Universal Access Module for FPGA Communication Routing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Field programmable gate array (FPGA) devices face limitations in communication efficiency and scalability due to the need for manual design of connection establishment between application modules and protocol stack modules, which requires knowledge of communication protocols and interfaces, and the exclusive utilization of physical interfaces by protocol stack modules, leading to delays and limitations in communicating with target devices across different computing devices.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a universal access module that provides a unified interface for application modules to access multiple protocol stack modules, allowing direct and unified communication with target devices through a single interface, regardless of their location or connection status, by routing data based on predetermined routing information and identities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual design of connection establishment between application modules and protocol stack modules is used, then communication protocols and interfaces can be properly established, but communication efficiency is reduced and scalability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidconnection establishment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a universal access module as an intermediary component that sits between application modules and protocol stack modules. This module automatically establishes connections and routes data based on destination identities, eliminating the need for manual connection design while maintaining proper protocol handling. The universal access module acts as a mediator that simplifies the interface for application modules while preserving the complexity management for protocol stacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal access module provides a unified, protocol-agnostic interface that can access multiple different protocol stack modules through a single interface. This universal access point allows application modules to communicate with various target devices using different protocols without needing to know or manually configure specific protocol connections, thereby improving both efficiency and scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If protocol stack modules exclusively utilize physical interfaces, then protocol communication can be maintained, but communication delays occur and scalability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication scalabilityVSAvoidcommunication delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a new dimension to the communication architecture by introducing a logical routing layer (universal access module) above the physical interface layer. This allows multiple virtual connections to be established over the same physical interface through identity-based routing, enabling parallel communication paths and eliminating the need for exclusive physical interface utilization, thereby reducing delays and improving scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal access module pre-establishes routing information and identity mappings before communication occurs. By having destination identities and routing paths predetermined, the system can immediately route data without waiting for connection establishment handshakes, reducing communication delays while maintaining protocol integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If application modules need knowledge of communication protocols and interfaces, then proper communication can be established, but ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidmodule operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the protocol knowledge requirement from application modules and concentrates it in the universal access module and protocol stack modules. Application modules only need to provide destination identities without needing to understand specific communication protocols or interface details. This separation maintains reliable communication through proper protocol handling while dramatically simplifying the operation of application modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12197367B2Communications for field programmable gate array device

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

According to implementations of the subject matter described herein, there is proposed a solution for supporting communications for an FPGA device. In an implementation, the FPGA device includes an application module and protocol stack modules. The protocol stack modules are operable to access target devices based on different communication protocols via a physical interface. The FPGA device further includes a universal access module operable to receive, from the application module, first data and a first identity of a first target device, the first target device acting as a destination of the first data, and transmit, based on the first identity and predetermined first routing information, the first data to a first protocol stack module accessible to the first target device via the physical interface. By introducing the universal access module, it is possible to provide unified and direct communications for the application module.