JP2006197062A - Network connection equipment and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide network connection equipment in which power consumption can be reduced even in a transceiver under such a state as a network link is detected and sustained without increasing the waiting time more than required, and to provide a network connection method. <P>SOLUTION: The network connection equipment 101 comprises a section 141 for providing the function of a physical layer in communication. The physical layer providing section 141 comprises a communication state switching means for making a switch between at least two states, i. e. a communication link interruption state for bringing a transmitter into a dormant state and a communication link establishment state for bringing the transmitter into a driving state and sustaining a receiver constantly in the driving state, and a control means for designating the communication state switching means to make a transition to the communication link interruption state when the non-communication continuation time counted under the communication link establishment state reaches a preset communication sustention time and designating the communication state switching means to make a transition to the communication link establishment state when a transmission request is detected under the communication link interruption state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a network connection apparatus and a network connection method for connecting to a network using a communication protocol such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol.

  An Ethernet (registered trademark) connection device that connects to a network using the Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol is used to connect to a network such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) or to connect to the Internet. Widely used.

  A recent Ethernet (registered trademark) connection device using the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard represented by 100BASE-TX is wired in a star shape around a line concentrator (hub), and constitutes one link segment. In the meantime, a continuous communication system is adopted in which continuous specific patterns are continuously transmitted to each other even in a period in which no substantial data is transmitted in order to establish and maintain clock synchronization of the transceiver.

  For example, when two Ethernet (registered trademark) connection devices (first device and second device) form a 100BASE-TX link segment, the transmitter of the first device does not transmit a MAC frame. The PCS (Personal Communication Services) code group “11111” indicating an idle pattern is continuously transmitted. The receiver of the second device receives this idle pattern, thereby always correcting the phase difference between the reception clock of the own device and the transmission clock of the first device, and receiving the transmission data of the first device. It operates to maintain the ready state, ie, the clock synchronization state for the first device. Similarly, the receiver of the first device operates to maintain a clock synchronization state for the second device by receiving an idle pattern that continues to be transmitted during periods when the transmitter of the second device does not transmit MAC frames. To do.

  In this way, the transceivers of the first device and the second device are always maintained in clock synchronization. For example, even if the first device suddenly transmits a MAC frame, the second device Can be received immediately, and so-called communication waiting time from generation of a transmission request of the first device to completion of reception of the second device is small. However, from the viewpoint of power consumption, the continuous communication method that maintains the clock synchronization state requires that both transmitters and receivers are always driven. Therefore, constant power is always consumed, and power consumption is reduced. It is difficult to reduce.

  In general, the higher the communication speed, the greater the power consumption of the transceiver. The Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus adopting the above-described continuous communication system is no exception, and the power consumed to maintain the communication link increases as the communication speed becomes higher.

  As described above, the conventional Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus that employs the continuous communication system that always maintains the communication link has a feature that the communication waiting time from generation of a transmission request to completion of reception is small. However, there is a usage method in which there is no problem even if the communication waiting time is somewhat large.

  For example, in an ordinary household, an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection device used for Internet connection is a communication time zone in which Internet connection is often performed (for example, daytime) and a non-communication time zone in which Internet connection is rarely performed (for example, at night). ) Clearly exist. In the communication time zone, it is required that the communication waiting time from the generation of the communication request to the completion of communication is small, but in the non-communication time zone, there are few users who are dissatisfied even if the communication waiting time is somewhat large.

  For example, in the no-communication time zone, even if the waiting time from the occurrence of the first communication request to the completion of communication is somewhat large after restarting, as in the case of restarting communication after the non-communication state continues, If the communication waiting time is small, the user is less likely to be dissatisfied. On the other hand, there are many users who wish to reduce the power consumption of the Internet connection device (Ethernet (registered trademark) connection device) in the non-communication time zone.

Conventionally, as a means for reducing the power consumption of the Ethernet (registered trademark) connection device, the transmitter and receiver of the Ethernet (registered trademark) connection device are provided with two modes, a high power energy consumption mode and a low power energy consumption mode, and a network A method has been proposed in which the power consumption of the transceiver is reduced by switching to the low power energy consumption mode when no link is detected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-512458

  However, in the conventional method proposed in, for example, (Patent Document 1), the low power function operates when the network link is not detected. Therefore, the network link is detected once and maintained. There is an unsolved problem that it is not possible to reduce the power consumption of the transmitter / receiver of the Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus that has been brought into the connected state.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and reduces power consumption even in a transceiver in which a network link is detected and maintained without increasing the communication waiting time more than necessary. An object of the present invention is to provide a network connection device and a network connection method that can be realized.

