Power Source Controller for Physical-Layer Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data processing apparatuses face challenges in reducing electric power consumption during standby states, particularly due to the inability to deactivate the power source of physical-layer circuits, which affects voltage stability and resume signal detection.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus with a power-source controller that manages two power settings, allowing the physical-layer section to transition from an active to a suspend state, reducing power consumption by switching between these settings while maintaining communication state integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the power source of the physical-layer section is deactivated to reduce power consumption, then electric power consumption is reduced, but voltage stability and resume signal detection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two distinct power-source settings: a first setting that maintains full power supply for voltage stability and resume signal detection, and a second setting that reduces power supply to decrease power consumption. The power-source controller enables selective switching between these settings based on operational requirements, allowing the physical-layer section to enter a low-power state while maintaining the capability to detect resume signals and maintain voltage stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply to the physical-layer section is made dynamic rather than static. The power-source controller can switch between the first power-source setting (full power) and the second power-source setting (reduced power) based on the communication state and operational requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize power consumption while maintaining reliability when needed, resolving the contradiction between power reduction and reliability maintenance.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the physical-layer section is transitioned to a suspend state to reduce power consumption, then electric power consumption is reduced, but communication state integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Before transitioning to the second power-source setting (suspend state), the communication controller performs preliminary actions to ensure communication state integrity. The system determines whether communication is currently being performed, and only transitions to the low-power setting when communication is not active. This preliminary check prevents compromise of communication state integrity while enabling power consumption reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the communication controller continuously monitors the communication state and provides feedback to the power-source controller. Based on this feedback about whether communication is active or suspended, the power-source controller adjusts the power-source setting accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that communication state integrity is maintained while optimizing power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing apparatus includes a power-source controller, a data processing device, a physical-layer section, a communication controller, and a state controller. The power-source controller controls a first power-source setting and a second power-source setting. The second power-source setting causes less electric power consumption than the first power-source setting. The communication controller performs the communication with the data processing device through a predetermined communication path and the physical-layer section under the first power-source setting. The communication controller stops the communication with the data processing device through the communication path and the physical-layer section under the second power-source setting. The state controller maintains the second communication state with respect to the data processing device side of the communication path while electric power supply to the physical-layer section is reduced under the second power-source setting.