Communication Bus Mask Compression Without Extra Traces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication buses in computer systems face inefficiencies when transferring data payloads with fewer than the maximum number of data words, as existing methods require additional conductive traces for mask values, increasing power consumption and die/circuit board area.
Innovation Solution
An encoding circuit creates a compressed data payload by shifting enabled data words and incorporating a mask value, allowing the control signal to be sent in parallel with the data payload using existing conductive traces, reducing the need for additional traces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional conductive traces are added to transmit mask values, then data payload transmission capability is improved, but power consumption and die/circuit board area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mask value is merged with the data payload by incorporating it into the least significant position of the data payload structure. This allows the mask value to be transmitted using the same conductive traces as the data words, eliminating the need for separate traces and reducing power consumption while maintaining full transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The existing conductive traces are made multi-functional by using them to transmit both data words and mask values. The same physical infrastructure serves dual purposes: carrying the primary data payload and simultaneously conveying the mask information needed for selective data word enabling
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional conductive traces are added to transmit mask values, then data payload transmission capability is improved, but die/circuit board area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mask value transmission is merged with the data payload transmission by embedding the mask value in the least significant position of the data payload. This consolidation allows both pieces of information to share the same conductive traces, eliminating additional trace routing and reducing the required die or circuit board area
Solution Approach 2:
The mask value is encoded in the least significant position dimension of the data payload structure. By utilizing the significance dimension of data word positions, the system accommodates mask information without requiring additional physical transmission dimensions or separate conductive trace paths
3Productivity
If data words are shifted to compress the data payload, then transmission efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encoding circuit performs preliminary shifting of data words to compress the data payload before transmission. By pre-positioning enabled data words in the most significant positions and placing the mask value in the least significant position, the system achieves efficient transmission without requiring complex real-time processing during the transmission phase
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of data words within the payload structure. Enabled data words are shifted to most significant positions while the mask value occupies the least significant position. This parameter reorganization enables efficient transmission and simplifies the decoding process at the receiving end
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an encoding circuit, and a communication bus having conductive traces configured to transfer a data payload, including a control signal and up to a maximum number of data words. The encoding circuit is configured to receive an uncompressed data payload and a mask value, and to create, using the mask value, the control signal, the control signal indicative of whether the uncompressed data payload includes one or more non-enabled data words. In response to a determination that the control signal indicates that the uncompressed data payload includes one or more non-enabled data words, the encoding circuit is configured to create a compressed data payload from the uncompressed data payload, and to send, to a decoding circuit, the compressed data payload and the control signal via the plurality of conductive traces of the communication bus. The compressed data payload includes the mask value.