DE102015004488B4 - Reduction of the energy consumption of a network - Google Patents

Abstract

Device with:
a physical interface configured for electrical connection to a communication channel; and
a circuit configured for:
to detect an energy received at the physical interface;
wait a predetermined period of time until a beginning of a time slot;
monitor the physical interface during the time slot with respect to a predetermined pattern from the communication channel; and
after detecting the predefined pattern, change the device to an increased power mode;
wherein the predetermined pattern comprises a defined power mode switching signaling sequence with a handshaking protocol in which the physical interface looks for portions of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence over a plurality of predefined time slots and provides an acknowledgment that the defined power mode switching signaling sequence has been received.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority of the provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61 / 976,468 on April 7, 2014 for Tazebay et al. and entitled "System and Method for Energy Efficiency for Automotive Partial Networking".

SPECIALTY OF THE REVELATION

The present disclosure generally relates to the reduction of power consumption in network applications, including but not limited to automotive network applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE REVELATION

The registration letter US 2012/0210154 A1 discloses an apparatus for waking users of a CAN bus system.

The registration letter US 2013/0232257 A1 discloses a network device having a function of receiving a wake-up command from a terminal over a network.

The registration letter US 2013/0318380 A1 discloses systems and methods for handling wake-up messages in a Controller Area Network (CAN).

The font CN 102158257 A discloses a power saving method for PLC network devices (power line carriers).

The reduction of energy consumption is a goal for many network applications. A competing goal is a fast response time.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide apparatuses and methods by which power mode changes for devices in a network are more reliably detected and less affected by an electrically noisy environment.

The object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous developments are specified in the subclaims.

• eine physikalische Schnittstelle, die für eine elektrische Verbindung mit einem Kommunikationskanal konfiguriert ist; und
• eine Schaltungsanordnung, die dafür konfiguriert ist:
  • Energie zu erfassen, die an der physikalischen Schnittstelle empfangen wird;
  • eine vorbestimmte Zeitdauer bis zu einem Beginn eines Zeitschlitzes zu warten;
  • die physikalische Schnittstelle während des Zeitschlitzes in Bezug auf ein vordefiniertes Muster von dem Kommunikationskanal zu überwachen; und
  • nach dem Erfassen des vordefinierten Musters die Vorrichtung in einen Modus mit einer erhöhten Leistung zu wechseln.

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising:

• a physical interface configured for electrical connection to a communication channel; and
• a circuit configured for:
  • Capture energy received at the physical interface;
  • wait a predetermined period of time until a beginning of a time slot;
  • to monitor the physical interface during the time slot with respect to a predefined pattern from the communication channel; and
  • after detecting the predefined pattern, change the device into a mode with increased power.

Advantageously, the sensed energy received at the physical interface is a random energy.

Advantageously, the apparatus further comprises a passive energy detector configured to detect the energy received at the physical interface.

Advantageously, the sensed energy received at the physical interface is patterned.

Advantageously, the apparatus further comprises a pattern detector configured to detect the energy received at the physical interface and the predefined pattern.

Advantageously, the apparatus further comprises a passive energy detector configured to detect the energy received at the physical interface and a pattern detector configured to capture the predefined pattern.

Advantageously, the circuitry is further configured to activate the pattern detector after detecting the energy received at the physical interface.

Advantageously, monitoring the physical interface during the time slot with respect to a predefined pattern comprises sending an acknowledgment by the physical interface after acquiring the predefined pattern.

Advantageously, the time slot is a number n of time slots, the predefined pattern being divided into sample portions distributed within respective time slots of the number n of time slots, and wherein monitoring the physical interface during the time slot with respect to the predefined pattern is monitoring the physical interface during the n time slots with respect to the corresponding pattern sections distributed in the n time slots.

Advantageously, monitoring the physical interface during the time slot with respect to a predefined pattern comprises sending an acknowledgment by the physical interface after detecting one of the pattern portions.

• Erfassen von Energie, die an einer Vorrichtung einer physikalischen Schnittstelle (im Folgenden „physikalische Schnittstellen-Vorrichtung“ genannt) (PHY; Physical Interface Device) von einem Kommunikationskanal empfangen wird;
• Warten über eine vorbestimmte Zeitdauer bis zu einem Beginn eines Zeitschlitzes;
• Initiieren einer Mustererfassung;
• Vergleichen eines Musters, das an der PHY während des Zeitschlitzes erfasst wird, mit einem erwarteten Muster für den Zeitschlitz;
• in dem Fall, dass das erfasste Muster gleich dem erwarteten Muster ist, das Aufwecken der PHY, und in dem Fall, dass das erfasste Muster und das erwartete Muster unterschiedlich sind, das Wechseln in einen Modus mit reduzierter Leistung.

In accordance with one aspect, a method includes the following steps:

• Detecting energy received at a Physical Interface Device (PHY) device (PHY) from a communication channel;
• Wait for a predetermined period of time until a beginning of a time slot;
• Initiating a pattern capture;
• Comparing a pattern detected at the PHY during the time slot with an expected pattern for the time slot;
• in the case that the detected pattern is equal to the expected pattern, the awakening of the PHY, and in the case that the detected pattern and the expected pattern are different, switching to a reduced power mode.

Advantageously, detecting the energy received at the PHY comprises comparing the energy to an expected pattern.

Advantageously, detecting the energy received at the PHY comprises comparing the energy to a threshold.

Advantageously, the time slot is a number n of time slots, the expected pattern being divided into expected pattern sections or expected pattern sections distributed within the number n of time slots, wherein comparing the pattern to the PHY during the time slot is detected with the expected pattern for the time slot comprising comparing received pattern sections in the number n of time slots with the expected pattern sections of the n time slots.

Advantageously, the number n is greater than or equal to three.

Advantageously, the method further comprises providing an acknowledgment by the communication channel after determining that at least one of the received pattern portions corresponds to a corresponding expected pattern portion.

Advantageously, the communication channel has a single twisted wire pair (twisted wire pair).

