Frame Transfer Switch Control for Load-Based Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for reducing power consumption in communication devices are insufficient as processing circuits continue to consume power even when idle, despite being optimized for data processing.

Innovation Solution

A frame transfer device with power saving and high performance switches, controlled by a unit that activates one switch and deactivates the other based on network load, allocating frames accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a high performance switch is always activated to ensure high processing speed, then processing performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between power saving switch and high performance switch based on real-time network load conditions. The control unit monitors network load and activates the appropriate switch accordingly, making the system adaptable to changing conditions rather than fixed in one state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational state parameter of the switch by switching between two different switch types with different performance-power characteristics. This parameter change allows optimization of the system based on current network conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If a power saving switch is always activated to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but processing performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts which switch is active based on network load conditions. When network load is low, the power saving switch is used to minimize power consumption. When network load increases, the system switches to the high performance switch to maintain processing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter by selecting different switch types based on conditions, allowing the system to optimize between power consumption and processing performance according to actual network requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple processing circuits are installed to handle different data amounts, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to data amountVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the switch function into two separate components: a power saving switch and a high performance switch. Each component is optimized for specific conditions, and the control unit manages which one is active, dividing the complexity of handling different data amounts across separate specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260039550A1Frame transfer device, control method, and computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A frame transfer device (10) includes switches (20) that are a power saving switch (21) and a high performance switch (22), which consumes more power and is capable of higher performance than the power saving switch (21). A control unit (14) activates one of the switches (20) of the power saving switch (21) and the high performance switch (22) and deactivates the other one of the switches (20) depending on a network load. An allocation unit (12) allocates a received frame to the one of the switches (20) activated by the control unit (14).