  The present invention integrates the no-communication duration in a state where the communication link is established, disconnects the communication link when this exceeds a predetermined amount, and generates a transmission request in a state where the communication link is disconnected. The transmission request is temporarily suspended to establish a communication link, and thereafter the transmission request is suspended.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to dynamically switch between establishment and disconnection of a communication link according to communication conditions such as a preset communication state and communication time zone, and a transceiver is used to maintain the communication link. Compared to the conventional technique that is always driven, the transmitter that is disconnecting the communication link can be put into a dormant state, so that an effect of reducing power consumption can be obtained.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network connection device for connecting to a network using a predetermined communication protocol. A communication link disconnection state in which a transmitter is in a dormant state and a communication link in which the transmitter is in a drive state. The communication state switching means for switching between at least two states of the established state and always keeping the receiver in the driving state, and in the communication link established state, the no-communication duration is counted and the no-communication duration is counted. When the preset communication maintenance time is exceeded, the communication state switching means is instructed to shift to the communication link disconnection state. In the communication link disconnection state, a transmission request is detected and the transmission request is detected. Control means for giving an instruction to shift the communication state switching means to the communication link establishment state. With this configuration, in a state where the communication link is disconnected, transmission is resumed when a transmission request is generated, and in a state where the communication link is established, the communication link is Since the communication link is dynamically established or disconnected according to the communication state and communication conditions, the transmitter can be put into a dormant state with the communication link disconnected, thereby reducing power consumption. It has the effect that it can be realized.

  The network connection device according to claim 2 of the present invention is the network connection device according to claim 1, wherein when the communication state switching means in the communication link disconnection state receives an instruction to enter the communication link establishment state, the communication state switching is performed. The means is characterized in that the transmission request of the control means is temporarily suspended, and after the communication link with the network is established, the suspension of the transmission request is released. With this configuration, when the communication link is disconnected, the transmission is temporarily suspended, the transmission request is suspended after the communication link is established, and the transmission is resumed, so that the transmission request is not dropped. The transmission data is not lost.

  A network connection device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the network connection device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the predetermined communication protocol is an Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol. With this configuration, an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection can be made to an Ethernet (registered trademark) network.

  A network connection device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the network connection device according to any one of the second or third aspects, wherein the communication state switching means and the control means are connected by an MII interface. The switching means is characterized in that the transmission request of the control means is temporarily suspended by stopping the transition of the transmission clock (TX_CLK) of the MII interface. With this configuration, it is possible to hold a transmission request without adding a special interface signal for stopping transmission.

  A network connection device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the network connection device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the control means stores a plurality of communication maintenance times, according to the time zone. One communication maintenance time is selected from a plurality of communication time zones, and the comparison with the no-communication duration is performed. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to switch the conditions for disconnecting the communication link according to the time zone, such as switching the disconnection condition of the communication link between daytime and nighttime, realizing efficient power consumption according to the time zone It has the effect of being able to.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network connection method for connecting to a network using a predetermined communication protocol, wherein the communication link is disconnected when the transmitter is in a dormant state and the communication link is when the transmitter is in a drive state. At least two states of the established state are provided, the receiver is always kept in the driving state, and in the communication link established state, the no-communication duration is counted and the no-communication duration is set to a preset communication. When the maintenance time is exceeded, the communication link is disconnected. When the communication link is disconnected, a transmission request is detected, and when there is a transmission request, the communication link is established. It is characterized by. With this configuration, in a state where the communication link is disconnected, transmission is resumed when a transmission request is generated, and in a state where the communication link is established, the communication link is Since the communication link is dynamically established or disconnected according to the communication state and communication conditions, the transmitter can be put into a dormant state with the communication link disconnected, thereby reducing power consumption. It has the effect that it can be realized.

  The network connection method according to claim 7 of the present invention is the network connection method according to claim 6, wherein the transmission request is temporarily suspended when the communication link disconnection state is shifted to the communication link establishment state, and the communication link with the network is set. After the establishment, the transmission request hold is released. With this configuration, when the communication link is disconnected, the transmission is temporarily suspended, the transmission request is suspended after the communication link is established, and the transmission is resumed, so that the transmission request is not dropped. The transmission data is not lost.

