The key feature of the Lock and Link technology is to start and stop the data communication protocol during idle periods. The question is of course: WHEN should the datalink be switched on and off again? Switching off at any idle period may cause latency (as the network has to start too often), switching it off too late may consume too much energy (as the network is ‘on’ during a part of idle time)

This is taken care of by the ITPA client (Idle Time Prediction Algorithm)

Key features

• The ITPA client is interfaced with the MAC layer. It monitors the MAC layer, particularly the data stream that is flowing from the host towards this MAC layer.
• As the Cool Optics Lock & Link technology is faster than the MAC layer, there is ‘plenty of time’, albeit nanoseconds, to analyze the traffic and make a decision on whether the traffic should be halted, restarted, or not affected.
• This decision is taken in 4 clock cycles, whereas the MAC TX layer consumes in the range of 10 clock cycles. So, the decision comes ahead of the actual traffic, giving time to execute the start or stop command.
• Upon a decision, the ITPA sends a command to the Lock & Link block, which takes the needed action to start or stop the data stream.

Key benefits

• Optimal energy saving depending on actual load
• Minimal latency consequences (from zero latency to 100 times better than existing EE technologies)