SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING RATE OF AIR FLOW THROUGH DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS

Methods, systems, and devices for managing the operation of data processing systems are disclosed. A data processing system may include a computing device that may provide computer-implemented services. To provide the computer-implemented services, hardware components of the data processing system may need to operate within certain thermal dissipation requirements. To regulate the temperature of the hardware components, a fan may circulate air through the data processing system when the temperatures fall outside the thermal dissipation requirements. To regulate the temperature of the hardware components more efficiently, higher air flow rates may be desired. To increase air flow rates, a three-dimensional ventilation port may be implemented to de-constrict air flow when air enters or exits the data processing system.

FIELD DISCLOSED HEREIN

Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to data processing system management. More particularly, embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods to manage air flow in data processing systems.

BACKGROUND

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments disclosed herein will be described with reference to details discussed below, and the accompanying drawings will illustrate the various embodiments. The following description and drawings are illustrative disclosed herein and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosed embodiments. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments disclosed herein. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to provide a concise discussion of embodiments disclosed herein.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment disclosed herein. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” and “an embodiment” in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

References in the specification to “adapted to” may, in the context of a programmable device, indicate that the programmable device has been programmed to perform the functionality described with respect to the programmable devices. In the context of a static device, “adapted to” may indicate that the device include circuitry to perform the functionality described with respect to the static devices.

In general, embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for managing the operation of a data processing system. The data processing system may provide computer-implemented services.

To provide the computer-implemented services, the data processing system may include hardware components. The hardware components may have thermal dissipation requirements that must be met for the hardware components to operate nominally (e.g., with low probability of error, low chance of damage/failure, etc.). The thermal dissipation requirements may include, for example, an optimal temperature range, a threshold for a rate of air flow through the data processing system to maintain the temperature range, and/or other requirements.

To meet the thermal dissipation requirements of the hardware components, the data processing system may include a fan (and/or another system to circulate air through the data processing system). The fan may generate air flow to cool the hardware components at prescribed rates and maintain the temperature of the hardware components within their thermal dissipation requirements. The air flow may be directed along an air flow path, the air flow path beginning at a first side of the data processing system and ending at a second side of the data processing system. However, air flow rates within the data processing system may be limited by the power of the fan and by the size of the openings in the first side and second side of the data processing system.

Increasing the power of the fan to increase the rate of air flow throughout the data processing system may be impractical, as larger fans may take up an undesirable amount of space in the data processing system and/or may generate an undesirable amount of static discharge within the data processing system during operation. In addition, increasing the size of the openings in one or more sides of the data processing system to de-constrict air flow may be impossible, as other components take up space on the sides of the data processing system (e.g., ports, power buttons, antenna connections, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), add-in cards, etc.). Increasing the size of an opening in one or more sides of the data processing system may also allow undesired access to the internal components of the data processing system. This undesired access may lead to damage and/or otherwise manipulation of the operation of the data processing system.

To address the limitations on air flow rates mentioned above, the data processing system may include a three-dimensional ventilation port. The three-dimensional ventilation port may alleviate constriction of air flow (when air enters or exits the data processing system, depending on the direction of air flow). Therefore, the rate of air flow throughout the data processing system may be higher when compared to a data processing system in which the rate of air flow is constricted by an opening in one side of the data processing system. To do so, the three-dimensional ventilation port may include a base and walls that define a three-dimensional space. The base and the walls may be made of a perforated screen material that allows air to flow through the base and the walls of the three-dimensional ventilation port. The three-dimensional ventilation port may be positioned proximate to an opening in one side of the data processing system. Therefore, the surface area through which air may flow may be equal to the surface area of the base and the walls of the three-dimensional ventilation port, the surface area of the base and the walls being larger than the surface area of the open area in the front of the data processing system.

Thus, embodiments disclosed herein may provide an improved data processing system that may meet thermal dissipation requirements of hardware components by increasing air flow rates throughout the data processing system. Consequently, embodiments disclosed herein may address the technical problem of thermal operating condition limitations of data processing systems. The disclosed embodiments may address this problem by providing a data processing system with increased air flow rate capabilities by de-constricting air flow entering and/or exiting the data processing system.

