Configurable IC Firmware Registers for Dynamic PCIe Capability Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing integrated circuits (ICs) lack the ability to support new capabilities required by updated device specifications, necessitating re-spinning of the IC, which is time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A configurable IC is achieved by creating firmware-programmable registers, allowing configuration operation requests to add new capabilities, including defining a register space, reprogramming PCIe controllers, and triggering firmware interrupts to incorporate new capabilities into existing lists.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the IC is re-spun to support new capabilities, then the capability support is improved, but the time and resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability supportVSAvoidtime and resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements firmware-programmable registers that allow the IC to dynamically configure and adapt its capabilities through software updates rather than requiring physical re-manufacturing. The capability list in firmware can be updated to include new capabilities, and the firmware can be reprogrammed to handle new capability types, enabling the system to evolve over time without hardware changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state of the IC from fixed hardware capabilities to configurable firmware-based capabilities. By using firmware-programmable registers and updating capability lists in firmware, the system transitions from a static parameter set to a dynamic one that can be modified through software, allowing new capabilities to be added without re-spinning the IC.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If firmware-programmable registers are created to support new capabilities, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability configurationVSAvoidfirmware and register management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal firmware-based configuration system that can handle multiple capability types through a common mechanism. The capability list structure and firmware-programmable registers provide a unified interface for defining and managing diverse capabilities, allowing the same firmware infrastructure to support different capability types without requiring separate hardware paths for each capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11449357B2Configurable integrated circuit to support new capability

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 SK HYNIX INC

AI summary

Enabling an integrated circuit (IC) to accommodate a new peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) capability of an updated PCIe specification. Firmware-programmable registers for the IC, spanning a target range of register and function numbers to accommodate the new capability, are created. A host issues configuration requests to the IC, which include a register and function number for the new capability. The IC returns a value of a target register when the register number and function number are in the target range. The host updates the value and triggers a firmware interrupt to add the new capability to a list of existing capabilities.