Network-on-Chip Controller Timing Burst Access Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network-on-chip (NoC) communications face challenges in managing burst accesses from multiple initiators, leading to increased latency and decreased throughput due to contention and power dissipation issues, which hinder real-time processing in system-on-chip (SoC) applications.

Innovation Solution

A transmission interval controller is introduced to dynamically adjust the timing of access requests based on the density of burst accesses and access load on the network bus, ensuring efficient use of bandwidth and minimizing contention by extending or shortening transmission intervals as needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the link bandwidth is expanded to ensure transmission quality and accommodate burst accesses, then latency is reduced and throughput is improved, but power dissipation increases and RF design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidpower dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation by adjusting the link bandwidth according to actual traffic conditions. The system transitions from a static high-bandwidth design to a dynamic configuration that scales bandwidth up during burst accesses and down during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high throughput capability and reducing power dissipation during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the link dynamically based on traffic load. By monitoring access patterns and adjusting bandwidth allocation in response to changing conditions, the system optimizes the balance between throughput performance and power consumption, avoiding the need for continuously high bandwidth configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the link bandwidth is narrowed to reduce power dissipation, then power consumption is reduced, but latency increases and throughput decreases during burst accesses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower dissipationVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts link bandwidth based on real-time traffic conditions, ensuring that during burst access periods, the bandwidth is expanded to maintain low latency, while during normal operation, the bandwidth is reduced to minimize power dissipation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between power savings and latency performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for potential burst accesses by maintaining the capability to quickly expand bandwidth when needed. By having pre-configured bandwidth allocation mechanisms ready, the system can rapidly respond to burst traffic without experiencing significant latency increases, while still operating at lower power levels during normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple initiators share the same link simultaneously, then resource utilization is improved, but contention increases leading to increased latency and decreased throughput

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic arbitration mechanisms that allocate link access rights in structured time intervals. By organizing multi-initiator access into periodic time slots and using centralized arbitration, the system maintains high resource utilization while preventing unbounded latency that would result from uncontrolled contention among multiple initiators sharing the same link.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Productivity

If burst accesses are allowed to proceed at maximum speed, then throughput during burst periods is maximized, but other initiators sharing the link experience degraded communication quality

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcommunication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different quality of service characteristics to different initiators based on their requirements. During burst accesses, the system prioritizes throughput for the bursting initiator while maintaining acceptable communication quality for other initiators through differentiated bandwidth allocation and arbitration mechanisms, rather than applying a uniform quality standard to all users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9262355B2Controller configured to control timing of access request according to density of burst access and access load

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A controller as an embodiment of the present disclosure controls a timing of transmitting an access request that has been received from an initiator (or its transmission interval). The controller includes: transmitting and receiving circuitry configured to receive an access request related to burst accesses from a first initiator that is connected via a first bus to, and adjacent to, the transmitting and receiving circuitry and configured to transmit the access request to a second bus implemented as a network; and a transmission interval controller configured to control the timing of transmitting the access request that has been received from the first initiator according to density of the burst accesses during a period in which the burst accesses continue and an access load on the second bus.