Communication Circuitry Clock-Candidate Node Sharing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Communication circuitry designed to support multiple protocols faces challenges in reducing the number of communication nodes required, particularly in integrated circuits where pin count reduction is necessary due to miniaturization, leading to redundancy in unused protocol nodes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of communication circuitry with clock-candidate nodes that allow communication units to receive clock signals from different nodes, enabling the control unit to determine which protocol is in use and enabling or disabling units accordingly, thus sharing clock-candidate nodes between protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If communication circuitry supports multiple communication protocols with dedicated communication nodes for each protocol, then protocol compatibility and reliability are improved, but the number of communication nodes and pin count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling communication units to operate with different communication protocols sharing the same physical communication nodes. The control unit dynamically configures which communication unit is active based on the detected protocol, allowing a single node to serve multiple protocols rather than requiring dedicated nodes for each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics through dynamic configuration of communication units based on real-time protocol detection. The control unit monitors clock signals and data lines to determine which communication protocol is in use, then dynamically enables the corresponding communication unit and disables others, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on current operational requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If communication nodes are reduced to minimize pin count in miniaturized ICs, then device size is reduced, but the ability to support multiple communication protocols is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single communication node to serve multiple protocols by implementing shared access with dynamic configuration. The control unit determines which communication unit should access the shared node based on protocol detection, allowing one physical node to function as multiple protocol interfaces without requiring separate dedicated nodes for each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple protocol-specific communication nodes into a single shared communication node that can be dynamically assigned to different protocols. By combining what would traditionally be separate dedicated nodes into one shared resource with multiplexing capability, the patent reduces the total number of nodes while maintaining multi-protocol support.
3Reliability
If dedicated communication nodes are provided for each communication protocol, then protocol reliability is ensured, but redundancy exists when only one protocol is used in a given application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates redundancy by dynamically configuring which communication unit is active based on real-time protocol detection. Instead of having all communication units continuously operational with dedicated nodes, the system detects the actual protocol in use and dynamically enables only the relevant communication unit, thereby removing redundant nodes from the active configuration while maintaining reliability for the currently used protocol.
Data Source
AI summary
Communication circuitry, comprising: N communication nodes being clock-candidate nodes, where N≥2; N communication units for communication using respective communication protocols, and connected or connectable to receive respective clock signals for communication under their respective communication protocols via respective said clock-candidate nodes; and a control unit configured, in a decision operation, to monitor the clock-candidate nodes and decide which of the communication protocols is in use dependent on at which of the clock-candidate nodes a received clock signal is detected, wherein at least one said communication unit is connected or connectable to receive and/or transmit data under its respective communication protocol via at least one said clock-candidate node other than the clock-candidate node via which that communication unit is to receive its respective clock signal.