In an embodiment, a data processing system that provides computer-implemented services is provided. The data processing system may include an enclosure having a front and a rear that define an air flow path, the front comprising: a first area that is open, unscreened, and usable for ventilation, and a second area not usable for ventilation; a hardware component positioned along the air flow path, the hardware component having a thermal dissipation requirement that is met when a rate of an air flow along the air flow path is above a threshold; a fan positioned in an interior of the enclosure, the fan being adapted to generate the air flow along the air flow path, and the fan having an air flow generation capacity that is: sufficient to establish the rate of the air flow while the first area is open and unscreened, and insufficient to establish the rate of the air flow while the first area is not open or screened; and a three-dimensional ventilation port positioned proximate to the first area, the three-dimensional ventilation port comprising a screen that extends from edges of the first area into an interior of the enclosure, and the screen comprising an open area that that is larger than the first area.

The three-dimensional ventilation port may include a base and walls that define a three-dimensional space, the base and the walls being made of a perforated screen material.

The perforated screen material may allow the air flow to enter the three-dimensional ventilation port through the walls and the base.

The three-dimensional ventilation port may include a mechanism positioned to attach the three-dimensional ventilation port to the enclosure.

The three-dimensional ventilation port may include an electromagnetic interference gasket, the electromagnetic interference gasket being positioned to seal the three-dimensional ventilation port to at least a portion of the edges of the first area.

The data processing system may also include a lid adapted to reversibly close a top of the enclosure, wherein the three-dimensional ventilation port is attached to the lid, and removing the lid detaches the three-dimensional ventilation port from the enclosure.

The three-dimensional ventilation port may not protrude from the front and away from the enclosure.

The base and the walls may be arranged to enclose a rectangular volume, the rectangular volume positioned proximate to the first area and within the enclosure.

The hardware component may be positioned proximate to the first area, the walls and base being arranged to enclose a volume that: extends from the first area into the enclosure, and comprises: a first portion that extends a first distance from the first area, and a second portion that extends a second distance from the first area, the first distance being larger than the second distance.

One of the walls that is on an opposite side of the volume from the first area may be positioned in a first plane, the first area being in a second plane, and the first plane and the second plane not being parallel to each other.

Turning toFIG.1, a block diagram illustrating a system in accordance with an embodiment is shown. The system shown inFIG.1may provide any quantity and type of computer-implemented services. To provide the computer-implemented services, the system ofFIG.1may include data processing system100.

Data processing system100may include functionality to provide various types of computer-implemented services. The computer-implemented services may include any number and type of computer-implemented services. The computer-implemented services may include, for example, database services, data processing services, electronic communication services, and/or any other services that may be provided using one or more computing devices. Other types of computer-implemented services may be provided by data processing system100without departing from embodiments disclosed herein.

To provide the computer-implemented services, data processing system100may include various components such as hardware components101positioned inside an enclosure (e.g., enclosure102) of data processing system100. Hardware components101may include any type and quantity of hardware components such as processors, memory modules, storage devices, communications devices, and/or other types of devices. Hardware components101may also include power supplies, fans, and/or other types of devices usable to power and/or thermally manage the hardware components. Any of these hardware components may be operably connected to one another using circuit card traces, cabling, connectors, etc.

Hardware components101may generate and dissipate heat (e.g., into an air flow) during performance of the computer-implemented services. However, hardware components101may have thermal dissipation requirements (e.g., temperature-sensitive conditions for optimal performance of the computer-implemented services). If operated at temperatures outside of these thermal dissipation requirements, hardware components101may not function as desired. Therefore, the computer-implemented services may not be reliably performed when the hardware components are too warm. The thermal dissipation requirements may dictate a temperature range for operation, a threshold for a rate of air flow required to maintain the optimal temperature range, and/or other requirements.

As previously mentioned, hardware components101may include a fan (not shown) positioned in an interior of the enclosure102. The fan may draw air from outside enclosure102(e.g., cooler air) to perform thermal exchange with hardware components101as they generate and dissipate heat. The fan may establish an air flow path through the enclosure102. The air flow path may begin at a first side of enclosure102(e.g., front104) and may end at a second side of enclosure102(e.g., rear103). Intake air (e.g., cooler air) may enter the enclosure102through front104, may travel along the air flow path, and may cool the hardware components101. Exhaust air (e.g., warmer air) may exit the enclosure102via rear103.

