Patent ID: 8046488
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: G06F,H04L,Y02D

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: receiving from a remote port a remote width capability during a link initialization, the remote width capability corresponding to the remote port and including a plurality of supported link widths and corresponding lane identifiers, comparing the remote width capability to a local width capability of a local port, and selecting a common link map that the remote port and the local port can support; and operating a link between the local port and the remote port at a plurality of link widths in accordance with the remote width capability without an additional link initialization or negotiation between the local port and the remote port, including establishing a first link width for the link based on the remote width capability and the local width capability; selecting a second link width based on the remote width capability and an operating condition of the local port, wherein if a power saving opportunity is present, the selecting includes selecting the second link width to be narrower than the first link width, the operating condition including a power saving condition, and if an increased bandwidth requirement exists, the selecting includes selecting the second link width to be wider than the first link width, the operating condition including an increased bandwidth condition; and modulating the link to the second link width and placing a portion of the local port in a low power state after modulating the link to the second link width if the power saving opportunity is present, and bringing a portion of the local port out of a low power state before modulating the link to the second link width if the increased bandwidth condition exists.