CXL Memory Host Interface Circuit Reset Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory devices face challenges in maintaining a connection with a host device during a reset operation, leading to potential loss of communication and requiring user intervention to reestablish the connection.
Innovation Solution
A CXL device equipped with a host interface circuit and a subsystem manager circuit, allowing the device to operate in multiple modes, including autonomous and distribution modes, to manage transactions and maintain connectivity with the host during resets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reset operation is performed on a memory device, then the device can be restarted or reinitialized, but the connection with the host device is lost requiring user intervention to reestablish
Solution Approach 1:
The memory device is divided into separate functional circuits: a host interface circuit that maintains connection with the host, and a subsystem manager circuit that undergoes reset. This segmentation allows the reset operation to affect only the subsystem manager while the host interface circuit continues operating independently to maintain the connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The host interface circuit acts as an intermediary that remains active during reset operations. It mediates between the host device and the resetting subsystem manager circuit, ensuring continuous communication and automatic reestablishment of connections without requiring user intervention.
2Reliability
If a reset operation is performed on a memory device, then the device can be restarted or reinitialized, but time is lost to reestablish connection
Solution Approach 1:
The host interface circuit is prepared in advance to maintain connection during reset operations. By having this circuit预先 configured to stay active and continue communication protocols, the system eliminates the time delay that would otherwise be required to reestablish connections after reset.
Solution Approach 2:
The host interface circuit ensures continuous communication with the host device throughout the reset process. Useful actions such as data transfer, command processing, and status monitoring continue uninterrupted, eliminating idle time and ensuring seamless operation during device restart.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory device can be coupled to a host device using a compute express link (CXL) interconnect. The memory device can include a host interface circuit and processing logic circuitry, such as a subsystem manager circuit. The host interface circuit of the memory device can be configured to operate in one of an autonomous mode and a distribution mode. In the autonomous mode, the host interface circuit is configured to maintain a connection between the host device and the memory device while the subsystem manager circuit of the memory device is unavailable, such as when the subsystem manager circuit undergoes a reset routine. In the distribution mode, the host interface circuit is configured to allow communication between the host device and the subsystem manager circuit of the memory device.