Advantageously, the communication channel has a single twisted pair cable without shield (unshielded single twisted wire pair).

• Erfassen durch eine erste Bitübertragungsschicht-Vorrichtung, die mit einer zweiten Bitübertragungsschicht-Vorrichtung über ein Twisted-Pair-Kabel (Kabel aus paarweise verdrillten Kupferleitungen) gekoppelt ist, eines Energiemusters in dem Twisted-Pair-Kabel;
• vor dem Vollenden eines Leistungsmoduswechsels der ersten Bitübertragungsschicht-Vorrichtung im Ansprechen auf das erfasste Energiemuster das Senden einer Benachrichtigung an eine Medienzugriffssteuerungseinheit; und
• Signalisieren durch die Medienzugriffssteuerungseinheit im Ansprechen auf die Benachrichtigung zu einer dritten Bitübertragungsschicht-Vorrichtung.

In accordance with one aspect, a method includes the following steps:

• Detecting, by a first physical layer device coupled to a second physical layer device via a twisted pair (copper twisted pair) cable, an energy pattern in the twisted pair cable;
• before completing a power mode change of the first physical layer device in response to the detected power pattern, sending a notification to a media access control unit; and
• Signaling by the media access control unit in response to the notification to a third physical layer device.

Advantageously, the method further comprises, after signaling the notification, detecting a pattern in the twisted pair cable within an expected time slot and initiating a power mode change of the first physical layer device.

list of figures

• 1A ist eine Darstellung eines Beispiels eines Kraftfahrzeugkommunikationsnetzwerks.
• 1B ist eine Darstellung eines Beispiels eines Kommunikationsnetzwerks.
• 2A ist ein Blockdiagramm eines Beispiels einer Rechenvorrichtung bzw. Datenverarbeitungsvorrichtung.
• 2B ist ein Blockdiagramm eines Beispiels einer Rechenvorrichtung.
• 3 ist eine Darstellung eines Beispiels eines Kraftfahrzeugkommunikationsnetzwerks.
• 4 ist eine Darstellung eines anderen Kraftfahrzeugkommunikationsnetzwerks.
• 5 ist ein Diagramm, das eine zweistufige Energieerfassungstechnik darstellt.
• 6 ist ein Zeitsteuerungsdiagramm für ein Beispiel einer Leistungsmoduswechsel-Signalisierungssequenz.

Various objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by reference to the detailed description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar and / or structurally similar elements.

• 1A Fig. 10 is an illustration of an example of a motor vehicle communication network.
• 1B Fig. 10 is an illustration of an example of a communication network.
• 2A Fig. 10 is a block diagram of an example of a computing device.
• 2 B Fig. 10 is a block diagram of an example of a computing device.
• 3 Fig. 10 is an illustration of an example of a motor vehicle communication network.
• 4 is an illustration of another motor vehicle communication network.
• 5 Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating a two-stage energy detection technique.
• 6 FIG. 10 is a timing diagram for an example of a power mode switching signaling sequence. FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are discussed in detail below. Although specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Communication networks are used in ubiquitous applications. Some of these applications are implemented in energy aware environments; others of these applications are implemented in responsive-aware environments; and some of these applications are implemented in environments that are both energy aware and responsive, resulting in conflicting goals. For example, in an energy aware environment, devices or functions that are not currently being used may be placed in a reduced power mode; however, leaving a reduced power mode may take longer than would be allowed by the responsive-aware environment.

Performance modes include but not limited to full power, partial sleep, sleep, deep sleep and off modes. A reduced power mode in this context indicates a change of a node, function, device, or electronic module from a first conduction mode to a second power mode, wherein the respective node, function, device, or electronic device Module in the second power mode is consumed less power. In this context, an enhanced power mode indicates a change of a node, function, device, or electronic module from a first conduction mode to a second power mode, the respective node, function, device, or electronic device Module in the second power mode more power is consumed. As a result, for example, an indication of a change of an electronic module to an increased power mode indicates that a node, function, or device in the electronic module or electronic module itself is changing to the increased power mode. Similarly, for example, an indication of a change of an electronic module to a reduced power mode indicates that a node, function, or device in the electronic module or electronic module itself is transitioning to the reduced power mode. Switching between power modes is a transition between two consecutive power modes (eg, deep sleep and sleep, or full power and partial sleep), or switching between power modes is a shift between two non-consecutive power modes (eg, partial sleep to sleep, or sleep to full power ).

In the present patent application, a technique is described which is suitable for energy-conscious and response-time-aware environments as well as for environments that are both energy-conscious and responsive.

One such combined environment, described as a non-limiting example, is a communications network in an automotive environment. Such a network allows communication between different functions in different electronic modules. In one or more embodiments, and by way of example, a motor vehicle network includes communication between navigation, telematics, a camera, entertainment (e.g., television, radio, CD and DVD, and including rear-seat entertainment (RSE)), and other functions. User-directed functions, such as these, benefit from improved response time because, in one or more embodiments, improved response time provides an improved experience for the user. But these and other user-facing functions consume energy even when not in use. In an automotive environment, energy efficiency is of high value. In an electric vehicle, for example, energy efficiency is of particularly high value. Unused functions are often transferred to a reduced power mode to reduce power consumption; however, as noted above, leaving a reduced power mode in one or more embodiments takes a certain amount of time, which time may exceed a user's expectations, potentially worsening the user experience. As a result, in one or more embodiments of the present exemplary automotive network, there are competing goals of improved response time and energy efficiency.

One network contemplated for use in an automotive environment is high speed Ethernet. In one or more embodiments, implementation of high speed Ethernet over unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable is of interest due to relative cost effectiveness of a UTP, as well as longevity in harsh environments such as automotive environments , Since the UTP is shieldless, electrical noise is present in the cables in one or more embodiments (e.g., electromagnetic interference, crosstalk, and other electrical noise).