  A network connection method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the network connection method according to the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein a plurality of communication maintenance times are stored in advance, and one of the communication maintenance times is selected according to a time zone. And comparing with no-communication duration. With this configuration, for example, it is possible to switch the conditions for disconnecting the communication link according to the time zone, such as switching the disconnection condition of the communication link between daytime and nighttime, realizing efficient power consumption according to the time zone It has the effect of being able to.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus according to a first embodiment of a network connection apparatus of the present invention. The Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus 101 has a communication capability of 100BASE-TX. Then, a processor 111 that provides a function higher than the network layer, a communication condition database 121 that includes communication maintenance time information 122, a data link control unit 131 that provides a communication data link layer function, and a communication physical layer function Includes a physical layer function providing unit (PHY: physical layer) 141 and a communication timer unit 151 for detecting the elapse of the communication link maintenance time.

  The physical layer function providing unit 141 establishes a communication link including a media interface unit 144 that realizes an interface with transmission media by mutually converting transmission information and electrical signals, and an auto-negotiation function standardized by IEEE 802.3u. And a communication link control unit 143 that controls disconnection, and a data transmission / reception unit 142 that inputs and outputs transmission information from the data link layer.

  The physical layer function providing unit 141 and the data link control unit 131 are connected by an MII (Media Independent Interface) interface 181 standardized by IEEE 802.3u. The MII interface 181 includes a transmission clock (TX_CLK), a transmission request (TX_EN), transmission data (TXD), a reception clock (RX_CLK), reception data valid (RX_DV), reception data (RXD), carrier detection (CRS), collision Each signal includes detection (COL), transmission error (TX_ER), reception error (RX_ER), management data (MDIO), and management clock (MDC). In the present embodiment, the data link control unit 131 is also included. The transmission stop request 182 signal for stopping the data transmission operation is also included.

  The physical layer function providing unit 141 has two states: a communication link establishment (LINK_UP) state and a communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state. Among these, in the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state, when the transmitter that constitutes the interface unit with the transmission medium is in a dormant state, all information output including link pulse output is suppressed on the transmission medium, and power consumption Indicates a reduced state. In addition, the communication link establishment (LINK_UP) state indicates a state in which the transmitter constituting the interface unit with the transmission medium maintains the driving state and continuously or intermittently outputs information including link pulses to the transmission medium. .

  In addition, in any state of the communication link establishment (LINK_UP) state and the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state, information transmitted from the link partner to the transmission medium can be always received with the transmission medium of the physical layer function providing unit 141. The receiver constituting the interface unit is always in a driving state.

  Further, the physical layer function providing unit 141 in the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state shifts to the communication link establishment (LINK_UP) state by receiving a link pulse from the link partner.

  If the physical layer function providing unit 141 in the communication link establishment (LINK_UP) state continues to be unable to detect the reception of the link pulse from the link partner, the communication layer disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state is entered. It is also possible to shift to a communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state.

  When the physical layer function providing unit 141 in the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state detects that the transmission request (TX_EN) from the data link control unit 131 is active, it activates the transmission stop request 182 to the data link control unit 131. At the same time, when driving of the transmitter is started and auto-negotiation is executed to confirm the presence of the link partner, the state is shifted to the communication link establishment (LINK_UP) state, and the transmission stop request 182 is returned to inactive.

  In data transmission, if the transmission stop request 182 is inactive, the data link control unit 131 transmits the transmission data (TX_EN) while maintaining the transmission request (TX_EN) in synchronization with the transition (rising edge) of the transmission clock (TX_CLK). TXD) outputs transmission data, and the physical layer function providing unit 141 receives transmission data (TXD) in a state where the transmission request (TX_EN) is active as transmission data, but detects that the transmission stop request 182 is active. The data link control unit 131 and the physical layer function providing unit 141 temporarily stop the transmission operation.

  The physical layer function providing unit 141 notifies the communication timer unit 151 of communication link status (LINK), transmission request (TX_EN), reception data valid (RX_DV), and carrier detection (CRS) information as a communication status 184.

  When the communication link state (LINK) becomes the communication link establishment state (LINK_OK), the communication timer unit 151 performs a down-count using the count value set by the processor 111 as an initial value, and when the count value reaches zero. A link disconnection request 185 is activated for the processor 111.

  The communication timer unit 151 indicates that the transmission request (TX_EN), the reception data valid (RX_DV), or the carrier detection (CRS) is activated, or the communication link state (LINK) indicates the communication link disconnection state (LINK_DOWN). Since the count value is cleared to the initial state, as a result, it becomes postponed that the link disconnection request 185 to the processor 111 becomes active.

