NIC Buffer Sharing for Power-Saving Data Reliability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network interface controllers (NICs) face challenges in managing buffer capacity to prevent data loss during power-saving mode transitions, where increased buffer storage capacity is costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The NIC employs a buffer sharing method where an idle transmitting buffer is used to store network data when the receiving buffer is full, allowing data to be temporarily stored in the transmitting buffer without increasing the receiving buffer's capacity, and manages this through a controller-driven request and response mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the receiving buffer capacity is increased to prevent data loss during power-saving mode transitions, then data reliability is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitting buffer is designed to serve dual purposes: its original function of storing transmission data and an additional function of temporarily storing reception data when the receiving buffer is full. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle power-saving mode transitions without increasing the receiving buffer capacity, thereby preventing data loss while avoiding additional production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the receiving buffer capacity is increased to store more network data, then data loss is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata loss preventionVSAvoidbuffer management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transmitting buffer and receiving buffer into a shared buffer resource. The buffer management unit dynamically allocates buffer space between transmission and reception functions based on real-time system state, allowing the same physical buffer to serve both purposes and simplifying the overall buffer architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer allocation is made dynamic through a buffer management unit that continuously monitors the system state and adjusts buffer allocation accordingly. When the system enters power-saving mode, the buffer management unit reallocates transmitting buffer space to accommodate incoming reception data, ensuring adaptability without increasing total buffer capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If the receiving buffer capacity is increased, then storage capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8547985B2Network interface controller capable of sharing buffers and buffer sharing method

Publication Date: 2013.10.01 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

The disclosure is a network interface controller (NIC) capable of sharing buffers, which is coupled to a host and a network to make the network connection. The NIC includes a transmitting buffer, a transmitting controller, a receiving buffer, and a receiving controller. The transmitting controller controls the transmitting buffer to transmit the transmission data provided by the host to the network. The receiving controller controls the receiving buffer to transmit the reception data received from the network to the host, and determines a storage capacity of the receiving buffer. When the storage capacity is smaller than a set value, the receiving controller transmits a request signal to the transmitting controller, the transmitting controller generates a response signal according to the request signal and a status signal corresponding to the transmitting buffer, and the receiving controller controls whether reception data is stored in the transmitting buffer according to the response signal.