Package-to-Package Communication Link Duty Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current package-to-package communication systems in virtual and augmented reality systems face challenges in achieving low latency and reduced power consumption while minimizing the number of wires used, due to limited area and thermal constraints on devices like headsets and glasses.
Innovation Solution
The method involves queuing messages based on latency tolerance levels, transitioning data transfer links to an active state when messages with specific tolerance levels are present, and duty cycling the link layer frequency to satisfy these levels, utilizing virtual wires for efficient communication between system-on-chips (SoCs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional package-to-package communication systems are used, then communication reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases and latency cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through duty-cycling the link layer at different frequencies based on latency tolerance levels. Messages are transmitted in periodic intervals rather than continuously, reducing power consumption while maintaining communication reliability through structured transmission schedules that ensure timely delivery within acceptable latency bounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the link layer frequency based on the latency tolerance level of incoming messages. High-priority messages trigger higher frequency transmissions, while low-priority messages use lower frequency transmissions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize power consumption according to actual communication needs while maintaining reliability for critical communications.
2Reliability
If more wires are used to increase communication capacity, then communication reliability improves, but device area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by implementing a single physical link that can handle multiple communication functions through frequency multiplexing. The link layer can operate at different frequencies to accommodate various latency requirements, allowing one physical connection to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated wires for different communication priorities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system resolves the wire quantity issue by adding a temporal dimension to communication. Instead of using multiple spatial wires, the patent uses frequency-based time-division multiplexing, where different messages are transmitted at different frequencies or time intervals over the same physical link, effectively adding a dimension to the communication protocol.
3Speed
If link layer frequency is increased to reduce latency, then communication speed improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different link layer frequencies to different message types based on their latency tolerance requirements. Critical messages with low latency tolerance use high frequency transmissions, while non-critical messages use lower frequency transmissions. This localized optimization ensures that high power consumption is only incurred when and where needed, rather than continuously operating at high frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameter (link layer frequency) dynamically based on message characteristics. By adjusting the frequency parameter according to the latency tolerance level of incoming messages, the system optimizes the trade-off between communication speed and power consumption, transmitting critical data faster when necessary and conserving energy when time is not critical.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed computer-implemented method may include coalescing and queueing, by an integrated circuit, messages in multiple message queues based on a latency tolerance level for the message. Additionally, the disclosed computer-implemented method may include transitioning, by the integrated circuit, a data transfer link to an active state based on the latency tolerance level for the message queue. This method may optimize power for the data transfer link by keeping it in a low power state for as long as possible. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.