Network Adapter Buffering for Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face inefficiencies in power management, particularly in mobile platforms, where maintaining network devices in a fully powered state consumes unnecessary energy, especially during sporadic data access, and existing power-saving methods may not effectively enable long-term communication idleness without impacting data reception.
Innovation Solution
A network adapter and method that buffer received packets for a duration before transferring them, allowing the platform to enter a low power state during idleness periods, with a buffer control unit managing operations to send packets in bursts when active traffic is detected, thereby enabling long-term communication idleness without interrupting quiet periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the device operates in a reduced power state to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the device cannot receive data requests or data from other networked devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by buffering incoming data packets before the device transitions to a reduced power state. The buffer control unit stores packets in a buffer memory, allowing the device to enter sleep mode while data is held ready for subsequent retrieval and processing, thus maintaining data reception capability without requiring continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
A buffer control unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the network interface and the processing unit. This mediator receives and stores data packets when the device is active, then transfers them to the processing unit when it wakes from a reduced power state, enabling the device to save energy while ensuring no data is lost during idle periods
2Speed
If packets are transferred immediately to the computing sub-system, then data processing is prompt, but the device cannot enter reduced power states during idle periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by operating in alternating active and reduced power states. During active periods, the device receives and buffers data at full speed. When the buffer indicates no immediate data needs processing, the device transitions to a reduced power state, creating a periodic cycle of high-speed operation followed by energy-saving idle periods, thus balancing speed and power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on data arrival patterns and buffer status. The buffer control unit monitors incoming data and device activity, dynamically transitioning between full-power operation (when data is being actively processed or received) and reduced power states (when the buffer is stable and no immediate transmission is needed), optimizing the balance between data transfer speed and energy consumption
3Reliability
If the device maintains full power state for sporadic data access, then data reception is always available, but unnecessary energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer control unit performs preliminary actions by pre-buffering data packets before the device needs to process them. This allows the device to enter reduced power states between data arrivals, knowing that incoming packets will be captured and held in the buffer, ensuring data reception availability without maintaining continuous full-power operation
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer control unit provides self-service functionality by autonomously managing the buffer memory, monitoring data arrival patterns, and controlling transitions between power states. It automatically transfers packets from the buffer to the processing unit when data is available, enabling the device to independently optimize power consumption while maintaining reliable data reception without constant host processor intervention
Data Source
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AI summary
A network adapter comprises a controller to change to a first mode from a second mode based on a number of transmit packets, sizes of received packets, and intervals between arrivals of the received packets. In one embodiment, the network controller further comprises a memory to buffer received packets, where the received packets are buffered for a longer period in the first mode than in the second mode.