Physical Layer Device Sleep Mode for Multidrop Ethernet

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current network technologies, such as 10SPE, lack support for power-saving modes, which can lead to increased power consumption in applications like automotive and industrial networks where devices may not always be necessary, posing challenges in managing power usage effectively.

Innovation Solution

A physical layer device for multidrop Ethernet networks is designed to automatically and selectively enter and exit a sleep mode, utilizing a power management logic that controls power supply to different domains, allowing for efficient power conservation by disabling unnecessary devices while maintaining network functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices remain active continuously to maintain network functionality, then network responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork responsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The PHY device dynamically transitions between wake and sleep modes based on network activity detection. The device monitors the shared bus for traffic and automatically adjusts its operational state, being active when traffic is detected and entering sleep mode when the bus is idle, thus adapting power consumption to actual network needs while maintaining responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs periodic monitoring of the shared bus for network traffic. It wakes up to check for traffic, remains active when traffic is present, and enters sleep mode periodically when no traffic is detected. This periodic action pattern allows the device to balance between power saving and network responsiveness by checking for traffic at regular intervals rather than remaining continuously active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If power management logic is added to control sleep modes, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PHY device's power management logic operates autonomously to control sleep modes. The device monitors its own power consumption needs and network activity, then automatically transitions between wake and sleep states without requiring external control. This self-service approach reduces power consumption while minimizing the complexity of external power management systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The power management logic is integrated directly into the PHY device structure, merging the power control functions with the existing physical layer operations. By combining these functions within a single device rather than adding separate external power management components, the overall system complexity is minimized while still achieving effective power control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11775045B2Managing power at a station via a physical layer device and related systems, methods and devices

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Described is an architecture for a physical layer device useable with single pair Ethernet in a multidrop bus topology that may operate in a sleep mode and control other devices in network segment to operate in a sleep mode. Some embodiments of the physical layer device may support partial networking in a multidrop network, and mixed networks including the same.