Interconnection Network Error Recovery and Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed interconnection networks face challenges in managing errors and power consumption efficiently, particularly in battery-powered devices that require real-time data transmission and are limited by the bandwidth and power constraints of hard links.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of error correcting code (ECC) for control data packets and the use of end condition packets to manage power states, allowing for error correction without re-transmission and enabling nodes to transition to low power modes after data transmission is complete, thereby optimizing bandwidth and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If error correcting code (ECC) is applied to all data packets, then reliability is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels of error protection to different types of packets. Control packets receive full ECC protection while data packets use a different error handling mechanism, optimizing the balance between reliability and bandwidth usage based on the criticality of each packet type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments packets into control packets and data packets, applying different error correction strategies to each segment. This segmentation allows tailored error handling that optimizes overall system performance rather than applying a uniform approach to all packets.
2Reliability
If nodes remain in high power state to handle errors, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary error detection and correction during the data transmission process itself, rather than requiring nodes to remain in high-power states for extended error handling. This allows nodes to transition to low-power states more quickly while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The error correction mechanism operates autonomously during transmission without requiring continuous high-power node operation. The system handles errors through self-service mechanisms that enable power state transitions.
3Reliability
If re-transmission is used for error correction, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs error correction preliminarily during the initial transmission process through ECC encoding and decoding, rather than requiring subsequent re-transmission cycles. This preliminary error handling eliminates the time loss associated with re-transmission while maintaining reliability.
4Productivity
If bandwidth is increased to handle power management overhead, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses control packets that serve multiple functions: they carry control information, enable error detection and correction, and trigger power state transitions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving power management productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Improved techniques for recovering from an error condition without requiring a re-transmittal of data across a high-speed data link and for improved power usage are disclosed herein. A data stream is initiated. This stream includes different types of packets. Error correcting code (ECC) is selectively imposed on a control data type packet. A transmitter node and a receiver node are connected via a hard link that has multiple virtual channels. Each virtual channel is associated with a corresponding power-consuming node. When the receiver node receives the control data type packet, error correction is performed if needed without re-transmittal. When a final data type packet is transmitted for each virtual channel, the transmitter node transmits an end condition type packet. A corresponding power-consuming node that corresponds to the respective virtual channel transitions from an active state to a low power state.