Patent ID: 8756447
Filing Date: 2014-06-17
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A network device applied in a wired network, the network device transmitting data between a link partner via the wired network, the network device comprising: a data rate meter for detecting a data rate of the network device; a state machine unit coupled to the data rate meter for determining an operating mode of the network device according to the data rate and for generating an instruction signal; and a power control unit coupled to the state machine unit for controlling a power consumption state of the network device according to the instruction signal; wherein the state machine unit determines whether the network device transmits a pause frame to the link partner according to the data rate, so that the link partner stops data transmission during a pause period and the power control unit controls the network device in a power saving mode during the pause period, wherein responsive to the transmission of the pause frame but prior to entering the power saving mode, the state machine unit detects whether or not the link partner continues to transmit data that is transmitted independently of the transmission of the pause frame.