QoS Control Circuit Power Management via Dynamic Queue Limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packet transfer devices like routers and switches consume excessive power due to always-active QoS control circuits, even during low traffic volumes, leading to unnecessary energy usage without degrading communication quality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power-saving operation mode in QoS control circuits, where the number of active queues is limited, and a flow rate monitor determines whether to activate or deactivate parts of the QoS control circuit based on traffic volume, allowing for dynamic power supply control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the QoS control circuit operates at full capacity with all queues active, then the QoS function is fully maintained, but power consumption increases unnecessarily during low traffic volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the QoS control circuit's operation mode changeable based on traffic conditions. The circuit can switch between a normal operation mode (with all queues active) and a power-saving operation mode (with limited queues), allowing the system to adapt its power consumption to actual traffic needs while maintaining QoS functionality when required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the QoS control circuit by adjusting the number of active queues based on traffic volume. When traffic is low, fewer queues are activated to reduce power consumption; when traffic increases, more queues are activated to maintain QoS performance, thus dynamically adjusting system parameters to resolve the contradiction
2Loss of energy
If the number of active queues is limited to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but QoS control capability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active queues based on real-time traffic volume monitoring. During low traffic periods, limiting active queues reduces power consumption while the system remains capable of providing QoS control when traffic increases, as the circuit can switch back to normal operation mode with all queues active
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of traffic volume by the determination circuit, which periodically evaluates whether to switch between power-saving and normal operation modes. This periodic assessment allows the system to maintain QoS capability by activating full queue support when traffic conditions require it, while saving power during low-traffic periods
Data Source
AI summary
It is intended to reduce a power consumption without degrading a communication quality of a packet transfer device. One or more of a receiver, a switch unit, and a transmitter include a QoS control circuit for applying QoS control to received packets. There is provided a power saving operation mode that enables power saving operation by changing a grain size of the QoS control according to a flow rate of the packets, and controlling whether or not to supply an electric power to the QoS control circuit or a part of the QoS control circuit, according to the flow rate of the packets.