US 11,307,773 B1 · Memory-based power stabilization in a network device

Abstract

According to an embodiment, power demands of a computing device or component thereof may be stabilized by performing redundant operations during periods of otherwise low power demand. In so doing, the current load of the device/component remains relatively stable, potentially greatly reducing voltage droops and overshoots. This can reduce the peak voltage and peak power rating of the device/component. In certain embodiments, such as in network switches and routers, the redundant operations may include queries against a content addressable memory (CAM), such as a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM). Moreover, in an embodiment the queries may be designed to always, or at least be highly likely to, miss the entries in the CAM, thereby ensuring maximum power usage. In another embodiment, the redundant operations include read operations on a random access memory (RAM). In other embodiments, redundant operations may be performed with respect to other power-intensive subsystems.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A network switching apparatus implemented by an integrated circuit, the network switching apparatus comprising:

a ternary content addressable memory;
a plurality of subsystems, including forwarding logic, traffic management logic, packet manipulation logic, and prefix table lookup logic, configured to process network communications received via one or more ingress ports, the plurality of subsystems configured to determine how to handle the network communications at least partially based on results from querying the ternary content addressable memory for network-related data;
a power stabilization subsystem configured to monitor use of the plurality of subsystems and the ternary content addressable memory and, at times when an activity level of the plurality of subsystems falls below a threshold level, when the plurality of subsystems are not querying the ternary content addressable memory, issue redundant queries to the ternary content addressable memory.

A method for reducing voltage transients in a network switching apparatus implemented by an integrated circuit, the method comprising:

monitoring use of a ternary content addressable memory and a plurality of subsystems in the network switching apparatus, the plurality of subsystems configured to determine how to handle network communications received by the network switching apparatus at least partially based on results from querying the ternary content addressable memory for network-related data, the plurality of subsystems including forwarding logic, traffic management logic, packet manipulation logic, and prefix table lookup logic;
based on the monitoring, determining an activity level of the plurality of subsystems;
determining times when the activity of the level of the plurality of subsystems falls below a threshold level and the plurality of subsystems is not querying the ternary content addressable memory;
issuing redundant queries to the ternary content addressable memory at the determined times.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Memory-based power stabilization in a network device

Life of this patent

Memory-based power stabilization in a network device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20