Hardware Forwarding Device Synchronizing Data Streams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional software implementations for distributing data streams from multiple sources to multiple sinks face limitations in data throughput due to high computing requirements and synchronization challenges, leading to large latency and potential data loss or hardware defects.

Innovation Solution

A forwarding device and method that utilize synchronization markers to distribute data streams synchronously across multiple outputs, allowing for parallel processing and reduced latency by ensuring data is available in the same time segment across all assigned output streams, with hardware implementation such as FPGAs or ASICs for acceleration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If software-based data distribution is used, then flexibility and ease of implementation are improved, but data throughput is limited due to high computing overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implementationVSAvoiddata throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based data distribution with a hardware forwarding device that uses parallel processing architectures (such as FPGA or ASIC) to achieve high-speed data routing. This substitution of mechanical/hardware systems for software solutions eliminates the computing overhead bottleneck while maintaining implementation flexibility through configurable hardware designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If large data buffers are used to compensate for software limitations, then data loss is reduced, but latency increases making rapid response impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata loss preventionVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The forwarding device performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing parallel data paths and using synchronization markers to coordinate data flow before bottlenecks occur. This allows the system to maintain low latency while preventing data loss through proactive buffer management and synchronized parallel processing, eliminating the need for large latency-inducing buffers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If centralized software routing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization and prioritization of data sources become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem architecture simplicityVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized routing function into distributed parallel processing paths, with each path handling specific data streams independently. Synchronization markers are used to coordinate these segmented paths, maintaining synchronization accuracy while distributing the complexity across multiple parallel hardware units rather than concentrating it in a single software processor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If parallel processing is implemented in hardware, then data throughput and response time are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidhardware architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The forwarding device employs universal parallel processing units that can handle multiple data streams and routing configurations simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the hardware to achieve high data throughput through parallel processing while reducing overall complexity by using identical reusable processing blocks rather than custom-circuitry for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3224731B1Method and apparatus for forwarding data

Publication Date: 2020.08.05 CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH

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AI summary

Forwarding devices and corresponding methods are provided in which a multiplicity of input data streams (30A-30D) are distributed over a multiplicity of output data streams (313A-313D) on the basis of synchronisation marking.