I/O Shim Crossbar Switch for Dynamic Processor Resource Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing I/O interfaces in semiconductor chips are rigidly connected to processor resources using hardwired connections, limiting flexibility and efficiency, as they are designed with predefined addressing schemes, which restrict dynamic reconfiguration and scalability, especially when dealing with large numbers of I/O interfaces and processor resources.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic software-controlled hardware interface, referred to as an I/O shim, is introduced to manage I/O interfaces with an array of multicore processor resources, allowing for flexible assignment of processor resources and enabling dynamic identification of the number of resources needed based on I/O interface characteristics, using a combination of hardware and software components to process and route dataframes efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hardwired connections with predefined addressing schemes are used to connect I/O interfaces to processor resources, then the circuit design is simplified and reliable, but the system loses flexibility and cannot dynamically reconfigure connections

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An I/O shim is introduced as an intermediary component between I/O interfaces and processor resources. The shim contains a crossbar switch that dynamically routes data packets between I/O interfaces and processor resources based on runtime requirements. This mediator enables flexible reconfiguration without requiring complex direct connections between all I/O interfaces and all processor resources, resolving the contradiction by providing adaptability through the shim while keeping the overall circuit complexity manageable through the standardized switching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static hardwired connections to dynamic software-controlled routing through the I/O shim. The crossbar switch within the shim can be reconfigured at runtime to change connection topologies, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements. This dynamic reconfiguration capability enables flexible assignment of processor resources to I/O interfaces while maintaining a relatively simple underlying circuit structure that can be programmatically controlled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If tri-state bus architecture is used to allow dynamic linking of processor resources to I/O interfaces, then flexibility is improved, but electrical constraints limit the number of processor resources that can be linked and bus contention occurs during scan shift operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic linking capabilityVSAvoidelectrical reliability and testability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the connection architecture by introducing I/O shims as intermediate routing layers between I/O interfaces and processor resources. Instead of using a single shared tri-state bus that all processors must share, the crossbar switch within each shim creates dedicated, isolated routing paths. This segmentation eliminates bus contention during scan shift operations because each processor can be independently connected to the shim without interfering with other processors' test operations, while still maintaining dynamic linking capability through software-controlled routing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If common buses are used to connect I/O interfaces to processor resources, then circuit area is reduced, but each processor resource is rigidly pre-assigned to specific I/O resources, eliminating flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechip areaVSAvoidprocessor-I/O assignment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The I/O shim serves as a universal interface that can connect any processor resource to any I/O interface through its crossbar switch. Instead of having dedicated hardwired connections for each processor-I/O pair, the shim provides a multi-functional routing layer that can dynamically assign any processor to handle data from any I/O interface. This universal routing capability eliminates rigid pre-assignments while maintaining efficient chip area utilization through the shared shim infrastructure rather than requiring separate dedicated pathways for each connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7552241B2Method and system for managing a plurality of I/O interfaces with an array of multicore processor resources in a semiconductor chip

Publication Date: 2009.06.23 MELLANOX TECHNOLOGIES LTD(IL)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and system for managing I/O interfaces with an array of multicore processor resources in a semiconductor chip. The I/O interfaces are connected to the processor resources through an I/O shim. An I/O interface sends a dataframe to the I/O shim. The I/O interface packetizes data to form the dataframe, based on an I/O protocol. The dataframe includes a header and the data. The I/O shim identifies a command corresponding to the dataframe by using one or more of the processor resources. The command includes a set of tasks. Subsequently, the set of tasks is executed on the data.