However, front104may only allow air to enter the enclosure102through an open area with pre-determined dimensions (e.g., first area105). The remainder of front104(e.g., second area106) may be used to house elements such as ports, power buttons, antenna connections, LEDs, and add-in cards and, therefore, may be unavailable for additional ventilation. Constricting the intake air flow to first area105may limit the rate of air flow through enclosure102to an extent that the thermal dissipation requirements of hardware components101may not be met.

In general, embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems, devices, and methods for improving the likelihood that data processing system100is able to provide its computer-implemented services. To improve the likelihood that data processing system100is able to provide its computer-implemented services, data processing system100may include functionality to provide air flow throughout data processing system100at rates to meet the thermal dissipation requirements (e.g., through thermal exchange) of temperature-sensitive hardware components internal to data processing system100and integral to the performance of the computer-implemented services.

To increase the rate of air flow through enclosure102, data processing system100may include three-dimensional ventilation port107. Three-dimensional ventilation port107may include walls and a base that define a three-dimensional shape as shown inFIG.1and described in further detail with respect toFIG.2. Three-dimensional ventilation port107may be positioned proximate to first area105and may include a screen that extends from edges of first area105inwards from front104into the interior of enclosure102.

The screen may be a perforated screen material (e.g., sheet metal) that allows air to flow through the base and walls of three-dimensional ventilation port107. Three-dimensional ventilation port107may be positioned in an air flow path dictated by a fan (not shown). The three-dimensional ventilation port107may provide a larger surface area of perforated screen material through which exhaust air may flow when compared to a data processing system in which air flow is constricted to flow through first area105when covered by a screen.

Therefore, three-dimensional ventilation port107may de-constrict air flow through first area105. Accordingly, higher rates of air flow through enclosure102to cool hardware components101may be obtained (e.g., when compared to scenarios in which three-dimensional ventilation port107is not present, and a screen is placed in first area105. Refer toFIG.2for additional details regarding the three-dimensional ventilation port107. Refer toFIG.5for additional details regarding air flow through the enclosure102.

While illustrated inFIG.1with a limited number of specific components, a system may include additional, fewer, and/or different components without departing from embodiments disclosed herein. While described above with reference to an air flow path beginning at front104and ending at rear103, the air flow path may travel in the opposite direction (e.g., rear103to front104) and/or via other configurations without departing from embodiments disclosed herein.

Turning toFIG.2, a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional ventilation port in accordance with an embodiment is shown. Three-dimensional ventilation port200may be similar to three-dimensional ventilation port107discussed with respect toFIG.1. As discussed above, the three-dimensional ventilation port200may de-constrict air flow through an enclosure of a data processing system by increasing the surface area through which air may enter (or exit) the enclosure. By doing so, the rate of air flow throughout the enclosure may increase and the thermal dissipation requirements of hardware components required to perform the computer-implemented services may be reliably met.

Three-dimensional ventilation port200may include base201and walls202that define a three-dimensional space. The base201may be any shape and/or dimension required to fit within unoccupied space in the enclosure (e.g., enclosure102). In addition, walls202may include any number of walls required to define a three-dimensional space based on the shape and dimensions of the base201. As shown inFIG.2, the base201and walls202may be arranged to enclose a rectangular volume. For additional details regarding alternative configurations of the three-dimensional ventilation port, refer toFIGS.4A-4B.

The base201and walls202may be made of a perforated screen material allowing air flow to pass through the base201and the walls202. The perforated screen material may be, for example, perforated sheet metal.

Attachment mechanism203may include any number of attachment mechanisms positioned to attach the three-dimensional ventilation port200to the data processing system via the enclosure, a lid of the enclosure, and/or another component of the data processing system. The attachment mechanism203may attach three-dimensional ventilation port200to the data processing system without utilizing the surfaces of the walls202and base201for attachment purposes.

Attachment mechanism203may include, for example, a plurality of flat pieces connected to (and perpendicular to) the edges of walls202. The plurality of flat pieces may extend outwards from walls202away from the three-dimensional ventilation port200. The flat pieces may be, for example, pieces of sheet metal shaped to fit a pre-defined area on the enclosure, lid of the enclosure, and/or other component of the data processing system. The flat pieces may include holes to accommodate screws and/or other attachment hardware adapted to attach the flat pieces parallel to the surface of attachment (e.g., a surface within the enclosure, a lid, etc.). For additional details regarding the use of an enclosure lid, refer toFIGS.3A-3C.

