Power Domain Crossing FIFO Data Integrity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern computing systems with multiple power domains face challenges in maintaining data integrity during power domain crossings, particularly in high-performance applications where user safety is critical, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Innovation Solution
The method involves selecting a memory location in a first power domain, calculating a first error check value, transferring the data through level shifters, calculating a second error check value in the destination power domain, and comparing the two values to detect data corruption during transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power domain crossing is implemented to enable power-saving techniques, then power efficiency is improved, but data integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and transferring the first error check value from the source power domain before data transmission occurs. This pre-computed error check value is then used at the destination to immediately detect any corruption, enabling proactive protection of data integrity while maintaining power efficiency benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The error check value acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the source and destination power domains. By transferring this computational checksum alongside the data through the power domain boundary, the system enables verification of data integrity without requiring continuous power consumption in intermediate verification stages.
2Device complexity
If conventional data transfer methods are used across power domains, then device complexity is reduced, but detection time of data corruption increases to milliseconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces detection time by performing the error check calculation in advance at the source power domain. The pre-computed first error check value is transferred with the data, allowing the destination domain to immediately compare values and detect corruption within nanoseconds rather than performing lengthy verification computations after data arrival.
3Reliability
If error check values are calculated and compared across power domains, then data integrity detection is improved to nanosecond level, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the error checking function into two separate power domains. The source power domain calculates and transfers the first error check value, while the destination power domain calculates and compares the second error check value. This segmentation allows each domain to perform simplified, specialized operations rather than requiring one domain to handle the entire complex verification process.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for transferring data, such as between power domains via a first in, first out (FIFO) queue. An example method of transferring data includes selecting, via a source multiplexer, a first memory location included in a FIFO queue and storing first data, where the source multiplexer and the FIFO queue are in a first power domain; outputting the first data to a first level shifter; calculating, in the first power domain, a first value based on the first data; outputting the first value to a second level shifter; selecting, via at least one destination multiplexer included in a second power domain, the first level shifter and the second level shifter; calculating, in the second power domain, a second value based on the first data; and comparing the first value to the second value to generate a result.