Communication Interface Timing to Avoid PDN Resonance Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods to address power distribution network (PDN) resonance conflicts in communication interfaces are costly, complex, or negatively impact performance, and existing solutions such as increasing decoupling capacitance, altering package design, or slowing down communication interfaces are undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that controls a communication interface by intentionally avoiding activation and inactivation combinations at or near the resonant frequency of the PDN to prevent resonance conflicts, using a resonance avoidance controller to insert delays or pauses between transactions to adjust the effective frequency and avoid stimulating the PDN.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to address PDN resonance conflicts (increasing decoupling capacitance, altering package design, slowing down communication interfaces), then resonance conflicts are reduced, but cost increases, complexity increases, or performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the timing parameters of communication transactions by inserting delays to shift the effective frequency away from PDN resonant frequencies. This parameter adjustment resolves the resonance conflict without modifying the physical structure or adding complex components to the power distribution network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary component that monitors and adjusts communication transaction timing. This mediator prevents resonance conflicts by inserting appropriate delays between transactions, thereby protecting the communication interface without requiring changes to the PDN itself.
2Productivity
If communication interface operates at higher speeds, then productivity increases, but resonance conflict risk increases causing bit errors and failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic delays in communication transactions to ensure that the effective frequency of transaction patterns does not coincide with PDN resonant frequencies. This periodic timing adjustment maintains high-speed operation while preventing resonance-induced errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller monitors communication transactions and dynamically inserts delays based on detected resonance conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures that high-speed operation continues while automatically preventing bit errors caused by PDN resonance conflicts.
3Reliability
If decoupling capacitance is increased to reduce resonance, then reliability improves, but manufacturing cost and device area increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing decoupling capacitance hardware, the patent changes the operational parameters of communication transactions by inserting timing delays. This software-based parameter adjustment achieves power distribution stability without requiring additional die area for capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive physical decoupling capacitance with a low-cost controller-based timing adjustment mechanism. The controller inserts virtual delays in the transaction timeline, providing the same stabilizing effect without the cost and area of additional hardware components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents single bit errors and failures in communication interfaces by effectively managing resonance conflicts without significant cost or performance degradation, allowing for higher-speed operation with a less complex power distribution network.
Implementation Method 1
Certain combinations of communication activity on a communication interface may stimulate the system power distribution network (PDN) at its resonant frequency, causing an impact on the supply voltage provided to on-die circuitry driving the communication interface
Data Source
AI summary
A resonance avoidance system including a resonance avoidance controller configured to insert a delay between sequential transactions on a communication interface separated by an inactive period to avoid stimulating a power distribution network resonance. The resonance avoidance controller may be configured to insert the delay by delaying a second transaction from being driven onto the communication interface after a first transaction in which the delay is sufficient to avoid stimulating the power distribution network resonance. The delay may be inserted by delaying a driver from driving the second transaction by the sufficient delay. The conflict may be detected between first and second commands in a command queue, in which the delay may be inserted by inserting no operation commands between the commands in the command queue. Operational timing values may be stored that are used to detect resonant frequency conflicts.