Network Concentrator Port Grouping for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching hubs consume unnecessary power when a port is in a link-up state but not used for communication, leading to inefficient power usage due to complex configuration and processing requirements.
Innovation Solution
A network concentrator with a detection and setting mechanism that groups ports and sets unused link-up ports to disablement based on link status, reducing power consumption through a simple configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If clock control circuit operation is stopped to save power during no communication period, then power consumption is reduced, but device configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the port management function into two independent groups (first group and second group). By dividing the port control into separate manageable units, the system can independently control clock signals for each group without requiring complex per-port clock control, thus reducing overall configuration complexity while achieving power savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary grouping of ports into first and second groups before communication occurs. This pre-configuration allows the system to efficiently manage clock control at the group level rather than individual port level, simplifying the control mechanism while enabling power saving during non-communication periods.
2Reliability
If ports remain in link-up state during no communication, then communication readiness is maintained, but wasted power is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link status management by detecting communication status and automatically transitioning ports between link-up and link-down states. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain communication readiness when needed while reducing power consumption during non-communication periods, eliminating the need for manual port configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously detecting the communication status of ports and using this information to control the link state. This feedback loop ensures that ports remain in link-up state only when communication is actually occurring, thereby preventing wasted power consumption while maintaining necessary communication readiness.
3Loss of energy
If port link status is manually controlled, then power saving is achieved, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service port management where the system automatically detects communication status and controls port link states without requiring manual intervention. The port control section autonomously determines when to transition ports between link-up and link-down states based on detected communication activity, thereby achieving power savings while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of controlling a network concentrator 100 which controls a link status between, of a plurality of ports 102, 104, 106, 108, at least one port 102, 104, 106 that belongs to a first group 10 and at least one port 108 that belongs to a second group 12 corresponding to the first group 10. The method comprises the steps of: detecting that each of the ports that respectively belong to the first group 10 and the second group 12 is link-up or link-down; and as a result of the detection step, if at least one port in one group of the first group 10 and the second group 12 is link-up and all the ports in the other group are link-down, setting the link-up port in the one group to disablement.