The techniques described in the present disclosure address the competing goals of improved response time and energy efficiency in a communications network while taking into account that one or more implementations exist in an electrically noisy environment.

In one aspect, an apparatus includes a physical interface configured for electrical connection to a communication channel, and circuitry configured to acquire energy received at the physical interface for a predetermined period of time to one Beginning of a time slot to wait, the physical interface during the Time slot with respect to a predefined pattern of the communication channel to monitor and after detecting the predefined pattern to change the device into a mode with increased power.

In one or more embodiments, the sensed energy received at the physical interface is a random energy.

In one or more embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a passive energy detector configured to detect the energy received at the physical interface. In one or more embodiments, the sensed energy received at the physical interface comprises a pattern.

In one or more embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a pattern detector configured to detect the energy received at the physical interface and the predefined pattern.

In one or more embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a passive energy detector configured to detect the energy received at the physical interface and a pattern detector configured to capture the predefined pattern. In one or more embodiments, the circuitry is further configured to enable the pattern detector after detecting the energy received at the physical interface.

In one or more embodiments, monitoring the physical interface during the timeslot with respect to the predefined pattern comprises sending an acknowledgment by the physical interface after acquiring the predefined pattern.

In one or more embodiments, the time slot is a number n of time slots, wherein the predefined pattern is divided into sample portions distributed within respective time slots of the number n of time slots, and wherein monitoring the physical interface during the time slot with respect to the predefined pattern comprises monitoring the physical interface during the n time slots with respect to the corresponding pattern portions distributed in the n time slots.

In one or more embodiments, monitoring the physical interface during the time slot with respect to a predefined pattern comprises sending an acknowledgment by the physical interface after detecting one of the pattern portions.

In one aspect, a method includes detecting energy received at a physical interface device (PHY) from a communication channel, waiting for a predetermined period of time to commence a timeslot, initiating pattern detection, and comparing a pattern, which is detected at the PHY during the time slot, with an expected pattern for the time slot. The method further includes, in the case that the detected pattern is equal to the expected pattern, waking the PHY, and in the case that the detected pattern and the expected pattern are different, switching to a reduced power mode.

In one or more embodiments, detecting the energy received at the PHY includes comparing the energy to an expected pattern.

In one or more embodiments, detecting the energy received at the PHY includes comparing the energy to a threshold.

In one or more embodiments, the time slot is a number n of time slots, wherein the expected pattern is divided into portions of the expected pattern that are distributed within the number n of time slots, comparing the pattern detected at the PHY during the time slot is compared with the expected pattern for the time slot comparing the received pattern sections in the number n of time slots with the expected pattern sections of the n time slots. In one or more embodiments, the number n is greater than or equal to three. In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises providing an acknowledgment by the communication channel after determining that at least one of the received pattern portions corresponds to a corresponding expected pattern portion.

In one or more embodiments, the communication channel comprises a single twisted pair cable.

In one or more embodiments, the communication channel comprises a single twisted pair cable without a shield.

In one aspect, a method includes detecting, by a first physical layer device coupled to a second physical layer device via a twisted pair cable, an energy pattern in the twisted pair cable. The method further comprises, prior to completing a power mode change of the first physical layer device in response to the detected power pattern, sending a notification to a media access control unit. The method further comprises signaling by the media access control unit in response to the notification to a third physical layer device.

In one or more embodiments, after signaling the notification, the method further comprises detecting a pattern in the twisted pair cable within an expected time slot and initiating a power mode change of the first physical layer device.

1A FIG. 10 is an illustration of an example of communication networks in an automotive environment. FIG. In one or more embodiments, there are multiple electronic modules; one or more network nodes implemented in an electronic module; wherein one or more electronic modules have multiple functionalities; and / or one or more electronic modules have interfaces to multiple networks. For example, in one or more embodiments, a motor vehicle network is used to connect network nodes of various electronic modules, such as network nodes in one or more camera units (eg, a front camera 101 , a right camera 102 , a rear camera 105 , a left camera 106 ), a night vision sensor unit 103 , a telematics unit 104 or a parking assistant unit and head unit 107 like these in 1A are illustrated to connect with each other. In the example of 1A connect multiple communication networks 108 the different nodes in the electronic modules. As should be appreciated, in one or more embodiments, automotive networking applications include various other electronic modules to facilitate control functionality or other functionality, and in one or more embodiments, automotive networking applications have more or fewer networks 108 on.

1B FIG. 12 is an illustration of an example of two nodes of a communication network (eg, 108) provided for reference purposes in view of the terminology used in the present disclosure. The network in the example of 1B has two network nodes 110 and 120 on. In one or more embodiments, the network nodes 110 and 102 Moreover, in the automotive network example above, in one or more embodiments, there is a network node in a user device, such as a smart phone, a computer, a Blue-Ray Disc Player, and the like so on. In general, in one or more embodiments, a network node is a computing device or part thereof, as described in more detail below 2A and 2 B will be described.

With further reference to 1B assigns each network node 110 and 120 a physical interface (PHY) 130 on. A PHY 130 has hardware for establishing a physical connection with the network node. In wired applications, in one or more embodiments, the physical connection also provides an electrical connection with the wiring between network nodes. In wireless applications, in one or more embodiments, the physical connection provides an electrical connection to an antenna. The PHY 130 Further, in one or more embodiments, encoding is implemented as one of, or as a combination of, hardware, firmware, and software. In one or more embodiments, the PHY 130 For example, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is implemented in, for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). In one or more embodiments, an example of a PHY 130 an integrated circuit (IS) of the type Broadcom BroadR-Reach.

The PHY 130 Further, in one or more embodiments, functionalities of a physical layer of a multi-layered software model, such as the seven-layer Open System Interconnection (OSI) model, are implemented. In One or more embodiments implement the PHY 130 For example, a physical coding sublayer (PCS) and also implements a Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) layer.

