Energy efficient ethernet network nodes and methods for use in ethernet network nodes
First Claim
1. A transmitting node for transmitting data to a receiving node over at least one Ethernet link comprising a data communication unit arranged to transmit data over the at least one Ethernet link, and a control unit arranged to control the data communication unit so as to maintain the at least one Ethernet link in a link active state, the control unit is arranged to:
- operate in a first IDLE state in which IDLE data packets are transmitted periodically through the data communication unit over the at least one Ethernet link according to at least one predetermined IDLE data packet timing interval, and in said first IDLE state, power down at least one component comprised in the data communication unit in between the periodic transmissions of IDLE data packets.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a transmitting node for transmitting data to a receiving node over at least one Ethernet link comprising a data communication unit arranged to transmit data over the at least one Ethernet link, and a control unit arranged to control the data communication unit so as to maintain the at least one Ethernet link in a link active state, characterized in that the control unit is arranged to operate in a first IDLE state in which IDLE data packets are transmitted periodically through the data communication unit over the at least one Ethernet link according to at least one predetermined IDLE data packet timing interval, and in said first IDLE state, power down at least one component comprised in the data communication unit in between the periodic transmissions of IDLE data packets. The present invention further relates to a method for use in a transmitting node, a receiving node, a network node and a system.
8 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A transmitting node for transmitting data to a receiving node over at least one Ethernet link comprising a data communication unit arranged to transmit data over the at least one Ethernet link, and a control unit arranged to control the data communication unit so as to maintain the at least one Ethernet link in a link active state, the control unit is arranged to:
operate in a first IDLE state in which IDLE data packets are transmitted periodically through the data communication unit over the at least one Ethernet link according to at least one predetermined IDLE data packet timing interval, and in said first IDLE state, power down at least one component comprised in the data communication unit in between the periodic transmissions of IDLE data packets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17)
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8. A method for use in a transmitting node for transmitting data to a receiving node over at least one Ethernet link, wherein said transmitting node comprises a data communication unit arranged to transmit data over the at least one Ethernet link, and a control unit arranged to control the data communication unit so as to maintain the at least one Ethernet link in a link active state, the method comprises the steps of:
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switching in the control unit in the transmitting node to operate in a first IDLE state in which IDLE data packets are transmitted periodically over the at least one Ethernet link according to at least one predetermined IDLE data packet timing interval, and when operating in the first IDLE state, powering down at least one component comprised in the data communication unit in between the periodic transmissions of IDLE data packets. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A receiving node for receiving data from a transmitting node over at least one Ethernet link comprising a data communication unit arranged to receive data over the at least one Ethernet link, and a control unit arranged to control the data communication unit so as to maintain the at least one Ethernet link in a link active state, the control unit is arranged to:
operate in a first IDLE state in which IDLE data packets are received periodically through the data communication unit over the at least one Ethernet link according to at least one predetermined IDLE data packet timing interval, and when operating in the first IDLE state, maintain the at least one Ethernet link in the link active state in between the periodic receptions of IDLE data packets. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for use in a receiving node for receiving data from a transmitting node over at least one Ethernet link, wherein said receiving node comprises a data communication unit arranged to transmit data over the at least one Ethernet link, and a control unit arranged to control the data communication unit so as to maintain the at least one Ethernet link in a link active state, the method comprises the steps of:
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switching in the control unit in the receiving node to operate in a first IDLE state in which IDLE data packets are received periodically through the data communication unit over the at least one Ethernet link according to at least one predetermined IDLE data packet timing interval, and when operating in the first IDLE state, maintaining the at least one Ethernet link in the link active state in between the periodic receptions of IDLE data packets. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification