Bus Semaphore Timing Control for Shared Resource Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack effective management to prevent function blocks from waiting excessively for resource access, leading to errors and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize timers and a controller to manage semaphore allocation among multiple master devices, providing messages to masters when expiration intervals are reached to prevent prolonged waiting and ensure efficient resource sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If semaphore allocation is managed without timing control, then device complexity is reduced, but function blocks may wait excessively long for resource access, causing errors and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring timers in advance for each master device before semaphore allocation occurs. Each timer is pre-set with an expiration interval that defines the maximum acceptable waiting time. This preliminary configuration ensures that when semaphore allocation happens, the system already has timing control in place to prevent excessive waiting, thereby improving reliability without adding complex runtime management logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the timer mechanism that continuously monitors waiting time for each master device. When a timer expires, it provides feedback by generating an error signal to the controller, indicating that the master device has waited too long for semaphore allocation. This feedback loop enables the system to detect and correct timing issues, ensuring reliable operation while maintaining manageable complexity through automated monitoring.
2Productivity
If timers are configured for each master device to control waiting time, then system performance is improved by preventing excessive waiting, but device complexity increases due to multiple timers and control logic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the timing control function into individual timers for each master device. Instead of using a single complex timer system, each master device (0 to N-1) has its own dedicated timer (first timer, second timer, etc.), allowing independent timing control. This segmentation simplifies the overall system design by making each timer's function straightforward while collectively achieving efficient resource sharing across all masters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through the autonomous operation of individual timers. Each timer automatically counts down from its preset expiration interval and independently generates error signals when expired, without requiring continuous controller intervention. This self-service mechanism reduces the burden on the controller, maintaining productivity through automated timing control while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If semaphore allocation is granted immediately without waiting time management, then ease of operation is improved, but function blocks may experience prolonged waiting and system errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces timers as intermediary components between the semaphore allocation mechanism and the master devices. These timers act as mediators that automatically enforce waiting time limits without complicating the semaphore allocation process itself. The controller simply allocates semaphores when available, and the intermediary timers independently monitor whether the allocation takes too long, thereby maintaining ease of operation while preventing system errors through automated timing enforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
The device described herein, which provides an interface between a plurality of master devices and a slave device, includes: a first timer configured to begin timing when a first access request is received from a first master device via a bus, and to be reset when a semaphore is allocated to the first master device; a second timer configured to begin timing when a second access request is received from a second master device via the bus, and to be reset when a semaphore is allocated to the second master device; and a controller configured to provide a first message to the first master device via the bus when a first expiration interval is measured by the first timer.