Per-Lane Power State Control for Multi-Lane Communication Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power management techniques for computer buses, such as PCI power management, are insufficient in reducing power consumption as they do not account for varying traffic load characteristics across individual lanes of a communication port, leading to inefficient power usage, especially when devices use minimal bandwidth or have unidirectional traffic.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic power management techniques that adjust the power state of each lane of a communication port based on traffic load characteristics, allowing for selective throttling of power allocation to lanes in use while placing unused lanes in low power states, compatible with existing ASPM techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power management techniques are applied to computer buses, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to account for varying traffic load characteristics across individual lanes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication port into multiple independent lanes, each with its own power state control. Instead of managing power for the entire bus as a single unit, each lane can be independently controlled based on its specific traffic load characteristics, allowing for granular power management that adapts to varying traffic patterns across different lanes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power state adjustment for each lane based on real-time traffic load monitoring. The system continuously monitors traffic characteristics and dynamically transitions lanes between different power states (L0, L1, L2, L3) to match actual usage patterns, making the power management system adaptive rather than static.
2Productivity
If all lanes are kept active to maintain bandwidth availability, then data transfer capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different power states to different lanes based on their individual traffic characteristics. Instead of uniformly managing all lanes, each lane receives a power state appropriate to its local usage pattern - active lanes remain in higher power states while inactive or low-traffic lanes transition to lower power states, optimizing the balance between bandwidth availability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the power state parameter of individual lanes based on monitored traffic conditions. By adjusting power state parameters (L0-L3) dynamically according to actual traffic load, the system maintains sufficient bandwidth for active communications while reducing power consumption for lanes with minimal or no traffic.
3Productivity
If power is allocated to all lanes, then traffic handling capability is improved, but power efficiency deteriorates when some lanes are unused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts power management control from the aggregate bus level down to the individual lane level. By taking out the ability to independently control each lane's power state, the system can allocate power only to the specific lanes that are currently handling traffic, eliminating wasted power allocation to unused lanes while maintaining full traffic handling capability for active lanes.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments may include systems and methods for communication including a communication port with a first lane and a second lane, a first power controller and a second power controller coupled to the communication port. The first power controller is to control, at a first time instance, the first lane to operate in a first power state selected from a first set of power states for the first lane. The second power controller is to control, at a second time instance, the second lane to operate in a second power state selected from a second set of power states for the second lane, wherein the first power state is different from the second power state. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.