Chiplet Protocol Conversion via UCIe Flits for Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chiplet systems face challenges in normal communication between chiplets due to differing configurations, even when using standard communication protocols like UCIe, necessitating a method to enable communication regardless of individual chiplet configurations.
Innovation Solution
A chiplet system and method that involves generating a die-to-die interface flit based on conversion information, allowing chiplets with different protocols to communicate by encoding and decoding data using a conversion device within each chiplet, enabling interoperability and independent configuration design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If chiplets use different protocol configurations, then each chiplet can be independently designed and optimized, but communication between chiplets cannot be performed normally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion mechanism as an intermediary layer between chiplets with different protocols. Each chiplet includes a conversion device that translates its native protocol into a standardized die-to-die interface protocol (UCIe), enabling communication between heterogeneous chiplets without requiring them to use the same protocol directly. This resolves the contradiction by allowing configuration flexibility while maintaining communication reliability through standardized translation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conversion device changes the protocol parameters (encoding format, signal characteristics, data structure) of transactions when transmitting between chiplets with different configurations. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on the destination chiplet's protocol requirements, the system maintains both independence in chiplet design and compatibility in communication.
2Ease of operation
If a standard communication standard like UCIe is used, then die-to-die communication is enabled, but chiplets with different detailed configurations cannot communicate normally
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized UCIe protocol serves as the intermediary communication layer, while the conversion device acts as a mediator that translates between chiplet-specific protocols and the UCIe standard. This allows chiplets to be designed independently with their own optimized protocols while still being able to communicate through the common UCIe interface, resolving the contradiction between standardization and independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The conversion device provides multi-functionality by supporting multiple input protocols and translating them to the universal UCIe output protocol. This universal interface approach enables a single standardized communication mechanism to work with diverse chiplet configurations, achieving both ease of operation through standardization and adaptability through protocol translation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is implemented, then interoperability between different chiplet protocols is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion device is segmented into distinct functional modules: protocol detection unit, translation unit, and data formatting unit. This segmentation allows the complexity of protocol conversion to be divided into manageable functions, making the overall system more manageable and easier to implement while maintaining high interoperability between different chiplet protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for communicating between chiplets in a chiplet system. The chiplet system includes a first chiplet and a second chiplet, and the method includes, by the first chiplet, generating a die-to-die interface flit from a first protocol type transaction based on conversion information, by the first chiplet, transmitting the die-to-die interface flit to the second chiplet, and, by the second chiplet, generating a second protocol type transaction from the die-to-die interface flit based on the conversion information.