Method And System For Supporting A Variable And Energy Efficient Data Rate Using A Duty Cycling Technique And Multiple Power States On An Ethernet Link

Abstract

Aspects of a method and system for supporting a variable and energy efficient data rate using a duty cycling technique and multiple power states on an Ethernet link are provided. In this regard, a data rate on a network link may be duty cycled based on characteristics of data communicated over it. The network link may operate at a first data rate for a first portion of the time interval and may operate at a second data rate for a second portion of the time interval. The duration of each portion of the time interval and/or the data rate during each portion of the time interval may be adjusted to control the duty cycling. Power consumed in a device connected to the network link may be controlled based on the duty cycling of the link.

1 . A method for networking, the method comprising:
 duty cycling, based on characteristics of data communicated via a network link, a data rate on said network link such that said network link operates at a first data rate for a first portion of a specified time interval and said network link operates at a second data rate for a second portion of said specified time interval.   
     
     
         2 - 20 . (canceled)