Patent ID: 7369566

Claim:
A method for reducing power dissipation for data transmission from a transmitter to a receiver in a digital subscriber line (DSL) system when a rate of available data is below a first predetermined data rate for a predetermined length of time, said method including the steps of: storing normal parameters for a normal power and rate of said data transmission, wherein the DSL system is configured to operate protocols developed for on-line reconfiguration comprising additional on-line reconfiguration messages for entering and exiting layer two power saving mode; calculating new parameters for reduced power and a reduced rate of said data transmission, wherein the new parameters comprise bits per carrier and gains per carrier, and wherein the calculation of new parameters is based upon a deterministic calculation; communicating said new parameters between said transmitter and said receiver via an on-line reconfiguration message; transmitting data at said reduced power and reduced rate of said data transmission responsive to said new parameters, wherein said reduced rate requires less power for data transmission; and resuming said normal power and rate of said data transmission using said normal parameters when said rate of available data is above a second predetermined data rate.