Isochronous Device Communication Bandwidth Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power-managed digital electronic systems face challenges in supporting isochronous applications due to high power requirements for guaranteed bandwidth and deterministic latency, which can drain battery life in portable devices like laptops and handhelds.

Innovation Solution

A system that apportions total memory bandwidth amongst multiple requests according to a power-managed profile, allowing for combined isochronous data transmissions during opportunistic or scheduled times, thereby reducing power consumption by delaying and combining isochronous data packets for efficient transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If power managed profile is used to reduce power consumption, then battery life is extended, but guaranteed bandwidth and deterministic latency for isochronous data transmission cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidguaranteed bandwidth and deterministic latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-scheduling isochronous data transmissions during power management cycles. The bandwidth manager allocates time slots and reserves bandwidth in advance before power state changes occur, ensuring that when power is available, the guaranteed bandwidth and deterministic latency requirements can be met without last-minute resource contention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts power management profiles based on the presence and requirements of isochronous devices. When isochronous data transmission is detected or scheduled, the power management profile dynamically transitions to a higher power state that guarantees the necessary bandwidth and latency, while returning to power-saving modes when isochronous traffic is absent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If components are powered up to provide guaranteed bandwidth for isochronous data, then deterministic latency is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeterministic latencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously powering up components to guarantee deterministic latency, the system uses periodic action by activating power-intensive components only during scheduled transmission windows. The bandwidth manager coordinates with the power management unit to activate necessary hardware resources periodically at predetermined intervals when isochronous data needs to be transmitted, then shuts them down during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the time-sensitive isochronous data transmission requirements from continuous operation and separates them into distinct scheduled intervals. By extracting the critical latency requirements into specific time windows rather than maintaining continuous high-power state, the system achieves deterministic latency when needed while minimizing overall power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by moving object

If isochronous data transmissions are combined to reduce transmission frequency, then power consumption is reduced, but transmission time constraints may be violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransmission time constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bandwidth manager performs preliminary scheduling of combined isochronous data transmissions, calculating optimal transmission times that aggregate multiple smaller transmissions into larger batches while ensuring each combined transmission completes before its individual time constraints expire. This pre-computation of combined transmission schedules allows power savings through reduced transmission frequency while maintaining compliance with all time constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically determines the optimal level of aggregation for combining isochronous transmissions based on real-time conditions. When time constraints are tight, the system dynamically decides to transmit individually rather than combining. When time constraints are loose and power savings are prioritized, the system dynamically aggregates multiple transmissions into combined batches, adjusting the combination strategy based on current system state and constraint requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7808895B2Isochronous device communication management

Publication Date: 2010.10.05 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Various embodiments of the invention relate to apportioning a total memory bandwidth available for a time period amongst a plurality of bandwidth requests according to a power managed profile. In addition, isochronous data transmission may be appended together and transmitted according to a data transmission policy, wherein the policy may include transmitting the appended isochronous data during an opportunistic data transmission, or during a time identified for transmitting a combined isochronous data transmission, but prior to a time delay compliance limit for isochronous requirements.