The network nodes 110 . 120 Further, MAC (Media Access Control) functionality is provided by the MAC 140 in 1B is represented. The MAC 140 allows the communication network to be shared by multiple network nodes in one or more embodiments. In applications that implement the OSI model, the MAC provides 140 the MAC sublayer in the link layer, along with associated hardware (eg, a MAC chip or MAC functionality implemented in a processor of the network node or electronic module). As in 1B is illustrated, the MAC communicate 140 and the PHY 130 in one or more embodiments, in full duplex with one another via a physical interface of input / output (I / O) pins and corresponding traces or other interconnects disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,666,974; 1B collectively referred to as MAC I / O, which in one or more embodiments is a Media Independent Interface (MII), as well as in US Pat 1B is shown. In the example shown, the MAC I / O interface is an interface at 100 megabits per second (Mbps) in each direction, both transmit (TX) and receive (RX). In one or more embodiments, the communication capability is greater than or less than 100 Mbps, and in one or more embodiments, the TX and RX capabilities are different.

The communication network of 1B Further, in one or more embodiments, a full duplex communication channel 150 on. Although the channel 150 in 1B is illustrated as wired, is the channel 150 instead, in one or more embodiments, wirelessly. In the motor vehicle example, the channel 150 in one or more embodiments, a UTP. In the in 1B example shown is the channel 150 an interface with 100 Mbps in each direction, both transmit (TX) and receive (RX). In one or more embodiments, the channel is 150 a 100BASE-X interface (eg 100BASE-T or 100BASE-F / S / B / L). In one or more embodiments, the communication capability is greater than or less than 100 Mbps. The channel 150 For example, in one or more embodiments, a 1000BASE-X / T / TX interface. In one or more embodiments, the TX and RX capabilities of the channel 150 differently. Because the channel 150 Connecting PHY-130 instances, he will be in 1B referred to as PHY I / O.

As described above, a network node is or is included as a part of a computing device. 2A and 2 B illustrate block diagrams of a computing device 200 , As in 2A is shown, the computing device 200 a central processing unit (CPU) 205 and a memory 210 on. As in 2A has a computing device 200 in one or more embodiments, one or more of an installation device 215 , a network interface 220 , a display device 225 , an input / output (I / O) controller 230 , a keyboard (or keypad) 235, a pointing device 240 such as a mouse and more generally I / O devices 245. Components of the computing device 200 communicate with each other via one or more buses 250 , The memory 210 includes, for example, data, an operating system, and application software. As in 2 B is shown, the computing device 200 in one or more embodiments, additional optional elements, such as a memory port 255 , a bridge 260 and a cache memory 265 in communication with the CPU 205 ,

The CPU 205 represents a processing functionality implemented in one or more of a processor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an ASIC, and / or an FPGA, along with associated logic. More generally, the CPU is 205 any logical circuit that is based on commands coming from memory 210 be retrieved, addressed and processed. Examples of a CPU 205 include processors manufactured by Intel Corporation of Mountain View, California; International Business Machines at White Plains, New York; or Advanced Micro Devices in Sunnyvale, California.

The memory 210 represents one or more storage devices that are capable of storing data and / or storing instructions (eg, operating system and application software). On sections of the store 210 is from the CPU 205 through a bus or through a direct memory access (DMA) device or function. The memory 210 includes semiconductor memory such as random access memory (RAM) including but not limited to static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), and ferroelectric RAM (FRAM)), among others Other semiconductor devices (including, for example, NAND flash, NOR Flash and solid state drives or SSD (Solid State Drives)) on. In the embodiment which is in 2A is shown, the CPU communicates 205 with the memory 210 via a shared or shared bus 250 , 2 B shows an embodiment of a computing device 200 in which the CPU 205 with the memory 210 via a dedicated bus of the storage port 255 communicated. In one or more embodiments, the CPU communicates 205 with one or more memories 210 via a combination of dedicated and shared buses, such as a dedicated instruction access bus and a shared data access bus. In one or more embodiments, a memory is 210 or are multiple memories 210 provided with a double port.

2 B shows an embodiment in which the CPU 205 directly with a cache memory 265 communicates via a dedicated bus. In one or more embodiments, the CPU communicates 205 with the cache memory 265 using a shared bus 250 ,

In the in 2 B In the embodiment shown, the CPU communicates 205 with various I / O devices 245 over a shared bus 250 or through a dedicated I / O bus through an I / O port. Examples of I / O buses include a VESA VL bus, an ISA bus, an EISA bus, an MCA (microchannel architecture) bus, a PCI bus, a PCI-X bus, a PCI Express bus or a NuBus. In one or more embodiments, in which an I / O device 245 is a display device uses the CPU 205 an advanced graphics port or advanced graphics port (AGP) to work with the display device 225 to communicate.

I / O devices 245 include input devices such as keyboards, mice, trackpads, trackballs, microphones, dialers, touchpads, touchscreens, and drawing tablets, as well as output devices such as video displays and speakers. The I / O devices in one or more embodiments are provided by an I / O controller 230 controlled like this in 2A is shown. An I / O device, in one or more embodiments, provides a storage and / or installation medium for the computing device 200 ready. In one or more embodiments, the computing device provides 200 USB ports (not shown) for receiving handheld USB storage devices, such as the USB flash drive or USB memory stick of the product line, manufactured by Twintech Industry, Inc. of Los Alamitos, California.

Now reference is made again 2A taken. In one or more embodiments, the computing device carries 200 a suitable installation device 215 such as a disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a CR-R / RW drive, a DVD-ROM drive, a flash memory drive, a USB device, a hard disk, a network interface, or any other suitable device Device suitable for installing software and programs. Optional is an installation device 215 also a storage device. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the operating system and software are executed from a bootable medium.

