US 8,711,876 B2Granted

Method of synchronization for low power idle

AssigneeMarvell International Ltd.

InventorGavin Parnaby

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Abstract

A method comprises receiving data, modulated according to a first modulation scheme, from a transmitter via an Ethernet link while the receiver is in a first mode. The first mode corresponds to a first power consumption level of the receiver. The method also includes receiving a sleep signal, and, in response, transitioning the receiver to a second mode. The second mode corresponds to a second power consumption level lower than the first power consumption level. The method also includes detecting an expiration of a predetermined time interval, and, in response, transitioning the receiver to a third mode. The third mode corresponds to a third power consumption level greater than the second power consumption level. The method also includes receiving a refresh signal modulated according to a different, second modulation scheme, synchronizing the receiver to the transmitter based on the refresh signal, and transitioning the receiver back to the second mode.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method, comprising:

receiving, at a receiver, data from a transmitter, wherein
the data is received via an Ethernet link,
the data is modulated according to a first modulation scheme,
the data is received while the receiver is in a first mode, and
the first mode corresponds to a first power consumption level of the receiver;
after receiving the data, receiving, at the receiver, a sleep signal from the transmitter;
in response to receiving the sleep signal, transitioning the receiver to a second mode, wherein the second mode corresponds to a second power consumption level of the receiver that is lower than the first power consumption level;
after transitioning to the second mode, detecting, at the receiver, an expiration of a predetermined time interval;
in response to detecting the expiration of the predetermined time interval, transitioning the receiver to a third mode, wherein the third mode corresponds to a third power consumption level of the receiver that is greater than the second power consumption level;
after transitioning to the third mode, receiving, at the receiver, a refresh signal from the transmitter, wherein the refresh signal is modulated according to a second modulation scheme different than the first modulation scheme;
synchronizing the receiver to the transmitter based on the refresh signal;
and
after synchronizing the receiver to the transmitter, transitioning the receiver back to the second mode.

10 more elements

A device comprising:

a receiver configured to
receive, from a transmitter coupled to the receiver via an Ethernet link, data while the receiver is in a first mode, wherein the first mode corresponds to a first power consumption level of the receiver, and wherein the data is modulated according to a first modulation scheme,
after receiving the data, receive a sleep signal from the transmitter,
in response to receiving the sleep signal, transition to a second mode, wherein the second mode corresponds to a second power consumption level of the receiver that is lower than the first power consumption level,
after transitioning to the second mode, detect an expiration of a predetermined time interval,
in response to detecting the expiration of the predetermined time interval, transition to a third mode, wherein the third mode corresponds to a third power consumption level of the receiver that is greater than the second power consumption level,
after transitioning to the third mode, receive a refresh signal from the transmitter, wherein the refresh signal is modulated according to a second modulation scheme different than the first modulation scheme,
synchronize to the transmitter based on the refresh signal, and
after receiving the refresh signal, transition back to the second mode.

6 more elements

A method, comprising:

generating, at a transmitter, data modulated according to a first modulation scheme;
transmitting, via the Ethernet link, the data to a receiver while the transmitter is in a first mode, wherein the first mode corresponds to a first power consumption level of the transmitter;
after transmitting the data to the receiver, transitioning the transmitter to a second mode, wherein the second mode corresponds to a second power consumption level of the transmitter that is lower than the first power consumption level;
after transitioning the transmitter to the second mode, detecting, at the transmitter, an expiration of a predetermined time interval;
in response to detecting the expiration of the predetermined time interval, transitioning the transmitter to a third mode, wherein the third mode corresponds to a third power consumption level of the transmitter that is greater than the second power consumption level;
generating, at the transmitter, a refresh signal that (i) is to be used by the receiver to synchronize to the transmitter, and (ii) is modulated according to a second modulation scheme different than the first modulation scheme;
after transitioning the transmitter to the third mode, transmitting, from the transmitter, the refresh signal to the receiver via the Ethernet link;
and
after transmitting the refresh signal to the receiver, transitioning the transmitter back to the second mode.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/616,425Filed 14 Sep 2012 · continuation
Priority: 11 Aug 2008
Published: US 2013/0016736 A117 Jan 2013
Granted: 29 Apr 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

H04L 12/12
Details: arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
H04J 3/0638
Clock or time synchronisation in a network: clock or time synchronisation among nodes; Internode synchronisation
Y02D 30/50
Reducing energy consumption in communication networks: in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate
H04L
Digital communication

Family

Application61/188,717Us provisional application · filed 11 Aug 2008
Application12/583,087Parent of this continuation · filed 11 Aug 2009
US 2013/0016736 A1Pre-grant publication · published 17 Jan 2013
US 8,270,389 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2010/0046543 A1Published application
US 8,711,876 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.