Processor reduces VoIP power consumption

Tests on a dual 10/100 Ethernet VoIP desktop phone based on this 'Green VoIP' processor revealed that power consumption during a call was less than 800mW, approximately half the power specification of any VoIP phone on the market.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is rapidly becoming the preferred telephony option for businesses as it offers significant potential to reduce costs.

However, unlike traditional phones, VoIP handsets are powered from mains electricity or via routers/servers through Power-over-Ethernet (PoE).

This makes VoIP power consumption an issue for companies keen to minimise their electricity bills and carbon footprint.

At the same time, many governments are considering limiting the maximum power consumption for devices connected to the grid.

To help manufacturers address these concerns, Sitel has released modified versions of its Enterprise VoIP development kits, featuring hardware and software enhancements that optimise the use of power within VoIP applications.

These modifications have been tested in a dual 10/100 Ethernet VoIP desktop phone development kit based on Sitel's SC14450 Green VoIP processor.

The phone also includes PoE capabilities, an LCD and keyboard LEDs.

The net power consumption measured after PoE was found to be 569.4mW in idle mode, and 785mW and 796.5mW during G.711 and G.722 calls respectively.

A recent draft version of a European Commission Regulation on eco-design (implementing Directive 2005/32/EC) proposes limiting the stand-by power consumption of domestic and office devices to 2W if the device has an information or status display and 1W otherwise.

A future second phase will further tighten these limits to 1W and 0.5W.