Deterministic Microcontroller with Configurable I/O Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcontrollers fail to efficiently meet the diverse peripheral needs of industrial applications, leading to increased costs due to the requirement of either using multiple specialized microcontrollers or a superset microcontroller, and they lack deterministic performance for real-time and safety-critical functions.
Innovation Solution
A deterministic microcontroller with a configurable input/output interface and multiple hardware contexts, allowing for programmable interfaces and flexible FIFO memories, which enables handling various communication protocols and peripherals without the need for multiple microcontrollers, and provides deterministic execution through context management and cache optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a superset microcontroller is used to meet all peripheral requirements across multiple applications, then all applications can be supported, but the microcontroller cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal I/O interface that can be dynamically configured to support multiple communication protocols and peripheral types through software programming rather than hardware specialization. A single microcontroller hardware platform provides universal support for various protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet, USB, etc.) by loading appropriate configuration code, eliminating the need for application-specific hardware variants and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining broad compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The I/O interface employs dynamic reconfiguration capability where the same physical pins and circuitry can be programmatically switched between different functional modes and protocol implementations. This dynamic adaptability allows the microcontroller to transform its peripheral interface characteristics based on the specific application requirements, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-configuration hardware designs.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple specialized microcontrollers are used to match specific application requirements, then cost efficiency improves, but device complexity and inventory management increase
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing a universal microcontroller platform with programmable I/O interfaces that can adapt to different protocols and peripheral requirements through software configuration, the system eliminates the need for multiple specialized microcontroller variants. This consolidation reduces inventory complexity and simplifies supply chain management while maintaining the ability to meet specific application requirements through software rather than hardware differentiation.
3Reliability
If context switching is performed frequently to handle multiple real-time tasks, then task responsiveness improves, but execution overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary preparation of context switch data structures and maintains pre-configured task descriptors in memory before context switches are required. By pre-organizing task information and maintaining ready-state data structures, the actual context switching operation can proceed more quickly with minimal overhead, as the critical path involves only pointer updates rather than full data structure construction during the switch itself.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a configurable I/O interface is implemented to support multiple protocols, then adaptability improves, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The I/O interface is segmented into distinct functional modules, each handling a specific aspect of protocol implementation (e.g., physical layer, data link layer, application layer). This modular segmentation allows the complex multi-protocol interface to be constructed from simpler, reusable building blocks that can be independently configured and tested, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad protocol support capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A deterministic microcontroller includes a plurality of blocks of cache memories formed on the same integrated circuit as the microprocessor unit. A corresponding plurality of hardware contexts for the microcontroller is provided by the plurality of sets of hardware registers. A context manager controls the selection of the hardware registers such that contexts are changed within one bus cycle and a plurality of hardware contexts are provided. The deterministic microcontroller includes a configurable input/output interface that is programmable to handle any one of a plurality of interfaces that embedded applications might have, including communication protocols and bus interfaces, data acquisition from multiple sensors and actuators, and controls of various motors.