Ring Node Device Relay Processing Without Logical Layer Reset

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ring transmission systems face processing overhead and reliability issues due to the need for node devices to maintain a reset state for the logical layer while the physical layer performs relay processing, leading to increased initialization processing and disrupted data continuity.

Innovation Solution

A node device and integrated circuit design that switches between normal and loopback modes in a ring transmission system, using a link controller and PHY to maintain symbol lock through idle frame transmission and loopback operations, allowing relay processing without resetting the logical layer and ensuring data continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the logical layer (link controller) maintains a reset state while the physical layer performs relay processing, then power consumption is reduced, but processing overhead increases due to initialization processing when the logical layer resumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operational states for the link controller, transitioning between active processing mode and power-saving standby mode based on traffic conditions. The controller can quickly switch between states without full initialization, reducing both power consumption and recovery time compared to maintaining a permanent reset state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining the logical layer in a suspended but not fully reset state during relay processing. This allows the controller to preserve its operational context and quickly resume processing when needed, avoiding the time-consuming initialization that would occur from a complete reset state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If the logical layer maintains a reset state during relay processing, then power consumption is reduced, but data transfer reliability decreases due to symbol lock disruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transfer reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operational states for the link controller, transitioning between active processing mode and power-saving standby mode based on traffic conditions. The controller can quickly switch between states without full initialization, reducing both power consumption and recovery time compared to maintaining a permanent reset state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuity of useful action by preserving the logical layer's operational state during relay processing rather than resetting it. This ensures that symbol lock and data continuity are maintained, allowing the controller to seamlessly resume processing without disruption to data transfer reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If initialization processing is performed when the logical layer resumes from reset state, then the system can continue operation, but processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operabilityVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operational states for the link controller, transitioning between active processing mode and power-saving standby mode based on traffic conditions. The controller can quickly switch between states without full initialization, reducing both power consumption and recovery time compared to maintaining a permanent reset state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining the logical layer in a suspended but not fully reset state during relay processing. This allows the controller to preserve its operational context and quickly resume processing when needed, avoiding the time-consuming initialization that would occur from a complete reset state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2579513B1Node device, integrated circuit and control method in ring transmission system

Publication Date: 2017.03.15 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

A node device in a ring transmission system in which a plurality of node devices are connected as a ring via serial links has a PHY transitioning between a normal mode and a loopback mode with timing that maintains symbol lock between an idle frame transmitted to a later serial link in the normal mode according a transmission instruction, and an idle frame from an earlier node device looped back for output to a later serial link during the loopback mode, thus performing relay processing on non-locally addressed data packets during the loopback mode.