Interrupt Message Circuit Edge-to-Level Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer systems that handle both edge-triggered and level-sensitive interrupts, effectively communicating and managing these interrupts is challenging due to their different signaling mechanisms, which can lead to inefficiencies and incorrect handling.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes an interrupt controller, CPUs, a communication fabric, and interrupt message circuits configured to convert edge-triggered interrupts into level-sensitive interrupts, allowing them to be handled uniformly, with interrupt message circuits queuing edge-triggered interrupts and generating level-sensitive interrupt messages that are processed by software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a system handles both edge-triggered and level-sensitive interrupts, then interrupt compatibility is improved, but system complexity increases due to different signaling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interrupt message circuit as an intermediary component that converts edge-triggered interrupt signals into level-sensitive interrupt messages. This mediator allows the system to handle both interrupt types uniformly without requiring separate handling paths, thereby improving compatibility while controlling complexity through a dedicated conversion mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation of interrupts by converting edge-triggered signals (defined by transitions) into level-sensitive messages (defined by sustained states). This parameter transformation enables uniform processing of both interrupt types through the same infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If edge-triggered interrupts are converted to level-sensitive interrupts, then unified handling is improved, but additional components are required for conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The interrupt message circuit is designed to handle both edge-triggered and level-sensitive interrupts through a unified interface. By making the handling mechanism universal, the system can process both interrupt types using the same code paths and processing logic, improving ease of operation while the complexity is contained within a single multi-functional component.
3Productivity
If interrupt message circuits are added to convert interrupts, then handling efficiency is improved, but fabric communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interrupt message circuit performs preliminary conversion of edge-triggered signals into level-sensitive messages before they reach the interrupt controller. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex conversion logic at later stages, improving handling efficiency by preparing the interrupt signal in advance in a format that requires minimal additional processing.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a system includes an interrupt controller, one or more CPUs coupled to the interrupt controller, a communication fabric, one or more peripheral devices configured to generate interrupts to be transmitted to the interrupt controller, and one or more interrupt message circuits coupled to the peripheral devices. The interrupt message circuits are configured to generate interrupt messages to convey the interrupts over the fabric to the interrupt controller. Some of the interrupts are level-sensitive interrupts, and the interrupt message circuits are configured to transmit level-sensitive interrupt messages to the interrupt controller. At least one of the interrupts is edge-triggered. The system is configured to convert the edge-triggered interrupt to a level-sensitive interrupt so that interrupts may be handled in the same fashion.