Ring Topology Communication Device Standby Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems in ring topology struggle to reduce power consumption in unused serial links and connected communication devices, as they maintain active states for relay processing, leading to increased power usage and costs.
Innovation Solution
A communication system where communication devices exchange command and response packets, issue standby packets when links are idle, and relay packets to adjacent devices, allowing devices to switch to standby or loopback modes, thereby reducing power consumption and communication latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If relay stations maintain active state for relay processing, then data transmission reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic state switching for relay stations between active and bypass modes. The relay station operates in active state during data transmission to ensure reliability, then switches to bypass mode (where protocol processing is deactivated) during idle periods to reduce power consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the operational state based on actual transmission needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the relay station from fixed active state to variable states (active/bypass). By introducing a bypass mode where protocol processing is disabled, the system can dynamically adjust power consumption levels while maintaining transmission reliability when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy usage.
2Speed
If transmission/reception processing unit operates continuously, then communication responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic operation of the transmission/reception processing unit. Instead of continuous operation, the unit activates only when data transmission is required and enters bypass mode during idle periods. This periodic activation maintains communication responsiveness when needed while significantly reducing power consumption during non-transmission periods.
3Speed
If serial link remains active, then data transfer speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic state management to the serial link, switching between active and bypass states based on transmission requirements. The link maintains high-speed data transfer capability when active, then transitions to low-power bypass mode during idle periods, resolving the contradiction between speed and energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes communication devices that are connected with one another in a ring via a serial link. In the communication system, one communication device issues a standby packet for causing each communication device connected to a part of the link that is not involved with data transfer to switch to standby mode. Each communication device connected to this part of the link relays the standby packet from an immediately preceding communication device in the link to an immediately succeeding communication device in the link, and after relaying the standby packet, causes the own device to switch to standby mode. Further, a communication device that performs communication with said one communication device issues a loopback packet for causing each communication device connected to a part of the link that is involved with data transfer to switch to loopback mode. Each communication device connected to this part of the link relays the loopback packet from an immediately preceding communication device in the link to an immediately succeeding communication device in the link, and after relaying the loopback packet, causes the own device to switch to loopback mode.