Asynchronous Handshake Timing Using Measured Propagation Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing asynchronous handshake protocols in data communication over interconnects suffer from significant propagation delays, which limit the maximum bandwidth and throughput due to the need to wait for acknowledge signals, especially when dealing with varying operating voltages and clock frequencies across different system environments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where data is transmitted on each edge of the Valid signal, allowing data to be sent approximately at the same time as the acknowledge signal arrives, thereby reducing the impact of propagation delay and increasing throughput, and using measurement elements to determine and adjust the propagation delay for efficient data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional asynchronous handshake protocol is used, then data transmission reliability is ensured, but propagation delay increases and bandwidth decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures the propagation delay in advance during initialization or calibration phases, storing this measured value for later use in data transmission timing calculations. This preliminary measurement eliminates the need to wait for acknowledge signals during actual data transfer, as the timing is pre-determined based on the measured propagation characteristics of the interconnect channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter of data transmission by using the measured propagation delay value to calculate optimal transmission intervals. Instead of waiting for acknowledge signals, the system transmits subsequent data packets at predetermined times based on the formula: transmission_time = previous_transmission_time + propagation_delay, thereby converting the protocol from acknowledge-dependent to measurement-based timing.
2Productivity
If data transmission waits for acknowledge signals, then data integrity is maintained, but throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the measured propagation delay as a form of feedback to optimize transmission timing. By continuously monitoring and adjusting transmission intervals based on the pre-measured delay characteristics, the system maintains reliable data delivery while eliminating unnecessary waiting periods, thereby improving throughput without sacrificing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary characterization of the interconnect channel to determine propagation delay, then uses this information to pre-calculate optimal transmission timing. This preliminary action allows subsequent data transmissions to proceed without waiting for acknowledge signals, maintaining reliability through predetermined timing while significantly improving throughput.
3Productivity
If propagation delay is reduced to half, then bandwidth increases to maximum possible, but timing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary high-precision measurement of propagation delay during system initialization or calibration phases, when timing can be accurately captured without the constraints of real-time data transmission. This pre-measured value is then stored and reused for multiple transmission cycles, achieving high bandwidth while maintaining timing precision through the use of the pre-characterized delay value.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timing parameter by using the measured propagation delay to calculate precise transmission intervals. By transmitting data at exactly predetermined times (previous_transmission_time + propagation_delay), the system achieves maximum bandwidth utilization while maintaining the timing precision required for half-delay intervals through careful parameter calculation and control.
Data Source
AI summary
A more efficient asynchronous protocol transmits data from a transmitter circuit at a first time to a receiver circuit and transmits a next data from the transmitter circuit to the receiver circuit at a second time so that the next data arrives at the receiver circuit at approximately the same time an acknowledge signal of the first data from the receiver circuit arrives at the transmitting circuit. The propagation delay may be measured at the beginning of a transfer to help determine when to send data.