Patent ID: 10209762

Abstract:
A layered network (10; 11; 12) to provide offload of data in a communication processor (100; 110; 120). The layered network (10; 11; 12) includes a first set (S1) of network elements at a first layer (L1) and a second set (S2) of one or more network elements at a second layer (L2). The network elements of the first set (S1) are configured for processing incoming data and the network elements of the second set (S2) of one or more network elements at the second layer (L2) are configured to process intermediate data received from the first set (S1) of network elements. The network elements of a particular subset (Si1) of the network elements of the first set (Si1) of network elements are connected to only a particular network element (Ei2) of the second set (S2) to transfer the incoming data processed by the network elements of the particular subset (Si1) to the particular network element (Ei2) of the second set (S2). The layered network (10; 11; 12) further includes a powering controller (25) configured to, during offload of the data, put a particular network element (Ei2) of the second set (S2) at the second layer (L2) in an on state only if at least a particular network element (Ei1) of the particular subset (Si1) of the network elements of the first set (S1) at the first layer (L1) is in an on state and at least one of the network elements of the first set (S1) is in an off state. The powering controller (25) is configured to discriminate between chains of network elements formed by at least network elements of the first set (S1) and network elements of the second set (S2) and to have a chain in an on state if a first network element of the chain at a highest layer hierarchy is in an on state.