Communication devices, communication methods, and programs

Abstract

To recover communication errors caused by an environment during use.SOLUTION: A communication device according to the present invention includes: a first communication circuit and a second communication circuit; a communication lane used for communication between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit; a spare communication lane of the communication lane; and a control unit that controls communication between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit. The control unit includes a changing unit that changes the number of communication lanes by adding the spare communication lane to the communication lane and changes communication speed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technique for performing recovery when a communication error occurs in a communication device.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a control technique for changing the communication rate or the number of communication lanes of PCI\Express (registered trademark) communication when the usage rate of data in a communication buffer does not exceed a predetermined value for the purpose of reducing power consumption.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is a problem that the communication waveform is affected by the environment during use such as temperature, humidity, or the aging deterioration of the substrate and component materials, and there is no means for recovery because the communication error that occurs in this case is due to the influence of the communication waveform.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a communication device, a communication method, and a program capable of recovering a communication error caused by the environment during use.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a communication device according to the present invention includes a first communication circuit, a second communication circuit, a communication lane used for communication between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit, a spare communication lane of the communication lane, and a control unit that controls communication between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit. A holding unit that holds information about the usage environment in which communication errors occur, a changing unit that changes the number of communication lanes by adding the spare communication lane to the communication lane, and changes the communication speed, and has, wherein the control unit is When the environment in which the aforementioned communication error occurs approaches the conditions in which it will occur, the number of communication lanes is changed by adding the spare communication lane to the communication lane, and the communication speed is changed. characterized in that.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to recover from communication errors that occur due to the environment during use. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 illustrates a method for recovering communication errors in a communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the physical connection method between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit of the communication device. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of a communication device. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control for recovering communication errors in a communication device. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of the communication device according to Modification 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of condition information stored in the memory unit. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control for recovering from communication errors. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the process for updating the temperature and humidity parameter values ​​of the memory unit. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of the communication device according to Modification 3. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of the communication device according to Modification 4. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows examples of transmission waveforms for both the transmitting and receiving sides. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of the communication device according to Modification 5. [Figure 13]Figure 13 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of the communication device according to Modification 6. [Figure 14] Figure 14 illustrates the setting of the detection voltage threshold on the receiving side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the communication device, communication method, and program will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following, "operating environment" refers to environmental factors that affect the communication waveform of the communication device. For example, environmental factors such as temperature or humidity when the communication device is in use. Circuit aging deterioration is also included in the "operating environment" because it affects the communication waveform due to impedance changes caused by the aging deterioration of the circuit board or component materials. Furthermore, in the following, a "good operating environment" refers to an operating environment that has little impact on the communication waveform, and a "bad operating environment" refers to an operating environment that has a large impact on the communication waveform.

[0010] (First Embodiment) The "operating environment" described above affects the communication waveform of the communication between the first and second communication circuits. For example, image forming apparatuses such as MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) use PCI Express® for communication between the main control board (CTL) and the engine control board of the image forming unit. Depending on the "operating environment," the communication waveform of PCI Express communication between the main control board and the engine control board may be disrupted, resulting in a communication error if the receiving side cannot acquire data. The first embodiment describes the basic configuration of a communication device that can recover from communication errors caused by the "operating environment." In the following description, a communication device that communicates between the main control board and the engine control board of an image forming apparatus is used as an example, but the communication device is not limited to this. It can be appropriately applied to any communication device that performs PCI Express communication, not just image forming apparatuses.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a method for recovering communication errors in a communication device according to the first embodiment. The example shown in Figure 1(a) is an example of PCI Express communication. It shows an example of the transmission waveform of the transmission information transmitted on the transmitting side and the transmission waveform of the transmission information transmitted on the receiving side in a communication lane used for communication between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit. A communication lane refers to a physical transmission path (lane), and data transmission and reception take place in each lane. When communication is established between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit, the transmitting side modulates data etc. at a set baud rate and transmits the modulated data, which is the transmission information, using the normally used lane, and the receiving side acquires the data from the transmission information waveform received via that lane.

