Flexible Ethernet Chip-to-Chip Interface Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) Chip-to-Chip (C2C) interfaces lack flow control and flexible channelization, which are essential for packet C2C applications, limiting their effectiveness in supporting next-generation devices and applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of FlexE C2C interfaces that include circuitry for flow control and channelization, utilizing in-band and out-of-band mechanisms, such as XON-XOFF flow control and dynamic logical channels, to enhance communication over backplane and fabric links, allowing for increased data rates and efficient information transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If FlexE C2C interfaces include flow control and channelization circuitry, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines flow control and channelization circuitry within the FlexE C2C interface, merging multiple functions into a unified interface structure. This integration allows the interface to handle both flow control and channelization operations simultaneously, improving overall functionality while managing complexity through consolidation rather than separate discrete components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The FlexE C2C interface is designed with multi-functional capabilities, supporting both flow control and channelization operations within a single interface framework. This universal design enables the interface to adapt to different application requirements (packet transport, Ethernet transport, bonding, subrating) without requiring separate dedicated interfaces for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple separate interfaces are used for different functions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and die area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple interface functions (flow control, channelization, packet transport, Ethernet transport) into a single FlexE C2C interface. This consolidation reduces the total number of interfaces required while maintaining reliability through integrated error handling, flow control, and channel management capabilities within the unified interface structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The FlexE C2C interface is designed as a universal interface that can reliably handle multiple different transport modes and applications. The interface maintains reliability across different operating modes (packet C2C, Ethernet C2C, bonding, subrating) through configurable parameters and adaptive operation, eliminating the need for multiple separate dedicated interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If FlexE rate is increased to support additional flow control and channelization information, then adaptability is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidpower

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The FlexE interface implements dynamic rate adjustment capabilities, allowing the interface to operate at different data rates depending on the specific application requirements. The interface can adaptively increase rate when additional flow control and channelization information is needed, and operate at lower rates when full adaptability is not required, thereby optimizing power consumption based on actual operational needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The interface utilizes parameter changes in the FlexE rate to encode additional information for flow control and channelization. By varying the data rate parameter, the interface can convey more information about flow control states and channelization configurations without requiring separate dedicated signaling channels, thus improving adaptability while managing power consumption through efficient parameter encoding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10135760B2Flexible Ethernet chip-to-chip inteface systems and methods

Publication Date: 2018.11.20 CIENA CORP

AI summary

A Chip-to-Chip (C2C) interface utilizing Flexible Ethernet (FlexE) includes circuitry configured to provide a packet interface on a single card or over backplane/fabric links between two devices, wherein the circuitry comprises flow control and channelization for the FlexE. Each of the two devices can include any of a Network Processor (NPU), a Fabric Interface Card (FIC), a framer, and a mapper. A rate of the FlexE can be increased to support additional information for the flow control and the channelization.