Three-dimensional ventilation port200may include electromagnetic interference gasket204. Electromagnetic interference gasket204may include any type of conductive material adapted to mitigate interference of electromagnetic radiation with the performance of the computer-implemented services. The electromagnetic interference gasket204may wrap around a portion of the base201and walls202where three-dimensional ventilation port200makes contact with the front of the enclosure102(e.g., front104). By doing so, electromagnetic interference gasket204may suppress interference from any electromagnetic fields generated by hardware components101(and/or other components) within enclosure102.

While illustrated inFIG.2with a limited number of specific components, a three-dimensional ventilation port may include additional, fewer, and/or different components without departing from embodiments disclosed herein.

The three-dimensional ventilation port200may be attached (using the attachment mechanism203) directly to the enclosure102. Alternatively, the three-dimensional ventilation port may be attached to a separate component (e.g., a lid of the enclosure) and may be removable from the data processing system100. Turning toFIG.3A, a top view of a lid adapted to reversibly close a top of an enclosure (e.g., enclosure102) is shown. Three-dimensional ventilation port200may be attached to lid300.

Three-dimensional ventilation port200may be attached to lid300using an attachment mechanism similar to attachment mechanism203described with respect toFIG.2. The volume of three-dimensional ventilation port200may be defined by a base and walls as shown inFIG.2and may include open area302. Open area302may be an area not covered by the perforated screen material and through which air may flow. By not being covered by the perforated screen material, open area302may allow access to the internal volume of three-dimensional ventilation port200. However, due to the perforated screen material covering the walls and base of three-dimensional ventilation port200, no objects larger than the perforations in the perforated screen material may enter the enclosure via the open area302. The edges of the base and the walls of the three-dimensional ventilation port200surrounding open area302may house the electromagnetic interference gasket described inFIG.2. Therefore, the edge of the walls and base surrounding open area302may be intended to seal a connection between three-dimensional ventilation port200and the front of an enclosure (e.g., front104of enclosure102).

If lid300is placed on top of the enclosure (e.g., enclosure102), three-dimensional ventilation port200may form a seal with first area105of front104and may not protrude from the front104. Therefore, three-dimensional ventilation port200may reside entirely within the enclosure102when the lid is placed on the enclosure102. If the lid is removed from enclosure102, three-dimensional ventilation port200may detach from front104and be removed entirely from enclosure102. Attaching three-dimensional ventilation port200to lid300may allow for hardware components101(and/or other components) to be added or removed from enclosure102without spatial interference from the three-dimensional ventilation port200.

Turning toFIG.3B, a bottom view of a lid adapted to reversibly close a top of an enclosure is shown. As shown inFIG.3A, three-dimensional ventilation port200may be attached to the lid300using attachment mechanism203. Three-dimensional ventilation port200may include open area302as previously described inFIG.3A. Open area302may be surrounded by edges of the base and the walls of the three-dimensional ventilation port200that house an electromagnetic interference gasket204. As previously described inFIG.2with respect to electromagnetic interference gasket204, electromagnetic interference gasket204may form a seal with the front of the enclosure (e.g., front104of enclosure102) when the lid300is fitted to the enclosure102.

Turning toFIG.3C, a side view of a lid adapted to reversibly close a top of an enclosure lid300is shown. Lid300is shown above enclosure102in a configuration in which lid300may be placed on top of enclosure102. As previously described, open area302of three-dimensional ventilation port200may match up with first area105of front104without protruding from front104. The perforated screen material making up the walls and the base of three-dimensional ventilation port200may allow air to enter enclosure102through open area302. The perforated screen material may also protect enclosure102from macroscopic objects entering the enclosure102. As previously described, electromagnetic interference gasket204may seal the connection between three-dimensional ventilation port200and front104and may mitigate interference of electromagnetic fields in and around enclosure102.

The three-dimensional ventilation port200may include a base and walls that define a rectangular volume as shown inFIG.2. However, hardware components and/or other components internal to the data processing system (e.g., data processing system100) may take up space proximate to the three-dimensional ventilation port inside enclosure102and, therefore, a rectangular volume may not be ideal for the configuration of components inside enclosure102. The walls and base of three-dimensional ventilation port200may define a shape other than a rectangle to accommodate the internal components of enclosure102as described below.

