Ethernet Controller Direct Data Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
High bandwidth streaming in Ethernet-based systems consumes significant CPU resources due to data copying, limiting the use of smaller and cheaper CPU cores and increasing power consumption, as well as requiring higher throughput on interconnects and memory.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an optimized driver software architecture and hardware architecture that allows the Ethernet controller to directly stream data from the streaming peripheral, reducing the CPU's involvement in data copying by preparing descriptors that point to header and payload buffers, enabling the Ethernet MAC to fetch data autonomously without CPU intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CPU copies data from the streaming peripheral to system RAM for Ethernet transmission, then data integrity and memory protection are ensured, but CPU resource utilization increases significantly and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data copying function from the CPU to a dedicated Ethernet controller with direct memory access capability. The controller autonomously copies data from the streaming peripheral to the Ethernet transmission buffer, eliminating the need for CPU intervention in the data path while maintaining data integrity through hardware-based error checking and checksum verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The Ethernet controller is designed to self-service by autonomously performing data copying, buffering, and transmission without CPU intervention. The controller manages its own data buffers and handles the complete data path from the streaming peripheral to the Ethernet interface, reducing CPU workload and power consumption while ensuring reliable data transmission.
2Ease of operation
If the CPU copies data multiple times during the streaming process, then alignment restrictions and software architecture requirements are met, but the throughput requirement on interconnects and memory increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate descriptor buffer structure that mediates between the streaming peripheral and the Ethernet controller. The descriptor contains metadata about the data buffer location and characteristics, allowing the Ethernet controller to directly access properly aligned data in system RAM without requiring multiple CPU-mediated copy operations. This intermediary structure enables the controller to handle alignment requirements autonomously while reducing interconnect throughput demands.
3Reliability
If traditional data copying methods are used in high bandwidth streaming, then data can be transmitted reliably, but smaller and cheaper CPU cores cannot be used due to resource constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts critical data handling functions from the CPU to a dedicated Ethernet controller, enabling the use of smaller, lower-power CPU cores. The controller independently manages data copying, buffering, error checking, and transmission, ensuring streaming reliability without requiring high-performance CPU resources. This functional extraction allows system designers to select cost-effective, low-power processor options while maintaining robust data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of data streaming in a streaming system (200) that comprises a processor (202) and a controller (204) operably coupled to a streaming peripheral (214) via a shared interconnect (206) is described. The method comprises at the controller, receiving at least one descriptor that points to at least one header data element in memory and at least one payload buffer element in the streaming peripheral (214); reading the at least one descriptor (211) by the controller (204); fetching by the controller the at least one header data element from memory and the at least one payload element from the payload buffer (212) in the streaming peripheral (214) referred to by the descriptor (211).