Function Level Reset Mechanism for I/O Device Resource Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing I/O devices face challenges in virtualizing and sharing hardware resources, particularly in resetting functions without disrupting other functions or processes, especially in multi-processing environments where high-cost hardware needs to be efficiently utilized across multiple processing entities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a function level reset (FLR) mechanism in I/O devices, which includes a master reset unit and client interfaces, allows for independent and hierarchical reset of hardware resources, ensuring that each function can be reset without affecting others, and enables concurrent non-blocking resets across multiple functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardware resources are shared across multiple processing modules to increase resource utilization, then hardware resource utilization is improved, but the complexity of managing and resetting functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the I/O device into multiple independent functions (e.g., Function 0, Function 1) with separate reset control logic. Each function has its own client interface that can be reset independently through the master reset unit, allowing selective resetting without affecting other functions. This segmentation enables the system to share hardware resources across multiple processing modules while maintaining manageable complexity through modular reset control.
2Productivity
If a function is reset to reclaim resources, then resource availability is improved, but other functions may be disrupted if reset operations are not isolated
Solution Approach 1:
The reset control logic is segmented into a master reset unit and multiple client interfaces, with each client interface responsible for a specific function. The master reset unit distributes reset requests to relevant client interfaces and collects completion signals, ensuring that reset operations are isolated to specific functions only. This segmentation guarantees that resetting one function does not disrupt other functions, maintaining reliability while enabling resource reclamation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where client interfaces send completion signals back to the master reset unit after resetting their associated functions. The master reset unit waits for these feedback signals before considering the reset operation complete and notifying the host device. This feedback mechanism ensures that resource reclamation is performed reliably and that the system state is updated accurately, preventing disruptions to other functions.
3Reliability
If reset operations are performed sequentially to ensure completeness, then reset reliability is improved, but the time required for resource reclamation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master reset unit receives reset requests from the host device and immediately begins distributing reset signals to the appropriate client interfaces without waiting for sequential completion of previous resets. Multiple reset operations can be initiated in advance for different functions, and the master reset unit tracks the completion status of each function through feedback signals. This preliminary action approach allows the system to prepare for resource reclamation while maintaining reliability through completion verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The reset operation system is made dynamic by allowing the master reset unit to manage reset requests flexibly based on the current state of different functions. The master reset unit can process multiple reset requests concurrently, track completion status dynamically through feedback signals from client interfaces, and notify the host device as soon as the required function is ready. This dynamic approach reduces the time required for resource reclamation while ensuring reset reliability through state-based control.
Data Source
AI summary
An I/O device having function level reset functionality includes a host interface that may include a master reset unit, a plurality of client interfaces, each corresponding to one or more functions, and a plurality of hardware resources. Each hardware resource may be associated with a respective function. In response to receiving a reset request to reset a specific function, the master reset unit may provide to each client interface, a request signal corresponding to the reset request, and a signal identifying the specific function. Each client interface having an association with the specific function may initiate a reset operation of the associated hardware resources, and also provide a client reset done signal for the specific function to the master reset unit in response to completion of the reset operations of the hardware resources. The master reset unit provides a reset done signal for the specific function to the host interface.