Parallel Interface Data Encoding with Mask Value Generation

Solution Overview

Problem

In system-on-a-chip (SOC) integrated circuits, reducing the number of control signals for parallel data transfer bus circuits to minimize die area and power consumption poses challenges, particularly when data packets may coincidentally match the idle value, leading to misinterpretation and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

An encoder circuit generates a mask value to replace portions of data packets with identical idle values, allowing the receiving apparatus to reconstruct the original data packet without additional control signals, thereby maintaining power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the number of control signals is reduced to minimize die area and power consumption, then die area and power consumption are reduced, but data packets may coincidentally match idle values leading to misinterpretation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedie areaVSAvoiddata packet interpretation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The encoder circuit performs preliminary encoding of data packets before transmission, replacing idle value patterns with alternative representations. This advance preparation prevents the receiving apparatus from misinterpreting valid data as idle signals, resolving the contradiction between reduced control signals and reliable data interpretation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The encoder and decoder circuits act as intermediary components that transform data packets into a format safe for transmission without external control signals. The encoder modifies packets to avoid idle value conflicts, while the decoder reconstructs original data, serving as mediators that enable reliable communication with minimal control overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by stationary object

If the number of control signals is reduced to minimize power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but data packets may coincidentally match idle values leading to increased power consumption due to misinterpretation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata packet interpretation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The encoder circuit performs preliminary encoding of data packets before transmission, replacing idle value patterns with alternative representations. This advance preparation prevents the receiving apparatus from misinterpreting valid data as idle signals, resolving the contradiction between reduced control signals and reliable data interpretation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The encoder and decoder circuits act as intermediary components that transform data packets into a format safe for transmission without external control signals. The encoder modifies packets to avoid idle value conflicts, while the decoder reconstructs original data, serving as mediators that enable reliable communication with minimal control overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If data packets are transmitted without external control signals, then device complexity is reduced, but the receiving apparatus cannot distinguish between valid data and idle values

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol signal infrastructureVSAvoiddata packet validity information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The encoding information is merged directly into the data packet structure itself. The encoder circuit embeds validity indicators within the packet data, combining the data and control information into a single transmission unit. This eliminates the need for separate control signals while preserving the ability to distinguish valid data from idle values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The encoder and decoder circuits act as intermediary components that transform data packets into a format safe for transmission without external control signals. The encoder modifies packets to avoid idle value conflicts, while the decoder reconstructs original data, serving as mediators that enable reliable communication with minimal control overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12047302B2Data encoding and packet sharing in a parallel communication interface

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 APPLE INC

AI summary

An apparatus includes an interface circuit and an encoder circuit. The interface circuit is configured to send a data packet via a plurality of segments, and to send an idle value via the plurality of segments when no data packet is available. The idle value is configured to cause a segment in a receiving apparatus to idle. The encoder circuit is configured to receive a particular data packet, and, if a portion of the particular data packet has a same value as the idle value for a subset of the plurality of segments, to replace at least a portion of the data packet with a mask value to generate a modified data packet. The mask value indicates how to recreate the particular data packet. The encoder circuit is further configured to send the modified data packet to the receiving apparatus via the plurality of segments of the interface circuit.