SATA Bridge Power State Control for Standby Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses face significant standby power consumption issues due to redundant array of inexpensive disk (RAID) control and data encryption processes, particularly in SATA bridge configurations, where existing power saving methods are limited and do not effectively manage power states across the entire device system.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a main controller and communication controller that manages power states by instructing power-off and power-on of physical communication interfaces, determining whether to return from a power saving state without device power-on or with power-on, allowing for more granular control over SATA system power saving transitions and states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If power saving control is implemented using existing SATA commands (Standby, Sleep) and states (Partial, Slumber, DevSleep), then power consumption during idle periods is reduced, but the control granularity is limited and cannot effectively manage power states across the entire device system including SATA bridge controllers and multiple storage devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the SATA system into multiple controllable components including host controller, bridge controller, and individual storage devices. Each component can be independently controlled to enter or exit power saving states, allowing granular power management at different levels of the system hierarchy rather than treating the entire SATA subsystem as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic power state management where the system can transition between multiple power states (full power, partial power, sleep) based on real-time activity detection. The controller dynamically adjusts power allocation to different SATA devices and bridge controllers, enabling adaptive power saving that responds to actual system needs rather than using fixed power states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RAID control and data encryption processes are implemented in SATA bridge configuration, then system functionality and security are enhanced, but standby power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of SATA device activity and dynamically transitions bridge controllers and storage devices between active and power-saving states. During periods of no activity, the system enters low-power modes while maintaining the capability to quickly resume RAID control and encryption functions when needed, thus reducing standby power without permanently disabling essential functionalities.
3Loss of energy
If the SATA-IF is brought into power saving state using power saving system commands, then power consumption is reduced, but the power state of the entire device system cannot be determined and detailed power saving control is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the power states of all SATA devices and bridge controllers, and maintains system-wide power state information. This feedback loop enables the host controller to make informed decisions about power management across the entire SATA subsystem, allowing detailed power saving control based on real-time system state rather than operating in isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an electronic device including a main controller and a communication controller configured to communicate with the main controller and a device through a predetermined physical communication interface based on a predetermined communication standard. The communication controller instructs power-off of the predetermined physical communication interface and the device when an event which causes transition to a power saving state occurs in the main controller, and determines whether the predetermined physical communication interface is to be returned from the power saving state without power-on of the device or with power-on of the device when an event which causes return from the power saving state occurs in the main controller.