Network Interface Receiver Circuitry Low Power Mode Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) standard, as defined by IEEE Std 802.3ch™-2020, experiences issues with power saving techniques during quiet periods in low power idle (LPI) mode, where signal glitches or transients can cause unpredictable behavior in communication devices.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a network interface device with PHY circuitry and a controller that transitions receiver circuitry to a low power mode during quiet periods, ignores signals received during a transition time period, and operates in the low power mode after the transition time period. Additionally, the device can skip transmitting an alert signal before the wake signal when exiting the low power mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the receiver circuitry operates in normal mode during quiet periods, then signal reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal reliabilityVSAvoidreceiver circuitry power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining receiver circuitry in normal operating mode during transition time periods before entering quiet periods, and maintains alert signal transmission during these transitions, to ensure the system is prepared to reliably detect wake signals while still achieving power savings during the actual quiet periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the receiver circuitry transitions to low power mode during quiet periods, then power consumption is reduced, but signal detection reliability deteriorates due to glitches and transients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceiver circuitry power consumptionVSAvoidsignal detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining receiver circuitry in normal operating mode during transition time periods before entering quiet periods, ensuring the system is prepared to reliably detect wake signals when needed while still achieving power savings during the actual quiet periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism by maintaining alert signal transmission during transition time periods, which acts as a mediator to notify the receiving device to maintain its receiver in normal mode, thereby ensuring reliable signal detection while still enabling power savings during quiet periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If alert signal transmission is maintained during transition to low power mode, then wake signal detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewake signal detection reliabilityVSAvoidtransmitter power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by transmitting alert signals during transition time periods before entering quiet periods, ensuring the receiving device is prepared to detect wake signals reliably while minimizing the duration and frequency of these high-power transmission periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12314110B1Energy efficient ethernet (EEE) operation

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

A network interface device operates in a normal operating mode in which the network interface device continually receives transmission symbols via a communication link. The network interface device determines that the network interface device is to transition to a low power mode, and in response transitions receiver circuitry to the low power mode. During a transition time period corresponding to determining that that the network interface device is to transition to the low power mode, the network interface device ignores signals received via the communication link.