DSPI-Based Microcontroller for Multi-Protocol Bus Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microcontrollers face a cost increase when implementing native protocol controllers to support a wide range of communication protocols, particularly in the automotive field, where a low-cost solution is desired without compromising functionality.
Innovation Solution
A microcontroller design that utilizes a deserial-serial peripheral interface (DSPI) module to emulate communication protocols like CAN FD Light, LIN, FlexRAY, or DSI3 without relying on dedicated hardware components, using the DSPI module's DSI configuration to serialize and deserialize data, and leveraging the enhanced direct memory access engine for efficient data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If native protocol controllers are implemented in microcontrollers to support a wide range of communication protocols, then communication protocol support capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DSPI module is configured to support multiple communication protocols (CAN FD Light, LIN, FlexRAY, DSI3) through software configuration rather than dedicated hardware for each protocol. The same hardware infrastructure (DSPI module with DSI configuration) performs multiple protocol functions, eliminating the need for separate protocol controllers and reducing device cost while maintaining broad protocol support capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implementing native protocol controllers, the patent uses a DSPI module that can emulate or copy the functionality of various protocol controllers through software. The DSPI module in DSI configuration mode replicates the behavior of dedicated protocol controllers, providing protocol support without requiring actual protocol-specific hardware, thus reducing manufacturing cost
2Reliability
If dedicated hardware components are used for each communication protocol, then protocol functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single DSPI module with DSI configuration serves as a universal interface that can handle multiple communication protocols. The hardware remains simple while software configuration enables different protocol modes, reducing the number of hardware components needed while maintaining reliable protocol functionality through proven DSPI architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple dedicated protocol controllers into a single DSPI module. By combining CAN FD Light, LIN, FlexRAY, and DSI3 protocol support capabilities into one versatile interface, the device complexity is reduced while maintaining comprehensive protocol functionality through unified hardware resource management
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment a microcontroller includes a processing unit and a deserial-serial peripheral interface (DSPI) module, wherein the deserial-serial peripheral interface module is coupleable to a communication bus configured to operate according to a selected communication protocol, wherein the processing unit is configured to read user data intended for inclusion in an outgoing frame encoded according to the selected communication protocol, calculate, as a function of the user data, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) value intended for inclusion in the outgoing frame, compose the outgoing frame by including the user data and the calculated CRC value into the outgoing frame, produce a DSPI frame encoded according to the selected communication protocol as a function of the outgoing frame and program a data register of the deserial-serial peripheral interface module with the DSPI frame, and wherein the deserial-serial peripheral interface module is configured to transmit the DSPI frame via the communication bus.