Morph-Link Circuit for UCIe Streaming With Split Control Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no standard streaming protocol defined for Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express (UCIe), leading to interoperability issues between streaming UCIe chiplets from multiple vendors, and existing packet-based protocols are not ideal for streaming data due to protocol overhead and lack of acknowledgement and retransmission capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The development of example circuits and methods for converting streaming data between different formats, specifically between JESD 204 and UCIe formats, using a morph-link circuit that separates control bits from data bits to enable concurrent transmission without lowering data rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packet-based protocols are used for streaming data transmission, then data can be transmitted with error handling and flow control, but protocol overhead increases and data rates decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission protocol into separate functional components: a simplified data path for high-speed streaming and a separate control path for error handling and flow control. This segmentation allows the data path to operate at maximum speed without protocol overhead while the control path independently manages reliability functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the control path with separate control signals) that mediates between the high-speed data path and the error handling requirements. This intermediary enables reliability functions to be performed without interfering with the data rate of the main transmission path.
2Reliability
If packet-based protocols with acknowledgement and retransmission are used, then data reliability is improved, but transmission gaps are introduced and data rates are lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transmission system into continuous data streams and separate control channels. This segmentation allows data to flow continuously without interruption for acknowledgements, while control signals are transmitted independently to manage retransmission needs without creating transmission gaps in the data path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous data transmission by eliminating the stop-start nature of traditional packet-based protocols. Data flows continuously through the streamlined path while control functions are handled separately, preventing transmission gaps and maintaining high data rates.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no standard streaming protocol is defined for UCIe, then vendor flexibility is maintained, but interoperability between multi-vendor chiplets is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal streaming interface that can handle multiple data formats and protocols through a common architecture. The morph-link circuit is designed to be protocol-agnostic, capable of interfacing between different streaming protocols (JESD204B, UCIe, CXL) while maintaining a standardized physical interface, thus achieving both vendor flexibility and interoperability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion intermediary (the morph-link circuit) that sits between different streaming protocols. This intermediary translates between vendor-specific protocols and a standardized interface, enabling multi-vendor interoperability while allowing each vendor to maintain their own protocol optimizations.
4Reliability
If control bits are transmitted interleaved with data bits, then protocol compliance is maintained, but effective data rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments control bits and data bits into separate transmission channels. Control signals are transmitted through a dedicated control path while data bits flow through a high-speed data path. This segmentation eliminates the interleaving of control and data bits, maximizing the effective data rate while maintaining protocol compliance through separate control signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts control bits from the data stream and transmits them separately through a dedicated control path. This extraction removes the protocol overhead from the data path, allowing data to be transmitted at full speed while control functions are handled independently, thereby improving the effective data rate.
Data Source
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Figure 2A
AI summary
An example semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor die including a morph-link circuit and a first interface circuit. The morph-link circuit is configured to receive streaming data formatted in a first format according to a first protocol, the streaming data comprising a plurality of data bits in the first format and a plurality of control bits in the first format; and convert the streaming data to a second format according to a second protocol, including separating the plurality of control bits from the plurality of data bits. The morph-link circuit is further configured to transmit the streaming data in the second format to the first interface circuit, including transmitting the plurality of data bits in the second format via a first communication channel to the first interface circuit and transmitting control information corresponding to the plurality of control bits via a second communication channel to the first interface circuit.