Parallel Boot Image Loading and Hardware Initialization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size and complexity of operating systems in consumer electronic devices have led to longer boot times, causing inconvenience to users and potentially causing them to miss critical tasks due to the sequential nature of boot code transmission and hardware initialization.
Innovation Solution
A method where a boot image and device initialization are performed in parallel using a DMA controller to write the boot image to main memory while the processor initializes devices using device initialization codes stored in IRAM, allowing simultaneous hardware initialization and boot image loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If boot image loading and hardware initialization are performed sequentially, then the system ensures proper initialization order and reliability, but the boot time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the boot process into two independent segments: (1) hardware initialization using device initialization code loaded into IRAM, and (2) boot image loading into main memory via DMA controller. These segmented operations can execute in parallel without interfering with each other, thus reducing total boot time while maintaining proper initialization sequence through careful coordination of when each segment executes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary loading of device initialization code into IRAM before the main boot sequence begins. This preliminary action enables the processor to start hardware initialization immediately while the boot image is being loaded in parallel, rather than waiting for the entire boot image to be loaded first. This preliminary preparation is key to enabling parallel execution and reducing boot time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operating system size increases to include more features, then the system functionality improves, but the boot time increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical hardware initialization functions from the main boot image loading process and places them in a separate, smaller device initialization code that fits in IRAM. This extraction allows the processor to execute essential initialization routines immediately while the larger boot image (containing full OS features) is being loaded in parallel via DMA, thus maintaining full functionality without proportionally increasing boot time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces IRAM and the DMA controller as intermediary components that facilitate parallel operations. The IRAM serves as an intermediary storage for initialization code that the processor can access immediately, while the DMA controller acts as an intermediary that handles boot image transfer independently of the processor, enabling both operations to proceed simultaneously without blocking each other.
3Device complexity
If the processor handles both boot image loading and device initialization, then the system uses existing resources, but the boot time increases due to sequential processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the DMA controller a multi-functional component that can independently handle boot image loading while the processor simultaneously handles device initialization. This multi-functionality allows the system to perform multiple critical tasks in parallel using existing resources, effectively doubling the productive work being done during the boot sequence without adding significant hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the DMA controller to autonomously handle the boot image loading process without requiring continuous processor intervention. The DMA controller can independently transfer data from storage to memory, notifying the processor only when complete, thus allowing the processor to 'self-serve' by focusing exclusively on hardware initialization during this period, maximizing overall boot productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of booting a computing system which performs boot image transmission and device initialization in parallel. For example, using an Internal RAM and direct memory access (DMA), hardware initialization and loading of boot image from a main storage medium to a main memory are performed in parallel, thereby reducing time spent on booting.