[0012] Figure 1(a) shows the transmission waveform when GEN2 communication at a speed of 5.0 Gbps is performed. When the "operating environment" is good, the transmission waveform a1 of the transmission information sent from the transmitting side is received at the receiving side in a state like the solid line a2. In this case, since the High level and Low level in the transmission waveform at the receiving side exceed the detection voltage (H level detection voltage v1 and L level detection voltage v2, respectively), the transmission information is detected normally and data can be acquired. On the other hand, when the "operating environment" is poor, the transmission waveform at the receiving side is distorted as the dashed line a3 and does not exceed the H level detection voltage v1 or L level detection voltage v2, so data cannot be acquired and a communication error occurs.

[0013] In this way, depending on the "usage environment," the transmission waveform may become distorted, making it impossible to obtain data from the transmission information detected by the receiving end, resulting in a communication error.

[0014] Therefore, in the communication device according to the first embodiment, when a communication error occurs, in addition to the normally used lanes, spare lanes are also used to reduce the communication speed and recover the communication error. The communication speed is reduced, for example, by changing the communication rate such as the baud rate. Even if the baud rate is reduced, since the number of lanes used is increased, the communication volume, that is, the transmission rate of the entire data per unit time, can be made unchanged. For example, the number of lanes is doubled by using spare lanes, and the communication speed is switched to 2.5 Gbps of GEN1.1 as shown in FIG. 1(b). By this switching, the baud rate becomes 1 / 2, and the communication speed becomes slow like the transmission waveform b1. As a result, the High level and Low level of the transmission waveform b2 on the receiving side can be improved, so that data can be acquired on the receiving side and the communication error can be recovered.

[0015] The specific configuration of the communication device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the communication device 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a physical connection method between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit of the communication device 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit of the communication device 1.

[0016] In FIG. 2, the main control board 100 includes the first communication circuit, and the engine control board 200 includes the second communication circuit.

[0017] The main control board 100 and the engine control board 200 are physically connected via the connector 300 at the end of each board, and the first controller 10 of the main control board 100 and the second controller 20 of the engine control board 200 communicate with each other. The first controller 10 is, for example, a Soc (System-on-a-chip), and the second controller 20 is, for example, a processing unit or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Here, the controller corresponds to a "control unit".

[0018] The connector 300 includes a normal communication lane 31 and a spare communication lane 32. The spare communication lane 32 is an additional communication lane added to recover from communication errors that may occur due to the "operating environment". Although the diagram shows a configuration with four normal communication lanes 31 and four spare communication lanes 32, the number of lanes for both the normal communication lanes 31 and the spare communication lanes 32 is not limited to four. For example, the number of spare communication lanes 32 can be determined by pre-determining the baud rate that enables recovery from communication errors caused by the "operating environment" and providing the necessary number of lanes according to the reduced baud rate.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the first communication circuit includes a first controller 10 and a first communication control unit 15, etc. The second communication circuit includes a second controller 20 and a second communication control unit 25, etc.

[0020] The first communication control unit 15 and the second communication control unit 25 each have transmitting and receiving circuits 16 and 26, respectively. By connecting the main control board 100 and the engine control board 200 with a connector 300, the respective transmitting and receiving circuits 16 and 26 are connected by communication lanes 31 and 32, respectively. In this example, there are four lanes (lanes 31-1 to 31-4) for normal use as communication lanes 31, and four lanes (lanes 32-1 to 32-4) for backup communication lanes 32.

[0021] The first controller 10 includes a determination unit 11, a rate change unit 12, and a lane number change unit 13. In addition, the first controller 10 includes a data input / output unit 18, etc. The second controller 20 can have a similar configuration, so here we will describe the configuration of the first controller 10.

[0022] The determination unit 11 determines whether to perform recovery based on a communication error between the first communication control unit 15 and the second communication control unit 25. Furthermore, if the determination unit 11 determines that recovery should be performed for a communication error due to the "usage environment", it instructs the rate change unit 12 and the lane number change unit 13 to control the recovery.

