Traffic-Load Dependent Power Reduction in Packet Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed packet switching systems face challenges in reducing power consumption, leading to increased costs, heat generation, and reliability issues due to high power densities, with existing techniques being complex and difficult to implement in devices processing 100 Gb/s and above.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine traffic rates for incoming data packets at an upstream packet processing device, transmitting this information ahead of time to a downstream device to adjust available packet processing resources, such as parallel memory banks and transmission lines, to power down idle resources and optimize energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If parallelization of resources is used to achieve high-speed data packet processing, then processing speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation by enabling the downstream packet processing device to adjust its parallel processing resources based on real-time traffic load information received from the upstream device. Processing elements are dynamically activated or deactivated according to actual traffic demands, transforming the static resource configuration into a dynamic one that adapts to varying workloads, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining high-speed processing capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The upstream packet processing device determines and transmits traffic load information ahead of time to the downstream device, before the actual data packets arrive. This preliminary action allows the downstream device to proactively configure its processing resources in advance, optimizing power efficiency by activating only the necessary number of processing elements before traffic arrives, rather than keeping all elements continuously active
2Speed
If parallelization of resources is used to achieve high-speed data packet processing, then processing speed is improved, but device space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic activation and deactivation of processing elements in the downstream device based on traffic load. Instead of requiring all processing elements to be physically present and continuously available, the system dynamically allocates processing capacity by activating only the necessary number of elements, effectively reducing the functional device space required while maintaining high-speed processing capability when traffic demands it
3Use of energy by moving object
If complex power reduction techniques are used, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the traffic measurement function from the downstream packet processing device and relocates it to the upstream device. The upstream device determines traffic load information and transmits it to the downstream device, which then uses this information to adjust its processing resources. This extraction eliminates the need for complex built-in metering units in the downstream device, reducing its complexity while still achieving power reduction through dynamic resource allocation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces traffic load information as an intermediary that mediates between the upstream and downstream devices. This information carrier enables the upstream device to control the downstream device's resource allocation without requiring complex direct control mechanisms. The traffic load information serves as a simple signal that triggers resource adjustment, avoiding the need for complex control algorithms or protocols
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and devices for a packet switching system for traffic-load dependent power reduction in packet switching systems. In order to reduce the power consumption of a packet switching system, the method comprises the steps of determining a traffic rate for incoming data packets at the upstream packet processing device; processing the incoming data packets; transmitting an indication of the determined traffic rate from the upstream packet processing device to the downstream packet processing device at a time prior to the time that the processed data packets for which the traffic rate has been determined are transmitted to the downstream packet processing device; and adjusting available packet processing resources at the downstream packet processing device based on the received traffic rate indication.