Autonomous Circular Buffer Controller for Embedded Data Streaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Direct Memory Access (DMA) controllers are inefficient for handling small data transfers and require significant host processor overhead, limiting their effectiveness in embedded systems with continuous data streaming and real-time requirements.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous circular buffer controller manages a circular buffer region in memory, allowing efficient asynchronous data transfers between peripherals and the host processor by using head and tail pointers that wrap around, reducing software overhead and enabling continuous data handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional DMA controllers are used for data transfers, then bulk data transfer efficiency is improved, but host processor overhead increases and small data transfers become inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebulk data transfer efficiencyVSAvoidhost processor overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circular buffer controller is implemented as an autonomous hardware module that automatically manages buffer operations including pointer incrementing, wrapping, and data transfer without requiring host processor intervention. The controller self-manages the circular buffer region in memory, handling both input and output pointers independently to enable autonomous operation for both small and large data transfers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If conventional DMA controllers are used, then data transfer capability is improved, but system responsiveness deteriorates due to host processor involvement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoidsystem responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into independent functional modules: the autonomous circular buffer controller handles buffer management and pointer operations, while the host processor focuses on higher-level tasks. This segmentation allows the buffer controller to operate independently without blocking the host processor, improving overall system responsiveness while maintaining data transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If host processor manages buffer operations, then data transfer accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The software-based buffer management mechanism is replaced with a hardware-based autonomous circular buffer controller. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous CPU involvement in buffer operations, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining data transfer accuracy through dedicated hardware logic for pointer management and wrapping operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10346324B2Devices and methods for autonomous hardware management of circular buffers

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

An autonomous circular buffer is described in connection with the various embodiments of the present disclosure. An autonomous circular buffer controller may control movement of data between a user of the autonomous circular buffer and a peripheral. The autonomous circular buffer may enable direct memory access type data movement, including between the user and the peripheral.