Bus Control Circuit for Exclusive Access Propagation Across PCIe and AXI Specifications

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no existing propagation function for exclusive control between semiconductor integrated circuits or circuit boards with different bus specifications, such as PCIe and AXI, which hinders secure memory access and resource management in multiprocessor systems.

Innovation Solution

A bus control circuit and method that enables exclusive access propagation between buses with different specifications by using conversion blocks and selectors to convert commands and responses between AXI and PCIe specifications, allowing for secure resource sharing across different bus architectures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different bus specifications (PCIe and AXI) are used in semiconductor integrated circuits, then system versatility and adaptability are improved, but the ability to propagate exclusive control between chips is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebus specification compatibilityVSAvoidexclusive control propagation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces conversion blocks as intermediary components that translate exclusive control commands between different bus specifications (PCIe and AXI). These conversion blocks act as mediators that enable communication and control propagation across specification boundaries without requiring direct compatibility between the bus protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bus control circuit is designed with multi-functional conversion blocks that can handle multiple bus specifications (PCIe, AXI, and others). This universal design allows the same hardware structure to support diverse bus protocols while maintaining exclusive control propagation capabilities across all supported specifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If exclusive control propagation is implemented between different bus specifications, then resource security and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexclusive control propagationVSAvoidbus control circuit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bus control circuit is segmented into distinct functional blocks: conversion blocks for protocol translation, selectors for command routing, and control units for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable while achieving reliable exclusive control propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Conversion blocks serve as intermediaries that handle the complexity of protocol translation between PCIe and AXI specifications. By isolating the translation logic in dedicated conversion blocks, the rest of the system can operate with simpler, specification-specific interfaces, thereby managing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conversion blocks are added to enable exclusive control propagation, then functionality and versatility are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexclusive access propagationVSAvoidbus control circuit fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conversion blocks are designed as universal components that can translate between multiple bus specifications (PCIe, AXI, and others) using a common internal structure. This universal design reduces manufacturing complexity compared to implementing separate dedicated conversion circuits for each protocol pair, as the same hardware template can be reused across different specification combinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3508984B1Bus control circuit, semiconductor integrated circuit, circuit substrate, information processing device, and bus control method

Publication Date: 2022.09.28 SOCIONEXT INC

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AI summary

A bus control circuit configured to transfer an exclusive command between a first bus specification and a second bus specification by mutually converting a first exclusive command including a first format and applying to the first bus specification which deals with an exclusive access, and a second exclusive command including a second format and applying to the second bus specification which is different from the first bus specification and does not deal with the exclusive access, includes an exclusive command conversion circuit, an exclusive command generation circuit, an exclusive response issuing circuit, and an exclusive response receiving circuit. The exclusive command conversion circuit is configured to receive the first exclusive command, convert the first exclusive command into the second exclusive command and output the second exclusive command, when converting from the first exclusive command to the second exclusive command, and the exclusive command generation circuit is configured to receive the second exclusive command and generate the first exclusive command, when converting from the second exclusive command to the first exclusive command. The exclusive response issuing circuit configured to issue exclusive response information for the second exclusive command, when converting from the second exclusive command to the first exclusive command, and the exclusive response receiving circuit is configured to receive exclusive response information for the second exclusive command, when converting from the first exclusive command to the second exclusive command.