PHY Layer Power Saving via Distinct Indication Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed network systems face significant power consumption issues due to constant circuit operation, and existing power-saving methods are inefficient when the network is in a link state, as they require maintaining idle patterns and reducing transmission speed, which is not cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A power-saving method for network systems that allows the PHY layer to enter a low power state by using distinct indication signals to notify devices to enter or exit this state, reducing power consumption without additional MAC layer processing, and utilizing a buffer to manage packet storage and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the network system uses traditional power-saving methods by maintaining idle patterns or reducing transmission speed, then power consumption is reduced slightly, but the power-saving effect is not good enough and the system remains in power-on state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the PHY layer by introducing a low power state with distinct indication signals, allowing the system to transition between normal state (full transmission capacity) and low power state (minimal signal maintenance) based on traffic conditions, thereby achieving significant power savings without permanently reducing transmission capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic state transitions in the PHY layer, allowing the network apparatus to switch between normal state and low power state based on real-time traffic conditions. The distinct indication signals enable dynamic communication of state changes between remote apparatuses, making the power-saving mechanism adaptive rather than static
2Reliability
If the network system sends fixed idle patterns to maintain connection in link state, then connection is maintained, but power consumption remains high as circuits stay in power-on state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the signal parameters by introducing a new low power state with distinct indication signals that are different from both data signals and traditional idle patterns. This allows the system to maintain connection reliability through recognizable signal states while reducing power consumption by minimizing circuit activity during idle periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of connection maintenance from the traditional idle pattern mechanism and implements it through a simplified low power state with distinct indication signals. This extraction allows the system to maintain connection reliability without the overhead of continuous idle pattern transmission, thereby reducing power consumption
3Use of energy by moving object
If the PHY layer enters low power state using distinct indication signals, then power consumption is significantly reduced, but the system must quickly return to normal state when traffic resumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining the ability to quickly transition from low power state to normal state through the use of distinct indication signals that can be immediately recognized and acted upon. The PHY layer remains capable of rapid state changes, ensuring that when traffic resumes, the system can wake up quickly without significant time loss
Data Source
AI summary
A power-saving network apparatus includes a MAC and a PHY. The PHY includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter executes the operations of: transmitting a data signal to a remote network apparatus according to output packets of the MAC when the transmitter enters a normal state; transmitting an idle signal to the remote network apparatus when the transmitter enters an idle state; transmitting an indication signal to the remote network apparatus to notify it to enter a low power state, wherein the indication signal is different from the idle signal; entering the idle state or the normal state from the low power state in response to at least one of a predetermined period and a transmitting enable signal.