Methods and systems for power management in communication devices based on cable connectivity
Methods and systems are provided for power management in communication devices, particularly based on cable connectivity. In a communication device that includes a communication port, including a first connector and a signal path communicatively coupled to the connector, measurements associated with the signal path may be obtained. Based on the obtained measurements, it may be determined whether an external cable is mated to the connector, and the communication device may be transition to a sleep mode when it is determined that the external cable is not mated to the connector. Determining whether the external cable is mated may be based on detecting presence or absence of a signal on the signal path, based on evaluating signal characteristics of a signal present on the signal path, measuring of voltage or current at the communication port, and/or energy measurements associated with one or more particular frequencies.
1. A system comprising:
a communication port that comprises a connector and a signal path communicatively coupled to the connector; and
a power management component configured to:
obtain measurements associated with the signal path;
determine based on the obtained measurements, whether an external cable is mated to the connector; and
transition the system to a sleep mode when it is determined that the external cable is not mated to the connector.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power management component comprises:
a sensing component; and
a power control component;
wherein:
the sensing component is configured to alert the power management component regarding whether the external cable is mated to the connector; and
the power control component is configured to transition the system to the sleep mode when the external cable is not mated to the connector.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power management component is configured to, upon transition to the sleep mode, turn off one or more electronic components of the system that draw energy directly or indirectly from a power supply of the system.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the obtained measurements comprise measured results at various frequencies, and wherein the power management component is configured to compare the measured results to corresponding references at least at one or more frequencies.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power management component is configured to:
compare energy at one or more frequencies with reference energy values corresponding to the one or more frequencies;
determine whether a signal is present at the one or more frequencies or within corresponding one or more frequency bands; and
determine that the external cable is mated to the connector based on the determination that the signal is present.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power management component comprises a cable presence circuit configured to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector based on measuring of voltage or current at the communication port.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power management component is configured to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector based on detecting presence or absence of a signal on the signal path.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power management component is configured to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector based on evaluating signal characteristics of a signal present on the signal path.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power management component is configured to, upon transition to the sleep mode, periodically re-determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector upon the initiation of the sleep mode.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein when the system enters the sleep mode, at least part of the power management component is configured to remain awake and continue to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector.
11. A method, comprising:
in a communication device that comprises a communication port comprising a connector and a signal path communicatively coupled to the connector:
obtaining measurements associated with the signal path;
determining based on the obtained measurements, whether an external cable is mated to the connector; and
transitioning the communication device to a sleep mode when it is determined that the external cable is not mated to the connector.
12. The method of claim 11 , comprising, upon transition to the sleep mode, turning off one or more components of the communication device that draw energy directly or indirectly from a power supply of the communication device.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the obtained measurements comprise measured results at various frequencies, and further comprising comparing the measured results to corresponding references at least at one or more frequencies.
14. The method of claim 11 , comprising:
comparing energy at one or more frequencies with reference energy values corresponding to the one or more frequencies;
determining whether a signal is present at the one or more frequencies or within corresponding one or more frequency bands; and
determining that the external cable is mated to the connector based on the determination that the signal is present.
15. The method of claim 11 , comprising determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector based on measuring of voltage or current at the communication port.
16. The method of claim 11 , comprising determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector based on detecting presence or absence of a signal on the signal path.
17. The method of claim 11 , comprising determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector based on evaluating signal characteristics of a signal present on the signal path.
18. The method of claim 11 , comprising, upon transition to the sleep mode, periodically re-determining whether the external cable is mated to the connector upon the initiation of the sleep mode.
19. The method of claim 11 , comprising, after transition to the sleep mode, awakening at least one component of the communication device after a predetermined period of time to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector.
20. The method of claim 11 , comprising, upon transition to the sleep mode, keeping at least one component of the communication device awake, wherein the at least one component is configured for continuing to determine whether the external cable is mated to the connector.