Master-Driven Serial Bus Turnaround Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication devices, communication between an application processor and multiple peripherals over a common bus is often limited by the slowest peripheral, leading to suboptimal serial communication techniques that do not fully utilize the capabilities of faster peripherals, resulting in reduced throughput and increased latency due to fixed minimum bus turnaround periods.
Innovation Solution
A method where a master device configures slave devices with individualized delay values to define wait periods between changes in transmission direction over a serial bus, dynamically determining these values by incrementally increasing turnaround periods until successful data transfer, and storing these values in a look-up table for optimal bus operation across varying PVT conditions and frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed minimum bus turnaround period is used to ensure reliable communication with all slave devices, then communication reliability is improved, but throughput and latency are worsened due to the slowest peripheral limiting the entire bus speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bus turnaround period into device-specific intervals by maintaining a separate queue for each slave device and configuring individual turnaround values in each device's configuration register. This allows each device to have its own optimized turnaround period rather than using a single fixed period for all devices, thereby improving throughput while maintaining reliability for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic bus turnaround optimization by determining optimal turnaround values during initialization based on actual device characteristics and operating conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the bus turnaround period for each slave device rather than using a static fixed period, allowing the bus speed to adapt to the specific devices being accessed and improving overall productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed minimum bus turnaround period is used to accommodate all slave devices, then system compatibility is improved, but latency is worsened due to suboptimal timing for faster peripherals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring each slave device with its own specific turnaround value in its configuration register, tailored to that device's characteristics. Faster devices receive shorter turnaround periods while slower devices receive longer periods, optimizing latency for each device type while maintaining overall system compatibility through the universal configuration mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bus turnaround period parameter dynamically based on the specific slave device being accessed and operating conditions. By modifying the turnaround period parameter for each device individually during initialization and operation, the system reduces latency for faster peripherals while maintaining compatibility across different device types through the configurable parameter approach.
3Productivity
If individualized delay values are configured for each slave device to optimize throughput, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the master device automatically determine optimal turnaround values for each slave device during initialization and autonomously configure these values in the devices' configuration registers. This automated configuration process reduces the manual setup complexity while achieving optimized throughput, as the system performs the complex configuration tasks without requiring detailed manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration actions during system initialization by determining and setting the optimal turnaround values for all slave devices before normal operation begins. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex real-time configuration adjustments during operation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining optimized throughput performance throughout system usage.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus for optimizing bus turnaround in a master-driven serial bus are described. A method performed at a master device coupled to a serial bus includes configuring slave devices coupled to the serial bus with respective delay values that define bus turnaround wait periods, transmitting a first read command directed to a first slave device, receiving data after a first wait period initiated after the first read command has been sent, the first wait period being defined by a delay value configured in the first slave device, transmitting a second read command directed to a second slave device, and receiving data after a second wait period initiated after the second read command has been sent, the second wait period being defined by a delay value configured in the second slave device. The first wait period and the second wait period may have different durations.