Programmable IC Display Controller Interface for Protocol Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The limited flexibility of programmable integrated circuits (ICs) due to the inability to configure peripherals, such as display controllers, to operate according to different protocols restricts their functionality and versatility in processing systems.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a display controller within a programmable IC that includes a first interface for receiving coded data, a renderer to generate display-agnostic data, a transmitter to format data according to a specific protocol, and a third interface to provide this data to programmable logic, allowing for the generation of display data formatted in various protocols and enhancing flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a display controller is designed with dedicated circuitry to perform a particular display function according to a specific protocol, then the reliability and performance of that specific function is improved, but the adaptability to support different display protocols deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay controller performanceVSAvoidprotocol flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display controller is segmented into dedicated components (coder, renderer, transmitter) that handle specific processing tasks, while the protocol adaptation function is separated into reconfigurable logic that can be programmed to support different protocols. This allows the core processing functions to remain optimized and reliable while the protocol layer adapts to different standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display controller incorporates reconfigurable logic that can be dynamically programmed to support different display protocols. This dynamic reconfiguration capability allows the same hardware to adapt to varying protocol requirements without sacrificing the performance of the underlying processing functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If peripherals in an embedded processing system are designed with dedicated circuitry for specific functions, then the manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but the ease of configuration with different functionality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperipheral circuit designVSAvoidperipheral configurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display controller is designed as a universal peripheral that can function with multiple display protocols through reconfigurable logic. The dedicated circuitry provides consistent manufacturing precision while the reconfigurable portion enables the same hardware to serve different protocol requirements, achieving multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The peripheral's functionality is changed by modifying configuration parameters in the reconfigurable logic rather than changing the physical circuitry. This allows the same manufactured circuit to be configured for different protocols by changing operational parameters, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a display controller provides output according to a fixed protocol, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different protocols deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontroller structureVSAvoidprotocol support

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Reconfigurable logic acts as an intermediary layer between the dedicated display processing circuitry and the external display interface. This intermediary can be programmed to translate between different protocols while the core processing remains simple and dedicated, managing complexity while enabling adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If programmable logic is provided direct access to display-agnostic data from the renderer, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogrammable logic flexibilityVSAvoidinterface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The data path is segmented into distinct stages: coded data input, rendering to produce display-agnostic data, and protocol-specific transmission. The programmable logic can access the display-agnostic data at the renderer output stage without interfering with the dedicated processing pipelines, providing flexibility while maintaining structural clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9721528B2Processing system display controller interface to programmable logic

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 XILINX INC

AI summary

In an example, a programmable integrated circuit (IC) includes programmable logic and a display controller. The display controller includes a first interface coupled to receive coded data, a renderer to generate display-agnostic data from the coded data, a transmitter to generate display data from the display-agnostic data in accordance with a first protocol, a second interface coupled to provide the display data as output, and a third interface coupled to provide the display-agnostic data to the programmable logic.