  As described above, the physical layer function providing unit 141 has a function of a communication state switching unit. The function of the communication state switching means is to keep the receiver in the driving state at all times, and the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state in which the transmitter is in a dormant state and the communication link establishment (LINK_UP) state in which the transmitter is in a driving state. Switching between the two states.

  Further, the processor 111, the communication condition database 121, the data link control unit 131, and the communication link control unit 143 have a function of a control unit. The function of the control means is that, in the communication link establishment (LINK_UP) state, the no-communication duration time is counted, and when this no-communication duration time becomes equal to or longer than the preset communication maintenance time, the communication state switching means Is instructed to shift to the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state, and in this communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state, a transmission request is detected, and when there is this transmission request, the communication state switching means is established. An instruction to shift to the (LINK_UP) state is given.

  Next, the operation of Embodiment 1 of the Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  The processor 111 initializes the count value of the communication timer unit 151 based on the communication maintenance time information 122 read from the communication condition database 121, and stops the physical layer function providing unit 141 from outputting information including a link pulse to the transmission medium. As described above, the data link control unit 131 and the physical layer function providing unit 141 are initialized while maintaining the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state and maintaining the state where the communication link on the transmission medium is disconnected.

  Here, when a transmission request occurs, the data link control unit 131 activates the transmission request (TX_EN) in synchronization with the transition of the transmission clock (TX_CLK). Thereby, the physical layer function providing unit 141 in the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state activates the transmission stop request 182 to temporarily stop the transmission operation of the data link control unit 131. Next, the physical layer function providing unit 141 activates the transmitter of its own device, starts information output including a link pulse to the transmission medium, and uses the auto-negotiation function that is standardized to IEEE 802.3u. Establish communication links. As a result, when the communication link is established, the physical layer function providing unit 141 makes the transmission stop request 182 inactive. Then, the data link control unit 131 resumes the transmission process after shifting to the communication link establishment state.

  If the communication link is not established within a certain time as a result of the auto-negotiation, the processor 111 performs error processing as a communication link error.

  In the above operation, until the transmission request occurs, the communication link state (LINK) to the communication timer unit 151 indicates the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state, so the count operation of the communication timer unit 151 maintains the initial state. . Then, the down-counting operation is started from the time when the communication link establishment (LINK_UP) is detected, the down-counting operation is continued in the communication link establishment state (LINK_OK), and when the count value reaches zero, the communication timer unit 151 The disconnection request 185 is activated to request the processor 111 to perform link disconnection processing.

  During the period in which the communication timer unit 151 continues the down-counting operation, any of the transmission request (TX_EN), reception data valid (RX_DV), or carrier detection (CRS) input from the physical layer function providing unit 141 is active. As shown, since the communication timer unit 151 returns the counting operation to the initial state, the down-counting operation is resumed from the initial state. As a result, the activation of the link disconnection request 185 is delayed. When the reception event occurs intermittently or continuously, the link disconnection request 185 is not activated and the communication link establishment state is maintained.

  The activation of the link disconnection request 185 means that no communication event has continued during the communication maintenance time information 122 specified in the communication condition database 121. The processor 111 causes the physical layer function providing unit 141 to The communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state is reset, and the transmitter of the physical layer function providing unit 141 is suspended, so that power consumption is reduced.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the communication event does not occur in the period longer than the communication maintenance time information 122 included in the communication condition database 121, the communication link is disconnected and the physical layer function providing unit 141 is disconnected. Therefore, it is not necessary to maintain the communication link at all times, and the power consumption can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus according to a second embodiment of the network connection apparatus of the present invention. Although the physical layer function providing unit 141 in the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state temporarily stops transmission processing for the data link control unit 131, the transmission stop request 182 signal is used in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a transmission clock (TX_CLK) included in the MII interface 181 is used.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the physical layer function providing unit 141 and the data link control unit 131 are connected by an MII interface 181 standardized by IEEE 802.3u. When the transmission request (TX_EN) from the data link control unit 131 becomes active, the physical layer function providing unit 141 in the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state immediately stops transmission clock (TX_CLK) transition and starts driving the transmitter. When auto-negotiation is executed and the presence of the link partner is confirmed, the communication link is established (LINK_UP) and the transmission stop request 182 is returned to inactive.

