Dual-Protocol Link Controller for PCIe and Gen-Z Interoperability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing system interconnect standards, such as PCIe, face challenges in multi-processor systems where memory sharing and compatibility with older standards are concerns, leading to increased memory capacity requirements and potential obsolescence of system components.

Innovation Solution

A dual-protocol link controller is introduced, which includes a PCIe physical layer circuit, data link layer controllers for both PCIe and Gen-Z protocols, a multiplexer-demultiplexer, and a protocol translation circuit. This allows for seamless communication between processors and memory modules using either the PCIe or Gen-Z protocol, ensuring compatibility and efficient data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If new interconnect standards are adopted to improve communication speed and capacity in multi-processor systems, then memory capacity requirements increase and system performance improves, but compatibility with older standards deteriorates and system components become obsolete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory capacityVSAvoidprotocol compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The link controller is designed to support multiple protocols (PCIe and Gen-Z) simultaneously, making it universally compatible with both older and newer standards. This allows a single controller to handle diverse protocol requirements without requiring separate dedicated controllers for each protocol type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A protocol translation circuit is introduced as an intermediary component that translates between PCIe and Gen-Z protocols. This mediator enables communication between systems using different protocols without requiring direct compatibility between the protocols themselves, resolving the compatibility issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dual-protocol link controller is introduced to maintain compatibility with older standards, then protocol compatibility improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidcontroller structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple protocol handling capabilities into a single link controller by integrating both PCIe and Gen-Z data link layer controllers, along with protocol translation circuitry. This merging approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate controllers into one unified device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The link controller is designed to support multiple protocols (PCIe and Gen-Z) simultaneously, making it universally compatible with both older and newer standards. This allows a single controller to handle diverse protocol requirements without requiring separate dedicated controllers for each protocol type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If PCIe protocol is used for communication, then backward compatibility with existing systems is maintained, but support for newer memory standards and architectures is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackward compatibilityVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The link controller dynamically switches between PCIe and Gen-Z protocols based on the memory module capabilities and system requirements. This dynamic protocol selection allows the system to adapt to different memory standards, using PCIe for backward compatibility and Gen-Z for enhanced capacity when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A protocol translation circuit is introduced as an intermediary component that translates between PCIe and Gen-Z protocols. This mediator enables communication between systems using different protocols without requiring direct compatibility between the protocols themselves, resolving the compatibility issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12287753B2Alternative protocol over physical layer

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 ATI TECHNOLOGIES ULC

AI summary

A link controller includes a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) physical layer circuit for coupling to a communication link and providing a data path over the communication link, a first data link layer controller which operates according to a PCIe protocol, and a second data link layer controller which operates according to a non-PCIe protocol. A multiplexer-demultiplexer selectively connects both data link layer controllers to the PCIe physical layer circuit. A protocol translation circuit is coupled between the multiplexer-demultiplexer and the second data link layer controller, the protocol translation circuit receiving traffic data from the second data link layer controller in a non-PCIe format, encapsulating the non-PCIe format in a PCIe format, and passing traffic data to the multiplexer-demultiplexer circuit.