Patent ID: 7493440
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: G06F,H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A method of changing a media access controller to a power-save mode, comprising the steps of: (a) initializing the media access controller by supplying power thereto; (b) operating normally the media access controller in an active mode; (c) selecting the power-save mode of the media access controller; (d) setting a power control register of a physical layer interface unit provided within the media access controller; (e) setting a wake-up time value to a wake-up time register of the media access controller; (f) setting a stop bit to a clock disable register of the media access controller; (g) transmitting a bus occupation request signal from a power-save master of the media access controller to a bus arbiter to request occupation of the bus by the power-save master; (h) before entering the power-save mode, checking, with the bus arbiter, whether or not there is a bus master which currently uses a bus of the media access controller, and, in response to the bus occupation request signal by the power-save master, authorizing the power-save master to operate as a bus master and to occupy the bus when there is no other bus master which currently uses the bus of the media access controller; (i) disabling all system clocks supplied to the media access controller, wherein, in the power-save mode, the system clocks supplied to the media access controller are disabled; and (j) powering down a phase-locked loop of the media access controller.