Multi-function transmit packet buffer
US6556580B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D30/50
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A transmit packet buffer (TPB) is used on a network interface card (NIC) to store downloaded packets and forward them through the media access controller (MAC) and the physical layer interface (PHY) onto the wire. A multi-function TPB is implemented to allow the multiple usage of this buffer. Packets may be downloaded to this buffer through multiple sources. Different types of the packets may each be stored at predefined locations. For example, while the second half of the TPB is used to transmit keep-alive or alert-on-LAN packets, the first half may be used to compare received packets with a wake-up pattern for system wake-up. With multi-function support, various PC management functions may be implemented more effectively and with reduced cost.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.