[0023] The rate change unit 12 notifies the first communication control unit 15 of the change in baud rate. For example, when the rate change unit 12 receives an instruction from the determination unit 11 to recover from a communication error due to the "usage environment", it notifies the first communication control unit 15 of a change to lower the baud rate.

[0024] The lane number change unit 13 notifies the first communication control unit 15 of the change in the number of lanes. For example, when the communication lane change unit 13 receives an instruction from the determination unit 11 to recover from a communication error based on the "usage environment", it notifies the first communication control unit 15 of a change to switch the number of lanes. For example, it notifies of a change to switch from the normally used number of lanes to a number of lanes that includes a spare lane.

[0025] The data input / output unit 18 outputs data to and inputs data to the first communication control unit 15.

[0026] The first communication control unit 15 establishes communication with the second communication control unit 25 and transmits data using the baud rate and communication lanes set between it and the second communication control unit 25. Under normal use, for example, communication is performed at a GEN2 communication speed of 5.0 Gbps. In this case, data is distributed and transmitted to each of the normally used communication lanes 31-1 to 31-4.

[0027] Furthermore, when the first communication control unit 15 receives notification of a change from the rate change unit 12 and the lane number change unit 13, it changes the number of lanes and the baud rate and transmits data to the second communication control unit 25. For example, it performs communication equivalent to the GEN1.1 communication speed of 2.5Gbps. In this case, the baud rate is lowered, and in addition to the normally used communication lane 31, the spare communication lane 32 is used to distribute and transmit data to each lane.

[0028] In other words, by increasing the number of lanes through the use of spare lanes, communication can be established even if the baud rate is lowered, allowing the system to operate without a decrease in performance, as the total transmission rate remains unchanged.

[0029] Specifically, one example would be the following settings. Normal operation: 5.0Gbps x 4 lanes = 20Gbps In case of communication error: 2.5Gbps x 8 lanes = 20Gbps

[0030] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of control for recovering communication errors in communication device 1. When communication device 1 initiates communication between the first communication control unit 15 and the second communication control unit 25 and a communication error occurs, it recovers the communication error using the control described below. As an example, the method by which the first communication control unit 15, which is the transmitting side, performs the recovery will be explained, but the same applies when the second communication control unit 25, as the transmitting side, performs the recovery.

[0031] First, the first controller (determination unit 11) detects a communication error and notifies the rate change unit 12 and the lane number change unit 13 of the recovery of the communication error based on the "usage environment" (step S1).

[0032] Next, the first controller (rate change unit 12) instructs the first communication control unit 15 to change the baud rate (step S2).

[0033] Next, the first controller (lane number changing unit 13) instructs the first communication control unit 15 to change the number of lanes (step S3).

[0034] Next, the first communication control unit 15 communicates with the second communication control unit 25 to establish communication regarding the changed rate and number of lanes (step S4).

[0035] Subsequently, the first communication control unit 15 and the second communication control unit 25 transmit and receive data at the changed rate and number of lanes (step S5).

[0036] Furthermore, in the event of a communication error, the system may selectively use either a communication error recovery method based on the "usage environment" or a conventional recovery method. In this embodiment, if a communication error occurs, the system can recover from the communication error based on the "usage environment" by changing the communication rate and the number of lanes.

[0037] (Modification 1 of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, a configuration was described in which communication errors are recovered by changing the baud rate and the number of lanes when a communication error occurs.

[0038] On the other hand, if recovery is possible using this method, it is a communication error caused by the "usage environment," so information about the usage environment when the communication error occurred is obtained and the conditions under which it occurred are stored as parameters. By doing so, it is possible to predict the occurrence of a communication error in advance by comparing the stored parameters with the subsequent usage environment, and to avoid the occurrence of a communication error by changing the communication rate and the number of communication lanes in advance.

[0039] Figure 5 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of the communication device 1 according to Modification 1. Here, functional blocks common to the first embodiment are given the same numbers and their explanations are omitted, while the differences are explained.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, the communication device 1 of the modified example 1 is equipped with an acquisition unit 30 and a storage unit 40. The acquisition unit 30 acquires information indicating the "usage environment". Information indicating the "usage environment" is, for example, information m1 such as ambient temperature and ambient humidity. In the case of temperature or humidity, the acquisition unit 30 acquires information output by temperature or humidity measurement sensors, etc.

