Interrupt Controller Write Transaction Authentication

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional data processing systems face increased complexity and resource requirements for interrupt management as the number of interrupt sources and controllers grows, leading to higher die area and wiring needs for dedicated interrupt wires.

Innovation Solution

A write-transaction-based interrupt management model that authenticates and interprets interrupt requests as write transactions to specified interrupt event registers, reducing the need for dedicated wires and simplifying the interrupt controller architecture by using a programmable interrupt controller system with a central or legacy management unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated interrupt wires are used for each interrupt source, then interrupt signaling reliability is improved, but device complexity and die area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterrupt signaling reliabilityVSAvoidinterrupt controller architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interrupt controller uses a universal register-based interface that can receive interrupt signals from multiple different interrupt sources through a standardized write transaction mechanism, eliminating the need for dedicated wires for each source. The same register structure handles various interrupt types by interpreting different signal conditions (edge-triggered, level-sensitive, etc.).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the physical mechanical wiring system with a logical software-based interrupt mechanism. Instead of using physical dedicated wires for each interrupt source, the system uses write transactions to memory-mapped registers, substituting physical connectivity with software-defined interrupt handling through the interrupt controller's register interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If dedicated interrupt wires are used for each interrupt source, then interrupt signaling reliability is improved, but die area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterrupt signaling reliabilityVSAvoiddie area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The interrupt controller uses a universal register-based interface that can receive interrupt signals from multiple different interrupt sources through a standardized write transaction mechanism, eliminating the need for dedicated wires for each source. The same register structure handles various interrupt types by interpreting different signal conditions (edge-triggered, level-sensitive, etc.).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the physical mechanical wiring system with a logical software-based interrupt mechanism. Instead of using physical dedicated wires for each interrupt source, the system uses write transactions to memory-mapped registers, substituting physical connectivity with software-defined interrupt handling through the interrupt controller's register interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of interrupt sources increases, then system functionality is improved, but interrupt management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidinterrupt management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interrupt controller uses a universal register-based interface that can receive interrupt signals from multiple different interrupt sources through a standardized write transaction mechanism, eliminating the need for dedicated wires for each source. The same register structure handles various interrupt types by interpreting different signal conditions (edge-triggered, level-sensitive, etc.).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The interrupt controller segments interrupt management into independent register-based handling units, where each interrupt source is managed through its own register interface but all share the same underlying processing architecture. This allows scalable addition of interrupt sources without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9104472B2Write transaction interpretation for interrupt assertion

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 NXP USA INC

AI summary

A method and circuit for a data processing system (12) provide a virtualized programmable interrupt control system (70) which processes interrupt event reports from interrupt sources (e.g., 14, 40) which generate write transactions to an address for an interrupt event register (80) which is authenticated and then interpreted based on the current state of the targeted interrupt to generate the next state using an interpretation table (306) and predetermined configuration/state bits (310-314).