Network interface with low power data transfer and methods for use therewith

摘要

A network interface includes a physical layer device coupled to a network link. A media access control module communicates with a link partner over the network link. An energy controller monitors a link utilization level of the network link and transitions, in response to the monitoring, the media access control module and the physical layer device to a low power idle mode, wherein the low power idle mode includes periodic transmission of a plurality of refresh frames in a refresh cycle and wherein at least one of the plurality of refresh frames is modified to include at least one first data payload.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
communicating via a network interface in an active mode with a link partner over a network link; monitoring, via the network interface, a link utilization level of the network link; and transitioning, in response to the monitoring, the network interface to a low power idle mode, wherein the low power idle mode includes periodic transmission of a plurality of refresh frames in a refresh cycle and wherein at least one of the plurality of refresh frames is modified from a wireless standard format to include at least one first data payload by overwriting a portion of the frame with the at least one first data payload to disable the low power idle mode for a predetermined period, wherein, the low power idle mode includes a wake command, and a wake frame of the wake command is modified to include a second data payload when the refresh frame is not transmitted to the link partner.