The computing device 200 In one or more embodiments, a network interface 220 which has one or more connections such as LAN or WAN links (eg, 802.11, T1 . T3 , 56kb, X.25, SNA, DECNET), broadband connections (eg, ISDN, Frame Relay, ATM, Gigabit Ethernet, Ethernet over SONET), wireless connections, or some combination of some or all of the above connections. Connections are established using associated protocols (eg, TCP / IP, IPX, SPX, NetBIOS, Ethernet, ARCNET, SONET, SDH, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), RS232, IEEE 802.11 , IEEE 802.11a , IEEE 802.11b , IEEE 802.11g , IEEE 802.11n , IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ad, CDMA, GSM, WiMax and direct asynchronous links). In one or more embodiments, the computing device communicates 200 with another computing device via a gateway or tunneling protocol such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS). The network interface 220 incorporated in one or more embodiments includes a network adapter, a network interface card, a PCMCIA network card, a card bus network adapter, a wireless network adapter, a USB network adapter, a modem or other device that is suitable for connecting via an interface of the computing device 200 with a network capable of communicating and performing the operations described herein.

In one or more embodiments, the computing device 200 one or more display devices 225 on or is associated with these. As such, each of the I / O devices points 245 and / or the I / O controller 230 appropriate hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software to support, enable and provide the connection and use the display device (s) 225 through the computing device 200 on. This is how the computing device points 200 For example, in one or more embodiments, a video adapter, video card, driver, and / or library for interfacing, communicating, connecting, or otherwise using the display device (s). 225 on. In one or more embodiments, a video adapter has multiple connectors to interface with the display device (s). 225 to be linked via an interface. In one or more embodiments, the computing device 200 multiple video adapters with each video adapter connected to the display device (s) 225 connected is. In one or more embodiments, the computing device communicates 200 with several ads 225 , One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and understand the various possibilities and embodiments in which a computing device 200 with one or more display devices 225 is connected, encloses and / or controls these.

In one or more embodiments, a bridge (bridge) represents 260 a connection between the common bus 250 and an external communication bus, such as a USB bus, an Apple Desktop Bus, an RS-232 daisy chain, a SCSI bus, a FireWire bus, a FireWire 800 bus, an Ethernet bus, an AppleTalk bus, a Gigabit Ethernet bus, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) bus, a Fiber Channel bus, a Serial Attached Small Computer System (SAS) bus, a USB port, or an HDMI bus ready.

A computing device 200 of the sort that is in 2A and 2 B in one or more embodiments operates under the control of an operating system that controls the scheduling of tasks and the access to system resources. Examples of operating systems include versions of the MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system, various versions of the Unix and Linux operating systems, various versions of the MAC OS for Macintosh computers, an embedded operating system, a real-time operating system, open source operating system, or open source. Operating system, a proprietary operating system, an operating system for mobile computing devices, or another operating system included in the computing device 200 can be executed and perform the operations described here. Typical operating systems include, but are not limited to: Android, manufactured by Google Inc .; WINDOWS 7 and 8th , manufactured by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington; MAC OS, manufactured by Apple Computer in Cupertino, California; WebOS, manufactured by Research In Motion (RIM); OS / 2 manufactured by International Business Machines of Armonk, New York; and Linux, a freely available operating system developed by Caldera Corp. in Salt Lake City, Utah, or any other type and / or form of Unix operating system.

A computing device 200 For example, a workstation, a telephone, a desktop computer, a laptop or a notebook computer, a server, a handheld computer, a mobile phone or other portable telecommunication device, a media player, a game system, a mobile computing device, or any other type and / or form of computing, telecommunication or media device that can communicate. In the automotive network environment, as in 1A are also one or more electronic modules (eg, a front camera 101 , a right camera 102 , a rear camera 105 , a left camera 106 , a night vision sensor unit 103 , a telematics unit 104 , a parking assistance unit and head unit 107 ) also computing devices or data processing devices 200 , The computing device 200 has sufficient processor power and storage capacity to perform the operations described herein.

3 illustrates an example of the communication networks of 1A implemented with Ethernet links between Ethernet network nodes, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In 3 illustrates the block diagram 310 a circuit arrangement and / or functionality of the right camera 102 and illustrates the block diagram 320 a circuit arrangement and / or functionality of Parkassistenzzeinheit and Head Unit 107 , In one or more embodiments, a single twisted pair (eg, UTP) pair is used to connect the BroadR reach PHYs in the electronic modules. An advantage of such a single twisted pair PHY is that it promotes the Ethernet technology already proven in the IEEE standard BASE-T-PHYs. For example, a standard MAC-MII is used in one or more embodiments with PHY / media independence.

As in 3 In one or more embodiments, multiple PHYs are illustrated 330 implemented within a single electronic module. For example, the parking assistance unit and head unit 310 so illustrated that they have four switched PHYs 330 in a PHY-integrated switch 340 although, in one or more other embodiments, a different number of switch PHYs 330 is possible. Several PHYs 330 in a switch (eg an integrated switch 340 ) represent parallel PHYs in one or more embodiments 150 from a single network node, or in one or more embodiments, singular or parallel configurations of PHYs 150 from more than one network node. The four PHYs 330 of the integrated switch 320 For example, in one or more embodiments, four network nodes represent, for example, some of the electronic modules of the right camera 102 , the left camera 106 , the front camera 101 and the rear camera 105 , the electronic night vision 103 - and telematics 104 modules are connected. The four network nodes of the parking assistance unit and head unit 107 in this example represent one or more communication networks; For example, in one or more embodiments, the right camera is located 102 , the left camera 106 , the front camera 101 and the rear camera 105 each in a separate network, or in one or more embodiments are two or more part of a single network. As a result, for the example of implementing the Ethernet in an automotive environment in one or more embodiments, there are multiple Ethernet networks within the same vehicle.

