Method and system for indicating a transition in rate and/or power consumption utilizing a distinct physical pattern on one or more idle channel(s)

Abstract

An Ethernet network may comprise multi-rate link partners that may be coupled via an Ethernet link. The Ethernet link may comprise a plurality of channels wherein one or more may be silent and/or idle channels set to a low(er) power that may enable energy efficiency. Silent channels may be utilized for transmitting signals comprising one or more distinct physical patterns for controlling data rate transitions. For example, symbols may be utilized for generating the distinct physical patterns. The distinct physical patterns may communicate a new data rate, when to transition the data rate, which channel(s) may bear the data rate transition and/or a method for implementing the data rate transition. The method may comprise activating or suspending a data traffic channel, modifying a signal constellation, modifying PAM levels and/or adjusting inter-frame gap. The new data rate may be determined based on past traffic and/or expected traffic on the network link.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.