[0041] The memory unit 40 is a rewritable memory. The memory unit 40 is an example of a "storage unit" that holds condition information D1 related to the operating environment. For example, the memory unit 40 stores condition information D1 of parameters such as temperature, humidity, or aging information.

[0042] Figure 6 shows an example of condition information D1 stored in the memory unit 40. Figure 6 shows the setting of parameter values ​​for temperature and humidity as condition information D1. As an example, condition information D1 has parameter values ​​that indicate the range in which the baud rate / lane number switching is turned OFF and parameter values ​​that indicate the range in which the switching is turned ON for temperature and humidity. The ON range is the range indicated by the parameter values ​​based on the temperature and humidity of the "usage environment" obtained each time a communication error recovery due to the "usage environment" is performed. Recovery is required when the subsequent values ​​of the "usage environment" meet the ON range. In this example, the setting is OFF when the temperature is below 30° and ON when it is 30° or higher.

[0043] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of control for recovering from a communication error. This control can also be performed before the first communication control unit 15 and the second communication control unit 25 establish communication.

[0044] First, the first controller (determination unit 11) acquires information about the current "usage environment" from the acquisition unit 30 (step S11).

[0045] Next, the first controller (determination unit 11) compares the current "usage environment" information with the condition information D1 in the storage unit 40 (step S12).

[0046] Next, the first controller (determination unit 11) determines whether the current "usage environment" information satisfies the "usage environment" criteria (step S13). For example, it determines that the "usage environment" is satisfied if the current "usage environment" falls within the OFF range of condition information D1. If it is determined that the conditions are met (step S13: Yes), the first communication control unit 15 establishes communication with the second communication control unit 25 using the normal number of lanes and performs data transmission and reception (step S14).

[0047] If it is determined that the condition is not met (Step S13: No), the first controller (rate change unit 12) notifies the first communication control unit 15 of a change in the baud rate (Step S15). Specifically, it notifies of a switch to lower the baud rate. Also, the first controller (lane number change unit 13) notifies the first communication control unit 15 of a change in the number of lanes (Step S16). Specifically, it notifies of a switch to increase the number of lanes.

[0048] Next, the first communication control unit 15 communicates with the second communication control unit 25 to establish communication regarding the changed rate and number of lanes (step S17).

[0049] Subsequently, the first communication control unit 15 and the second communication control unit 25 transmit and receive data at the changed rate and number of lanes (step S18).

[0050] In this way, by saving the temperature and humidity conditions under which a communication error occurred, and then changing the baud rate and utilizing the backup lane when those conditions are met or approaching, it is possible to prevent communication errors in advance.

[0051] As described above, according to the configuration of Modification 1, communication errors can be recovered in advance before they occur due to the "usage environment," thus preventing communication errors from occurring.

[0052] (Modification 2) Furthermore, after saving the temperature and humidity conditions at which a communication error occurred, changes in the impedance of the circuit board and components will occur over time, altering the temperature and humidity conditions. For this reason, it may be advisable to update the saved temperature and humidity conditions over time.

[0053] For example, the system learns that the parameter values ​​of temperature and humidity conditions change due to aging and deterioration of component characteristics, and uses this information on changes over time to update the parameter values ​​in the memory unit 40 to optimal values ​​as time progresses.

[0054] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the process for updating the temperature and humidity parameter values ​​of the memory unit. First, the first controller (determination unit 11) detects a communication error (step S21).

[0055] Next, the first controller (determination unit 11) acquires information about the current "usage environment" from the acquisition unit 30 (step S22).

[0056] Next, the first controller (determination unit 11) records the current "usage environment" information into the condition information D1 of the storage unit 40 (step S23).

[0057] Subsequently, the first controller (determination unit 11) determines whether the time determined in advance through learning has elapsed based on the condition information recorded in step S23 (step S24).

