Power gated communication controller

Abstract

A method includes detecting a communication event over a communication bus 130 coupled to a device, and in response to detecting the communication event, deactivating a module of the device. The method may further include sending a data throttle packet over the communication bus 130 while the deactivated module reactivates.

1 . A method, comprising:
 detecting a communication event over a communication bus, the communication bus coupled to a device;   deactivating one or more modules of the device in response to the communication event;   reactivating the one or more deactivated modules; and   sending a data throttle packet over the communication bus in response to an inquiry received over the communication bus during at least a portion of reactivation of one or more deactivated modules.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modules are deactivated by eliminating voltage and/or current to the modules. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting a reactivation event, wherein the one or more deactivated modules are reactivated when the reactivation event is detected. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication event occurs when a number of packets sent over the communication bus from the device exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the packets are of a same type and consecutive. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein each packet is sent in reply to an inquiry received over the communication bus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the reactivation event comprises the device receiving data to send over the communication bus or a change in the inquiry received over the communication bus. 
     
     
         8 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a communication module configured to send and receive packets over a communication bus; and   a power control module coupled to the communication module, the power control module configured to:
 detect a communication event over the communication bus; 
 deactivate another module in response to the communication event; 
 reactivate the deactivated module; and 
 direct the communication module to send a data throttle packet over the communication bus, in response to an inquiry received over the communication bus, during at least a portion of reactivation of one or more deactivated module reactivates. 
   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the power control module is to control a power supply to the communication module and another module, wherein to deactivate the other module, the power control module is to turn off a voltage and/or current to the other module. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the power control module is further configured to detect a reactivation event, wherein the deactivated module to be reactivated when the reactivation event is detected. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 ,
 wherein the power control module is to detect a communication event when a number of packets sent by the communication module exceeds a predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein one or more packets are to be sent in reply to the communication module receiving an inquiry over the communication bus. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the reactivation event comprises receipt by the communication module of data to send over the communication bus or a change in the inquiry received by the communication module. 
     
     
         18 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A system comprising:
 a display port;   a circuit; and   a communication control unit in communication with the circuit, wherein the communication control unit comprises:
 a communication module that sends and receives packets over a communication bus; 
 a module coupled to the communication module; and 
 a power control module coupled to the communication module, the power control module configured to:
 detect a communication event over the communication bus; 
 deactivate the module in response to the communication event; 
 reactivate the deactivated modules; and 
 direct the communication module to send a data throttle packet over the communication bus, in response to an inquiry received over the communication bus, during at least a portion of reactivation of at one or more deactivated modules. 
 
   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the power control module is to detect a communication event when a number of packets sent by the communication module exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising polling to determine if a communication control unit is ready to receive packets or has packets to send prior to detecting the communication event. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication event relates to at least one of a sequence, a pattern and a timing of data packets sent or received. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising slowing down a data transfer by sending the data throttle packet. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deactivation and reactivation of the one or more modules is performed independently of a host device. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus  claim 12 , wherein the communication module is configured to send the data throttle packet to slow down a data transfer. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein deactivation and reactivation of the one or more modules is performed independently of a host device. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the communication event relates to at least one of a sequence, a pattern and a timing of data packets sent or received. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the other module is deactivated during an interval when a host device polls the communication module, but data is being transferred. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the communication module is configured to send the data throttle packet to slow down a data transfer. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein deactivation and reactivation of the one or more modules is performed independently of a host device. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the communication event relates to at least one of a sequence, a pattern and a timing of data packets sent or received. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the other module is deactivated during an interval when a host device polls the communication module, but data is being transferred.