Hardware Event Routing with Batch Broadcast and Comparator Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable test and measurement system architectures face inefficiencies in event routing due to the large number of generators and detectors, requiring inefficient hardware resources that scale poorly as the system grows, and lack a scalable solution for modular and distributed systems.
Innovation Solution
A scalable hardware event routing system is implemented using a switch architecture that includes capture devices, a batch broadcaster, and comparators, allowing efficient routing by batching events and using programmable registers to match event identifiers with detectors, with bridge events connecting multiple local systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large multidimensional multiplexor is used to route events from N generators to M detectors, then event routing capability is achieved, but hardware resources scale inefficiently as O(n^2)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into multiple local systems, each with its own switch and event routing infrastructure. Instead of one large multiplexor handling all N generators and M detectors globally, each local system independently routes events within its scope. This segmentation reduces the complexity from O(n^2) to O(k^2) per local system where k < n, while maintaining overall system routing capability through inter-system communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to event routing by adding system-level identifiers and hierarchical routing. Events are routed not just by detector ID but by a combination of local system ID and detector ID. This dimensional expansion allows the system to handle global routing requirements through multiple smaller, manageable routing tables rather than one enormous multiplexor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple local systems are chained together for modularity and expandability, then system scalability is improved, but event routing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal event routing architecture where each local system implements the same switch infrastructure and event handling logic. This universality allows any local system to communicate with any other local system using the same protocols and data structures. The event format, switch configuration, and routing logic remain consistent across all systems, simplifying the addition of new local systems without increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces bridge events as intermediaries for routing between local systems. When an event needs to be routed to a detector in a different local system, it is first routed to a bridge detector in the local system, which then generates a corresponding bridge event in the target local system. This intermediary mechanism simplifies inter-system routing by breaking it into two simple intra-system routing steps rather than requiring complex direct cross-system routing logic.
3Adaptability or versatility
If N-to-1 multiplexors are replicated for each detector, then full event routing is achieved, but resource growth rate becomes O(n^2)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the routing functionality of multiple N-to-1 multiplexors into a single switch per local system. Instead of having each detector independently select from all N generators through separate multiplexors, the switch consolidates this selection logic into one device that routes events from all generators to all detectors within the local system. This merging reduces hardware resources from O(n^2) to O(n) per local system while maintaining full routing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A test and measurement device is described having one or more capture devices configured to receive an event from a respective event generator. The test and measurement device also includes a broadcaster configured to receive the event from the one or more capture devices and broadcast the event. The test and measurement device also includes one or more comparators configured to receive the event from the batch broadcaster and route the event to a respective event detector based on a comparison of an event identifier and a detector identifier.