Data Interface Power Control via Selective Component State Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data interfaces consume power even during periods of inactivity and lack efficient mechanisms for dynamic power control, leading to suboptimal power consumption and increased transition times when resuming data transfer.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a selective power-down mechanism for data interface components based on criteria like data transfer history, current levels, Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, and latency, with controlled transitions back to normal operating states, using a local controller to manage power supply switches and maintain at least one connection in an active state for control information transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If components of a data interface are continuously supplied with power to maintain readiness for data transfer, then the interface can resume operation quickly, but power consumption increases during periods of inactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning data interface components between different power states (fully powered, partially powered, and powered down) based on activity conditions. The local controller dynamically adjusts the power state of transmit and receive circuits, switching between these states to optimize the balance between quick resumption capability and power consumption during inactivity periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring of data activity conditions to determine when to transition between power states. The local controller periodically assesses whether data transfer is occurring or has occurred recently, and based on this periodic evaluation, adjusts the power supply to components accordingly, creating a rhythm of power state changes that balances performance and energy efficiency.
2Use of energy by moving object
If all components of a data interface are powered down during inactivity to reduce power consumption, then power usage decreases, but transition time to resume data transfer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data interface into multiple independent power domains, allowing selective powering down of specific components (transmit circuits, receive circuits) while maintaining others in partially powered states. This segmentation enables the system to power down only the necessary components during inactivity while keeping critical path elements ready, thereby reducing overall power consumption without proportionally increasing transition time.
Solution Approach 2:
Different components of the data interface are assigned different power states based on their specific roles and requirements. The local controller applies local quality by determining which specific transmit or receive circuits should be fully powered down versus which should remain in lighter sleep modes, optimizing the balance between power savings and resumption speed for each component based on local conditions.
3Productivity
If a data interface supports multiple connections to increase data transfer capacity, then throughput increases, but power consumption during inactivity also increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends dynamic power management to multi-connection interfaces by allowing each connection to be independently transitioned between active and powered-down states. The local controller dynamically manages the power state of individual connections based on data activity on each connection, enabling the interface to maintain high data transfer capacity when needed while significantly reducing power consumption by powering down idle connections.
4Use of energy by moving object
If components are selectively powered down based on multiple criteria (data transfer history, QoS requirements, latency), then power optimization improves, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The local controller implements self-service power management by autonomously monitoring data activity conditions and making decisions about component power states without requiring complex external control logic. The controller services itself by automatically assessing conditions such as data transfer history, QoS requirements, and latency considerations, then independently adjusting power supply to optimize energy usage while maintaining performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the local controller continuously monitors data activity conditions and uses this feedback to adjust power states of components. The feedback loop incorporates multiple criteria (data transfer history, QoS requirements, latency) to inform power management decisions, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes power consumption while adapting to changing conditions without requiring overly complex external control architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus and techniques relating to data interface power consumption control are disclosed. Components of a data transfer module may be selectively moved between their normal operating states and reduced power states at times when the data transfer module is not to be used for transferring data. Decisions as to particular components that are to be moved to their reduced power states may be based on respective timing characteristics of the components and/or respective power consumption characteristics of the components, for example. In some embodiments, an action may be performed to reduce a powering up time of the data transfer module when normal operation of the data transfer module is to resume. In the case of a multiple-connection interface having respective data transfer modules for each connection, the interface may be partially shut down by moving a subset of the data transfer modules into reduced power states.