CPRI Negotiation State Machine Hybrid ASIC SOC Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing CPRI negotiation state machines are limited by hardware-based implementations, making it difficult to adapt to changes in the CPRI protocol, resulting in shortened product lifecycles and increased production costs due to limited compatibility with evolving protocols.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing an ASIC chip and a system-on-chip (SOC) with rewritable software code, where the ASIC chip sends interrupt requests to the SOC to generate interrupt configuration information, allowing the CPRI negotiation state machine to transition based on software-defined paths, thereby enabling compatibility with changed CPRI protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CPRI negotiation state machine is implemented by hardware product (ASIC chip), then the signal transmission between REC and RE is ensured to be correct, but the compatibility with evolved CPRI protocol is limited and product service life is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CPRI negotiation state machine into two parts: fixed hardware implementation (ASIC chip) for reliable signal transmission, and flexible software implementation (SOC) for protocol adaptation. The ASIC chip handles deterministic state transitions while the SOC manages protocol-specific negotiation logic, allowing each component to optimize for its designated function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configurability by implementing the negotiation state machine as a hybrid system where the SOC can be reconfigured through software updates. This allows the system to adapt to evolving CPRI protocols without hardware changes, making the previously static hardware system dynamic and upgradable.
2Reliability
If the CPRI negotiation state machine is implemented by hardware product, then the data transmission between REC and RE is ensured to be correct, but the production costs of manufacturers are increased due to frequent hardware updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the reliable hardware core (ASIC) from the protocol-specific software layer (SOC). This segmentation allows manufacturers to produce a standardized, reliable hardware platform once, then update protocols through software alone, eliminating the need for costly hardware re-manufacturing when protocols evolve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware-based protocol adaptation mechanism with a software-based system. Instead of physically updating hardware components to match new protocols, the system uses reconfigurable software logic in the SOC, substituting physical changes with digital/software changes that are cheaper and faster to implement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the CPRI negotiation state machine uses fixed hardware implementation, then the negotiation process between REC and RE is stable, but the evolution of CPRI protocol cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the negotiation state machine can adapt its behavior through software updates in the SOC while maintaining stable hardware foundations in the ASIC. The stable hardware provides consistent state transition mechanics, while the flexible software allows protocol behavior to evolve with new CPRI specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the SOC component universal by designing it to handle multiple CPRI protocol versions through software configuration. A single hardware platform can serve multiple protocol requirements by loading appropriate software images, making the system multi-functional without requiring separate hardware for each protocol version.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for implementing a common public radio interface (CPRI) negotiation state machine. The apparatus includes an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip and a system on chip (SOC), where the ASIC chip is configured to send an interrupt request to the SOC in condition that n transition paths of m transition paths of the CPRI negotiation state machine need to be processed by the SOC; the SOC is configured to execute the software code according to the interrupt request to generate interrupt configuration information, and send the interrupt configuration information to the ASIC chip, where the interrupt configuration information is used to indicate whether the CPRI negotiation state machine transits to a state pointed by the n transition paths; and the ASIC chip is further configured to control transition of the CPRI negotiation state machine according to the interrupt configuration information.