FIFO Serial Control Device Variable Frame Length Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing serial control devices face inefficiencies in transferring data of varying lengths, as they often require multiple devices and fixed frame lengths, leading to unused circuitry and limitations in handling data longer or shorter than the shift register size, especially when allocating terminals in packages with limited pins.

Innovation Solution

A serial control device incorporating a FIFO control unit and serial transfer unit that stores and transfers data of arbitrary lengths using end information to detect the end of data, allowing for flexible frame lengths by repeating transfer units and adjusting transfer intervals, thereby enabling efficient transfer of serial data with a single shift register.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple serial control devices are cascaded to handle variable frame lengths, then the device can accommodate different data lengths, but the device complexity and terminal allocation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe length adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the frame length variable rather than fixed. The serial control device can dynamically adjust the frame length to match the actual data length being transferred, allowing efficient handling of both short and long frames without requiring multiple fixed-length devices to be cascaded together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing a single serial control device that can handle multiple frame lengths (8, 16, 24, 32 bits) within a unified architecture. This multi-functional capability eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices, reducing terminal allocation complexity while maintaining adaptability to various data lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of stationary object

If the shift register size is increased to handle longer frames, then longer data can be transferred, but the device size and terminal usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer lengthVSAvoiddevice area

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the data transfer process into multiple frames rather than requiring a single large shift register. Data is transferred in segmented frames of appropriate length (8, 16, 24, or 32 bits), allowing long data sequences to be transmitted efficiently without needing physically large shift registers or increasing device area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed frame length devices are used, then the device structure is simplified, but the ability to handle variable length data is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidvariable length data handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the frame length parameter to be dynamically selected from standard values (8, 16, 24, 32 bits). This enables the device to maintain a relatively simple structure while adapting to variable length data requirements by changing operational parameters rather than physical structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Length of stationary object

If multiple peripheral devices are cascaded to exceed shift register capacity, then longer data transfer is enabled, but the terminal allocation becomes difficult in packages with limited pins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer lengthVSAvoidterminal allocation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling a single serial control device to dynamically adjust its frame length capability rather than requiring static cascading of multiple devices. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to handle various data lengths using the same terminal allocation, simplifying package design and terminal assignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8341313B2FIFO serial control device, semicondicutor device, and serial data transfer method that indicates inclusion or non-inclusion of end data of serial data

Publication Date: 2012.12.25 RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

Provided is a serial control device that makes the length of data transferred as one frame variable. The serial control device transfers serial data having an arbitrary length, and uses end information indicating inclusion or non-inclusion of end data of the serial data. The serial control device transfers data having a transfer unit length in the serial data when the end information indicates non-inclusion of the end data, and transfers an untransferred part of the serial data when the end information indicates inclusion of the end data.