Data Port Circuitry Power Management via Alert Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed LAN technologies, such as 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, and 10GBASE-T, consume significant power to maintain synchronization and minimize latency, even when no data is being transmitted, leading to excessive power dissipation.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method where data ports detect the lack of data transmission and deactivate electronic circuitry, maintaining synchronization through periodic synchronization test patterns, and reactivate upon detecting data for communication by transmitting an alert signal, thereby reducing power consumption without impacting latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If transceiver link partners maintain full operational power to minimize latency and maintain synchronization, then data transmission responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver dynamically adjusts its operational state based on data transmission conditions. When no data is being transmitted, the transceiver deactivates its electronic circuitry to reduce power consumption. When data transmission is detected via alert signals, the transceiver reactivates its circuitry to maintain low latency. This dynamic switching between active and deactivated states resolves the contradiction between maintaining low latency and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver uses periodic alert signals to check for data transmission needs. Instead of continuously operating at full power, the system periodically activates circuitry to detect data availability, then deactivates it when no data is present. This periodic activation approach maintains synchronization and responsiveness while significantly reducing average power consumption during idle periods.
2Use of energy by moving object
If electronic circuitry is deactivated to reduce power dissipation, then power consumption decreases, but synchronization maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Before completely deactivating the electronic circuitry, the transceiver sends and receives alert signals to establish a wake-up protocol. This preliminary action ensures that both link partners are aware of the deactivated state and are prepared to quickly reactivate when data transmission is needed, thereby maintaining synchronization without requiring continuous full-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses bidirectional alert signals as feedback mechanisms to monitor data transmission needs. When one transceiver detects data ready for transmission, it sends an alert signal that triggers the other transceiver to reactivate its circuitry. This feedback loop ensures synchronization is maintained even when circuitry is deactivated during idle periods, resolving the contradiction between power reduction and synchronization stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of controlling activation of electronic circuitry of data ports of a communication system is disclosed. One method includes a first data port detecting a lack of data for transmission to a second data port. At least one of the first data port and a second data port deactivate electronic circuitry of at least one of the first and second data ports upon detection of the lack of data. The first and second data ports maintain synchronization with each other while the electronic circuitry is deactivated by periodically exchanging synchronization test patterns. At least one of the first data port and the second data port transmit an alert to the other of the first and second data port when data for communication is detected. The other of the first data port and the second data port activate electronic circuitry upon receiving the alert. At least one of the first data port and the second data port transmit data.