Network Device Power Management via Link State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network devices consume excessive power even when not actively connected to a network, as they maintain continuous power supply to PHY and MAC layer process units, leading to inefficient power management.
Innovation Solution
A network device with a determination unit to assess link states and a control unit that stops continuous power supply to PHY and MAC layer process units when disconnected, and reinstates it when connection is re-established, allowing for temporary power pulses to confirm link states without constant power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous power supply is maintained to PHY and MAC layer process units, then network connectivity and communication readiness are ensured, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by transitioning the PHY and MAC layer process units between active and sleep states based on link state detection. The system dynamically adjusts power supply according to whether the network connection is established or not, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power supply parameter from continuous to intermittent based on link state. When link down is detected, the power supply parameter is changed to stop continuous power delivery, and when link up is detected, power supply is restored. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting power consumption to actual network needs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If power supply is stopped when link is down, then power consumption is reduced, but link state detection capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining minimal power supply or power supply to detection circuits even when in sleep state, enabling the system to detect link state changes and respond appropriately. This preliminary power maintenance ensures that link state detection capability is preserved without requiring full continuous power supply.
3Speed
If power supply is restored immediately upon link up detection, then connection speed is improved, but power consumption increases during transition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through timers that periodically check link state even during sleep mode. This periodic detection allows the system to respond quickly when link is restored without requiring continuous power supply, balancing connection speed with power consumption by using intermittent rather than continuous monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network device (10) may be provided with a PHY layer process unit (40) configured to execute a process of a PHY layer, a determination unit (36, 38) configured to determine that a link state is a link up state or a link down state by utilizing information given from the PHY layer process unit (40), and a first control unit (36, 38) configured to control an electrical power supply for the PHY layer process unit (40). The first control unit (36, 38) may be configured to stop a continuous electrical power supply for the PHY layer process unit (40) if the determination unit (36, 38) determines that the link state is the link down state during a first period in which the continuous electrical power supply for the PHY layer process unit (40) is being performed, perform a temporary electrical power supply for the PHY layer process unit (40) during a second period after the continuous electrical power supply for the PHY layer process unit (40) is stopped, and commence the continuous electrical power supply for the PHY layer process unit (40) if the temporary electrical power supply for the PHY layer process unit (40) is performed during the second period and the determination unit (36, 38) determines that the link state is the link up state.