DMA Controller Direct Memory Access for Display Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing systems require CPU intervention for data transfer to digital displays, leading to resource utilization and power consumption issues, especially when displaying large or static data for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A computing system design that allows the display controller to interact directly with the DMA controller, enabling autonomous data transfer from memory to the display memory without CPU intervention, facilitating the automation of digital display operations such as symbol animation and character string sequencing and scrolling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the display controller interacts directly with the DMA controller for autonomous data transfer, then CPU processing load and power consumption are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional hardware interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a DMA controller as an intermediary component between the CPU and display controller. The DMA controller handles data transfer operations autonomously, mediating between memory and display controller without requiring CPU intervention. This resolves the contradiction by offloading transfer operations to a specialized intermediary device, reducing CPU power consumption while managing complexity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The display controller is configured to autonomously receive data from the DMA controller and generate display signals without CPU intervention. The system enables self-service operation where the display controller manages its own data reception and processing, reducing the need for continuous CPU involvement and thereby lowering overall system power consumption while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Productivity
If the CPU is involved in every data transfer operation to the display controller, then the system maintains simple architecture, but the CPU utilization and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transfer function from the CPU and assigns it to a dedicated DMA controller. By separating the transfer operation from the main processing unit, the CPU is freed from repetitive transfer tasks, allowing it to focus on higher-level processing operations. This extraction improves CPU utilization for productive tasks while reducing the energy consumed by continuous transfer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/CPU-based data transfer mechanism with an automated DMA-based system. Instead of the CPU executing software instructions for each data transfer, the DMA controller uses hardware-level direct memory access to transfer data efficiently. This substitution improves overall system productivity while reducing the power consumption associated with CPU involvement in routine transfer operations.
3Productivity
If additional hardware logic is added to the display controller to enable autonomous operation, then the display operation becomes more efficient, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DMA controller is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple functions: data transfer to display controller, memory management, and coordination with other system components. By creating a multi-functional DMA controller rather than display-specific hardware, the patent improves display operation efficiency while avoiding the need for custom-manufactured components, thereby controlling manufacturing costs through standardized, reusable hardware designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a display controller configured for controlling a digital display and a memory configured for storing data corresponding to the digital display. The device includes a direct memory access (DMA) controller configured for autonomously transferring the data from the memory directly to the display controller without CPU intervention.