Data Bus Lane Segmentation for Fault Tolerant Bandwidth Maximization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information handling systems waste usable bandwidth due to degraded lanes in data buses, where all lanes after a degraded lane are unused, leading to inefficient data processing and communication.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method to detect degraded lanes in a data bus, isolate them, and reassign operational lanes to maximize available width, allowing for logical grouping and assignment to hosts to ensure maximum non-degraded performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the data bus operates in reduced width mode due to degraded lanes, then system reliability is maintained, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The data bus lanes are segmented into two distinct sets: a first set containing degraded lanes and a second set containing operational lanes. This segmentation allows the system to identify and isolate degraded lanes while maintaining utilization of healthy lanes, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and maximizing bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the operational parameter of lane assignment by assigning specific lanes to different functions based on their health status. Degraded lanes are assigned to monitoring functions while operational lanes handle data transmission, allowing the system to adapt to varying lane conditions and maximize overall utilization.
2Measurement precision
If all lanes after a degraded lane are unused, then signal integrity is preserved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contiguous block of lanes into two groups: lanes before the degraded lane (first set) and lanes after the degraded lane (second set). This segmentation enables the system to preserve signal integrity in the first set while activating and utilizing the second set for data transmission, thereby maintaining both signal quality and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of following the conventional approach of disabling all lanes after a degraded lane, the patent inverts this logic by enabling lanes after the degraded lane while disabling or monitoring the degraded lane itself. This inversion allows the system to achieve both signal integrity and maximum productivity.
3Loss of energy
If degraded lanes are isolated and second set of lanes are assigned for operation, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and classification of lane status during the training phase before normal operation begins. By identifying degraded lanes upfront and pre-assigning operational lanes, the system avoids complex real-time decisions during data transmission, thereby managing complexity while maximizing bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The data bus controller automatically detects degraded lanes, classifies them into the first set, and assigns operational lanes from the second set without requiring external intervention. This self-service approach manages the increased complexity internally while presenting a simplified interface to the rest of the system.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of systems and methods for fault tolerant link width maximization in a data bus are described. Embodiments of methods may include checking a data bus connection to determine if a degraded lane exists on the data bus, determining a first set of one or more lanes that contain the degraded lane, and assigning a second set of lanes for operation, wherein the second set of lanes does not contain the degraded lane.