Bus Master Switcher for Conflict-Free Multi-Master Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density computation servers, multiple master devices sharing the same bus topology can lead to access conflicts when trying to access slave devices, resulting in access failures due to simultaneous requests, which existing technologies fail to prevent effectively.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission apparatus and method that includes a switching circuit, determining circuit, master device observer circuit, and transmission channel monitoring circuit, enabling automatic switching of master devices based on the idle-busy status of the transmission channel, allowing multiple master devices to access the same slave device without packet loss by suspending or enabling data transmissions accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple master devices share the same bus topology to access slave devices, then device complexity is reduced and hardware revisions are minimized, but access conflicts occur when multiple master devices simultaneously request the same slave device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a switcher as an intermediary device between multiple master devices and slave devices on the bus. The switcher monitors bus occupancy and selectively connects master devices to the bus based on whether it is currently occupied. When the bus is free, the switcher connects the requesting master device; when occupied, it blocks access requests, thereby preventing conflicts while maintaining the shared bus topology.
2Reliability
If a switcher is introduced to prevent access conflicts, then access reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the additional switching circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The switcher is designed to automatically monitor bus occupancy status and make connection decisions without requiring external control signals or complex arbitration logic. The switcher self-manages the connection state based on simple occupancy detection, eliminating the need for additional control masters or complex switching algorithms, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while ensuring reliable access.
3Reliability
If master devices are suspended in waiting mode to avoid conflicts, then access conflicts are prevented, but transmission speed decreases due to suspended data transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of keeping master devices in continuous waiting mode, the system employs periodic action by having master devices attempt access at regular intervals. When the bus is free, the master device immediately transmits data; when occupied, it waits for the next monitoring cycle. This approach maintains reliability by preventing conflicts while minimizing suspension time, as devices only wait periodically rather than continuously.
Data Source
AI summary
A data transmission apparatus for data transmission having a plurality of master devices, at least one slave device, a transmission channel monitoring circuit, and a master device observer circuit is provided. A first master device of the master devices performs a first data transmission, and a second master device requests for a second data transmission to the slave device before completing the first data transmission. By detecting an idle-busy status of a channel of the slave device with the transmission channel monitoring circuit, the master device observer circuit switches the second master device to a waiting mode or a transmission mode according to the idle-busy status of the channel of the slave device. In addition, the waiting mode suspends the second data transmission and to wait for completion of the first data transmission, and the transmission mode performs the second data transmission. A data transmission method is also provided.