Masked Register Writing to Eliminate Read-Modify-Write Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional read-modify-write mechanisms for programming registers in system-on-chip (SOC) devices require an extra cycle to read, modify, and write data, making the process inefficient in terms of CPU cycles.
Innovation Solution
A register writing mechanism that uses a masking component to eliminate the read step, allowing for direct modification and writing of data without initially reading the register contents, reducing the number of CPU cycles required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional read-modify-write mechanism is used to program registers, then the register can be updated with new data, but an extra CPU cycle is required to read the register contents before writing, reducing programming efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the read step from the conventional read-modify-write sequence. By eliminating the unnecessary read operation, the system directly writes new data to the register without spending CPU cycles on reading, thereby reducing the time loss and improving register programming efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the register write mechanism to accept and process write operations directly without requiring prior read operations. The write logic is designed to function independently, performing the modification action before any read would occur, thus eliminating the sequential dependency that causes time loss.
2Reliability
If the entire register content is read, modified, and written back, then the register can be updated, but the process consumes a major portion of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential modification function from the complete read-modify-write sequence. By removing the read and write-back operations and keeping only the direct write capability, the system maintains register update completeness while dramatically reducing the time consumed by eliminating redundant operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of following the conventional sequence of read-then-modify-then-write, the patent inverts the approach by performing the write operation directly without the preliminary read step. This inversion eliminates the time-consuming sequential operations while maintaining the essential function of register updates.
3Loss of information
If a read step is included in the register write process, then the existing data can be retrieved, but the amount of time and processing power required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data retrieval function from the read-modify-write sequence by eliminating the read step entirely. The system accepts that direct write operations will overwrite existing data, but this extraction of the read function reduces processing power consumption while maintaining the essential capability of updating register data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by designing the write mechanism to function without requiring prior data retrieval. The write operation is configured to execute independently, performing the data update action before any read operation would be necessary, thus reducing processing power consumption by eliminating redundant preliminary steps.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is drawn to a register writing mechanism that does not require reading of the data in the register. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, each register is masked with a making bit provided by a masking component. In a first implementation, the first half of the bit registers are masked using data in the second half of the bit registers. In a second implementation, all the bit registers are masked using a masking word generated by the masking component.