[0058] If the time has not elapsed (Step S24: No), the elapsed time is monitored. If the time has elapsed (Step S24: Yes), the first controller (determination unit 11) updates the condition information D1 in the memory unit 40 based on the learning result (Step S25).

[0059] As described above, by updating the temperature and humidity conditions that cause communication errors over time, it is possible to avoid communication errors under more accurate conditions.

[0060] (Variation 3) Furthermore, frequency spreading may be used on the transmitting side to improve EMI characteristics. While using frequency spreading improves EMI characteristics because certain frequencies are spread, it worsens waveform characteristics.

[0061] Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of the communication device 1 according to Modification 3. In the communication device 1 according to Modification 3, the first controller 10 has a setting unit 14-1, and the first communication control unit 15 has a frequency spreading function unit 14-2.

[0062] Furthermore, the memory unit 40 stores condition information D2 for devices having a frequency spreading function. The determination unit 11 reads the condition information D2 from the memory unit 40 if the device has a frequency spreading function and determines whether the current "usage environment" satisfies the condition information D2. If the condition is not met, the setting unit 14-1 switches the setting of the frequency spreading function unit 14-2 to "off".

[0063] In this way, by switching the frequency spreading function to "off" when the condition information D2 is not met, the control of recovery based on condition information D1 becomes even more accurate.

[0064] (Modification 4) Furthermore, if emphasis settings are available on the transmitting side, configuring these settings can enhance the voltage level of the transmitting waveform, thereby improving the waveform characteristics on the receiving side.

[0065] Figure 10 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of the communication device 1 according to Modification 4. In the communication device 1 according to Modification 4, the first communication control unit 15 has an emphasis function unit 15-3.

[0066] When the determination unit 11 detects a communication error, the setting unit 14-1 switches the emphasis function unit 15-3 of the first communication control unit 15, which has an emphasis function, to "on".

[0067] Figure 11 shows examples of transmission waveforms for both the transmitting and receiving sides. As shown in Figure 11(a), the transmitting side's transmission waveform has the leading bits of the bits enclosed by the dashed line emphasized. Therefore, even if the waveform is affected, it is less likely to be distorted. Consequently, as shown in Figure 11(b), the receiving side's transmission waveform is improved, and communication errors are less likely to occur.

[0068] Thus, by turning on the emphasis function unit 15-3, the transmission waveform on the receiving side is improved, and the accuracy of recovery is also increased. Furthermore, subsequent communication errors become less likely to occur.

[0069] (Variation 5) To prevent communication errors caused by the "operating environment," the current temperature and humidity of the "operating environment" may be controlled based on temperature and humidity condition parameters.

[0070] Figure 12 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of the communication device 1 according to Modification 5. In the communication device 1 according to Modification 5, the first controller 10 has a fan control unit 16 that controls the fan 17.

[0071] The determination unit 11 reads the condition information D1 from the storage unit 40. Based on the condition information D1, if the current "usage environment" approaches a value that does not satisfy the condition information D1, the fan control unit 16 turns on the fan 17 to lower the temperature so that the condition information D1 is satisfied. In other words, by turning on the fan 17, the system moves away from the conditions that would cause a communication error.

[0072] Thus, if communication errors occur depending on temperature and humidity, it is possible to avoid communication errors by equipping the system with a fan and activating it when the temperature and humidity conditions approach those that cause communication errors, thereby changing the temperature and humidity conditions.

[0073] Note that the fan is just one example; any mechanism that changes the operating environment can, of course, be applied instead of a fan.

[0074] (Experimental variation 6) Alternatively, the system may be configured to allow data reception by changing the voltage level on the receiving end in the event of a communication error.

[0075] Figure 13 shows an example of the configuration of the functional blocks of the first and second communication circuits of the communication device 1 according to Modification 6. In the communication device 1 according to Modification 6, the second controller 20 has a threshold changing unit 22-1, and the second communication control unit 25 has a threshold setting unit 22-2.

[0076] The threshold change unit 22-1 changes the threshold setting for the detection voltage that is set in the threshold setting unit 22-2.

