Multi-Protocol Interconnect Multiplexer for Flexible System Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computing systems lack flexibility in modifying interconnect interfaces and protocols, requiring time-consuming and costly redesigns to meet specific bandwidth and latency requirements, limiting system developers' ability to adapt interconnect architectures for their needs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-protocol stack is introduced that dynamically multiplexes between different protocol stacks for on-package and off-package communications, allowing for configuration through fuse logic and interface logic to support multiple interconnect protocols, such as PCIe and UPI, enabling flexible protocol usage and enhanced communication capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protocol stacks are designed directly into the chip at manufacture, then interconnect communication reliability is improved, but system adaptability deteriorates requiring time-consuming and cost-prohibitive redesigns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interconnect interface that can operate with multiple different protocol stacks (PCIe, CXL, NVLink, etc.) through a single physical interface. The interface logic includes a protocol identifier that detects which protocol is being used and dynamically configures the interface accordingly, eliminating the need for separate dedicated interfaces for each protocol and enabling one chip to adapt to different market segments and applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic protocol configuration where the interconnect interface can change its operational protocol at runtime based on the detected protocol identifier. The interface logic dynamically selects and configures the appropriate protocol stack based on real-time requirements, allowing the system to adapt between different protocols without physical redesign or manufacturing changes.
2Reliability
If multiple dedicated interconnect interfaces are provided for different protocols, then protocol-specific performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple protocol-specific interfaces into a single unified interconnect interface. Instead of providing separate physical interfaces for PCIe, CXL, NVLink, and other protocols, the invention combines them into one interface that can dynamically accommodate any of these protocols through protocol identification and configuration logic, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining protocol-specific performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified interface is designed to be universal, capable of supporting multiple different protocols through a single physical connection. The interface logic includes protocol detection and configuration capabilities that enable the same physical interface to be universally applied across different protocol requirements, reducing the number of components needed.
3Manufacturing precision
If protocol stacks are designed directly into the chip, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to time-consuming redesigns prior to fabrication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic protocol configuration that allows the chip to be manufactured once with a universal interface design, then configured for different protocols at runtime through software or firmware settings. This eliminates the need for time-consuming and costly redesigns and re-fabrication processes for each protocol variant, significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining manufacturing precision through consistent chip fabrication.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments may be generally direct to apparatuses, systems, method, and techniques to provide multi-interconnect protocol communication. In an embodiment, an apparatus for providing multi-interconnect protocol communication may include a component comprising at least one connector operative to connect the component to at least one off-package device via a standard interconnect protocol, and logic, at least a portion of the logic comprised in hardware, the logic to determine data to be communicated via a multi-interconnect protocol, provide the data to a multi-protocol multiplexer to determine a route for the data, route the data on-package responsive to the multi-protocol multiplexer indicating a multi-interconnect on-package mode, and route the data off-package via the at least one connector responsive to the multi-protocol multiplexer indicating a multi-interconnect off-package mode. Other embodiments are described.