Integrated Circuit Radio Supervisor Call Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for configuring integrated-circuit radio-communication devices require linking application code with libraries or operating systems, leading to potential bugs and complexity in development, as well as the need for re-linking at successive development stages, which can introduce memory location changes and debugging challenges.

Innovation Solution

The method involves loading a software application and a firmware module into the device's memory, where the processor responds to supervisor call instructions to invoke radio communication functions, eliminating the need for linking and allowing the software application to interface directly with the firmware module using supervisor call instructions, thereby simplifying the development process and maintaining consistent memory locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If application code is linked with libraries or operating systems supplied by the chip manufacturer, then radio communication functions can be implemented, but the development process becomes complex and prone to bugs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware application reliabilityVSAvoiddevelopment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the radio control functions from the traditional library/OS linking model and implements them as a separate firmware module that can be directly loaded into the device's memory. This extraction eliminates the need for complex linking processes and reduces development complexity while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The software architecture is segmented into distinct components: a software application layer and a firmware module layer. The firmware module contains the radio control functions as a separate, self-contained unit with a defined interface, allowing independent development and testing of each component, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the firmware module is re-linked at successive development stages, then updates and modifications can be made, but memory location changes occur causing debugging challenges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware update capabilityVSAvoiddebugging difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware module is designed with predetermined memory location requirements and a stable interface definition before development begins. This preliminary specification of the interface contract allows the software application to be developed against a fixed target, eliminating memory location changes during subsequent development stages and simplifying debugging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interface between the software application and firmware module is defined with specific local qualities: fixed memory locations, predetermined addresses, and stable supervisor call numbers. These localized stability features allow the rest of the system to adapt while maintaining consistent reference points for debugging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional library or operating system is used to interface with radio control functions, then comprehensive functionality is provided, but confidential firmware information is exposed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio communication functionalityVSAvoidfirmware information security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The firmware module acts as an intermediary layer between the software application and the underlying radio communication logic. It provides a controlled interface through supervisor call instructions, allowing the application to access radio functionality while preventing direct access to and exposure of confidential firmware information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into public interface elements (supervisor call numbers and their associated functions) and private implementation details. The interface definition exposes only the necessary functionality signatures without revealing the underlying firmware implementation, maintaining information security while providing comprehensive radio communication capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9317348B2Integrated-circuit radio

Publication Date: 2016.04.19 NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR

AI summary

An integrated-circuit radio communication device (1) comprises a processor (7), memory (13), and radio communication logic (17). The memory (13) has a firmware module (23) stored at a firmware memory address, the firmware module (23) comprising instructions for controlling the radio communication logic (17) according to a predetermined radio protocol. The processor (7) is configured to receive supervisor call instructions, each having an associated supervisor call number, and to respond to a supervisor call instruction by (i) invoking a supervisor call handler in the firmware module (23), and (ii) making the supervisor call number available to the call handler. A software application (27) is loaded into the memory (13) of the device (1), and stored at a predetermined application memory address. It is arranged to invoke a radio communication function from the firmware module (23) by issuing a supervisor call instruction having an associated predetermined supervisor call number corresponding to the function to be invoked.