Frame Packing Templates for Higher Flit Bandwidth Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flit packing techniques result in inefficient bandwidth utilization due to empty slots in transmitted frames, leading to suboptimal communication performance and increased power consumption in communication links.
Innovation Solution
Implementing pattern matching packing templates to optimize the packing of flits based on the specific traffic mix, ensuring that each slot is utilized efficiently by selecting the most suitable packing template from a stored plurality of templates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional flit packing techniques are used, then the transmission process is simple, but bandwidth utilization is inefficient due to empty slots in transmitted frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-generates multiple packing templates during initialization, each representing a different valid packing pattern for flits. These templates are stored and readily available for selection during transmission, eliminating the need for complex real-time packing decisions and enabling efficient bandwidth utilization through template-based selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from dynamic complex algorithms to selecting from pre-defined templates with different parameters (packing patterns). By varying which template is selected based on traffic conditions, the system achieves adaptive bandwidth optimization without implementing complex real-time packing logic.
2Productivity
If more flits are transmitted to fill bandwidth, then bandwidth utilization improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically selects packing templates based on current traffic conditions and bandwidth requirements. By adapting the packing strategy to actual needs rather than using fixed patterns, the system transmits only the necessary number of flits to fill bandwidth efficiently, avoiding unnecessary transmissions that would consume additional power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes packing parameters by selecting different templates that optimize flit composition for current traffic mixes. This enables efficient bandwidth utilization with minimal flit transmissions, reducing power consumption compared to conventional approaches that transmit more flits including those filling empty slots.
3Ease of operation
If fixed packing rules are used, then implementation is simple, but response time increases due to suboptimal packing for specific traffic mixes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes multiple packing templates during initialization, each optimized for different traffic conditions. During operation, the system simply selects the appropriate pre-computed template based on current traffic mix, achieving fast response times without complex real-time optimization while maintaining implementation simplicity through template-based selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed packing rules to dynamic template selection based on traffic conditions. This enables the packing strategy to adapt to specific traffic mixes, reducing response time by selecting optimal templates while maintaining ease of operation through pre-computed template libraries.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a protocol controller for packing a frame includes selecting, based on current contents of at least one message buffer, a stored packing template, and packing the frame in accordance with the selected packing template. The packing comprises packing each slot of the frame with a respective request (e.g., read request, write request) from the message buffer in accordance with the selected packing template. The template is selected from a plurality of stored packing templates. Associated host devices on which the protocol controller is arranged are also described.