Patent ID: 8009577
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: H04M,H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a network device having a communications uplink to an upstream link partner and a communications downlink to a downstream link partner, the communications uplink and communications downlink forming part of a communications path between the upstream link partner and the downstream link partner, the method comprising: in a first operating condition in which the communications uplink is configured as an Ethernet link operated at a first data rate and uplink communications circuitry in the network device is operated at a corresponding first power consumption, detecting that the downstream link partner has reduced communications activity on the communications path, in response to detecting that the downstream link partner has reduced communications activity on the communications path, performing a modified auto-negotiation with the upstream link partner via the Ethernet link to transition the communications uplink from the first data rate to a second data rate, the second data rate of the communications uplink being a slower rate relative to the first data rate of the communications uplink in the first operating condition, and in response to performing the modified auto-negotiation with the upstream link partner switching to a second operating condition in which the communications uplink is operated at the second data rate and the uplink communications circuitry is operated at a corresponding second power consumption, the second power consumption being lower than the first power consumption; and in the second operating condition, detecting that the downstream link partner has increased communications activity on the communications path and in response switching to the first operating condition.