Buffer Identifier Decoding for IC Service Request Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuit (IC) arrangements face challenges in efficiently scheduling service requests due to the limitations of network-on-chip (NoC) paradigms, which often result in underutilization and inefficient data throughput, especially when handling time-consuming requests, and require excessive network connections.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a circuit portion with decoding logic that embeds a further identifier in service requests to select appropriate buffers for scheduling, allowing for efficient handling and reordering of service requests without the need for dedicated connections to each remote queue, thus reducing network connections and enabling flexible prioritization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If service requests are stored in remote queues with dedicated network connections, then reliable service delivery is ensured, but network complexity and connection overhead increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple service request streams into shared network connections by using buffer identifiers to multiplex traffic. Instead of dedicating separate connections to each remote queue, multiple queues share common network infrastructure, reducing connection complexity while maintaining reliable delivery through buffered storage and identifier-based routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces buffer identifiers as an intermediary layer between service requests and network connections. These identifiers act as mediators that route requests through shared buffers to appropriate remote queues, eliminating the need for direct dedicated connections while ensuring reliable delivery through the buffering mechanism.
2Ease of manufacture
If FIFO buffers are used for remote queues, then simple buffer management is achieved, but service request reordering becomes impossible leading to network underutilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the buffer selection dynamic by using buffer identifiers that can be decoded to select different buffers based on service request characteristics. This dynamic buffer selection enables reordering of service requests while maintaining the simplicity of FIFO buffers, as requests can be directed to different buffers based on their identifiers rather than requiring complex reordering logic within each buffer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to buffer management by introducing buffer identifiers as a separate routing dimension. Instead of managing reordering within a single FIFO queue, the system uses multiple buffers selected via identifier decoding, enabling reordering capabilities while keeping individual buffer management simple through the added identifier dimension.
3Ease of operation
If multiple dedicated network connections are provided for each remote queue, then service request routing is simplified, but network overhead and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes network connections universal by designing them to handle multiple remote queues through shared buffers and identifier-based routing. A single network connection can serve multiple queues by decoding buffer identifiers, making the network infrastructure multi-functional and reducing the total quantity of network resources required while maintaining ease of operation through the identifier routing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses buffer identifiers as a form of logical copying that allows virtual routing to multiple queues without physical connection multiplication. The identifier system creates a logical copy of the routing function, enabling single physical connections to serve multiple logical queues, thereby reducing network resource consumption while preserving routing simplicity.
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention discloses an integrated circuit arrangement (100) comprising a data communication network comprising a plurality of connections (300), a plurality of modules (110) coupled to the data communication network via at least one network interface (120), the network interface comprising a plurality of buffers; a remote service module (150) being coupled to the data communication network via a further network interface (140), wherein each of said modules (1 10) is arranged to provide its network interface (120) with a service request (200) for the remote service module (150), said network interface being arranged to extend said service request with a first identifier (204) for establishing a network connection (300) with a remote service module (150); and a circuit portion (350) comprising a plurality of buffers (142) between the at least one network interface (120) and the remote service module (150) for storing service requests (200) from the plurality of modules (110), said circuit portion comprising decoding logic (144) for selecting one of said buffers (142) by decoding a further identifier (210) embedded in the service request (200).