  In data transmission, the data link control unit 131 outputs transmission data on the transmission data (TXD) in a state where the transmission request (TX_EN) is kept active in synchronization with the transition (rising edge) of the transmission clock (TX_CLK), The physical layer function providing unit 141 receives transmission data (TXD) in a state where the transmission request (TX_EN) is active as transmission data. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the physical layer function providing unit 141 disconnects the communication link (LINK_DOWN). The physical layer function providing unit 141 in the state) data link control by stopping the transition of the transmission clock (TX_CLK) at the transition (rise) of the transmission clock (TX_CLK) immediately after the transmission request (TX_EN) becomes active. The data transmission operation of the unit 131 is stopped.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  The processor 111 initializes the count value of the communication timer unit 151 based on the communication maintenance time information 122 read from the communication condition database 121, and stops the physical layer function providing unit 141 from outputting information including a link pulse to the transmission medium. As described above, the data link control unit 131 and the physical layer function providing unit 141 are initialized while maintaining the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state and maintaining the state where the communication link on the transmission medium is disconnected.

  Here, when a transmission request occurs, the data link control unit 131 activates the transmission request (TX_EN) in synchronization with the transition of the transmission clock (TX_CLK). As a result, the physical layer function providing unit 141 in the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state stops the transmission clock (TX_CLK) transition and temporarily stops the transmission operation of the data link control unit 131. Then, the transmitter of the device is activated to start outputting information including a link pulse to the transmission medium, and the communication link is established using the auto-negotiation function which is standardized by IEEE 802.3u. Thereby, when the communication link is established, the transition of the transmission clock (TX_CLK) is resumed. Then, the data link control unit 131 resumes the transmission process in synchronization with the transition of the transmission clock (TX_CLK) after shifting to the communication link establishment state.

  If the communication link is not established within a certain time as a result of the auto-negotiation, the processor 111 performs error processing as a communication link error.

  In the above operation, the communication link state (LINK) to the communication timer unit 151 indicates the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state until the transmission request occurs, so the count operation of the communication timer unit 151 maintains the initial state, When the communication link establishment (LINK_UP) is detected, the down-counting operation is started. In the communication link establishment state (LINK_OK), the down-counting operation is continued. When the count value reaches zero, the communication timer unit 151 requests the link disconnection. 185 is activated to request the processor 111 to perform link disconnection processing.

  During the period in which the communication timer unit 151 continues the down-counting operation, any of the transmission request (TX_EN), reception data valid (RX_DV), or carrier detection (CRS) input from the physical layer function providing unit 141 is active. As shown, since the communication timer unit 151 returns the counting operation to the initial state, the down-counting operation is resumed from the initial state. As a result, the activation of the link disconnection request 185 is delayed. When the reception event occurs intermittently or continuously, the link disconnection request 185 is not activated and the communication link establishment state is maintained.

  The activation of the link disconnection request 185 means that no subsequent communication event has occurred during the communication maintenance time information 122 specified in the communication condition database 121, and the processor 111 sets the physical layer function providing unit 141. The communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state is reset, and the transmitter of the physical layer function providing unit 141 is suspended, so that power consumption is reduced.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the physical layer function providing unit 141 in the communication link disconnection (LINK_DOWN) state stops the transition of the transmission clock (TX_CLK) on the MII interface, thereby causing the data link control unit 131. Since the data link control unit having the MII interface can be used as it is, the communication event is not generated in the period longer than the communication maintenance time information 122 included in the communication condition database 121. In this case, the communication link is disconnected and the transmission circuit of the physical layer function providing unit 141 is suspended, so that the power consumption can be reduced.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus according to a third embodiment of the network connection apparatus of the present invention. In the Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus of the present embodiment, the communication condition database 121 is configured to include information of communication time zone information 123, first communication maintenance time information 124, and second communication maintenance time information 125. The first communication maintenance time information 124 indicates the communication maintenance time in the time zone from the start time to the end time indicated in the communication time zone information 123, and the second communication maintenance time information 125 indicates the communication time zone. The communication maintenance time in the time zone not corresponding to the time zone from the start time to the end time shown in the information 123 is shown.

  The processor 111 periodically checks whether or not the current time corresponds to the communication time zone information 123 read from the communication condition database 121, and if so, is associated with the first communication maintenance time information 124. The count value is set in the communication timer unit 151. If not applicable, the count value associated with the second communication maintenance time information 125 is set in the communication timer unit 151.

