Network Interface Power Management via Dual Regulator Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network interface apparatuses consume excessive power when in disconnection status due to the inability to significantly reduce or turn off the system power regulator, leading to unsatisfactory power savings.
Innovation Solution
A network interface apparatus employing a power management module to detect connection status and generate a power control signal, utilizing two regulators: one for the physical and medium access control layers, and another for the power management module, allowing for a significant reduction or complete shutdown of power supply to the physical and medium access control layers during disconnection, while maintaining power to the power management module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the system power regulator is used to supply power to the network interface apparatus, then the power supply is simple and integrated, but the power consumption cannot be reduced sufficiently when the apparatus is in disconnection status
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into two independent regulators: a system power regulator for the power management module and an uninterrupted power regulator for the physical and MAC layers. This segmentation allows independent power control of different functional blocks, enabling the physical layer to be completely powered down during disconnection while the power management module remains operational for link detection and status monitoring.
2Loss of energy
If the system power regulator reduces voltage to save power, then some power saving is achieved, but the power consumption is still not satisfactory because the regulator cannot be turned off completely
Solution Approach 1:
The physical layer and MAC layer power supply is extracted from the system power regulator and assigned to a dedicated uninterrupted power regulator. This extraction enables the system power regulator to completely turn off power to the physical layer during disconnection status, achieving maximum power savings while the power management module maintains independent power supply for reliable link detection and status reporting.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply to physical layer is reduced or turned off, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to detect network connection and transmit link pulse may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The power management module acts as an intermediary between the powered-down physical layer and the system. It maintains independent power supply through the system power regulator, continuously detects link status, and transmits link pulse signals to maintain network connection awareness, enabling the physical layer to be completely powered down without compromising network detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a network interface apparatus comprising two power regulators, one of which is a system power regulator for supplying a first supply voltage to a physical layer and a medium access control layer in the network interface apparatus, and the other one is an uninterrupted power regulator for supplying a second supply voltage to a power management module. When the network interface apparatus operates in a disconnection status, the system power regulator is disabled so as not to supply the first supply voltage, and the uninterrupted power regulator still provides the second supply voltage to the power management module.