Semiconductor Chip Dynamic Resource Allocation Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor devices face challenges in dynamically allocating shared resources among software applications developed by different entities, while ensuring safety and security.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device implements a system where hardware resources are partitioned and dynamically assigned to specific software applications or groups, using a logic control circuit to manage access and ownership, ensuring isolation between safety and security applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dynamic allocation of hardware resources to software applications is implemented, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but safety and security guarantees deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments software applications into distinct groups (first group and second group) with different safety and security requirements. Hardware resources are partitioned and allocated to specific application groups, creating isolated allocation domains. This segmentation allows dynamic allocation within each group while maintaining safety boundaries between groups, resolving the contradiction between resource utilization efficiency and safety guarantees.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary allocation mechanism that manages resource distribution between application groups. This intermediary layer enforces allocation rules that prevent resources from being assigned to incompatible application groups, thereby maintaining safety and security guarantees while enabling dynamic resource allocation. The intermediary acts as a mediator that balances efficiency improvements with reliability requirements.
2Reliability
If static allocation of hardware resources is used, then safety and security are improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic allocation of hardware resources within segmented application groups, allowing resources to be flexibly assigned based on current needs while maintaining safety boundaries. This dynamic approach improves resource utilization efficiency compared to static allocation, while the segmentation structure preserves safety and security guarantees by preventing cross-group resource sharing.
3Ease of operation
If an overarching resource manager is implemented, then centralized control is improved, but system complexity and potential interference between application groups increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource management function into group-specific allocators rather than using a single overarching manager. Each application group has its own resource allocation mechanism that operates independently within safety boundaries. This segmentation reduces system complexity by eliminating the need for a complex overarching manager while preventing interference between application groups through isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the resource management function from a centralized overarching manager and distributes it to group-specific allocators. This extraction removes the complexity and potential interference risks associated with a single centralized manager, while still providing adequate control through decentralized group-level management.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor chip includes an electronic hardware circuitry device that includes a plurality of partitionable hardware resources that each includes a corresponding resource allocation state. The electronic hardware circuitry includes a logic control circuit to control access to the plurality of hardware resources based on the respective resource allocation states of the hardware resources and based on input from one or more authorized agents. The semiconductor chip further includes a processor core to implement a plurality of software applications belonging to a first group or to a second group, each of the plurality of applications configured to access and interact with at least one corresponding hardware resource assigned to the respective application, implement assigning software agents each authorized and configured to cause the electronic hardware circuitry device to assign one or more unassigned hardware resources only to one or more of the software applications belonging to certain groups.