Multipath Transceiver Power Management for Differential Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Differential serial communication links in mobile devices face challenges in reducing power consumption during periods of low bandwidth demand, as existing methods require complete power-up and power-down cycles, leading to inefficiencies when low bandwidth demands are frequent.
Innovation Solution
A multipath power management system that includes a primary and secondary transceiver, along with control logic, which selectively powers down the primary transceiver and switches to the secondary transceiver for low-bandwidth communication, utilizing a secondary communication link with lower power consumption and bandwidth, and powers down the secondary link when the primary is active to minimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the differential serial communication link powers up completely and runs at full clock rate before powering down, then the link can handle high bandwidth demands, but power consumption increases during low bandwidth periods
Solution Approach 1:
The communication link is segmented into multiple lanes that can be independently powered down. When bandwidth demand is low, individual lanes are powered down while others remain active, allowing the system to maintain necessary communication capability while reducing overall power consumption. This resolves the contradiction by enabling partial operation rather than complete shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic lane width adjustment where the number of active lanes changes based on real-time bandwidth demands. The system transitions from fixed full-rate operation to variable lane activation, allowing the link to adapt its power consumption profile to match actual traffic requirements, thus reducing power usage during low demand periods while maintaining high capacity when needed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the link powers down completely during low bandwidth demand, then power consumption is reduced, but the link cannot respond quickly when bandwidth demand increases
Solution Approach 1:
Lanes are kept in a partially powered state or pre-configured to quickly activate when needed. Rather than complete shutdown, the system maintains readiness in selected lanes, enabling rapid response to bandwidth demand increases. This preliminary preparation allows the system to transition quickly from low-power to high-capacity mode without full re-initialization.
3Speed
If multiple lanes are kept active to handle high bandwidth demand, then the link can respond quickly to traffic spikes, but power consumption increases during sustained low bandwidth periods
Solution Approach 1:
Different lanes are treated differently based on their specific requirements and traffic patterns. Some lanes may remain active while others are powered down, depending on local traffic conditions and lane-specific characteristics. This localized differentiation allows the system to maintain response capability in critical lanes while saving power in less-utilized lanes.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit includes a primary transceiver, a secondary transceiver, and control logic. The primary transceiver communicates information via a primary communication link. The secondary transceiver communicates information via a secondary communication link. The control logic is operatively coupled to the primary and secondary transceivers. The control logic selectively powers down the primary transceiver based on primary communication link traffic trigger information and causes communication using the secondary transceiver instead of the primary transceiver based on the primary communication link traffic trigger information.