy consumption factors of each stage of the life cycle should be considered in evaluation of energy consumption of the full lifecycle, and the energy consumption of each stage should be converted into unit time based on the system operating life for accumulation; (4) Optimized network topology and routing design, reduction of line losses, as well as evolution of optical transmission technology and equipment/facility energy saving technologies, are important means to reduce energy consumptions throughout the entire lifecycle of the system and improve the energy efficiency.【Conclusion】This paper discusses the comprehensive useful work and full life cycle energy consumption of optical communication systems, and establishes a universal model to describe the full life cycle energy efficiency of the system. This model takes distance as an important influencing factor in the expression of the useful efficiency and also energy consumption of the system, which corresponds the value of the optical communication system based on communication distance with the energy consumption in the life-cycle caused by distances. It also suggests considering the value generated by data transmissions which meet specific quality requirements and maintaining network connectivity in the evaluation of the useful efficiency. This model could comprehensively evaluate the energy efficiency of optical communication systems, for improvements of system energy efficiency, and could adapt and promote applications of optical communication systems in new scenarios.
