Bridge Device Master-Slave Interface Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bridge devices often fail to support the latest processes or standards in data storage, leading to compatibility issues where host devices cannot access newly developed data storage devices.
Innovation Solution
A bridge device is designed with multiple memory controllers, each with a different transmission interface, operating in slave and master modes to facilitate the transfer of command and data chunks in a common bridge transfer format, ensuring compatibility with various standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bridge device uses a single transmission interface designed for a specific standard, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but the device cannot support multiple standards or latest process technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge device integrates multiple transmission interfaces (first transmission interface and second transmission interface) that support different standards and process technologies within a single device. This allows the bridge device to universally support multiple standards including legacy and latest process technologies, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity by making one device perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bridge device integrates multiple transmission interfaces made by different processes or standards, then it can support the latest standards and maintain backward compatibility, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transmission interfaces (first transmission interface operating in slave mode and second transmission interface operating in master mode) into a single bridge device. By merging these interfaces and sharing common functional blocks such as the data chunk generator and bus interface, the device achieves backward compatibility and support for multiple standards while reducing manufacturing cost compared to implementing separate bridge devices for each standard
3Productivity
If data storage devices are developed using the latest process or standard, then performance is improved, but existing bridge devices cannot access or authenticate these new devices
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge device acts as an intermediary between host devices using older standards and data storage devices using the latest process or standard. The first transmission interface communicates with the data storage device using the latest standard, while the second transmission interface communicates with the host device using an older standard. This intermediary approach enables high-performance data storage devices to be accessed by legacy host devices, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A bridge device for bridging a host device and a data storage device includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller includes a first transmission interface. The second controller is coupled to the first controller and includes a second transmission interface. The second transmission interface is coupled to the first transmission interface through a bus. The first transmission interface operates in a slave mode and the second transmission interface operates in a master mode. The first transmission interface and the second transmission interface generate multiple transfer data chunks in compliance with a common bridge transfer format to perform transfer operations in dual directions for respectively transferring a command and data between a host device and a data storage device.