  For example, if the communication time zone information 123 indicates from 7:00 to 22:00, and the current time is 12:00, the current time corresponds to the communication time zone information 123, so the count value associated with the first communication maintenance time information 124 is communicated. If the current time is 2 o'clock, the count value associated with the second communication maintenance time information 125 is set in the communication timer 151 because the current time does not correspond to the communication time zone information 123.

  The subsequent operation is omitted because it is equivalent to that of the second embodiment, but as shown above, according to the present embodiment, the communication maintenance time until the communication link is disconnected is selected according to the time zone. For example, the communication link maintenance time is set to 10 minutes at night when there are few communication events and set to 1 hour during the day when there are many communication events. It is possible to further reduce the power consumption by setting.

  Note that in the present embodiment, the first communication maintenance time information 124 and the second communication maintenance time information 125 are switched and used depending on the time zone. It is also possible to switch the communication maintenance time longer or shorter depending on the amount of traffic in the time zone.

  Although the present embodiment has cited the second embodiment in order to exemplify a possible embodiment, the communication time zone is added to the feature of the present embodiment, that is, the communication condition database 121 in contrast to the first embodiment. Even if the information 123, the first communication maintenance time information 124, and the second communication maintenance time information 125 are included, the above-described effects can be realized.

  As described above, the network connection device and the network connection method according to the present invention are suitable for Internet routers for general homes, and devices connected to a home network taking advantage of low power consumption. For example, the present invention is useful when applied to a personal computer, a notebook personal computer, an HDD recorder, an ADSL or FTTH modem, an IP phone, a wireless access point, etc. having a network function.

1 is a block configuration diagram showing an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus according to a first embodiment of a network connection apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an Ethernet (registered trademark) connection apparatus according to a second embodiment of the network connection apparatus of the present invention The block block diagram which shows the Ethernet (trademark) connection apparatus which is Embodiment 3 of the network connection apparatus of this invention

Explanation of symbols

111 processor 121 communication condition database 122 communication maintenance time information 123 communication time zone information 124 first communication maintenance time information 125 second communication maintenance time information 131 data link control unit 141 physical layer function providing unit 142 data transmission / reception unit 143 communication link Control unit 144 Media interface unit 151 Communication timer unit 181 MII interface 182 Transmission stop request 184 Communication status 185 Link disconnection request

Claims (8)

In a network connection device that connects to a network using a predetermined communication protocol,
A communication state switching means for performing switching between at least two states of a communication link disconnection state in which the transmitter is in a dormant state and a communication link establishment state in which the transmitter is in a driving state, and keeping the receiver in a driving state at all times;
In the communication link establishment state, when the no-communication duration is counted and the no-communication duration is equal to or longer than a preset communication maintenance time, an instruction to shift the communication state switching means to the communication link disconnection state And a control means for detecting a transmission request in the communication link disconnection state and instructing the communication state switching means to shift to the communication link establishment state when the transmission request is received. A network connection device. When the communication state switching unit in the communication link disconnection state receives an instruction to enter the communication link establishment state, the communication state switching unit temporarily holds the transmission request of the control unit and communicates with the network. 2. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein after the link is established, the suspension of the transmission request is released. 3. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined communication protocol is an Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol. The communication state switching unit and the control unit are connected by an MII interface, and the communication state switching unit temporarily stops the transmission request of the control unit by stopping the transition of the transmission clock (TX_CLK) of the MII interface. 4. The network connection device according to claim 2, wherein the network connection device is put on hold. The control means stores a plurality of the communication maintenance times, selects one communication maintenance time from the plurality of communication time zones according to the time zone, and performs comparison with the no-communication duration time. The network connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the network connection device is characterized in that: In a network connection method for connecting to a network using a predetermined communication protocol,
Provide at least two states, a communication link disconnection state in which the transmitter is in a dormant state and a communication link establishment state in which the transmitter is in a drive state, and the receiver is always kept in a drive state,
In the communication link establishment state, the no-communication duration is counted, and when the no-communication duration is equal to or longer than a preset communication maintenance time, the communication link is disconnected and the communication link is disconnected. A network connection method characterized by detecting a transmission request in a communication link disconnection state and shifting to the communication link establishment state when the transmission request is received. The transmission request is temporarily suspended when the communication link is disconnected from the communication link disconnected state, and the transmission request suspension is canceled after the communication link with the network is established. 6. The network connection method according to 6. A plurality of the communication maintenance times are stored in advance, one of the communication maintenance times is selected according to a time zone, and the comparison with the no-communication continuation time is performed. The network connection method described in 1.

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