Ethernet Adapter Offloading AVB Processing to Reduce Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multimedia data streaming technologies, such as AVB standards over Ethernet, require high-power processors to maintain stable links, leading to increased power consumption and compatibility issues due to the need for software support of the AVB protocol stack, preventing devices from entering sleep mode and causing inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An Ethernet adapter module with an Ethernet medium access controller (MAC) and physical layer device (PHY) that offloads AVB processing functions, including AVDECC, timestamping, and Quality of Service management, allowing for efficient multimedia data transfer and reducing the reliance on host CPU processing, thereby enabling low-power operation and minimizing OS compatibility issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-power processors are used to process multimedia data in AVB systems, then processing capability and link stability are improved, but power consumption increases and devices cannot enter sleep mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultimedia data processing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts AVB processing functions (AVDECC, timestamping, QoS management) from the host CPU and relocates them to dedicated hardware components within the Ethernet adapter module. This extraction allows the host CPU to enter low-power states while the Ethernet adapter independently handles AVB protocols, resolving the contradiction between processing capability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The Ethernet adapter module acts as an intermediary between the host system and the AVB network, absorbing the processing burden of AVB protocols. This intermediary approach enables the host CPU to remain idle or enter sleep mode while the Ethernet adapter maintains stable AVB connections and processing, thus reducing power consumption without sacrificing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If full AVB protocol stack support is implemented in the operating system software, then AVB functionality is achieved, but compatibility problems arise and essential services may be lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAVB protocol supportVSAvoidAVB service compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the AVB protocol stack implementation from the operating system software layer and relocates it to hardware-based state machines within the Ethernet adapter. This extraction eliminates software compatibility issues and ensures reliable AVB service delivery through dedicated hardware enforcement of AVB protocols, while still providing full AVB functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the software-based AVB protocol implementation (mechanical system in terms of software layers) with hardware-based state machines and dedicated processing logic. This substitution provides more reliable and consistent AVB protocol handling, eliminating the compatibility problems inherent in software implementations while maintaining full AVB adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If AVB processing functions are handled by the host CPU, then processing flexibility is maintained, but the device cannot enter sleep mode resulting in increased power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing flexibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the system into two independent processing domains: the host CPU handles high-level application logic while the Ethernet adapter's dedicated state machines handle AVB protocol processing. This segmentation allows the host CPU to enter sleep mode while the Ethernet adapter independently maintains AVB connections, achieving both power efficiency and processing flexibility through distributed functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10020959B1Ethernet controller with integrated AVB control point and time slave

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

An Ethernet adapter module for interfacing a network endpoint device to an Ethernet network is disclosed. The Ethernet adapter module includes an Ethernet medium access controller (MAC) and an Ethernet physical layer device (PHY). The Ethernet MAC includes a processor and audio video bridging (AVB) state machines that cooperate with the processor to (1) identify an AVB request from the network endpoint device, and (2) discover a network topology along which to transfer data between the network endpoint device and a second network endpoint device in accordance with a predetermined Quality of Service (QoS). The Ethernet PHY is coupled to the Ethernet MAC and includes timestamp logic to apply a timing reference to the data being transferred.