15 Methodology for Modeling the Energy …
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• Reference area (defined by geographic boundaries, user density based on
demographic data, and other topographic classification such as urban or rural)
• Reference technology (including the technology generation, available radio
frequency spectrum, age of equipment, etc.)
• Network topology (including principle network architecture based on existing
standards, the functional network devices [equipment] and their component
configuration)
• Network performance (including peak or average throughput based on specific
utilization profiles, user types, etc.)
• Energy consumption (including manufacturing and use phase, load-/operation
mode specific power consumption of individual functionality/equipment)
• Material consumption (allocated to functional components, the material requirement is reported proportionally to the reference year taking into account the total
useful life).
It is important to notice that the model is intended and designed as an analytic
tool. It should enable the user to calculate scenarios for different technologies and
by that help to understand which functionality and technical design choices cause
significant energy and material consumption. The focus of the model development
is on the goal to calculate real proportions of the energy and material consumption
in relation to the individual system elements. It is not so much the goal to determine
the consumption absolute exactly. Since the overall effort to cut-off criteria cannot
be stated as of now, but the aim is to consider at least 80 or 90% of the energy
consumption and material weight. In addition, environmentally relevant materials in
small amounts, such as precious metals and selected critical raw materials should be
covered. The goal is for the model to achieve a fair level of fidelity.
15.4 Multi-level Model Approach
At this point, the description of the sequential order of the modeling follows. In principle, the inventory model emulates the hardware and architecture of real networks.
However, it simplifies its complexity and breaks it down to main functionalities and
basic components. There are network technology and specific technical data needed
for creating such a model. In addition, assumptions and data about the deployment
scenario are required. The scenario assumptions define the goal and scope of the
model. A schematic representation of the multi-level model is shown in Fig. 15.3.
15.4.1 Conditions—Application Scenario
The application scenario, or business case, dictates the location, time, and technology
reference of the model. The spatial reference (area coverage) can be, for example, the
229
• Reference area (defined by geographic boundaries, user density based on
demographic data, and other topographic classification such as urban or rural)
• Reference technology (including the technology generation, available radio
frequency spectrum, age of equipment, etc.)
• Network topology (including principle network architecture based on existing
standards, the functional network devices [equipment] and their component
configuration)
• Network performance (including peak or average throughput based on specific
utilization profiles, user types, etc.)
• Energy consumption (including manufacturing and use phase, load-/operation
mode specific power consumption of individual functionality/equipment)
• Material consumption (allocated to functional components, the material requirement is reported proportionally to the reference year taking into account the total
useful life).
It is important to notice that the model is intended and designed as an analytic
tool. It should enable the user to calculate scenarios for different technologies and
by that help to understand which functionality and technical design choices cause
significant energy and material consumption. The focus of the model development
is on the goal to calculate real proportions of the energy and material consumption
in relation to the individual system elements. It is not so much the goal to determine
the consumption absolute exactly. Since the overall effort to cut-off criteria cannot
be stated as of now, but the aim is to consider at least 80 or 90% of the energy
consumption and material weight. In addition, environmentally relevant materials in
small amounts, such as precious metals and selected critical raw materials should be
covered. The goal is for the model to achieve a fair level of fidelity.
15.4 Multi-level Model Approach
At this point, the description of the sequential order of the modeling follows. In principle, the inventory model emulates the hardware and architecture of real networks.
However, it simplifies its complexity and breaks it down to main functionalities and
basic components. There are network technology and specific technical data needed
for creating such a model. In addition, assumptions and data about the deployment
scenario are required. The scenario assumptions define the goal and scope of the
model. A schematic representation of the multi-level model is shown in Fig. 15.3.
15.4.1 Conditions—Application Scenario
The application scenario, or business case, dictates the location, time, and technology
reference of the model. The spatial reference (area coverage) can be, for example, the