I3C Bus Preamble Bit Control for Conflict-Free Read Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the I3C communication standard, signals without error detection measures can lead to errors that prevent normal communication between the master and slave devices, as they lack mechanisms to detect and correct such issues.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus and method that includes a transmission and receiving unit which receives read data from another apparatus and typically drives the second bit of a preamble subsequent to the read data, ensuring error detection and prevention of conflicts by managing the preamble bits to avoid misinterpretation of signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If error detection measures are not implemented in all signals, then device complexity is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of error detection mechanismsVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing error detection selectively only where needed - specifically in preamble signals that control communication flow, while omitting it from data signals where it would add unnecessary complexity. This targeted approach maintains communication reliability for critical control signals without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by incorporating error detection in the preamble signals that precede data transmission. The preamble contains error detection codes that are processed before the actual data transfer, allowing the system to detect and handle errors in control signals upfront, thereby ensuring reliable communication setup without requiring error detection in all subsequent data signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the second bit of preamble is driven by both master and slave, then communication flexibility is improved, but signal conflicts increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidsignal conflicts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional approach where both master and slave drive the second bit. Instead, it designates the master as the sole driver of the second bit while the slave only receives and responds to it. This inverted control scheme eliminates signal conflicts by ensuring only one device drives the signal line at any given time, while still maintaining communication flexibility through the master's ability to control the communication flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10892852B2Communication apparatus, communication method, program, and communication system

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A master includes a transmission and receiving unit that transmits and receives signals to and from a slave, and the transmission and receiving unit receives read data read out from the slave, and typically drives the second bit of a preamble transmitted/received subsequent to the read data. The master can notify the slave that communication is or is not interrupted at some midpoint, on the basis of the second bit of the preamble. The present technology can be applied to a bus IF that communicates pursuant to, for example, the specification of I3C.