Design Tips - Using Low-Power Mesh Network Technology to Reduce Energy Consumption of Smart Home Gateways

Internet broadband services have always been highly competitive, with the ultimate goal being to achieve the highest throughput. However, with growing awareness of sustainable development and stricter energy regulations (including the EU's eco-design regulations on standby mode), Internet service providers (ISPs) are gradually rewriting their rules. ISPs must always stay competitive and continue to compete in throughput; at the same time, they must radically reduce gateway energy consumption to comply with regulations and appeal to customers to actively respond to environmental initiatives. But how can gateway energy consumption be reduced without affecting the smart home user experience?

This blog introduces Silicon Labs ’ new low-power, patent-pending mesh networking technology that can significantly reduce energy consumption in customer premise equipment ( CPE ) from major manufacturers while improving the smart home user experience.

The Hidden Energy Costs of Always-On Client Devices

IoT devices such as smart thermostats, lighting, security sensors and cameras offer unprecedented convenience and automation to their users. However, the proliferation of smart home devices also increases energy consumption, both directly and indirectly. CPE devices such as gateways and routers are the core backbone of the connected home. Typically, CPE is always online, ensuring that critical applications such as security cameras, thermostats or leak detectors are operational under all circumstances. However, CPE can run at full power even when there is no network activity, such as at night or when the user is on vacation. Needless to say, the energy costs of always- on CPE are high, and homeowners are often not fully aware of the costs.

Introduction to Silicon Labs Low-Power Mesh Networking Technology

Silicon Labs is revolutionizing gateway energy efficiency with new protocols such as Matter and Thread . CPE can go to sleep during idle periods and wake up immediately when necessary. For users, it is not only completely seamless, but also intuitive and easy to use. Mesh connectivity allows IoT devices to automatically trigger wake-up when they need to connect. This can significantly reduce energy consumption and improve the smart home user experience.

CPE – seamless switching between sleep mode and wake-up events

The smart wake-up trigger function allows the CPE to enter a deep sleep state to minimize power consumption, and wake up at any time to respond to smart home activities. For example, if the motion sensor detects movement or the owner opens the smart lock, the CPE will wake up immediately and resume full connectivity. The seamless transition between sleep mode and active mode ensures that users can fully experience the convenience and security of smart homes and avoid unnecessary energy costs.

Integrating Matter and Thread

Silicon Labs low-power mesh networking technology leverages the power of the Matter and Thread protocols by enabling wake-up events triggered by the relevant protocols. For example, a Matter- or Thread -enabled device (e.g., a smart thermostat or security sensor) can send a signal to wake the CPE from sleep mode. This ensures that the CPE can respond immediately to critical events even when it is in a power-saving state, without the user having to worry about delays or loss of functionality.

This approach is particularly effective for applications such as security systems and energy management. Security cameras or motion sensors can maintain network connectivity in the lowest power state and wake up the CPE only when activity is detected. Similarly, environmental control functions such as smart thermostats can wake up the CPE when the temperature needs to be adjusted , ensuring a comfortable home environment without wasting energy.

Low-power mesh networking technology use cases

1. Night Mode

At night, most homes come to a standby state. Devices such as smart lights, security cameras, and sensors are often in standby mode, and maintaining connectivity consumes power. With traditional always-on CPE in a home , the gateway remains fully operational even when there is little to no communication on the network. With Silicon Labs low-power mesh networking technology, the CPE can enter sleep mode during periods of inactivity. The CPE is only awakened when motion sensors detect activity or a user interacts with the system . This significantly reduces power consumption while ensuring that essential functions, such as security, remain operational:

• Traditional CPE does not offer a sleep mode and may consume 10-15 watts of power running overnight.

• Using sleep mode, CPE power consumption may be less than 1 watt, and power consumption can be reduced by more than 90% during low activity .

2. Vacation Mode

When you are on vacation or away for an extended period of time, your smart home devices (e.g., lights and HVAC systems) may be used much less frequently. However, your CPE will still be fully operational and consume power.

The Silicon Labs solution puts the CPE into sleep mode when the home is unoccupied, waking only when a critical event occurs (e.g., an alarm from a Thread -enabled security sensor or a remote temperature adjustment from a Matter -enabled thermostat). This can significantly reduce energy consumption while keeping the home secure and more responsive.

Energy consumption comparison:

• Without Silicon Labs technology, the CPE could consume 50-75 watts of power per day when the house is vacant.

• With sleep mode enabled, power consumption drops to 10-15 watts, saving up to 80% on energy costs while on vacation.

3. Non-primary residence

Non-primary or vacation homes often have connected devices, such as security systems or environmental monitors, that are kept in standby mode for long periods of time. Traditionally, CPEs are kept running 24/7 to ensure these systems remain in communication. Silicon Labs technology allows non-primary residence CPEs to enter a deep sleep state while remaining connected to the network via Matter or Thread . Devices such as smart locks or environmental sensors can wake up the CPE as needed , but until then, the CPE must maintain minimal power consumption.

This approach aims to ensure that owners can remotely monitor and control non-primary residences to avoid wasting energy:

• Without a sleep mode, the CPE would consume 100-150 watts per day, even when the house is vacant .

• With the help of Silicon Labs technology, power consumption can be reduced to 20-25 watts, reducing long-term energy consumption by 80-85% .

Comply with EU new energy regulations

The upcoming EU Ecodesign Regulation 2023/826 imposes new and stricter limits on the energy consumption of electronic devices, including CPE . The regulation places strict limits on shutdown and standby power consumption of connected devices, requiring manufacturers and service providers to find solutions to keep devices running and reduce energy consumption. Silicon Labs' CPE sleep mode technology fully complies with these new standards, allowing service providers to provide energy-efficient smart home solutions while complying with regulations. CPE will enter a deep sleep state during periods of non-use, while still being able to maintain wake-up capabilities through Matter or Thread , ensuring that service providers meet consumer expectations and regulatory requirements.

Smart Homes Create a Smarter, More Energy-Efficient Future

Silicon Labs' low-power mesh networking technology enables CPEs to enter sleep and wake modes using Matter or Thread triggers, creating a breakthrough approach to smart home energy management. By reducing power consumption and improving the smart home user experience, this technology can help homeowners save energy, reduce costs, and keep their smart homes responsive. Consumers and regulators are facing increasing pressure for energy efficiency.

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