Instrument Module Backplane for Controller-Free Low-Latency Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems in test and measurement instruments require a system controller, leading to operational overhead and long latency times, especially when peripherals send large amounts of data.
Innovation Solution
A module-to-module communication system within a mainframe that allows direct communication between modules via a communication backplane, eliminating the need for a system controller and utilizing PCIe components and FPGAs for reconfiguration and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a system controller manages communication between modules via PCI bus, then coordination between modules is achieved, but operational overhead increases and latency time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication management function from the system controller and creates a dedicated trigger bus that operates independently. This separate trigger bus allows modules to exchange trigger signals directly without involving the system controller, thereby eliminating the latency and overhead associated with controller-mediated communication while maintaining reliable coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into two distinct pathways: a dedicated trigger bus for synchronization signals and the existing PCI bus for data transfer. This segmentation allows trigger communication to occur independently and simultaneously with data operations, preventing trigger latency from being affected by data bus congestion and achieving fast, reliable module coordination.
2Productivity
If PCI bus is used for module communication, then data transfer between modules is enabled, but latency increases when large amounts of data are transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The communication architecture is divided into separate channels: a dedicated trigger bus for synchronization signals and the PCI bus for data transfer. This segmentation ensures that trigger communications occur independently of data transfer activities, so large data transmissions do not block or delay trigger signals, maintaining both high productivity and low latency for critical timing operations.
3Reliability
If a system controller is used to coordinate instrument operations, then operational coordination is achieved, but system complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the trigger coordination function from the system controller and implements it through a dedicated trigger bus with direct module-to-module connections. This extraction eliminates the need for the system controller to manage trigger timing and sequencing, reducing operational overhead and simplifying the control architecture while maintaining reliable operational coordination between modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Modules are empowered to directly exchange trigger signals with each other through the dedicated trigger bus without requiring system controller intervention. This self-service capability allows modules to autonomously coordinate their operations, reducing the burden on the system controller and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliable coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A configurable instrument includes a mainframe having one or more processors, a chassis having slots to accept one or more instrument modules, a communication bus coupled to all of the instrument modules inserted in the slots, and a communication backplane, separate from the communication bus, and configured to allow point-to-point communication between any pair of modules inserted in the slots.