Method and apparatus for providing power state information using in-band signaling

A method comprising:

• receiving, by an integrated circuit (IC), a command from a bus, the command requesting data from the IC in a power saving mode state unrelated to a request for a power state status of the IC;
• and
• sending a response to the command requesting data over the bus including power state information of a power state status of the IC using in-band signaling, the response including at least a portion of data responsive to the command requesting data and including power state information for the IC in place of other data responsive to the command that would be sent in response to the command but for inclusion of the power state information, wherein the power state status of the IC included in the response is sent without the IC having to exit the power saving mode state.

An article of manufacture having one or more non-transitory computer readable media storing instructions which, when executed by a system, cause the system to perform a method comprising:

• receiving, by an integrated circuit (IC), a command from a bus, the command requesting data from the IC in a power saving mode state unrelated to a request for a power state status of the IC;
• and
• sending a response to the command requesting data over the bus including power state information of a power state status of the IC using in-band signaling, the response including at least a portion of data responsive to the command requesting data and including power state information for the IC in place of other data responsive to the command that would be sent in response to the command but for inclusion of the power state information, wherein the power state status of the IC included in the response is sent without the IC having to exit from the power saving mode state.