www.wvn.ac.uk/greenict
Test Plan
The following tests will produce a series of files each of which will have data regarding the electricity consumed by each appliance under test (or in the studios case all of the
appliances under test). The sampling frequency will normally be once every ten seconds and the files will have average electricity consumption for the preceding ten seconds, each time stamped. The ways that the data contained in the file is used and analysed will be the subject of a separate document. This document deals with the tests to produce the data.
1. Studio Testing – these tests are intended to build up a general picture of typical studio
electricity consumption, as opposed to more accurate test bench testing which will also be conducted. They will consist of a series of tests lasting two weeks each, monitoring all appliances in the studio in order to find the general level of electricity consumption in a studio environment. These tests should be done in studios that have timetabled usage, with enough granularity to map the electricity consumed to the use of the studio. Users should be asked what their use of equipment was during the conferences that take place during the test period. All of the equipment in each studio tested should be documented and as far as possible the manufacturers‟ published electricity consumption figures should be noted. With the permission of the organisations concerned, these tests should be repeated in the following studios:
WVN Tandberg MXP (“upgrade”) studio
WLVP Polycom VSX 8000 studio (with the permission of the schools concerned) Polycom iPower 970 (“original”) studio
If possible the same studios should be tested for two weeks at different locations. Staff should switch equipment on and off as they would normally do, and not behave any differently because the tests are taking place. With local staff permission each user of the studio should be consulted regarding what their activity was, and which equipment they used during their videoconference.
The results should be recorded for each individual appliance in the studio, and studio totals should also be recorded. Results should be available on a per minute, per hour, per day and per week basis. The watts consumed when the studio is in different states should also be recorded, averaged over a number of hours.
For one day WVN staff should book the studio out and spend two hours with all of the kit in stand-by (studio is shutdown); two hours withal of the equipment turned on but not in use; and two hours in a videoconference. One hour with a changing presentation as well as video
How
Green
was my
Videoconference?
movement, one hour with a „talking head‟ scenario, but no presentation. Testers will use standard DVDs produced for the purpose in order to ensure consistency between tests.
Test Procedure – Studio
Having identified a suitable period for testing (using JVCS studio bookings to provide a variety of states) and also confirmed with the technical managers of the studio concerned:
Place a monitoring unit between every item in the studio and its power source. List the items being monitored in the studio
Give the items appropriate names on the monitoring software.
Check on the monitoring software that real time measurements are being recorded. Record the start date and date and studio type.
Leave the monitoring units and software for the agreed period (one fortnight is suggested)
Generate hourly reports and match these to the studio use (and days of the week) Save the results as a suitably named computer file.
Note the finish time and date
Studio Test Record Sheet
Studio name and location: Tester:
Start Date and Time : Sampling frequency: Finish Date and Time: File name:
Studio Equipment Monitored:
Item Type Make and Model Identifier1
1
Name as on the monitoring software
How
Green
was my
Videoconference?
Laboratory Testing.
A series of tests of different types and makes of equipment from at least two manufacturers. The following items should be tested:
CODECs (one from either end of each company‟s product range plus the most popular item over the last three years):
Tandberg: MXP 6000; C20; C90 PolyCom: HDX 9000;
Lifesize: Room 220; Team 220; Passport;
SCREENS: Samsung Syncmaster (40”) 4000PX; LG 42LH3000 42” TV Monitor; VC Network infrastructure: Tandberg VCS CONTROL and EXPRESSWAY; PolyCom
V2IU; PolyCom BVP; Lifesize Transit
Using pre-prepared Microsoft Powerpoint presentations and suitable pre-prepared DVDs , each laboratory test of the CODECs and monitors would consist of power monitored for an hour in each of the following states:
Item switched off but plugged in Item in standby
Item switched on but not in use Item in use – talking head video
Item in use – talking head video and powerpoint presentation
Item in use – busy movement video and rapidly changing powerpoint presentation For the network equipment power would be monitored for an hour in the following states:
Item switched off but plugged in Item in standby
Item switched on – endpoints registered, no calls
Item switched on up to 5 x 2 MB calls in progress, with movement at each end As above, with H.239 presentations in each call
Pre-prepared presentations which include animations and some video will be prepared for these tests. They will be set in slideshow mode with the screen changing every five seconds. DVD‟s will be prepared of talking heads (to emulate „normal‟ use) and a football match (to emulate unusual high-movement use). These will provide a consistent yard-stick to use on all equipment. An alarm-clock or similar timer will be used throughout the tests.
Test procedure - Laboratory
Calibrate the monitoring equipment as necessary Plug the item into the monitoring equipment.
Check that real time monitoring is in progress by switching the equipment on and noting the real-time display
Note the time (as recorded on the monitoring equipment) Repeat until all testing states have been monitored:
o Put the equipment into the state required (see above)
o Set the timer for one hour
o Note the time on the Record Sheet
When all states have been recorded use the monitoring software to fill in the record sheet.
Lab Test Record Sheet
Equipment tested: Tester:
Date: Sampling Frequency: File name:
State Start time Finish time Kw/h
Notes/comments:
