Cable Media - March 2018 20_CABLE MEDIA 2018 | Page 15

In other words, this system could be used
to backup not only the ONU but also the
modems, routers or wireless devices within a
residential network that are subject to power
outages.
A simple business case for a lithium-ion
based UPS as back-up for an ONU turns
on two factors: the high cost of competitive
(though under-performing, lead-acid based)
UPS systems and the elimination of at least
one expensive service call over a six-year
lifespan.
Based upon our internal research, in
Canada alone, customer premise UPS systems
are estimated to be 150,000 pieces per year.
Traditionally, the US market is another
20x that of Canada – although, as we noted
earlier, one current estimate for new FTTH
leading U.S. FTTH provider alone weighs 5.25 and a lithium-ion battery, the LBP-UPS-F ‘homes marketed’ is 4.4m. (That’s more than
pounds. By contrast, the entire lithium-ion system delivers reliable, low-noise power to our estimate of 150,000 x 20, or 3m) The
based UPS system that Lindsay Broadband is any 12-15 V-powered CPE device, provides an global market is typically another 20x that of
launching (see below) weighs 0.95 pounds. eight-hour backup with a 400mA load and, the U.S.
Efficiency. Lithium-ion batteries are despite the added complexity of lithium-ion,
nearly 100 percent efficient in both charge
and discharge, allowing for the same amp
costs less than conventional solutions.
Lithium-ion batteries are already notable
The potential savings are very large. Let’s
take the more conservative estimate of a
North American annual FTTH market at 3m
hours both in and out. Lead-acid batteries’ for being long-lived. The LBP-UPS-F homes. Given the six-year savings of $1.2m
inefficiency leads to a loss of 15 amps while extends that life with an innovative thermal per 8,000 FTTH lines indicated in Table 1,
charging, and rapid discharging drops voltage positioning technology: a microprocessor- a lithium-ion based UPS solution such as
quickly and reduces the batteries’ capacity. controlled thermistor that determines when the LBP-UPS-F could begin generating total
best to deliver the charge. savings for service providers of more than
Discharge. Lithium-ion batteries are
discharged 100 percent vs. less than 80
Consider the common scenario of backup
$450 million. (3m/8,000 x $1.2m = $450m.)
percent for lead-acid. Most lead-acid batteries power units mounted in subscribers’ power are not recommended for more than 50 closets, garages or attics. Temperatures Potential to Transform and Save
percent depth of discharge. there can fluctuate by as much as 100˚C. The LBP-UPS-F is designed to help operators
Instead of charging the battery as though it improve business operations and reduce
batteries cycle 500 times, compared to just is continuously at 25˚C, like other commonly costs. Operators deploying several thousand
200-300 cycles in lead-acid. Cycle life is used UPS chargers, the LBP-UPS-F takes note FTTH subscribers a year using standard UPS
greatly affected by higher levels of discharge of the environmental conditions. In so doing, systems over time will be overspending by
in lead acid vs. being only slightly affected in it avoids the twin perils of flat-line charging: hundreds of thousands of dollars. For anyone
lithium-ion batteries. a reduced battery life, which ultimately thinking of deploying fibre to millions, of
Voltage. Lithium-ion batteries maintain costs cable TV operators more in service and course that becomes a much larger number.
their voltage throughout the entire discharge replacement costs; and overcharged batteries, cycle. This allows for greater and longer- which create heat, lead to battery failure and several industries. If you have been deploying
lasting efficiency of electrical components. in extreme cases can even cause a meltdown FTTH for any number of years, it’s time to
Lead-acid voltage drops consistently of the