Patent ID: 6442174
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: H04L,Y02D

Abstract:
A method for saving power in a network system, said network system being capable of executing a first transmission protocol and a second transmission protocol, the data transmission performance of said first transmission protocol being higher than that of said second transmission protocol, and the power consumption of said second transmission protocol being less than that of said first transmission protocol, comprising the steps of:detecting an idle period of said network system; comparing said idle period with a pre-determined period; switching said network system to said second transmission protocol when said idle period exceeds said pre-determined period; switching said network system back to said first transmission protocol when a data transmission occurs in said network system, and said first transmission protocol sending waveform in said idle period; and activating an auto-negotiation function to select one of said transmission protocols when said idle period exceeds said pre-determined period, the priorities of said transmission protocols in said auto-negotiation function being directly proportional to the power consumption of said transmission protocols.