Ethernet Controller Sleep Mode via Connection Detection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous designs for radio frequency distribution systems fail to efficiently reduce power consumption in Ethernet controllers, as they either cannot place the microcontroller in sleep mode most of the time or require a separate processor, leading to increased power consumption and limited functionality during operation.
Innovation Solution
A configuration circuit that includes a microcontroller, an Ethernet controller, and a connection detection circuit, where the microcontroller instructs the Ethernet controller to enter a low-power sleep mode when communication traffic is not detected and wakes it up when traffic is detected, using a connection detection circuit to monitor signal lines for communication activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the Ethernet controller is kept active to handle configuration traffic, then communication functionality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection detection circuit continuously monitors the signal lines for communication traffic before the Ethernet controller needs to respond. By detecting traffic patterns in advance, the system can proactively wake the Ethernet controller from sleep mode only when necessary, preventing power consumption while ensuring communication readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
A connection detection circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the signal lines and the Ethernet controller. This mediator monitors traffic and triggers wake-up events, allowing the Ethernet controller to remain in low-power state while still maintaining communication functionality through the intermediary's monitoring and triggering actions.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a separate processor is used to monitor communication traffic, then traffic detection capability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The traffic detection function is extracted from the main Ethernet controller and implemented as a separate, dedicated connection detection circuit. This extraction allows the main controller to remain simple and power-efficient while the specialized circuit handles monitoring tasks, reducing overall device complexity compared to using a full separate processor.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using an expensive, complex separate processor for traffic monitoring, the patent employs a simpler, lower-cost connection detection circuit that performs the specific function of detecting traffic patterns and triggering wake-up events. This specialized circuit is designed for its specific purpose and can be implemented with fewer resources.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the microcontroller is placed in sleep mode to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but the ability to handle configuration requests is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection detection circuit performs preliminary monitoring of communication traffic before the microcontroller or Ethernet controller needs to respond. This advance detection allows the system to wake the controllers from sleep mode only when actual configuration requests are present, maintaining configuration handling capability while maximizing power efficiency during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection detection circuit provides feedback to the microcontroller about detected traffic patterns. This feedback mechanism allows the microcontroller to remain in sleep mode during normal operation and only wake up when the detection circuit signals the presence of configuration traffic, thus maintaining adaptability while improving power efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a configuration circuit includes a connector and a controller communicatively coupled to the connector via one or more signal lines. The configuration circuit further includes a microcontroller communicatively coupled to the controller via an interface. The configuration circuit further includes a connection detection circuit communicatively coupled to the microcontroller and the one or more signal lines. The connection detection circuit is configured to determine whether communication traffic between the connector and the controller on the one or more signal lines is detected, and output an interrupt signal to the microcontroller in response to detecting communication traffic between the connector and the controller on the one or more signal lines. The microcontroller is configured to instruct the controller to wake from a low-power sleep mode in response to receiving the interrupt signal from the connection detection circuit.