Configurable Interface Controller for Dynamic Pin Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circuit designs with fixed interfaces are limited in connecting peripheral devices due to inflexible assignment of interface pins, leading to suboptimal utilization and excess silicon costs from unused layout space.
Innovation Solution
Implementing flexible input-output logic that dynamically assigns interface pins to input-output controllers based on connected peripheral devices, allowing reconfiguration during system boot to maximize pin utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fixed interface pins are assigned to specific input-output controllers, then the circuit design is simpler to implement, but the interface pin utilization is suboptimal and silicon waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pin assignment where interface pins can be reassigned to different input-output controllers based on which peripheral devices are actually connected. The flexible input-output logic detects peripheral connections and dynamically configures pin assignments during system operation, transforming the static fixed assignment into a dynamic adaptable system that optimizes silicon utilization while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input-output controllers share common input and output buses, then the adaptability to connect various peripheral devices is improved, but the complexity of managing pin assignments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible input-output logic automatically detects which peripheral devices are connected to the common buses and self-configures the pin assignments without requiring external intervention. The system monitors bus activity, identifies active peripherals, and autonomously assigns interface pins to the appropriate input-output controllers, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration while maintaining high adaptability.
3Quantity of substance
If the I/O ring perimeter is expanded to include more pads, then more interface pins are available for connection, but the layout area increases and silicon manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the interface pins universal by enabling them to serve multiple different peripheral devices through dynamic reassignment. Instead of dedicating specific pins to specific controllers, the same physical pins can be assigned to different input-output controllers depending on which peripherals are connected. This multi-functionality allows the system to support a greater variety of peripheral connections without increasing the physical pin count or layout area, thereby reducing silicon waste while maintaining high connectivity flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible input/output controller logic interfaces with existing input/output controllers (IOC's) in order to configure the amount of data sent to and received from the IOC's. The flexible I/O interface receives data from a component at a rate determined by the particular component. The flexible I/O interface then feeds the received data to a traditional I/O controller at a rate suitable for the I/O controller. Thus, the interface to the individual I/O controllers is maintained. The flexible I/O logic balances bandwidth between a plurality of individual I/O controllers in order to better utilize the overall system I/O bandwidth. In one embodiment, the I/O configuration managed by the flexible I/O logic is determined during system-build, while in another embodiment, the I/O configuration is set during system initialization.