4 illustrates another example of an Ethernet implementation in an automotive environment. In this example, an electronic module is an entertainment head unit 410 a computing device 200 with multiple network nodes. The head unit 410 In one or more embodiments, an Ethernet MAC is attached to a host 411 on, where the term host in this example refers to a processor in the head unit 410 refers. The multiple network nodes in this example are using an integrated 5-port bridge 412 implements being a port with the host 411 is connected, three ports are connected to other network nodes in other electronic modules and a port is not used. The head unit 410 further includes a block in one or more embodiments 413 representing wireless communication network interfaces, a symbol 414 , which indicates a wired or wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and a connected display 415 on. In the example of 4 is the port 1 the bridge 412 with an appropriate port (Port 1 from a 3-port bridge) of a network node in the telematics module 410 connected, is the port 2 the bridge 412 with an appropriate port (Port 1 a 3-port bridge) of a network node in an electronic module of an RSE display 430 connected and is the port 3 the bridge 412 with a corresponding network node in an electronic module of a digital audio amplifier 440 connected. As in 4 For example, in one or more embodiments, so-called daisy-chaining is used to expand the network or reduce the wiring in the harnesses. In the example of 4 is the telematics module 420 concatenated, for example, to an extension to an optional media device 450 and is the RSE indicator 430 with a second RSE indicator 460 linked, for example, to reduce the wiring.

In the example of 4 in one or more embodiments, when no RSE is currently in use, the RSE indications 430 . 460 transferred into a mode with reduced power, and it is possible that even the digital audio amplifier 440 is changed into a mode with reduced power. But if the digital audio amplifier 440 is changed into a mode with reduced power and then the telematics module 420 and, for example, provide detailed point-to-point directions for acoustic presentation by the digital audio amplifier, then the digital audio amplifier becomes 440 Switched to a higher power mode in advance.

More generally, in one or more embodiments, network nodes are switched between performance modes so that functionality is available when requested but reduced amounts of power are consumed when not requested. The capability for multiple performance modes is implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. As described above, power modes are implemented for portions of an electronic module or for the entire electronic module; For example, in one or more embodiments, an electronic module has a power scheme that relates to the electronic module and additional or alternative power schemes that relate to individual functions of the electronic module. As a result, in one or more embodiments, a network node is switched to a reduced power mode while the rest of the electronic module containing the network node is maintained in a different power mode.

When power modes are switched by multiple network nodes (eg, on demand, when an event occurs, periodically, etc.), then the power modes of the network nodes are changed sequentially in one or more embodiments; while in one or more embodiments, the power modes of the network nodes are changed substantially simultaneously. The term "im Essence "describes in this context and takes into account small variations that relate to instances in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely, as well as to instances where the event or circumstance occurs with close approximation. In one or more embodiments, a sequential technique has a duration equal to a sum of the time that individual network nodes require to complete a transition to a high power mode; whereas, in one or more embodiments, a concurrent technique has a duration equal to the time it takes for a single network node to switch to an increased power mode. For example, the duration of a concurrent technique in one or more embodiments is equal to the time it takes for a primary network node to complete switching power modes. In another example, the duration of a concurrent technique in one or more embodiments is equal to the time it takes a last primary network node to complete the switching of performance modes.

The present disclosure describes a concurrent technique for switching power modes from a group of network nodes.

With reference to 1B represents a PHY 130 determine that it is time for its corresponding network node to transition from a reduced power mode to a high power mode, such as in one or more embodiments at power up, in response to a hardware or software interrupt, after the power failure Receiving a signal in the communication channel (eg the channel 150 in 1B) , when a timer expires or when an event occurs. In one or more embodiments, the PHY 130 then, if a PHY 130 determines that it is time for its corresponding network node to switch from a reduced power mode to a high power mode, the PHYs 130 provide an indication in other network nodes that a power mode change is in progress. As a result, the PHYs initiate 130 while the PHY 130 is just initiating a power mode switch within its own network node, in the network concurrent power mode transitions in its own network nodes.

In one or more embodiments, a PHY 130 other PHYs 130 that it is currently changing the power state by sending a defined MII message to its associated MAC 140 (such as, for example, the MAC residing in the host 411 in 4 implemented) sends. In one or more embodiments, a defined MII message is sent to the associated MAC 140 by sending the defined MII message through a switch (such as the switch 340 between the MAC in the host and the four PHYs 330 in 3 ) Posted. The associated receiving MAC 140 responds to receipt of the defined MII message by passing a defined power mode change signaling sequence through the PHY 130 to the PHYs 130 initiated in other network nodes. Because the MAC 140 is notified when their PHY 130 identifies that a power mode change is just beginning, is the MAC 140 able to signal to the other network nodes that they too should start a power mode switch without having to wait for their own PHY 130 completed the power mode change. This parallel mechanism provides an additional power mode switching time budget for each network node.

A version of the current MII message definitions is shown in Table 1 (for receive RX) and in Table 2 (for transmit TX) by way of non-limiting illustration. Table 1 RX_DV RX_ER RXD <3: 0> Note 0 0 0000 to 1111 Normal inter-frame message 0 1 0000 Normal inter-frame message 0 1 0001 to 1101 Reserved 0 1 1110 Message of a faulty carrier 0 1 1111 Reserved 1 0 0000 to 1111 Normal data reception 1 1 0000 to 1111 Data reception with errors Table 2 TX_EN TX_ER TXD <3: 0> Note 0 0 0000 to 1111 Normal inter-frame message 0 1 0000 to 1111 Reserved 1 0 0000 to 1111 Normal data transmission 1 1 0000 to 1111 Send bug propagation

In one or more embodiments, the predefined MII message is defined by a MAC 140 from a PHY 130 is received, indicating that a power mode change is in progress, assigned to one of the combinations that are not used and marked as "Reserved" in Table 1 above. For example, one of the combinations RX_DV = 0, RX_ER = 0, RXD <3: 0> = [one of 0001 to 1101] is used in one or more embodiments. Table 3 gives an example of this row from Table 2 as an illustration. Table 3 RX_DV RX_ER RXD <3: 0> Note 0 1 0001 to 1101 Reserved

By way of illustration and not limitation, the predefined MII message is defined by the MAC 140 from the PHY 130 is received and indicates that a power mode change is in progress, RX_DV = 0, RX_ER = 1, RXD <3: 0> = 0010, one of the messages shown in Tables 1 and 3 as "Reserved".

