Ethernet Signaling Subset Technique for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of devices connected to Ethernet networks increases, conventional methods for achieving higher data rates result in significant increases in power consumption, particularly affecting battery life in portable devices, necessitating a need for energy-efficient signaling solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for energy-efficient signaling in 100 Mbps Ethernet using a subset technique, where network devices configured to communicate at 1 Gbps or faster reduce the number of active channels and signal constellation size, enabling communication at 100 Mbps by powering down unnecessary components, such as convolutional encoders and decision feedback equalizers, and utilizing reduced signaling levels like PAM-3 or PAM-2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional methods are used to achieve higher data rates in Ethernet networks, then data rate increases, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signaling components into essential and non-essential parts. By dividing the signal constellation into a subset of required signal levels (e.g., using only PAM-3 or PAM-2 instead of full PAM-5), the system can achieve lower data rates while powering down unnecessary components, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining functional data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the signaling parameters by reducing the signal constellation size and modifying voltage swing levels. By transitioning from high-speed signaling parameters (1 Gbps or faster) to lower-speed parameters (100 Mbps), the system reduces power consumption while maintaining acceptable data transmission performance through parameter optimization
2Use of energy by moving object
If signal constellation size is reduced to achieve lower data rates, then power consumption decreases, but data transmission capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a subset of the full signal constellation capability. Instead of utilizing the complete signal constellation designed for 1 Gbps operation, the system uses only the necessary subset of signal levels required for 100 Mbps operation, thereby consuming less power while maintaining sufficient data transmission capability for the intended application
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of a method and system for energy efficient signaling for 100 mbps Ethernet using a subset are provided. In this regard, a network device enabled to communicate over a network link at 1 Gbps or faster may be configured to communicate over the network link at, or approximately at, 100 Mbps by reducing a number of active channels over which the network device communicates and/or reducing a size of a signal constellation utilized by the network device to encode data. The device may communicate according to 1GBASE-T or 10GBASE-T standards. The number of active channels may be reduced to a single bidirectional channel or two unidirectional channels. The signal constellation may be reduced to two or three levels. One or more components of the network device may be unnecessary for recovering data when communicating at 100 Mbps and may thus be powered down, or placed into a lower power mode.