Configurable Hub Interface Unit Design for Silicon Area Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current microprocessor designs face complexity and inefficiency in designing and verifying multiple hub interface units (HIUs) due to the need for various capabilities and performance characteristics, which increases design time and resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A hardware-configurable superset HIU that can be customized during design synthesis to create specific, specialized HIUs by eliminating unnecessary functional blocks and modifying others, using configuration switches to optimize parameters such as read and write data FIFOs, command queues, and bus widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specialized HIUs are designed to meet different port requirements, then adaptability to specific peripherals is improved, but device complexity and design verification effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single universal HIU design that can be configured to serve multiple different port types and peripheral requirements. The HIU includes configurable parameters such as data width, clock domain settings, and functional enablement that allow it to adapt to various应用场景 without requiring separate specialized designs for each peripheral type.
Solution Approach 2:
The HIU incorporates dynamic configuration capabilities through hardware configuration switches and programmable parameters that allow the interface unit to change its operational characteristics based on the specific peripheral it is interfacing with. This dynamic adaptability eliminates the need for multiple static specialized HIU designs.
2Productivity
If multiple specialized HIUs are designed with different capabilities, then performance optimization for specific ports is improved, but design time and verification effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal HIU design serves multiple performance requirements through configuration options rather than requiring separate optimized designs for each performance scenario. This reduces design time while maintaining the ability to achieve optimal performance for different port types.
Solution Approach 2:
The HIU includes pre-configurable parameters and hardware switches that allow performance optimization to be established during the design phase rather than requiring separate design iterations for each peripheral. Configuration switches enable preliminary setup of data width, clock domains, and functional capabilities.
3Device complexity
If a universal HIU design is used for all ports, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to specific peripheral requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The universal HIU incorporates local configuration capabilities that allow specific parameters to be customized for each peripheral interface while maintaining the same overall architecture. Configuration switches and programmable parameters enable local adaptation of data width, clock settings, and functional enablement without changing the global design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If hardware configuration switches are added to enable customization, then adaptability to specific applications is improved, but silicon area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The HIU uses configuration switches to change operational parameters such as data width, clock domain settings, and functional enablement rather than requiring separate hardware blocks for each configuration. This parameter-based approach achieves high adaptability with minimal additional silicon area compared to having separate specialized HIUs.
Data Source
AI summary
A data transfer apparatus with hub and ports includes design configurable hub interface units (HIU) between the ports and corresponding external application units. The configurable HIU provides a single generic superset HIU that can be configured for specific more specialized applications during implementation as part of design synthesis. Configuration allows the super-set configurable HIU to be crafted into any one of several possible special purpose HIUs. This configuration is performed during the design phase and is not applied in field applications. Optimization aimed at eliminating functional blocks not needed in a specific design and simplifying and modifying other functional blocks allows for the efficient configuring of these other types of HIUs. Configuration of HIUs for specific needs can result in significant savings in silicon area and in power consumption.