Communications Port Low Power State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed serial communication links consume high idle power, making them unsuitable for power-sensitive platforms like handheld and tablet computers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing low power states such as L1, L1.low1, and L1.low2 for communications ports, which involve disabling or power-gating transceiver circuitry, squelch controller circuitry, and analog front end circuitry, allowing for significant power savings without software intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high speed serial communication links are used to provide fast data access, then communication speed is improved, but idle power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by introducing multiple power states (L0 active state, L1 idle state, and L1.sub.1.sub.low low power state) that allow the communications port to adapt its power consumption based on activity level. The port can transition between these states dynamically, enabling fast data access when needed while consuming minimal power during idle periods, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the communications port by defining distinct power states with different power consumption characteristics. The L1.sub.1.sub.low state specifically uses less power than the traditional L1 state while maintaining communication functionality, achieved by selectively powering down certain circuit blocks while keeping others operational, thus addressing the power consumption issue without sacrificing communication capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple low power states are implemented for the communications port, then power savings are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communications port into distinct functional blocks that can be independently powered down or kept operational. By dividing the port into separable components, the system can selectively activate only the necessary blocks for each power state, simplifying the management of multiple power states while achieving significant power savings. This segmentation approach avoids the need for complex global control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques for determining when a communications port is in a first low power state, determining that a coupled device entered a low power state and enabling a second low power state based on the determination that the device has entered the low power state, the second low power state to use less power than the first low power state.