GPIO Packet Sampling for Efficient Serial Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing communication systems face inefficiencies in serial data transmission due to fixed sampling periods leading to increased data amounts and packet transmission, especially when the data is received through GPIO communication, which can be large.

Innovation Solution

A communication device that includes a controller that determines a timestamp to be used as a start point and a unit period, an encapsulator that generates a first GPIO packet, and a PHY that transmits a second GPIO packet, and a deencapsulator that reproduces a second GPIO packet, and a deencapsulator that reproduces a third GPIO packet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If data is sampled at a fixed period, then sampling is simple and regular, but the sampling data amount increases excessively when the amount of data received through GPIO communication is extremely large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling simplicityVSAvoidsampling data amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the sampling period adjustable rather than fixed. The sampling period is dynamically determined based on the data change frequency - when data changes frequently, a shorter sampling period is used, and when data changes rarely, a longer sampling period is used. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining sampling simplicity while reducing excessive data collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the sampling period parameter based on the characteristics of the input data. By monitoring data change frequency and adjusting the sampling period accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between operational simplicity and data quantity reduction. This parameter change approach allows the system to adapt to different data patterns and minimize unnecessary sampling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If data is sampled at a fixed period, then sampling is consistent and regular, but the total amount of packets that are transmitted/received between the M_SerDes and the S_SerDes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling consistencyVSAvoidpacket transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the sampling period based on actual data change patterns, transitioning from a static fixed period to a dynamic adaptive period. This maintains sampling consistency for critical data while reducing overall packet transmission volume, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing data integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic sampling with variable periods rather than fixed periods. The sampling action occurs periodically, but the period length varies based on data characteristics. This approach maintains the rhythmic nature of sampling while optimizing the frequency to reduce packet transmission overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If all sampling data pieces are transmitted, then data completeness is maintained, but communication efficiency decreases when the amount of data is extremely large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and transmits only the essential sampling data pieces rather than all collected data. By identifying and filtering out redundant or unchanged data portions, the system maintains data completeness for critical information while reducing the overall data volume transmitted, thereby improving communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial sampling and selective transmission instead of complete data transmission. By determining the minimum necessary sampling based on data change frequency, the system achieves sufficient data completeness for reliability while avoiding excessive data transmission that would reduce communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4216485B1Communication device, communication system, and communication method
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP4216485B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4216485B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4216485B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To efficiently perform serial communication. [Solving Means] A communication device includes a controller that determines a timestamp to be used as a start point and a unit period of the timestamp starting from the start point, an encapsulator that samples, in synchronization with the timestamp in each unit period, a GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) signal supplied from a Master, by a fixed sampling period or at a sampling period corresponding to a frequency of a logic change of the GPIO signal and generates a predetermined communication protocol packet including the sampled data, and a LINK that transmits the packet to a communication counter device.