Energy Efficient Ethernet for

Real-Time Industrial Networks

MD ARSHAD SHAREEF

INTRODUCTION
In 2010, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics

Engineers published the IEEE 802.3az amendment to

the widespread Ethernet standard, commonly referred
to as Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE). The amendment
introduces an optional Ethernet feature that allows to
achieve power saving during periods of low network
traffic.
Basically, EEE allows an Ethernet link between two
partners (either stations or network components like, for
example, switch devices) to enter a new state in which
link power consumption is considerably reduced with
respect to that of its common idle state. The request to
enter such a state may be issued by any of the two link
partners.

ARCHITECTURE OF A STATION IMPLEMENTING EEE

EEE is based on the introduction of the LPI

mode, a new feature of Ethernet devices

that allows Ethernet links to enter a new
functional state, namely, quiet state in
which power consumption is considerably
reduced and communication is not allowed
(only minimal signaling on the medium is
maintained).

LPI CLIENT PROTOCOL PRIMITIVES

LPI OPERATION

APPLICATION OF EEE TO PROFINET IO

PROFINET IO is a widespread RTE network

encompassed by the IEC 617842

International Standard, available in two
versions, namely, PROFINET IO IRT
(Isochronous Real-Time), referred to as
communication profile CP 36 by the
standard, and PROFINET IO RT (Real-Time)
that covers the communication profiles CP
34 and CP 35.

PROFINET TO IRT CONFIGURATION

PROFINET IO IRT EEE STRATEGY

PROFINET IO IRT: Time spent in quiet state and power

consumption

PROFINET IO RT configuration

PROFINET IO RT: Time spent in quiet state and power

consumption

EEE strategy can be applied through other

widespread RTE networks such as
Ethernet Powerlink
EtherCAT
EtherNET/IP

CONCLUSION
From the analysis it is clear that application

of EEE to RTE networks results in significant

power savings, actually maintaining the
high-performance level these networks are
requested to provide.
Consequently, the introduction of EEE in
the industrial communication scenario is a
promising research topic.