Communication Circuit Low-Power State Transition via Symbol Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Ethernet communication solutions consume excessive energy and generate significant heat, leading to increased costs and potential system performance and reliability issues, especially in backplane applications where multiple devices are closely housed.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that transition communication circuits to a low-power state by encoding a symbol in data and transmitting it between devices, allowing components to be deactivated, thereby reducing energy consumption and heat generation, using programmable logic devices like FPGAs to manage this transition efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional Ethernet communication circuitry remains active to enable data transmission, then communication functionality is maintained, but energy consumption increases and heat is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The communication circuit transitions dynamically between active and low-power states based on communication needs. The circuit can be activated upon detecting a wake-up packet and deactivated during idle periods, allowing energy consumption to vary according to actual operational requirements rather than remaining constantly active.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit employs periodic activation where communication functionality is restored at specific intervals or upon receiving trigger signals. The wake-up mechanism uses periodic monitoring of the communication medium to detect incoming packets, allowing the main communication circuitry to remain dormant between periods while still enabling communication when needed.
2Speed
If communication circuitry is kept active to ensure immediate data transmission, then communication responsiveness is maintained, but heat generation increases affecting system performance
Solution Approach 1:
A wake-up detection circuit is kept active in a low-power state to preliminarily detect incoming communication packets before the main communication circuitry needs to activate. This preliminary monitoring allows the system to prepare for upcoming communication tasks without keeping the full communication circuitry active, reducing heat generation while maintaining responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A wake-up packet or trigger signal acts as an intermediary between the dormant communication circuit and the data transmission process. The intermediary signal activates the communication circuit only when necessary, allowing the system to respond to communication requests without maintaining continuous active state, thereby reducing heat generation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet link remains active for data transmission, then communication capability is maintained, but energy costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple functional blocks with different power states. The wake-up detection function is separated from the main communication processing function, allowing the detection circuit to operate in a low-power state while the main communication circuitry remains active only when needed. This segmentation enables selective activation of circuit components based on communication requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for transitioning a communication circuit to a low-power state are disclosed. Where a first device and a second device communicate over a communication link, the first device may initiate a transition from an active state to a low-power state to conserve energy. A symbol may be encoded by the first device in data and transmitted to the second device. The first device may deactivate one or more components when entering the low-power state. Additionally, responsive to receiving and decoding the symbol, the second device may deactivate one or more components when entering the low-power state. In this manner, energy consumption of one or more components can be reduced and a low-power state may be entered to conserve energy.