Interrupt Encoding in Slave Chip Data Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices face increased circuit costs, complexity, and control circuit load due to the need for multiple interrupt pins and separate transmission of interrupt sources, which becomes more significant with the number of slave chips.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device and method where the slave chip generates data segments and interrupt messages, encoding the interrupt message between data segments, allowing the main chip to decode and handle interrupts without dedicated interrupt pins, using idle intervals in data transmission for interrupt message insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If dedicated interrupt pins are used for each slave chip, then interrupt events can be quickly notified to the main chip, but the number of pins increases, leading to increased packaging costs and circuit complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the interrupt notification function with the existing data transmission channel. The interrupt message is encoded into the data segments that are already being transmitted from slave chips to the main chip through data pins, eliminating the need for separate interrupt pins. This combining of functions reduces pin count and circuit complexity while maintaining interrupt notification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The data transmission channel is given multiple functions: it simultaneously transmits both regular data segments and interrupt messages. By making the data pin universal for both data and interrupt purposes, the system eliminates dedicated interrupt pins, reducing packaging costs and circuit complexity while preserving fast interrupt notification through the same high-speed channel.
2Loss of information
If interrupt sources are transmitted through dedicated interrupt pins, then the main chip can identify interrupt events quickly, but the control circuit must read interrupt sources from slave chip registers, imposing additional load
Solution Approach 1:
The interrupt source information is prepared and embedded into the interrupt message in advance, within the data segment structure, before transmission. The slave chip encodes the interrupt source into the data segments along with the interrupt notification itself. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for the control circuit to subsequently read interrupt sources from slave chip registers, reducing the control circuit's workload and improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The data segment structure serves as an intermediary carrier that transports both the interrupt notification and the interrupt source information together in a single transmission. Instead of requiring separate read operations for interrupt source retrieval, the data segment acts as a mediator that delivers all necessary interrupt information simultaneously, reducing control circuit operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interrupt pins are used to support multiple slave chips, then each slave chip can independently notify interrupt events, but the circuit layout complexity and packaging costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The data pins are designed to serve dual purposes: transmitting regular data segments and conveying interrupt messages. This universal usage allows the system to support multiple slave chips without proportionally increasing the number of pins, as each slave chip can use the existing data transmission channel for both data and interrupt purposes, significantly reducing packaging costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the interrupt notification function with the data transmission function by encoding interrupt messages within the data segment structure. This merging allows multiple slave chips to share the same data transmission channel for both purposes, eliminating the need for separate interrupt pins for each slave chip and reducing overall circuit complexity and manufacturing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device, a network switch and an interrupt transmitting and receiving method are provided. The electronic device includes a slave chip and a main chip. The slave chip is configured to generate a plurality of data segments and at least one interrupt message and includes an encoder. The encoder is configured to encode the data segments and the interrupt message to generate a digital data. The interrupt message is arranged between the data segments. The main chip, which is coupled to the slave chip, is configured to receive the digital data and includes a decoder and a control circuit. The decoder is configured to decode the digital data to obtain the data segments and the interrupt message. The control circuit is coupled to the decoder and is configured to process the interrupt message.