Data Transfer Apparatus Optimizing Packet Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data transfer efficiency is impaired due to the inclusion of invalid data and increased headers in packet-based systems, particularly when transitioning from parallel buses to PCI-Express, and the high amount of byte enable data in serial bus transfers.
Innovation Solution
A data transfer apparatus and method that generates data enable characters in units of 64 bits, reducing the need for headers and improving transfer efficiency by identifying and omitting invalid data, thereby optimizing packet configuration and reducing the number of cycles required for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is transferred using packet basis with byte enables attached to each byte, then invalid data transfer is suppressed, but the high amount of byte enable data impairs transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The data transfer is segmented into valid and invalid portions using validity information. Instead of treating all data bytes equally, the system divides the data stream and only transfers segments marked as valid, eliminating the need to transmit validity information for every single byte while maintaining accurate data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary portion of data (valid data segments) rather than complete data units. Validity information is used to identify and transmit only the required data portions, reducing overall transmission volume while ensuring data integrity.
2Reliability
If data containing invalid bytes is transferred to PCI-Express, then the protocol handles data except head and tail portions as valid, but the transfer is divided at invalid data positions requiring additional headers
Solution Approach 1:
Invalid data bytes are extracted and removed from the data transfer stream before transmission to PCI-Express. By taking out only the valid data portions and excluding invalid bytes entirely, the system eliminates the need for complex packet division and header addition that would otherwise be required to handle invalid data positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The data is pre-processed to remove or mark invalid bytes before transmission begins. This preliminary action of filtering out invalid data prevents the need for complex runtime handling and packet restructuring at the PCI-Express interface, simplifying the overall transfer process.
3Reliability
If data is divided into multiple transfers with headers added, then invalid data is properly handled, but the division and increased headers occupy transfer bandwidth reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple data bytes are merged into continuous valid data segments for transmission. By combining adjacent valid bytes into larger transfer units and eliminating invalid bytes in between, the system reduces the number of separate transfers required and minimizes header overhead, thereby improving bandwidth utilization while maintaining data integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A packet accompanying data valid information is transferred at high efficiency within an integrated circuit or between integrated circuits. A character indicating data enable information is provided and an identifier indicating a data enable character is assigned onto the packet. When the data enable information is valid in series, the data enable characters are eliminated from the packet to be transferred.