Dynamic Data Transfer Width Adjustment in Direct Memory Access Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional direct memory access controllers (DMACs) face inefficiencies in data transfer due to fixed data transfer width modes, which lead to redundant data handling and increased processing time, especially in multimedia applications where data is often distributed in discontinuity, limiting their ability to adapt to varying data sizes and addresses.

Innovation Solution

A DMAC with dynamic data transfer width adjustment capabilities, utilizing a source address and width generator, a destination address and width generator, and a FIFO buffer to determine the optimal data transfer width mode based on data addresses, allowing for nonaligned mode operations that dynamically select between word, half-word, and byte modes to enhance transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a fixed data transfer width mode (e.g., word mode) is used, then the data transfer can be completed in fewer steps, but redundant data must be discarded resulting in time waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidtime for discarding redundant data
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of data transfer width mode during the transfer process. The controller automatically switches between word mode, half-word mode, and byte mode based on the current data address and remaining data size, making the transfer width adaptive rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high-speed word mode transfers when appropriate while automatically switching to precise byte mode for the final data elements, eliminating redundant data discarding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of data transfer width dynamically during operation. By monitoring the data address and calculating the remaining data size, the controller adjusts the transfer width parameter (from 32-bit word to 16-bit half-word to 8-bit byte) to match the actual data requirements. This parameter adaptation eliminates the need to discard redundant data while maintaining high transfer efficiency throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If byte mode is used as the data transfer width mode, then the transfer mode is simplified, but seven steps are required to complete the transfer resulting in inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of transfer modeVSAvoiddata transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of data transfer width mode during the transfer process. The controller automatically switches between word mode, half-word mode, and byte mode based on the current data address and remaining data size, making the transfer width adaptive rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high-speed word mode transfers when appropriate while automatically switching to precise byte mode for the final data elements, eliminating redundant data discarding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of data transfer width dynamically during operation. By monitoring the data address and calculating the remaining data size, the controller adjusts the transfer width parameter (from 32-bit word to 16-bit half-word to 8-bit byte) to match the actual data requirements. This parameter adaptation eliminates the need to discard redundant data while maintaining high transfer efficiency throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If word mode is chosen as the data transfer width mode initially, then fewer steps are required to complete the transfer, but redundant data B1-B5 must be discarded resulting in time waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of transfer stepsVSAvoidtime for discarding redundant data
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of data transfer width mode during the transfer process. The controller automatically switches between word mode, half-word mode, and byte mode based on the current data address and remaining data size, making the transfer width adaptive rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high-speed word mode transfers when appropriate while automatically switching to precise byte mode for the final data elements, eliminating redundant data discarding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of data transfer width dynamically during operation. By monitoring the data address and calculating the remaining data size, the controller adjusts the transfer width parameter (from 32-bit word to 16-bit half-word to 8-bit byte) to match the actual data requirements. This parameter adaptation eliminates the need to discard redundant data while maintaining high transfer efficiency throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Extent of automation

If a conventional fixed data transfer width mode is used, then the DMAC can transfer data independently, but the data addresses are often distributed in discontinuity requiring inefficient transfer modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent data transfer capabilityVSAvoiddata transfer efficiency for discontinuous data
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of data transfer width mode during the transfer process. The controller automatically switches between word mode, half-word mode, and byte mode based on the current data address and remaining data size, making the transfer width adaptive rather than fixed. This resolves the contradiction by allowing high-speed word mode transfers when appropriate while automatically switching to precise byte mode for the final data elements, eliminating redundant data discarding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of data transfer width dynamically during operation. By monitoring the data address and calculating the remaining data size, the controller adjusts the transfer width parameter (from 32-bit word to 16-bit half-word to 8-bit byte) to match the actual data requirements. This parameter adaptation eliminates the need to discard redundant data while maintaining high transfer efficiency throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7818476B2Direct memory access controller with dynamic data transfer width adjustment, method thereof, and computer accessible storage media
Publication Date: 2010.10.19 IND TECH RES INST
  • US7818476B2 patent drawing
  • US7818476B2 patent drawing
  • US7818476B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of dynamic data transfer width adjustment is provided. The method includes firstly detects a data size of a transfer data. A data transfer width mode is detected according to a data address of transferring data. The data transfer width mode includes at least one of a word mode, a half-word mode, and a byte mode. According to the data address, the data transfer width mode, and the data size, the data is transferred.