Circular Buffer Overflow Detection via Wrap Bit Handshaking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing buffer overflow and data loss due to unpredictable data sizes in circular or ring buffers, particularly in video encoding and transmission over Ethernet networks, where conventional solutions are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an alarm-based handshaking mechanism using hardware and software wrap bits to manage a shared circular buffer, generating interrupts to synchronize data read and write operations and detect buffer overflow conditions, thereby preventing data loss and optimizing buffer management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large memory FIFO is provided to guarantee no data loss, then data reliability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the buffer management into multiple regions within the circular buffer, including a data region and a descriptor region. This segmentation allows efficient tracking of variable-length encoded data without requiring a large FIFO, resolving the contradiction between reliability and memory size by organizing the limited buffer space more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-configuring the circular buffer with wrap bits and alarm mechanisms before data transmission begins. The wrap bits are set in advance to detect overflow conditions, and alarm thresholds are pre-established to trigger interrupts, ensuring data reliability without needing excessive buffer memory.
2Reliability
If immediate processing and transmission of encoded data is required to prevent buffer overflow, then data loss is reduced, but CPU burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the circular buffer automatically manages its own overflow detection through hardware wrap bits and alarm interrupts. The system services itself by generating interrupts when buffer thresholds are reached, eliminating the need for continuous CPU polling and reducing processor burden while maintaining reliable overflow prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes feedback loops through alarm-based handshaking mechanisms that monitor buffer status and generate interrupts when data reaches alarm addresses. This feedback system automatically notifies the CPU only when necessary, allowing the system to maintain buffer integrity without requiring constant CPU intervention, thus reducing overall processor burden.
3Quantity of substance
If a small memory FIFO is used to reduce cost, then device cost is reduced, but synchronized operation between VLE Encoder and software is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wrap bits and alarm addresses as intermediary mechanisms that mediate between the VLE encoder and software operations. These intermediaries automatically track data positions and generate alerts when synchronization points are reached, making the synchronization process more manageable and less error-prone while using a small memory FIFO.
4Productivity
If variable length encoded data is stored in a circular buffer, then buffer efficiency is improved, but buffer overflow detection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific functions to different parts of the circular buffer structure. Wrap bits are placed at specific positions to detect overflow conditions, and alarm addresses are positioned within the buffer to mark critical thresholds. This localized placement of detection mechanisms makes overflow detection straightforward while maintaining high buffer efficiency for variable-length data.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling data flow by storing variable length encoded information bits in a circular buffer in a write operation to a virtual write address comprising a first wrap bit value appended by a current write address within the buffer address range and generating an interrupt alarm if the virtual write address crosses a virtual alarm address comprising a second wrap bit value appended by an alarm address within the buffer address range, where the first and second wrap bit values each toggle between first and second values every time the current write address or alarm address, respectively, wraps around the circular buffer, thereby synchronizing data flow in the circular buffer and/or preventing buffer overflow.