Memory Interface Circuit for Endian Data Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory devices face performance deterioration due to the need for software-based data conversion between different endian formats, which consumes memory space and time, especially when a host device uses a big-endian bus and a memory device uses a little-endian bus, leading to inefficiencies in data processing.
Innovation Solution
A memory device with an interface circuit that includes a serializer/deserializer (SERDES) region and a data transfer path, configured to perform data conversion based on a control signal set according to the endian format of the host device, allowing for hardware-based data conversion between big-endian and little-endian formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software-based data conversion is used between different endian formats, then data compatibility between host device and memory device is achieved, but memory space and time are consumed, leading to performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based data conversion with a hardware-based endian conversion circuit integrated into the memory device. This circuit automatically performs byte-order conversion at the hardware level, eliminating the need for software intervention and the associated performance penalties. The conversion circuit includes control logic that detects the endian format requirement and performs appropriate byte swapping operations directly in the data path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary endian conversion circuit as a mediator between the host device and the memory device. This intermediate hardware component handles the endian format translation, allowing the memory device to maintain its native little-endian format while accommodating big-endian host devices. The intermediary circuit buffers and converts data between different endian formats without affecting the core memory operations.
2Productivity
If hardware-based data conversion is implemented in the memory device, then processing efficiency is improved by eliminating software conversion overhead, but device complexity increases due to additional interface circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the endian conversion circuit to handle multiple endian formats (big-endian and little-endian) using a unified hardware structure. The conversion circuit can be configured to perform different conversion operations based on control signals, making it a multi-functional component that accommodates various host device requirements without requiring separate conversion circuits for each endian format. This universal approach minimizes the overall hardware complexity while maintaining high processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A memory device including an interface circuit for data conversion according to different endian formats includes an interface circuit that performs data conversion with hardware in a data transfer path inside the memory device in accordance with a memory bank, a processing element (PE), and an endian format of a host device. The interface circuit is (i) between a memory physical layer interface (PHY) region and a serializer/deserializer (SERDES) region, (ii) between the SERDES region and the memory bank or the PE, (iii) between the SERDES region and a bank group input/output line coupled to a bank group including a number of memory banks, and (iv) between the PE and bank local input/output lines coupled to the memory bank.