Dynamically Adjustable Receive Buffer for Serial Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional serial interface buffers in integrated circuits are fixed in size and cannot be resized after fabrication, limiting their adaptability to changing performance requirements.

Innovation Solution

A dynamically-adjustable buffer system is implemented, where a fixed-size low-performance buffer is configured within a memory column and controlled by programmable soft logic to extend or reduce its size based on monitored performance, allowing for power conservation without significant performance impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-size buffer is used in traditional serial interfaces, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the adaptability to changing performance requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffer adaptabilityVSAvoidbuffer control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer size is made dynamically adjustable through a control mechanism that monitors performance metrics (such as buffer occupancy levels) and automatically extends or reduces the buffer size accordingly. This dynamic adjustment allows the buffer to adapt to varying performance requirements without requiring manual reconfiguration or redesign, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by implementing automated dynamic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer size parameter is changed dynamically based on monitored performance conditions. When performance metrics indicate the need for larger buffering capacity, the buffer size parameter is increased; when conditions improve, the parameter is reduced. This parameter change approach enables adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic parameter adjustment based on performance feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a larger buffer is allocated to ensure sufficient buffering capacity, then the reliability of data reception is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reception reliabilityVSAvoidbuffer power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer size is dynamically adjusted based on actual performance needs rather than being statically allocated at maximum capacity. When data reception conditions are stable and buffer occupancy is low, the buffer size is reduced to conserve power. When reception reliability is at risk (high occupancy or error conditions), the buffer automatically extends to ensure reliable operation. This dynamic sizing resolves the contradiction by matching buffer resources to actual reliability requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism monitors buffer occupancy levels and performance metrics, and uses this information to automatically adjust buffer size. The feedback loop ensures that the buffer maintains sufficient capacity for reliable data reception while avoiding unnecessary allocation of buffering resources that would increase power consumption. The system continuously adapts buffer size based on real-time performance feedback, optimizing the reliability-power tradeoff.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the buffer size is increased to handle peak data rates, then the productivity of data processing is improved, but the device area and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing throughputVSAvoidbuffer area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer size is dynamically scaled to match actual data processing demands rather than being fixed at peak capacity. During high-throughput periods, the buffer automatically extends to handle peak data rates and maintain productivity. During lower-utilization periods, the buffer contracts to reduce the occupied device area. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between productivity and area by providing peak performance only when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of allocating full buffer capacity for peak conditions at all times, the system uses partial buffer allocation during normal operation and only extends to excessive capacity when truly needed for peak throughput. This partial action approach maintains adequate productivity for most operating conditions while avoiding the area cost of provisioning for maximum peak performance continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10339074B1Integrated circuit with dynamically-adjustable buffer space for serial interface
Publication Date: 2019.07.02 ALTERA CORP
  • US10339074B1 patent drawing
  • US10339074B1 patent drawing
  • US10339074B1 patent drawing

AI summary

One embodiment relates to an integrated circuit which includes a method of dynamically adjusting a receive buffer in an integrated circuit. A fixed-size buffer circuit of the receive buffer is used to buffer data received by way of a serial interface circuit. The performance of the serial interface circuit are monitored. The receive buffer is dynamically extended based on said performance. Other embodiments, aspects, and features are also disclosed.