Gearbox Controller Aligning Unaligned Data Words to Reduce Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network devices incur latency due to the use of two gearboxes for converting data width on both ingress and egress paths in high-speed transceivers, which affects the processing and transmission of Ethernet streams.
Innovation Solution
A gearbox system with a controller that processes unaligned data words to generate aligned data words, eliminating the need for a gearbox on the ingress path and using only one gearbox on the egress path to reduce latency by aligning data within the Ethernet stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two gearboxes are used for data width conversion on both ingress and egress paths, then data processing compatibility is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gearbox from the ingress path, keeping only one gearbox on the egress path. This extraction of the unnecessary component eliminates the first latency contribution while maintaining data width conversion capability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary alignment of data words at the gearbox output, preparing aligned data for transmission without requiring a second gearbox on the ingress side. This preliminary action consolidates the alignment function into a single location.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data width conversion is performed on both ingress and egress paths, then protocol compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the redundant gearbox from the ingress path, reducing the total number of gearboxes from two to one while maintaining protocol compatibility through the remaining gearbox's alignment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single gearbox on the egress path performs multiple functions including data width conversion and alignment preparation, making it a universal component that handles both conversion and alignment tasks that previously required separate components.
3Productivity
If unaligned data words are transmitted directly, then processing speed is improved, but data alignment requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The gearbox performs preliminary alignment of data words before transmission, preparing the data to meet alignment requirements without requiring additional processing steps after the alignment operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gearbox generates idle Ethernet blocks and alignment data automatically based on the input data characteristics, serving itself by adapting to different data widths and alignment requirements without external intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, the invention relates to a gearbox. The gearbox may include a controller comprising circuity and is configured to make a first determination that an available data amount at a first clock cycle is greater than a required data amount and that no idle Ethernet Block is being processed, wherein the available data amount at the first clock cycle comprises an unaligned data word, based on the first determination, generate a first aligned data word comprising at least a portion of the unaligned data word, and transmit the first aligned data word to a transmit port.