Dual-Phase Shared-Bus Interfaces for Dynamic Protocol Negotiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interfaces like SGPIO require pre-negotiated data content definitions at both ends of the bus, making it difficult to adapt dynamically to new partners, especially when vendor-specific content mismatches occur.

Innovation Solution

Combining UART and SGPIO buses into a single group of pins with a two-phase negotiation for discovery, using UART mode to negotiate capabilities and data bit structures before transitioning to SGPIO mode, enabling dynamic mode switching and adaptation to different target types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If SGPIO interface is used with pre-negotiated data content definitions, then communication reliability is improved, but adaptability to new partners deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to new partners

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using UART communication to perform capability negotiation and data content definition exchange before transitioning to SGPIO mode. This preliminary UART phase allows both endpoints to agree on compatible data formats and parameters in advance, ensuring that when SGPIO operation begins, reliable pre-negotiated definitions are already in place, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses UART as an intermediary communication mode between the physical layer and the SGPIO layer. UART serves as a mediator that enables flexible, adaptive negotiation of data content definitions before the more rigid SGPIO interface is activated. This intermediary phase allows dynamic adaptation to different partners while ensuring reliable communication through pre-established agreements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If static data content definitions are used in SGPIO, then communication stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidease of dynamic adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by allowing the interface to transition between operational modes (UART and SGPIO) based on negotiation requirements. The system can dynamically switch from UART mode for capability exchange to SGPIO mode for stable data transmission, and vice versa if needed. This dynamic capability enables both stable communication during SGPIO operation and ease of operation during the adaptive UART negotiation phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the communication mode parameter based on operational requirements. The system can change from UART mode with flexible, negotiable parameters to SGPIO mode with stable, predefined parameters, or vice versa. This parameter switching allows the system to optimize for either stability or ease of dynamic adaptation depending on the operational context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If dual-mode interface is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different target typesVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single interface that can function in multiple modes (UART and SGPIO). The same physical interface hardware and pin configuration support both communication protocols, allowing the system to adapt to different target types without requiring separate dedicated interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional hardware while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the UART and SGPIO interface capabilities into a single unified interface structure. By combining both protocols into one interface that can switch between modes, the system achieves high adaptability to different partners while minimizing the increase in device complexity. The merged interface shares common hardware resources and control logic, reducing overall complexity compared to having separate interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250335377A1Dual-phase interfaces on a shared bus

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An information handling system may include at least one processor; an interface configured to communicatively couple the processor to an information handling resource via a first communications protocol; and an interface controller configured to manage the interface. The interface controller may be configured to: transmit a payload to the information handling resource via the interface, wherein the payload is transmitted via a second communications protocol different from the first communications protocol, and wherein the payload includes information usable to establish communications via the first communications protocol; and in response to the payload being received by the information handling resource, establish communications via the first communications protocol with the information handling resource.