Marvell Asia Pte., Ltd.

Brian Edem

Seid Alireza Razavi Majomard

George Zimmerman

Ragnar Hlynur Jonsson

David H Shen

Brett Anthony McClellan

Xing Wu

A network interface device operates in a normal transmit operating mode in which the network interface device continually receives transmission symbols from a link partner via the communication link. The network interface device determines that receive circuitry of the network interface device is to transition to a low power mode in response to receiving a sleep signal from the link partner. The network interface device then operates according to a quiet/refresh cycle of the low power mode to conserve power. The quiet/refresh cycle corresponds to a time schedule that includes a refresh time window in which receive circuitry of the network interface device is to be powered to receive a refresh signal from the link partner Immediately after transmission of the sleep signal, the network interface device transitions to a quiet time window of the time schedule in which the network interface device ignores transmissions from the link partner.

Energy efficient ethernet (EEE) operation

A network interface device operates in a normal operating mode in which the network interface device continually receives transmission symbols via a communication link. The network interface device determines that the network interface device is to transition to a low power mode, and in response transitions receiver circuitry to the low power mode. During a transition time period corresponding to determining that that the network interface device is to transition to the low power mode, the network interface device ignores signals received via the communication link.

Growing community of inventors

Saratoga, CA, United States of America

Brian Edem