Packet Delay Module for Network Wake Latency

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Host computing devices in low-power states often experience delays in transitioning to operational states when receiving wake-up packets, leading to packet loss and increased connection establishment time due to complex interdependent components, which affects the reliability and efficiency of network-based content and service provision.

Innovation Solution

A system that delays the delivery of incoming packets until the host computing device achieves a fully operational power state, using a packet delay module and power state determination module to ensure packets are released only when components are ready, thereby mimicking a continuous availability and reducing connection errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the host computing device operates in a low-power state to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device cannot respond to network requests in a timely manner

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidresponse time to network requests
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by buffering incoming packets before the host computing device fully wakes up. The network interface controller receives and stores packets in a buffer memory during the wake transition, so that when the device becomes operational, packets are already ready for immediate processing. This eliminates the delay between device wake-up and packet processing, maintaining fast response times while allowing the device to spend more time in low-power states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the host computing device transitions from low-power state upon receiving a wake packet, then network availability is improved, but the initial wake packet is often lost due to component transition delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork availabilityVSAvoidwake packet loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The network interface controller performs preliminary action by capturing and buffering the wake packet immediately upon receipt, before the host computing device completes its transition from low-power state. The buffered packet is then delivered to the host once it becomes operational, ensuring no packet loss occurs during the wake transition period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network interface controller and buffer memory serve as an intermediary between the external network and the host computing device during wake transitions. This intermediary layer holds packets temporarily, decoupling the packet delivery mechanism from the host's power state transitions, thereby preventing packet loss while maintaining reliable network connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the host computing device waits for components to reach operational state before processing packets, then processing reliability is improved, but connection establishment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing reliabilityVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-buffering packets during the component transition period. While components are transitioning to operational states, incoming packets are already stored in the buffer, ready for immediate processing once components become available. This eliminates the waiting time between component readiness and packet processing, maintaining high processing reliability while reducing connection establishment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2832051B1Method, device, and system for delaying packets during a network-triggered wake of a computing device
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 INTEL CORP
  • EP2832051B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2832051B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2832051B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, device, and system for delaying delivery of incoming packets during a network-triggered wake of a host computing device includes receiving one or more packets from a remote computing device over a network. The host computing device holds or buffers incoming packets to delay delivery while one or more components transition from a low-power power-managed state to an operational power-managed state. The host computing device may hold and release the packets after passage of a reference time. Additionally, the host computing device may hold and release, buffer and inject, or buffer and replay the packets upon receiving notification that one or more components has transitioned from a low-power state to an operational state. The delayed packets may be acknowledged to the remote computing device to reduce or minimize the overall time needed to establish a connection.