Active Channel Physical Patterns for Energy Efficient Ethernet Data Rate Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the demand for higher data rates in Ethernet networks increases, conventional methods often result in significant power consumption, which is a concern for portable and handheld devices, necessitating a need for energy-efficient data rate management.
Innovation Solution
A distinct physical pattern is transmitted on active channels during inter-packet gaps to control data rates, allowing for dynamic adjustments based on power consumption, indicating when and how data rate transitions should occur, and which channels to utilize, instead of or in addition to IDLE symbols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If higher data rates are used in Ethernet networks, then data transmission speed is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data rate adjustment by transmitting distinct physical patterns during inter-packet gaps to signal rate transitions. The system dynamically switches between different data rates (e.g., 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps) based on traffic conditions and power availability, allowing portable devices to optimize between speed and power consumption in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical layer parameters by introducing distinct patterns (such as modified IDLE symbols or specific voltage level sequences) that encode data rate transition commands. These parameter changes enable the receiving end to detect and execute rate adjustments without requiring full link renegotiation, thus enabling flexible power management
2Use of energy by moving object
If data rate transitions are implemented dynamically, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control mechanism by separating data rate management into distinct signaling events during inter-packet gaps. Instead of continuous complex negotiation, the system uses discrete, pre-defined physical patterns that simplify the control logic at both transmitting and receiving ends, reducing overall system complexity while enabling dynamic rate adjustment
3Measurement precision
If distinct physical patterns are transmitted during inter-packet gaps, then data rate control precision is improved, but signal transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the periodic inter-packet gap structure in Ethernet traffic to transmit distinct physical patterns. By aligning rate control signaling with these natural periodic intervals, the system achieves precise data rate control without requiring continuous complex signaling, as rate changes are indicated at predetermined moments in the traffic flow
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of a method and system for a distinct physical pattern on an active channel to indicate a data rate transition for energy efficient Ethernet. In this regard, one or more distinct physical patterns may be transmitted on one or more active channels of a network link during an inter-packet gap to control a data rate on the link. The unique physical pattern may be transmitted instead of or in addition to one or more IDLE symbols. The distinct physical pattern may communicate a data rate to be utilized on the link and/or indicate when a data rate transition should occur on the link. The distinct pattern may be transmitted and/or the data rate transition may occur during a specified inter-packet gap or during a specified packet boundary. The distinct physical pattern may comprise one or more control characters and/or an ordered set of voltage levels, symbols, and/or characters.