Half-Duplex Control Data Transfer with Offset Command Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
In half-duplex wired communications interfaces, control data transfer over multiple segments experiences significant latency due to synchronization requirements and the presence of switches and repeaters, which worsens response times when passing control data between a master and slave devices across a fabric of interconnected devices.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transferring control data in synchronized frames with command slots, where each path segment has offset time positions of command slots by at least one control data bit slot, allowing for separate bit slots for data transfer from the master to the slave and vice versa, reducing overall latency by optimizing data flow through the fabric.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If command slots are synchronized between path segments, then data synchronization is simplified, but latency increases due to the need to wait for complete frame cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning command slots at offset time positions in each path segment. This allows intermediate devices to forward control data immediately upon receipt without waiting for the next synchronized frame cycle, thereby reducing latency while maintaining synchronization through the pre-established offset structure.
2Ease of operation
If control data is transferred in synchronized frames, then timing coordination is simplified, but response time deteriorates due to frame cycle waiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control data transfer process by dividing the synchronized frame into multiple path segments with offset command slots. Each intermediate device operates independently on its segment with pre-calculated offsets, allowing parallel processing and immediate forwarding of control data without waiting for complete frame cycles, thus improving response time while maintaining timing coordination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If switches and repeaters are introduced to connect multiple devices, then fabric scalability is improved, but control data transfer latency increases due to additional hops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring offset time positions for command slots in each path segment connected to switches and repeaters. This allows intermediate devices to immediately forward control data upon receipt without waiting for synchronized frame cycles, compensating for the additional latency introduced by multiple hops through pre-calculated timing offsets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multi-hop control data transfer path into multiple path segments, each with its own offset command slots. This segmentation allows each intermediate device to operate independently and forward data immediately, reducing the cumulative latency effect of multiple switches and repeaters while maintaining fabric scalability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transferring control data between a master device and a slave device over a path including at least one intermediate device, such that the path includes multiple path segments between successive pairs of devices. Data is transferred on each path segment in a plurality of frames of data, wherein the frames are synchronized between said path segments. The control data is transmitted in command slots of each frame, wherein a command slot comprises a set of control data bit slots, and wherein a control data bit slot is a time window associated with the transfer of a single control data bit over a single path segment between the devices on the path segment. The control data bit slots for each command slot are subdivided into: a first set of bit slots reserved for the transfer of control data in the direction from the master device to the slave device, and a second set of bit slots reserved for the transfer of control data either in the direction from the master device to the slave device or in the direction from the slave device to the master device. The time positions of the command slots on each path segment are offset from the positions of the command slots on each respective adjacent path segment by at least one control data bit slot.