Patent ID: 6993667
Filing Date: 2006-01-31
Classification: H04L,Y02D

Abstract:
1. An energy saving circuit that communicates with a receiver of a first physical layer of a first network device, comprising: a sense circuit that communicates with said receiver and that generates a receive signal when connection activity that exceeds a first threshold is detected by said receiver, wherein said sense circuit enters a sense state and powers down said first physical layer when said sense circuit is reset, wherein said energy saving circuit powers down said first physical layer when said receiver does not detect said connection activity for a first predetermined period to reduce power consumption of said first physical layer; an autonegotiation circuit that communicates with said sense circuit and that powers up said first physical layer and attempts to negotiate a connection with a second physical layer of a second network device when said sense circuit generates said receive signal; and a first timer that generates a first signal after a first period and that is reset when said receive signal is generated by said sense circuit, wherein if said first timer times out before autonegotiation is complete, said sense circuit powers down said first physical layer and returns to said sense state.