Parallel LPI and SEND-Z Detection in Energy Efficient Ethernet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solutions for detecting the remote LPI request signal (rem_lpi_req) and SEND ZERO transmission mode in Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) face issues with false detection and latency, particularly due to reliance on energy detection methods that are prone to errors from echo and crosstalk.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves parallel detection of rem_lpi_req and SEND_Z mode without relying on energy detection, enabling reliable and low-latency detection of SEND_Z, thereby avoiding false detection of rem_lpi_req and eliminating the need to disable detection after SEND_Z is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If energy detection is used to detect SEND_Z mode, then detection capability is provided, but false detection occurs due to echo and crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (sequence detection of specific bit patterns) between the physical signal and the detection decision. Instead of directly detecting energy, the system detects specific sequences of idle symbols that indicate SEND_Z mode, thereby avoiding false detections from echo and crosstalk while maintaining reliable detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the energy detection mechanism (analog/digital energy measurement) with a sequence detection mechanism (pattern recognition of idle symbols). This substitution eliminates the fundamental problem of energy detection where echo and crosstalk create false positive energy readings, as sequence detection operates on digital symbol patterns rather than analog energy levels
2Measurement precision
If digital energy detection is used to remove echo and crosstalk, then detection accuracy improves, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic echo and crosstalk removal step from the detection process. By using sequence detection of idle symbols instead of energy detection with echo removal, the system eliminates the time-consuming echo removal operation while maintaining detection accuracy, as the idle symbol sequences are inherently immune to echo and crosstalk interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the intermediate step of echo and crosstalk removal that characterizes digital energy detection. The sequence detection method directly identifies SEND_Z mode through idle symbol patterns without needing to first remove interfering signals, thereby rushing through the detection process with minimal latency
3Reliability
If rem_lpi_req detection is disabled during SEND_Z mode, then false detection is avoided, but detection responsiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection of rem_lpi_req and SEND_Z mode into a single unified sequence detection process. By detecting specific sequences of idle symbols, the system simultaneously identifies both the remote LPI request and the SEND_Z mode transition, eliminating the need to disable rem_lpi_req detection during SEND_Z mode while avoiding false detections through proper sequence validation
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention enable robust and quick parallel detection of the remote LPI request signal (rem_lpi_req) and SEND ZERO mode (SEND_Z) defined in the Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) standard. Embodiments do not rely on energy detection for detecting SEND_Z. Therefore, SEND_Z can be detected reliably and with minimal latency. In addition, since SEND_Z and rem_lpi_req are detected in parallel, embodiments are not concerned with the false detection of rem_lpi_req (before SEND_Z is detected) or the need to disable detection of rem_lpi_req (after SEND_Z is detected).