Transceiver Power Saving via Auxiliary Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional transceivers face high power consumption during link-down states due to the need for continuous power supply to both the transmitter and receiver, leading to inefficient power-saving capabilities and signal clipping issues when the transmitter is turned off.

Innovation Solution

A transceiver design with an auxiliary circuit that provides common mode voltage and impedance matching when the transmitter is in power-saving mode, reducing power consumption by disabling the transmitter and using the auxiliary circuit to maintain signal integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transmitter is continuously powered to maintain common mode voltage and impedance matching, then signal transmission integrity is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission integrityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the common mode voltage generation function from the transmitter circuit. An auxiliary circuit is introduced that can independently provide common mode voltage to the transmission media even when the transmitter is powered down, thereby separating the signal transmission function from the common mode voltage maintenance function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the common mode voltage generation function from the transmitter and implements it through a dedicated auxiliary circuit. This extraction allows the transmitter to be completely powered down while the auxiliary circuit continues to maintain the necessary electrical conditions on the transmission media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Use of energy by moving object

If the transmitter is turned off to save power, then power consumption decreases, but signal clipping occurs and receiver operation becomes abnormal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidreceiver operation normality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary circuit is designed to maintain common mode voltage on the transmission media before the transmitter is completely powered down. This preliminary action ensures that the electrical conditions necessary for receiver operation are already in place, preventing signal clipping and maintaining receiver functionality throughout the power transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the transmitter remains powered during link-down state, then common mode voltage is maintained, but power consumption is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommon mode voltage maintenanceVSAvoidlink-down stand-by power

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic power management scheme where the transmitter is powered down during link-down states while the auxiliary circuit remains active. This dynamic approach adapts the power consumption level to the operational state, consuming minimal power during link-down while maintaining necessary functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8412286B2Transceiver with power-saving function and the method thereof

Publication Date: 2013.04.02 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

The present invention provides a transceiver with power-saving function and the method thereof, in which when the network is on link-down status, the transmitter will enter the power-saving mode, and with an auxiliary circuit to provide a comfortable common-mode voltage and to present comfortable impedance matching to save the power consumption.