Dynamic Communication Link Scaling for Power Savings

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Solution Overview

Problem

In data center environments, multilane communication links consume significant power due to serializer/deserializers even when not fully utilized, leading to inefficient power usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dynamic communication link scaling method that powers down inactive lanes during low traffic periods and powers up additional lanes as needed, using a link-level protocol with markers to ensure synchronization and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If all communication lanes remain active to maintain peak performance, then communication speed is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic lane scaling where the number of active communication lanes is adjusted based on traffic demand. The system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one where lanes can be activated or deactivated as needed, resolving the contradiction by making the system adaptable to varying performance requirements rather than always maintaining peak speed capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of lane activation state from fixed to variable. By monitoring traffic conditions and adjusting the number of active lanes accordingly, the system can operate at different performance levels, selecting the appropriate balance between speed and power consumption based on actual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If communication lanes are powered down to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but communication reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where traffic conditions are continuously monitored and used to determine lane activation states. This closed-loop control ensures that lanes are only powered down when traffic conditions permit, maintaining reliability by preventing lane deactivation during high-demand periods while still achieving power savings during low-utilization periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of traffic conditions before deactivating lanes, ensuring that power-down decisions are made only when it is safe to do so. This proactive approach prevents reliability issues by checking conditions in advance rather than reacting after problems occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9270599B1Dynamic communication link scaling

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Traffic between a first device and a second device across a plurality of communication lanes of a communication link is stalled. A first device side of the communication lane is powered-down on at least one of the plurality of communication lanes to deactivate the at least one communication lane. A power-down request is sent from the first device to the second device to power-down a second device-side of the at least one communication lane. Traffic between the first device and the second device is restarted over the active communication lanes.