Method and apparatus for supporting physical layer link-suspend operation between network nodes
US6795450B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D30/50
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A link-suspend operation between network nodes in a point-to-point data communications link is presented. Individual network links will have a full power operational mode for supporting full high-bandwidth communication, and a low power “link-suspend” (LS) operational mode for temporary operation when only limited communication is occurring. The communications link is maintained, while cycling transmitter power on and off during idle periods with a duty cycle that substantially reduces physical layer device (PHY) power, using LSPs. LS mode may be negotiated by advertising capabilities between two network devices. Thus, PHYs at either end of a link can notify the other of the capability to support a LS mode of operation and can negotiate parameters for communications using the LS mode. Further, transmitting and receiving continuous idles, valid data frames, and Wake-on LAN (WOL) packets is supported. Similarly, notification of “wake-up” schemes and detection of suspended WOL network device is supported.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.