Direct Memory Access Controller for Integrated Circuit Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for configuring integrated circuits (ICs) are time-consuming and inefficient, particularly when identifying short circuits, as they rely on the central processing unit (CPU) to perform load and store operations, delaying the detection of potential short circuits and increasing the risk of damage.
Innovation Solution
The use of a direct memory access (DMA) controller to quickly and efficiently configure IC components by accessing a configuration table, allowing the CPU to focus on other tasks and enabling faster identification of short circuits through autonomous data transfer without CPU intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CPU performs load and store operations to configure IC components, then the configuration process can be completed, but the time required for configuration increases and the risk of damage from short circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the configuration task from the CPU by introducing a dedicated configuration engine that autonomously performs load and store operations. This separates the time-consuming configuration function from the main CPU, allowing the CPU to focus on critical tasks like short circuit detection while the configuration engine handles component configuration independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration engine acts as an intermediary between the CPU and the IC components. It receives configuration parameters from the CPU and automatically generates the necessary load and store operations to configure components, thereby reducing the CPU's involvement in time-consuming configuration tasks while maintaining system reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the CPU performs configuration operations, then components can be configured, but the CPU is occupied and cannot focus on other critical tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into two independent functional units: the CPU for high-level control and decision-making, and the configuration engine for autonomous configuration operations. This segmentation allows the CPU to remain available for critical tasks while the configuration engine handles component configuration independently, improving both CPU availability and overall system productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration engine is designed to autonomously perform configuration operations without requiring continuous CPU intervention. It can independently execute load and store operations to configure IC components, effectively making the configuration process self-service and freeing the CPU for other critical tasks.
3Productivity
If traditional configuration methods are used, then all components can be configured, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the configuration function from the CPU and implements it in a dedicated configuration engine. This allows configuration operations to be performed in parallel with CPU tasks, significantly improving configuration efficiency and reducing the time required to identify and respond to short circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration engine enables continuous configuration operations without interrupting CPU execution of critical tasks. By maintaining independent and continuous configuration operations, the system achieves higher productivity while minimizing the time loss for short circuit identification and response.
Data Source
AI summary
An example apparatus includes a first memory configured to store a table, and a direct memory access controller coupled to the first memory and including a second memory local to the direct memory access controller, the direct memory access controller configured to read a first set of data from a first location in the table, wherein the first set of data includes an address, write the first set of data from the table to the second memory of the direct memory access controller, read a second set of data from a second location in the table, the second location different than the first location, and write the second set of data to a third location in the first memory, wherein the third location corresponds to the address of the first set of data.