MoCA Buffer State Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-home networks consume excessive power, necessitating a solution for low-power operation without compromising network performance.
Innovation Solution
A buffer state-based system for a MoCA network that controls power-saving states in network devices by buffering data and adjusting operational parameters, such as clock speeds and modulation, to minimize power consumption while ensuring data integrity and network coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network devices operate continuously to maintain network performance, then network reliability and data transmission are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by allowing network devices to transition between active and low-power states based on real-time buffer status. The system dynamically adjusts device operational states according to traffic conditions, enabling devices to enter low-power mode when buffers are empty and wake when data arrives, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous operation for reliability and power saving.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where network devices report buffer status to coordinating devices, which then adjust power states accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that devices remain awake only when necessary (when buffers have data) and can enter low-power states when idle, maintaining network reliability while reducing overall power consumption through informed state transitions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If devices enter low-power states to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but data transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by having coordinating devices buffer data temporarily and proactively manage wake events before actual transmission occurs. When a device enters low-power state, the coordinator pre-preares data in buffers and sets up wake notifications, so that when the sleeping device awakes, data is already ready for immediate transmission, minimizing latency while maintaining power savings.
3Use of energy by moving object
If buffer thresholds are lowered to reduce wake-ups, then power consumption is reduced, but data loss risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces coordinating devices as intermediaries that manage buffer thresholds and wake events between data sources and sleeping devices. These intermediaries dynamically adjust threshold values based on network conditions, traffic patterns, and device priorities, ensuring that wake-up decisions balance power savings with data integrity by mediating between conflicting requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A first device of a Multimedia Over Coax Alliance (MoCA) network may communicate with a second device of the MoCA network to control power-save operation of the second MoCA device. The first device may control the power-save operation of the second MoCA device based on an amount of data stored in a buffer, wherein the data stored in the buffer is destined for the second device. The buffer may be in a third device which sends the data to the second device, and/or the buffer may be in the first device. The first device may be operable to buffer data destined for the second device while the second device is in a power-saving state.