Memory Arbitration Circuit for Dual-Mode Network Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Over-The-Top (OTT) and Passive Optical Network (PON) integration devices require separate systems on chips, proprietary interfaces, and flash memory control chips, leading to incompatibility and inefficiencies, particularly when OTT devices are turned off, as this renders PON devices unusable and limits flash memory speed.
Innovation Solution
A memory sharing dual-mode network communication device that uses a shared memory interface between OTT and PON modules, with a memory arbitration circuit to manage access and prioritize requests, allowing the OTT module to dock with the PON module's original memory interface without requiring a special interface, and maintaining PON module functionality during OTT processor power saving modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate flash memory control chips are used for OTT and PON modules, then each module can independently access flash memory, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flash memory control functionality of both OTT and PON modules into a single shared flash memory controller. The controller includes an arbitration module that receives access requests from both modules and arbitrates their access to the flash memory, eliminating the need for separate control chips while maintaining independent access capability through time-division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared flash memory controller is designed to serve multiple functions by handling access requests from both OTT and PON modules. The arbitration module dynamically allocates access rights based on module needs, making the single controller universal for both communication modules and reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary interface is used for flash memory docking, then OTT and PON modules can be integrated, but compatibility with market flash memory control chips is lost and speed performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interface functionality into two parts: a standard interface for docking with market flash memory control chips, and an internal arbitration mechanism for managing dual-module access. This segmentation allows the system to use conventional high-speed interfaces while implementing custom arbitration logic internally, thus maintaining both compatibility and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The arbitration module acts as an intermediary between the OTT and PON modules and the shared flash memory controller. It mediates access requests using standard interfaces, allowing the system to dock with conventional flash memory control chips without requiring proprietary interfaces, thereby maintaining market compatibility and speed performance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If OTT module is turned off for power saving, then energy consumption is reduced, but PON module becomes unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management where the shared flash memory controller can independently manage power states for different modules. The arbitration module detects when PON module needs access to flash memory and activates the controller even if OTT module is in power-saving mode, enabling dynamic adaptation that maintains PON availability while minimizing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining the flash memory controller in a standby state with minimal power consumption, allowing rapid activation when PON module needs access. The arbitration module is designed to quickly detect and respond to PON access requests, ensuring the controller is ready before PON module actually needs data, thus maintaining reliability while enabling power saving.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory sharing dual-mode network communication device includes a first memory, an OTT module and a PON module. The first memory is divided into an OTT region and a PON region, and the OTT module is used to obtain an OTT service, which includes an OTT processor, a memory arbitration circuit, a first memory main controller, a bridge circuit, and a memory slave controller. The PON module includes a PON processor and a second memory main controller. The memory arbitration circuit is configured to respond to a first access request from the OTT processor or a second access request of the PON processor to access the OTT area or the PON area of the first memory through the first memory host controller, and the memory arbitration circuit further determines the priority order of the first access request and the second access request.