As discussed above, the MAC speaks 140 upon receiving the defined MII message by initiating a defined power mode switching signaling sequence by the associated PHY 130 to the PHYs 130 in other network nodes. In one or more embodiments, the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is the wake-up message sequence (ie TX_EN = 0, TX_ER = 1 → 0, TXD <3: 0> = 0001 → 0000). In one or more embodiments, the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is another sequence.

In an electrically noisy environment, if the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is a message or other sequence that is sent once, it is possible that the defined power mode switching signaling sequence could be lost in the electrical noise or a misdetection of a defined one Power mode switching signaling sequence could occur. For such electrically noisy environments, the defined power mode switching signaling sequence in one or more embodiments includes a handshaking protocol in which a PHY 130 look for portions of the defined power mode change signaling sequence over a plurality of predefined time slots and provide an acknowledgment that the defined power mode change signaling sequence has been received.

As noted above, the MAC initiates 140 in one or more embodiments, a defined power mode switching signaling sequence by the PHY 130 to PHYs 130 in other network nodes. For embodiments in which the defined power mode switching signaling sequence includes a handshaking protocol, in one or more embodiments, the MAC has 140 control over the portions of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence sent in each of the plurality of predefined time slots. Alternatively, in one or more embodiments, if the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is then from the MAC 140 is initiated, the PHY 130 control over the portions of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence sent in each of the plurality of predefined time slots. In one or more embodiments, a PHY initiates 130 the defined power mode switching signaling sequence itself, rather than the MAC 140 a defined power mode change signaling sequence by the PHY 130 to PHYs 130 initiated in other network nodes, either before or after the MAC 140 has notified that a power mode change is in progress.

The PHYs 130 to which the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is directed monitor, in one or more embodiments, the channel (eg, the channel 150 ), thereby detecting the initiation of a defined power mode switching signaling sequence. Monitoring the channel for activity is passive energy sensing in one or more embodiments, such as in the case where energy or integration of energy exceeds a threshold and causes a trigger or an interrupt to occur. Monitoring the channel for activity is an active detection in one or more embodiments, such as periodically switching from a reduced power mode to an increased power mode to search for messages in the channel.

In one or more embodiments, a multi-level acquisition scheme within the PHYs becomes 130 used. For example, in one or more embodiments, a PHY 130 in a reduced power mode while not in use, and in the reduced power mode, the PHY uses 130 passive energy detection to identify a potential start of a defined power mode switching signaling sequence; if a potential launch is identified then the PHY uses 130 active detection to either verify that a defined power mode change signaling sequence is actually occurring or to determine that no defined power mode change signaling sequence occurs, in which case the PHY 130 in one or more embodiments, returns to passive energy detection for monitoring the channel. In one or more embodiments, the multi-stage detection scheme has three or more stages. The additional stages, in one or more embodiments, include a pre-alert stage in which the PHY 130 Has detected sections of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence in two or more of the predefined multiple time slots and sends a notification to their MAC 140 provides that a power mode change is imminent. Another example of additional stages in one or more embodiments is the implementation of incremental power mode changes in successive stages (eg, the PHY changes 130 from a first power mode at a first stage to a second power mode at a second stage to a third power mode at a third stage) when the probability increases that an actual defined power mode change signaling sequence is occurring.

If a receiving PHY 130 determines that an actual defined power mode change signaling sequence has been completed, then the PHY changes 130 in one or more embodiments, into a fully functional performance mode.

5 FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a multi-stage energy detection in the form of a two-stage energy detection. In this two-step energy detection example, passive energy detection is used during the first stage (to meet, for example, 10 μA power consumption requirements) and active detection in the second stage is used. In this example, active detection is pattern-based detection. When not in use, the PHY is located 130 in the stage 1 (at 510). After energy detection (at 520) in the first stage, a pattern detector is turned on for use in the second stage (at 530). After the correct pattern detection (at 540) in the second stage, the PHY changes 130 into a higher power mode (at 550). If no correct pattern is detected (at 540) in the second stage, a determination is made that no defined power mode change signaling sequence is occurring and the PHY 130 returns to the first stage (at 510).

In embodiments where multi-level detection is implemented and a PHY 130 an ability for a passive energy detection (eg the two-stage detection, by 5 In one or more embodiments, there are additional PHYs 130 in the network with pattern detection but without passive energy detection. For such a network, in one or more embodiments, an initiating portion of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is a pattern that is detected as energy from the passive energy detection in one or more embodiments and is detected as a pattern by the pattern detector in one or more embodiments , Alternatively, the initial portion of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is a random energy sensed by passive energy detection and ignored by the pattern detector.

6 illustrates an example of a defined power mode switching signaling sequence. In one or more embodiments, the defined power mode switching signaling sequence includes a handshaking protocol between an initiating network node and a receiving one Network node in accordance with the present disclosure. In the example of 6 an initiating network node has one PHY1 and a MAC1 and has a receiving network node PHY2 and a MAC2 on. In this example, the MAC 1 the defined power mode change signaling sequence and has the PHY1 control over the portions of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence sent in each of the plurality of predefined time slots. At a time t1 , after the PHY 1 the MAC1 has communicated that the PHY 1 starts a power mode change, initiates the MAC 1 the defined power mode change signaling sequence by passing a first portion of the defined power mode change signaling sequence through the PHY1 to the PHY2 sends. In the example of 6 is the first section at the time t1 is sent, a wake-up message (eg TX_EN = 0, TX_ER = 1 → 0, TXD <3: 0> = 0001 → 0000). The PHY2 receives the wakeup message at the time t1 'which by an amount after the time t1 is about equal to the reproductive delay between PHY1 and PHY 2 is. The handshaking protocol in this example defines that a second portion of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence within a timeslot T2 is to be sent (eg a time slot which is a predetermined time tP to t1 begins), and accordingly sends the PHY 1 the second section at the time t2 within the time slot T2 , The second section is by the PHY 2 at the time t2 ' within an expected time slot T2 ' receive. The handshaking protocol in this example defines that a third portion of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence within a timeslot T3 is to be sent, and accordingly sends the PHY1 the third section at the time t3 within the time slot T3 which of the PHY2 at the time t3 within an expected time slot T3 ' Will be received. After verifying that the received first, second and third sections have met the predefined descriptions for the first, second and third sections, and that the received sections have been received within the respective expected time slots, the PHY 2 determines that an actual power mode change signaling sequence has been received and notifies the MAC2 (ie the one MAC that belong to the PHY2 belongs). In the example of 6 notifies the PHY2 the MAC2 by the MAC2 sends a message that a pattern has been detected.

