Selective Mode PHY Device Power Management via Cable Length Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solutions for 10GbE networking in LANs face challenges due to high costs and fragility of fiber optic cables, and high power consumption and latency issues with copper cables, making them suboptimal for widespread implementation.

Innovation Solution

A selective mode PHY device that can detect cable length and switch between EDC and 10GBase-T communication modes, optimizing power utilization and reducing latency by using less power when possible, while maintaining durability and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If fiber optic cables are used for 10GbE communication in LANs, then power dissipation and latency are reduced, but cost and fragility increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower dissipationVSAvoidcost and fragility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting power levels based on cable length. The system transitions between different communication modes (EDC and 10GBase-T) depending on the detected cable length, optimizing power dissipation while maintaining compatibility with cost-effective copper cabling infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If copper cables are used for 10GbE communication in LANs, then cost and durability are improved, but power dissipation and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost and durabilityVSAvoidpower dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling the PHY device to dynamically switch between EDC mode and 10GBase-T mode based on real-time cable length detection. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power dissipation characteristics while maintaining compatibility with standard copper cabling infrastructure, thereby reducing overall power consumption without sacrificing durability or cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If copper cables are used for 10GbE communication, then port density is restricted due to high power consumption, but fiber optic cables reduce power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidport density

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Loss of energy

If EDC mode is used for communication, then power utilization is optimized, but cable length is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower utilizationVSAvoidcable length

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a PHY device that can operate in multiple communication modes (both EDC and 10GBase-T). The device universally supports different cable lengths by automatically selecting the appropriate mode based on detected cable length, thereby achieving both power optimization for short cables and extended reach for longer cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1971082B1Selective mode PHY device and method for managing power utilization using same

Publication Date: 2009.12.02 BROADCOM INC

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AI summary

There is provided a method of managing power utilization for use by a first communication system having a first communication mode and a second communication mode, for communication over a PHY connection through a cable connecting the two systems. The method comprises establishing the PHY connection with the second communication system, detecting interoperability of the two systems in the first communication mode, determining a length of the cable connecting the first communication system to the second communication system, selecting a mode based on the length of the cable, if the detecting detects interoperability of the first communication system and the second communication system in the first communication mode, selecting the second communication mode as the mode, if the detecting does not detect interoperability of the first communication system and the second communication system in the first communication mode, communicating data using the PHY connection through the cable in the mode.