IC Interconnect Token Management for Priority Arbitration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuit communication systems face increased complexity and cost due to the need for advanced token management and storage mechanisms to balance access to communication channels between high and low priority masters, leading to inefficiencies and potential blocking of physical communication links.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of node-to-node token-based communication flow management within overlapping virtual networks, where network nodes request and manage tokens dynamically, reducing the need for pre-allocated tokens and minimizing storage and control complexity, and allowing for efficient arbitration of access to shared physical communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If more tokens are allocated to high priority masters to balance communication channel access, then priority-based access control is improved, but system complexity and cost increase due to additional token storage and management mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the token management function from the master units and relocates it to the interconnect circuitry. Specifically, the interconnect includes token management logic that dynamically allocates tokens to masters based on priority, eliminating the need for complex storage and management mechanisms within each master unit while maintaining priority-based access control
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnect circuitry acts as an intermediary between masters and slaves, managing token allocation and communication flow. The interconnect includes token buffers and arbitration logic that mediate between multiple masters and the communication channels, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing control
2Speed
If nodes assert communication signals without checking receiver readiness, then communication speed is improved, but physical communication links become blocked and unavailable to other virtual networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where receiving nodes assert readiness signals back to transmitting nodes before communication signals are asserted. The interconnect circuitry monitors receiver readiness and only permits signal assertion when the receiving node is prepared, preventing link blocking while maintaining efficient communication flow
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary readiness checking before allowing communication signals to be asserted. The interconnect circuitry预先 (in advance) verifies that receiving nodes are ready to accept signals, and only then permits the transmitting nodes to assert communication signals, preventing future blocking issues
3Ease of operation
If pre-allocated tokens are stored in masters and slaves, then token management is simplified, but storage overhead and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the token storage function from masters and slaves and relocates it to the interconnect circuitry. The interconnect includes centralized token buffers that store and manage tokens dynamically, eliminating the need for distributed storage across multiple nodes and reducing overall storage overhead
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnect circuitry serves multiple functions: it acts as a communication switch, a token manager, and a priority arbitrator. By consolidating these functions in a single component, the system reduces the total storage requirements compared to having separate token storage in each master and slave unit
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit comprising multiple master units and multiple slave units connected via interconnect circuitry utilizes token based node-to-node communication flow management within the interconnect circuitry with a network node requesting a token and receiving a token signal before it asserts its communication signals onto a physical communication link shared between multiple virtual networks.