In the example of 6 the handshaking protocol is running at the time tA1 if the PHY 2 (self or under the control of MAC2 ) to the PHY 1 confirms that a defined power mode change signaling sequence has been received. The PHY 1 Receives the confirmation at the time valley' , The handshaking protocol in the example of 6 goes to the confirmation by the PHY2 continued. In the example of 6 the remaining portions of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence are determined by the PHY1 at the time t4 within a time slot T4 (received by the PHY 2 at the time t4 ' within an expected time slot T4 ' and confirmed at the time t.sub.A2 ) and at the time t5 within a time slot T5 (received by the PHY2 at the time t5 ' within an expected time slot T5 ' and confirmed at the time tA3 ) Posted.

In one or more embodiments, the time slots have T2 . T3 . T4 . T5 and respective corresponding expected time slots T2 ' . T3 ' T4 ' . T5 'The same duration, and in one or more embodiments, the durations are different lengths. In one or more embodiments, the time difference is between the end of a timeslot and the beginning of the next timeslot (eg, the time between the end of the timeslot T2 and the beginning of the timeslot T3 , the time between the end of the timeslot T3 and the beginning of the timeslot T4 and the time between the end of the timeslot T4 and the beginning of the timeslot T5 ) the same between every two successive time slots; in one or more embodiments, the time differences are different. In the example of 6 For example, the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is divided into five sections at the times t1 . t2 . t3 . t4 and t5 be sent. For example, in one or more embodiments, the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is divided into two, three, or four sections, or divided into six or more sections, and the number of sections is sent within the time slot scheme defined for the specific embodiment. In one or more embodiments, each portion of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is equivalent, ie, equal (eg, the same message sent at each timeslot), and in one or more embodiments, one or more portions of the defined power mode changes Signaling sequence unlike the other sections. In one or more embodiments, one or more portions of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is an Ethernet message, and in one or more embodiments, one or more portions of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence is not an Ethernet message ,

In one or more embodiments, the PHY2 in a reduced power mode when the defined power mode switching signaling sequence does not occur within a predetermined time t1 ' or if the expected portions of the power mode switching signaling sequence are not received in one or more of T2 ' . T3 ' T4 or T5 'be received.

As can be seen from the example, with regard to 6 has been described, there is considerable flexibility for designing a defined power mode switching signaling sequence with a handshaking protocol to accommodate an amount of electrical noise in the network environment.

Thus, techniques have been described which allow power consumption to be reduced while maintaining the response time by switching network nodes in a higher performance mode in a parallel fashion. As used herein, the terms "substantial," "substantially," and "about," or "approximately" are used to describe and to take into account small variations. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance, the terms refer to instances in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely, as well as to instances where the event or circumstance occurs in close approximation. For example, the terms refer to less than or equal to ± 10%, such as less than or equal to ± 5%, less than or equal to ± 4%, less than or equal to ± 3%, less than or equal to ± 2%, less than or equal to ± 1%, less than or equal to ± 0.5%, less than or equal to ± 0.1%, or less than or equal to ± 0.05%.

Claims (10)

Device with: a physical interface configured for electrical connection to a communication channel; and a circuit configured for: to detect an energy received at the physical interface; wait a predetermined period of time until a beginning of a time slot; monitor the physical interface during the time slot with respect to a predetermined pattern from the communication channel; and after detecting the predefined pattern, change the device to an increased power mode; wherein the predetermined pattern comprises a defined power mode switching signaling sequence with a handshaking protocol in which the physical interface looks for portions of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence over a plurality of predefined time slots and provides an acknowledgment that the defined power mode switching signaling sequence has been received. Device after Claim 1 wherein the sensed energy received at the physical interface is a random energy. Device after Claim 2 further comprising a passive energy detector configured to detect the energy received at the physical interface. Device after Claim 1 wherein the sensed energy received at the physical interface has a pattern. Device after Claim 4 , further comprising a pattern detector configured to detect the energy received at the physical interface and the predefined pattern. Device after Claim 4 , further comprising a passive energy detector configured to detect the energy received at the physical interface and a pattern detector configured to capture the predefined pattern. Device after Claim 6 wherein the circuitry is further configured to enable the pattern detector after detecting the energy received at the physical interface. A method comprising the steps of: detecting energy received at a physical interface device (PHY) from a communication channel; Wait for a predefined period of time until the beginning of a time slot; Initiating a pattern detection; Comparing a pattern detected at the PHY during the time slot with an expected pattern for the time slot; in the case that the detected pattern is equal to the expected pattern, the awakening of the PHY, and in the case that the detected pattern and the expected pattern are different, switching to a reduced power mode; wherein the expected pattern comprises a defined power mode switching signaling sequence with a handshaking protocol in which the PHY looks for portions of the defined power mode switching signaling sequence over a plurality of predefined time slots and provides an acknowledgment that the defined power mode switching signaling sequence has been received. Method according to Claim 8 wherein detecting the energy received at the PHY comprises comparing the energy to an expected pattern. A method comprising the steps of: detecting by a first physical layer device according to Claim 1 incorporated with a second physical layer device Claim 1 coupled via a twisted pair cable, an energy pattern in the twisted pair cable; before completing a power mode change of the first physical layer device in response to the detected power pattern, sending a notification to a media access control unit; and signaling by the media access control unit in response to the notification to a third physical layer device Claim 1 ,

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