Boot Control Logic Buffer Memory Data Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network systems face limitations such as long analog wiring susceptible to noise, high-level processors that hinder miniaturization, complex protocols leading to data transmission overhead, and lack of time-determinism, which restrict data sampling rates and precision timing in aerospace and automotive applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network system with a device interface, boot control logic, and buffer memory that executes a boot sequence using a low-level instruction set, allowing for precise timing and efficient data transmission through a contiguous memory block storing boot code, and volatile configuration memory for initializing data channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If high-level processors are used in network systems, then communication capabilities are improved, but device size increases and miniaturization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-level processing functions from the network device itself and relocates them to an external host processor. The network device retains only essential functions (physical layer processing, basic data transmission), while complex protocol handling, packet processing, and communication logic are performed externally. This extraction enables significant miniaturization of the network device while preserving full communication capabilities through the host processor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex protocols are used for data transmission, then communication versatility is improved, but data transmission overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication protocol handling into multiple layers: the physical layer is implemented in the network device hardware, while the data link layer and above are handled by the host processor. This segmentation allows the network device to transmit raw data efficiently with minimal overhead, while the host processor manages the complex protocol processing. The segmentation reduces transmission overhead by eliminating redundant protocol handling at the network device level.
3Ease of operation
If traditional network systems are used, then basic communication is supported, but precision timing and time-determinism are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated timing intermediary layer that sits between the host processor and the network device. This intermediary includes precise clock sources, timing synchronization mechanisms, and timestamping functionality that mediates between the host's general-purpose timing and the network device's data transmission timing. This intermediary layer enables precision timing and time-determinism while maintaining ease of basic communication operations through the host processor.
4Volume of moving object
If network devices are miniaturized, then device size is reduced, but processing capability and functionality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a functional copy of the host processor's capabilities in the form of a virtual network interface card (vNIC) or virtual device driver that runs on the host system. This software-based copy provides the full processing capability and versatility of a complete network stack, while the physical network device remains miniaturized. The virtual copy handles all complex processing tasks, allowing the physical device to be small without sacrificing functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus is provided that includes a device interface including port(s) coupled to and defining respective data channel(s) for respective peripheral(s). The device interface also includes boot control logic and a volatile buffer memory, and a volatile configuration memory. The apparatus also includes a non-volatile device storage memory including a contiguous memory block configured to store boot code with a boot set including a configuration routine. The boot control logic is configured to execute boot code including the boot set at power up or reset of the apparatus. The boot set includes a read of data from the device storage memory to the buffer memory, and a write of the data from the buffer memory to configuration memory to initialize the apparatus or a port, with the data being read from a portion of the device storage memory outside the contiguous memory block configured to store the boot code. (Fig. 2)