Data-Link Frame Triggers for Synchronized Cross-Chip Debug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems transmit cross-chip triggers asynchronously with data, leading to increased latencies and inaccurate debug operations due to the use of sideband channels that are not synchronized with data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The method involves packing cross-chip triggers in-band within data frames at the data-link layer of the transmitter, ensuring synchronization with data transmission, allowing for synchronized receipt and processing at the receiver, and enabling reliable debug operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cross-chip triggers are transmitted through sideband channels (general-purpose pins), then the communication channel can be simplified and triggers can be sent independently, but timing synchronization with data transmission is lost and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the trigger transmission function with the data transmission function by embedding triggers within data frames at the data-link layer. This eliminates the need for separate sideband channels and pins, achieving both simplified channel structure and maintained timing synchronization through the unified data frame transmission mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cross-chip triggers are transmitted through sideband channels, then trigger transmission can be independent of data, but debug operations become inaccurate due to asynchronous receipt
Solution Approach 1:
By combining triggers with data frames at the data-link layer, the patent ensures that triggers are transmitted synchronously with data, enabling accurate timing information to be preserved. This allows the receiving device to accurately determine when triggers occurred relative to data transmission, improving debug operation accuracy while maintaining the ability to transmit triggers independently through the same channel.
3Device complexity
If general-purpose pins are used for triggers, then the pin structure is simpler, but timing with the communication channel cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes data frames universal by enabling them to carry both data payload and trigger information. The data-link layer protocol allows data frames to serve dual purposes: transporting data and embedding triggers, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated trigger pins while maintaining timing synchronization through the unified transmission mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a link having one or more data paths and a device coupled with the link and including a data link (DL) transmitter and a buffer. The device is to write one or more bits corresponding to a operation to a first portion of a data frame in response to an indication, the data frame comprising a second portion comprising data. The device is to transmit the first portion and the second portion of the data frame via the one or more data paths in response to writing the one or more bits corresponding to the operation. The device is to store the data frame at the buffer in response to writing the one or more bits corresponding to the operation.