[0077] Figure 14 illustrates the setting of the detection voltage threshold on the receiving side. As shown in Figure 14, when a communication error occurs due to the "operating environment," the transmission waveform on the receiving side becomes distorted from a solid line (as in normal operation) to a dashed line (as in normal operation), and cannot be detected with detection voltages v1 and v2, which are the threshold values ​​for normal operation. Therefore, the threshold is switched from detection voltages v1 and v2 to detection voltages v11 and v22. This switch makes it possible to detect even transmission waveforms that are distorted as shown by the dashed line due to the "operating environment."

[0078] In this way, communication errors can be avoided by changing the threshold of the detection voltage on the receiving side so that the data can be correctly recognized when a communication error occurs.

[0079] It should be noted that the embodiments and modifications described above are not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0080] For example, the operations in the embodiments and modifications described above can also be performed by hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0081] When performing processing using software, a program recording the processing sequence may be installed and executed in the memory of a computer embedded in dedicated hardware. Alternatively, the program may be installed and executed on a general-purpose computer capable of performing various types of processing.

[0082] For example, programs can be pre-recorded on recording media such as hard disks or ROMs (Read Only Memory). Alternatively, programs can be temporarily or permanently stored (recorded) on removable recording media such as CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), MO (Magneto Optical) discs, DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), magnetic disks, and semiconductor memory. Such removable recording media can be provided as so-called packaged software.

[0083] In addition to installing the program from a removable storage medium as described above, it can also be wirelessly transferred to the computer from a download site. Alternatively, it can be transferred to the computer via a wired connection over a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The computer can then receive the transferred program and install it onto a storage medium such as its internal hard disk.

[0084] Furthermore, the process is not only executed chronologically according to the processing operations described in the above embodiment, but can also be configured to execute in parallel or individually, depending on the processing capacity of the device performing the processing, or as needed.

[0085] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments, examples, and modifications are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments, examples, and modifications can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments, examples, and modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1. Communication device 10. First Controller 15. First Communication Control Unit 16, 26 Transmit / Receive Circuits 20 Second Controller 25 Second Communication Control Unit 30 Acquisition Department 31 Normal communication lanes 32 Reserve communication lanes 40 Storage section 100 Main control board 200 Engine control board 300 connectors D1 Condition Information [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0087] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-078065

Claims

1. The first communication circuit and the second communication circuit, A communication lane used for communication between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit, The spare communication lane of the aforementioned communication lane, A control unit that controls communication between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit, A storage unit that holds information about the usage environment in which communication errors occur, A modification unit that modifies the number of communication lanes by adding the spare communication lane to the aforementioned communication lane, and modifies the communication speed. It has, When the control unit approaches the usage environment for the communication error, it changes the number of communication lanes by adding the spare communication lane to the communication lane and changes the communication speed. Communication device.

2. The control unit, in the event of a communication error due to the operating environment, changes the number of lanes by adding the spare communication lane to the communication lane, and changes the communication speed. The communication device according to claim 1.

3. The holding unit updates the information of the usage environment it holds based on information about changes over time. The communication device according to claim 1.

4. The control unit further performs emphasis settings for the first or second communication circuit if it detects a communication error. The communication device according to claim 1.

5. It further includes a mechanism to change the operating environment, The control unit controls the mechanism to move away from the environment in which the communication error occurs when it approaches or is in the environment in which the communication error occurs. The communication device according to claim 1.

6. The device includes a threshold changing unit that changes the threshold voltage of the receiving side when a communication error occurs during communication between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit. The communication device according to claim 2.

7. A communication method between a first communication circuit and a second communication circuit, the first having a holding unit that holds information about the operating environment in which a communication error occurs, The first communication circuit, in communication between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit, changes the number of communication lanes by adding a spare communication lane and changes the communication speed when the environment for communication errors approaches the usage environment. Communication method.

8. A computer comprising a first communication circuit and a second communication circuit having a holding unit that holds information about the operating environment in which a communication error occurs, In communication between the first communication circuit and the second communication circuit, when the environment for use of the communication error approaches, the steps include changing the number of communication lanes by adding a spare communication lane to the communication lane and changing the communication speed. A program that executes the command.

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