Interrupt Mapping Across Clock Domains Without Hardwired Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of hardwiring connections between clock or power domains in integrated-circuit devices leads to inefficiencies and security vulnerabilities in communication systems, particularly in asynchronous and independent domains.
Innovation Solution
A circuit portion with a mapping module that facilitates one-to-one connections between components in different clock or power domains, using a memory to map event signals or interrupts to specific tasks, ensuring secure and efficient communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardwiring connections are used between domains to facilitate communication, then communication functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mapping module as an intermediary component that manages communication between domains. This module contains a mapping table that dynamically associates event signals with destination components, eliminating the need for complex hardwired connections. The mapping module acts as a mediator that receives event signals, consults the mapping table, and forwards signals to the appropriate destinations, thereby reducing connection complexity while maintaining communication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic mapping relationships through a configurable mapping table that can be programmed to establish different connection topologies as needed. Instead of fixed hardwired connections, the system dynamically configures signal routing by programming the mapping table with appropriate event-destination associations. This dynamic approach allows the same hardware to adapt to different communication requirements without physical reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If event signals are broadcast to multiple destination components, then communication coverage is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective signal routing where event signals are forwarded only to specific destination components identified in the mapping table. Each event signal has a designated target component rather than being broadcast to all components. This localized delivery approach maintains communication coverage for intended recipients while preventing unauthorized components from receiving or intercepting signals, thereby enhancing security.
3Reliability
If broadcast communication is used with acknowledgement signals, then communication reliability is improved, but response time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the acknowledgement signal mechanism from the general broadcast communication path and implements it only for the specific destination component identified in the mapping table. By removing unnecessary acknowledgement handshakes with non-destination components, the system maintains communication reliability through targeted acknowledgements while significantly reducing response time. The mapping table ensures that only the intended destination component participates in the acknowledgement exchange, eliminating wasted time.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit portion comprises a mapping module, a source component, a destination component and a memory. The mapping module comprises a plurality of channels that each provides a connection for connecting two components of the circuit portion in a one-to-one relationship. The source component is arranged in a first clock or power domain, and the destination component is arranged in a second clock or power domain. In response to an assertion of an event signal or an interrupt by the source component, the mapping module is configured to forward the event signal or interrupt to the destination component via only one channel of the plurality of channels so as to cause the destination component to perform a corresponding task according to a mapping stored in the memory.