NoC Network Interface Lock Sequence Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In packet data communication on-chip interconnect systems, the lack of a centralized data transfer controller between master and slave IP blocks leads to delays and reduced resource utilization due to lock sequence conflicts and failed transactions, resulting in inefficiencies in traffic and resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A network interface with a state controller and buffer that manages lock sequences and generates error responses to resolve conflicts, ensuring efficient lock operations and data transfer between multiple master and slave IP blocks connected via a Network on a Chip (NoC) backbone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock operation is performed between one master IP block and a slave IP block in a packet data communication on-chip interconnect system, then data transfer between the master and slave IP blocks can be protected from interference, but transactions from other master IP blocks to the same slave IP block are blocked until the lock is released, causing delays and reducing traffic efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The network interface acts as an intermediary between master IP blocks and the slave IP block. It intercepts lock sequences from multiple masters, manages the locking mechanism, and coordinates access to the slave IP block. This mediator approach allows the system to maintain data transfer protection while managing multiple lock requests fairly, preventing complete blocking of other transactions and improving overall traffic efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface performs preliminary actions by pre-managing lock sequences before they reach the slave IP block. It buffers and queues lock requests from multiple masters, prioritizes them appropriately, and releases locks in an organized manner. This preliminary management prevents transaction failures and reduces delays by preparing the locking state in advance rather than reacting to conflicts when they occur
2Productivity
If lock sequences from multiple master IP blocks are allowed to access the same slave IP block simultaneously, then traffic efficiency improves, but lock conflicts occur causing transaction failures and requiring retransmission
Solution Approach 1:
The network interface serves as a mediator that receives lock sequences from multiple master IP blocks and manages their access to the slave IP block. It implements a locking mechanism that prevents simultaneous conflicting accesses while maintaining high traffic efficiency. The mediator coordinates the timing and ordering of lock releases, ensuring that transactions from different masters can proceed without conflicts, thus maintaining both high productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface implements dynamic lock management by adapting the locking behavior based on the current system state. It can dynamically adjust which master IP block gains access to the slave IP block, how long locks are held, and the priority of different transactions. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize for both traffic efficiency and transaction success rate under varying load conditions, preventing deadlocks and conflicts while maximizing throughput
3Reliability
If a centralized data transfer controller is implemented to manage lock operations between master and slave IP blocks, then lock conflicts are resolved and transaction reliability improves, but the system complexity increases due to the additional centralized controller
Solution Approach 1:
The network interface is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a standard data communication interface and as a centralized lock management controller. It handles normal data transactions, manages lock sequences from multiple masters, coordinates access to slave IP blocks, and provides error handling all through a single component. This universal approach provides reliable lock operation management without adding separate dedicated controller hardware, thus improving reliability while minimizing the increase in system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the lock management controller functionality with the existing network interface structure. Instead of implementing a separate centralized controller, the lock management features are merged into the network interface that already exists in the system. This merging approach consolidates multiple functions (data communication, lock management, transaction coordination) into a single integrated component, reducing overall system complexity while providing reliable lock operation management through the unified interface
Data Source
AI summary
A packet data communication on-chip interconnect system is provided including a network interface efficiently controlling a transaction performed between at least one master intellectual property (IP) block and at least one slave IP block connected via a Network on a Chip (NoC). According to an aspect of the present invention, traffic functioning and throughput of the entire NoC may be improved by appropriately controlling an operation of performing a lock operation according to an Advance eXtensible Interface (AXI) protocol in the network interface of the packet data communication on-chip interconnect system.