Network Device Duty Cycling for Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of devices connected to Ethernet networks increases, there is a growing need for higher data rates, which often results in significant increases in power consumption, particularly affecting battery life in portable devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for duty cycling network device components based on aggregate throughput, where data processing is managed by determining limits on ingress and egress data, allowing for power-down or slowdown of components during periods of lower activity, and adjusting data rates to maintain average throughput within tolerance, utilizing Energy Efficient Ethernet techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data processing rate is increased to meet higher data rate requirements, then network throughput is improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network device dynamically adjusts its processing capacity and operational state based on real-time traffic conditions. The device transitions between different power states (active, idle, sleep) and adjusts processing rates according to aggregate throughput requirements, enabling adaptive power management that matches actual network demands
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic duty cycling where the network device alternates between active processing periods and low-power sleep periods. By monitoring aggregate throughput over time intervals and predicting future traffic patterns, the device schedules processing tasks periodically, allowing components to power down during low-activity periods while maintaining service during peak periods
Solution Approach 3:
The network device changes operational parameters such as processing rate, component power state, and time interval duration based on traffic conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the device optimizes the balance between throughput delivery and power consumption, selecting appropriate power states and processing rates to match aggregate throughput requirements
2Duration of action of moving object
If network device components are powered down to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but data processing capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of traffic patterns and aggregate throughput to predict future network demands. By anticipating traffic peaks and valleys, the device proactively schedules processing tasks and power state transitions, ensuring that components are active before high-demand periods and powered down during low-demand periods, thus maintaining processing capacity when needed while extending battery life
Solution Approach 2:
The network device continuously monitors aggregate throughput, queue depths, and power consumption levels, using this feedback to adjust its operational state. The system adapts its duty cycling parameters and power state transitions based on real-time performance metrics, ensuring that data processing capacity is maintained at levels sufficient to handle actual traffic loads while minimizing power consumption
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of a method and system for duty cycling a network device based on aggregate throughput of the device are provided. In this regard, a limit on aggregate ingress and egress data of a network device during a time interval may be determined. Processing of data by the network device may be duty cycled based on the determination. The device may process data at a first rate during a first portion of the time interval and process data at a second rate during a remaining portion of the time interval. In this regard, portions of the device may be slowed or powered down during the first portion of the time interval. Power consumed by the device during the first portion of the time interval may be less than power consumed by the device during the remaining portion of the time interval.