Master SerDes Protocol Conversion for Automotive I2C Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems in automotive environments face challenges in achieving high-speed data transmission between master and slave devices, particularly when low-speed communication protocols like I2C are used in the communication path.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and system that include a communication interface unit to receive control data from a master, a storage unit to store the data, an encapsulator to convert the data from a first protocol (like I2C) to a second protocol, and a communication unit to transmit the converted data, thereby enabling high-speed data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If I2C communication is used between the slave device and the Slave SerDes, then compatibility with existing slave devices is maintained, but data transmission speed is limited to low speed
Solution Approach 1:
The Master SerDes acts as an intermediary device that bridges the high-speed SerDes communication interface and the low-speed I2C slave device interface. It receives control data from the master via high-speed SerDes communication, converts it to I2C protocol format, and transmits it to the slave device, thereby enabling high-speed data transmission while maintaining compatibility with existing I2C slave devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the communication protocol parameter from low-speed I2C to high-speed SerDes protocol for the communication between master and slave devices, while maintaining I2C protocol compatibility for existing slave devices through the Master SerDes conversion function
2Speed
If high-speed serial communication is performed between the Master SerDes and the Slave SerDes, then communication speed is improved, but the overall system speed is limited by the low-speed I2C communication in the communication path
Solution Approach 1:
The Master SerDes serves as a mediator that performs protocol conversion between high-speed SerDes communication and low-speed I2C communication. By receiving control data through high-speed SerDes interface and converting it to I2C protocol for the slave device, it eliminates the bottleneck effect of I2C communication on the overall system productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into two independent communication paths: a high-speed SerDes path for control data transmission and a low-speed I2C path for slave device compatibility. This segmentation allows each path to operate at its optimal speed without mutual constraint
3Speed
If protocol conversion is implemented in the Master SerDes, then high-speed data transmission is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Master SerDes is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a high-speed SerDes communication interface and as a protocol converter to I2C. This universal design consolidates multiple functions into a single device, managing the increased complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes: a communication interface unit configured to receive, from a master, control data including data of a predetermined transmission format of a first protocol which a communication partner device transmits to a slave; a storage unit configured to store the data of the first protocol received by the communication interface unit; an encapsulator configured to convert the data of the first protocol stored in the storage unit into data of a second protocol; and a communication unit configured to transmit the data of the second protocol converted by the encapsulator to the communication partner device.