Turning toFIG.4A, a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional ventilation port with a notched-out section is shown. The base201of three-dimensional ventilation port200may include a first portion400that extends a first distance from the open area302and a second portion401that extends a second distance from the open area302. The first distance may be greater than the second distance. The first portion400and the second portion401may form notched-out section402of three-dimensional ventilation port200. Notched-out section402may allow the three-dimensional ventilation port200to fit inside the enclosure102without making undesired contact with any of hardware components101and/or other components internal to data processing system100.

In addition to notched-out section402, the three-dimensional ventilation port200may assume additional shapes to accommodate the internal components of data processing system100. Turning toFIG.4B, a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional ventilation port with a non-parallel wall is shown. The base201may assume a triangular shape and walls202may include a non-parallel wall403. Non-parallel wall403may be located in a first plane, the open area302may be located in a second plane, and the first plane and the second plane may not be parallel to each other.

While illustrated inFIGS.4A-4Bwith example shapes, it will be appreciated that a three dimensional-ventilation port in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may have more complicated shapes (e.g., curved, multifaceted, etc.) without departing from embodiments disclosed herein.

The three-dimensional ventilation port may allow for increased rates of air flow through data processing system100and, therefore, more efficient cooling of hardware components101. Turning toFIG.5, a block diagram illustrating an air flow path through an enclosure (e.g., enclosure102) of a data processing system is shown.

Data processing system500(similar to data processing system100) may include temperature-sensitive hardware components502. Temperature-sensitive hardware components502may be integral to the performance of the computer-implemented services provided by data processing system500and the temperature-sensitive hardware components502may be associated with certain thermal dissipation requirements. To meet the thermal dissipation requirements for temperature-sensitive hardware components502, data processing system500may include components to monitor and regulate temperature throughout the data processing system500. These components may include temperature sensors504, fan506, and three-dimensional ventilation port508.

To determine whether the thermal dissipation requirements of the temperature-sensitive hardware components502are met, the temperature sensors504may collect temperature data at various locations within data processing system500. Temperature sensors504may include any number and type of temperature sensors. If the temperature sensors504determine that the temperature proximate to the temperature-sensitive hardware components is outside a threshold for optimal thermal dissipation requirements, fan506may activate to initiate air flow throughout data processing system500. Fan506may include any number of fans and may establish an air flow path from a first side of the data processing system500to a second side of data processing system500. For example, fans506may draw cooler air through the front510as shown by intake airflow512and may exhaust warmer air though rear514as shown by exhaust airflow516. While shown inFIG.5with example air flows, the air flows may follow different paths, may be in different directions (e.g., reversed), and/or may have different characteristics without departing from embodiments disclosed herein.

The thermal dissipation requirements of the temperature-sensitive hardware components502may specify an optimal rate of air flow to efficiently perform thermal exchange and cool the temperature-sensitive hardware components502. Fans506may be incapable of generating this rate of air flow due to the constriction of the air flow through open area518on front510. However, by implementing three-dimensional ventilation port508(made of a perforated screen material that allows air to flow though it in multiple directions), air may flow through a larger surface area covered in a mesh than open area518(e.g., air flow is shown inFIG.5by the dashed lines traveling through all sides of the three-dimensional ventilation port508). Consequently, the effective open area of the surface of three-dimensional ventilation port508may present little impedance to the flow of air and facilitate removal of the screen from open area518thereby decreasing its impedance to air flow. The net result may be reduced impedance to flow of air through data processing system500.

Thus, air flow may be less constricted through the front510and air flow rates may be increased within data processing system500. Consequently, data processing system500may more efficiently meet thermal dissipation requirements of temperature-sensitive hardware components502required to perform the computer-implemented services.

Accordingly, embodiments disclosed herein may address, among others, the technical problem of thermal management of hardware components that may generate heat during operating. Embodiments disclosed herein may do so by reducing impedance to air flow without increase the quantity of surface area through which air may flow through a data processing system. Thus, a data processing system in accordance with embodiments may provide improved rates of cooling while conforming to computing environment standards that may limit the surface area through which gasses may be drawn into and exhausted out of data processing systems.

