Dynamic Line Card Functional Unit Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network communication devices consume a significant amount of power due to active line cards, which can be reduced by dynamically activating and deactivating functional units based on data queue sizes and rates to optimize power usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that analyze data communicated by network interfaces, activating functional units when queue sizes exceed thresholds and deactivating them when below thresholds, and adjusting data interconnect components accordingly to manage power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If functional units are deactivated to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but data processing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation and deactivation of functional units based on real-time queue size monitoring. When queue sizes fall below thresholds, functional units are deactivated to save power; when queues exceed thresholds, they are activated to maintain processing capability. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting system state according to actual workload conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (activation state of functional units) based on queue size parameters. By monitoring queue sizes and comparing against predefined thresholds, the system transitions functional units between active and inactive states, optimizing the balance between power consumption and processing capability under different workload conditions.
2Productivity
If functional units are activated to maintain performance, then data processing capability is preserved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of keeping all functional units continuously active, the system applies partial action by activating only the necessary number of units based on current queue sizes. When workload is low, fewer units are active; when workload increases, more units are activated. This ensures adequate processing capability while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically monitors queue sizes and adjusts functional unit activation states accordingly. This periodic assessment allows the system to respond to changing workload conditions, activating units only when needed and deactivating them when queues are清空, thus balancing performance requirements with power efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If data is buffered during low-power states, then power consumption reduces, but data transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by buffering data during low-power states and preparing it for transmission. When functional units are deactivated, incoming data is stored in buffers, and upon reactivation, the buffered data is transmitted without requiring additional processing setup time. This preliminary buffering approach minimizes the impact of power-saving operations on transmission delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor queue sizes and adjust activation decisions. By continuously assessing queue status, the system can make informed decisions about when to activate functional units, ensuring that data transmission delays are minimized while still achieving power savings during low-traffic periods.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes analyzing an amount of data communicated by a set of two or more network interfaces operating on a line card, wherein the data communicated by the set of two or more network interfaces is processed by a set of functional units, and wherein the data communicated by the set of network interfaces is arranged in a set of queues, wherein the set of a functional units include at least a forwarding engine or a data processing engine. The method further includes configuring, based on analyzing the amount of data arranged in the set of queues, a data interconnect coupled to the set of two or more network interfaces and the set of functional units, wherein the data interconnect comprises a plurality of input ports coupled to the set of network interfaces, a plurality of output ports coupled to the set of functional units, and a plurality of connections between the input ports and the output ports, and wherein the data interconnect enables and disables one or more communication lines to forward the data communicated by the two or more network interfaces to functional units that are active on the line card. The data is then communicated by the set of two or more network interfaces to be forwarded to one or more of the set of functional units via the data interconnect.