Network Interface Packet Buffering During Power Mode Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information processing devices face challenges in reducing packet loss during mode transitions from power saving to normal power modes, especially when buffer capacity is exceeded or network conditions are demanding, leading to potential packet loss during return processing.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device with a network interface, main controller, and power controller that selectively buffers packets based on discard patterns, ensuring that necessary packets are stored and processed after transitioning to the normal power mode, even if the buffer is full, by prioritizing packet storage and discarding lower-priority packets if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all received packets are buffered during power mode transition, then packet loss is reduced, but buffer capacity is exceeded and memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating packet handling based on packet type and priority. Critical packets (e.g., IGMP, PIM, multicast) are buffered with high priority, while non-critical packets are discarded or buffered with low priority. This selective buffering approach ensures that essential packets are preserved during power mode transitions without unnecessarily consuming buffer memory for all packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of buffer allocation dynamically based on packet characteristics. Instead of uniform buffering, the system adjusts buffering behavior according to packet priority, type, and current buffer status. This parameter change enables efficient memory utilization while maintaining reliability for critical communications.
2Quantity of substance
If buffer capacity is limited, then memory consumption is reduced, but packet loss increases during high packet influx
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different buffering policies to different packet types. Critical packets such as IGMP, PIM, and multicast packets receive priority buffering even when buffer memory is limited, while non-critical packets are discarded. This ensures that essential network functions remain reliable under memory constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes buffering parameters based on packet priority and current buffer status. When buffer memory is sufficient, more packets are buffered. When buffer memory is limited, the system adjusts by discarding low-priority packets while preserving high-priority packets, thus maintaining reliability within memory constraints.
3Productivity
If power is supplied to main controller during power saving mode, then packet processing capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into two independent parts: the communication unit (network interface) that remains powered during power saving mode to receive and buffer packets, and the main controller that is powered down. This segmentation allows the device to maintain basic communication functionality with minimal power consumption while preserving the ability to process packets after waking up.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication unit performs preliminary actions by receiving and buffering packets during power saving mode before the main controller wakes up. This preliminary buffering ensures that when power is restored, the main controller can immediately process accumulated packets without loss, maintaining productivity while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing device comprises a network interface including a buffer; a main controller; and a power controller that controls power using a first power mode in which power supplied to the main controller is limited and a second power mode in which a greater amount of power is supplied to the main controller. The network interface, if receiving a packet triggering a transition to the second power mode in the first power mode, stores the packet to the buffer memory and executes control such that, among packets received during a period until when the device starts operating in the second power mode, packets satisfying a discard condition are not stored and packets not satisfying a discard condition are stored. If the device is operating in the second power mode, even packets satisfying a discard condition are stored.