Any of the components illustrated inFIGS.1-5may be implemented with one or more computing devices. Turning toFIG.6, a block diagram illustrating an example of a computing device in accordance with an embodiment is shown. For example, system600may represent any of the data processing systems and/or computing devices described above performing any of the processes or methods described above. System600can include many different components. These components can be implemented as integrated circuits (ICs), portions thereof, discrete electronic devices, or other modules adapted to a circuit board such as a motherboard or add-in card of the computer system, or as components otherwise incorporated within a chassis of the computer system. Note also that system600is intended to show a high level view of many components of the computer system. However, it is to be understood that additional components may be present in certain implementations and furthermore, different arrangement of the components shown may occur in other implementations. System600may represent a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, a server, a mobile phone, a media player, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal communicator, a gaming device, a network router or hub, a wireless access point (AP) or repeater, a set-top box, or a combination thereof. Further, while only a single machine or system is illustrated, the term “machine” or “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines or systems that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

In one embodiment, system600includes processor601, memory603, and devices605-608via a bus or an interconnect610. Processor601may represent a single processor or multiple processors with a single processor core or multiple processor cores included therein. Processor601may represent one or more general-purpose processors such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), or the like. More particularly, processor601may be a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or processor implementing other instruction sets, or processors implementing a combination of instruction sets. Processor601may also be one or more special-purpose processors such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a cellular or baseband processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), a network processor, a graphics processor, a network processor, a communications processor, a cryptographic processor, a co-processor, an embedded processor, or any other type of logic capable of processing instructions.

Processor601, which may be a low power multi-core processor socket such as an ultra-low voltage processor, may act as a main processing unit and central hub for communication with the various components of the system. Such processor can be implemented as a system on chip (SoC). Processor601is configured to execute instructions for performing the operations discussed herein. System600may further include a graphics interface that communicates with optional graphics subsystem604, which may include a display controller, a graphics processor, and/or a display device.

Processor601may communicate with memory603, which in one embodiment can be implemented via multiple memory devices to provide for a given amount of system memory. Memory603may include one or more volatile storage (or memory) devices such as random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), or other types of storage devices. Memory603may store information including sequences of instructions that are executed by processor601, or any other device. For example, executable code and/or data of a variety of operating systems, device drivers, firmware (e.g., input output basic system or BIOS), and/or applications can be loaded in memory603and executed by processor601. An operating system can be any kind of operating systems, such as, for example, Windows® operating system from Microsoft®, Mac OS®/iOS® from Apple, Android® from Google®, Linux®, Unix®, or other real-time or embedded operating systems such as VxWorks.

System600may further include IO devices such as devices (e.g.,605,606,607,608) including network interface device(s)605, optional input device(s)606, and other optional IO device(s)607. Network interface device(s)605may include a wireless transceiver and/or a network interface card (NIC). The wireless transceiver may be a WiFi transceiver, an infrared transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, a WiMax transceiver, a wireless cellular telephony transceiver, a satellite transceiver (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) transceiver), or other radio frequency (RF) transceivers, or a combination thereof. The NIC may be an Ethernet card.

Storage device608may include computer-readable storage medium609(also known as a machine-readable storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which is stored one or more sets of instructions or software (e.g., processing module, unit, and/or processing module/unit/logic628) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. Processing module/unit/logic628may represent any of the components described above. Processing module/unit/logic628may also reside, completely or at least partially, within memory603and/or within processor601during execution thereof by system600, memory603and processor601also constituting machine-accessible storage media. Processing module/unit/logic628may further be transmitted or received over a network via network interface device(s)605.

Processing module/unit/logic628, components and other features described herein can be implemented as discrete hardware components or integrated in the functionality of hardware components such as ASICS, FPGAs, DSPs or similar devices. In addition, processing module/unit/logic628can be implemented as firmware or functional circuitry within hardware devices. Further, processing module/unit/logic628can be implemented in any combination hardware devices and software components.

Note that while system600is illustrated with various components, it is not intended to represent any particular architecture or manner of interconnecting the components; as such details are not germane to embodiments disclosed herein. It will also be appreciated that network computers, handheld computers, mobile phones, servers, and/or other data processing systems which have fewer components or perhaps more components may also be used with embodiments disclosed herein.