PCI Express to PCI Protocol Conversion Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional PCI Express to PCI Bridges have limitations in efficiently interconnecting PCI Express and PCI hierarchies, leading to suboptimal data transfer and protocol compatibility issues between PCI Express and PCI buses.
Innovation Solution
A PCI Express to PCI protocol conversion module is introduced, which includes a decoder to convert information from a PCI protocol to a PCI Express protocol, utilizing unformatted and formatted queues, and state machines to process and format data packets, ensuring seamless communication between PCI Express and PCI buses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional PCI Express to PCI Bridges are used, then connection between PCI Express fabric and PCI hierarchy is provided, but data transfer efficiency and protocol compatibility are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protocol conversion module as an intermediary component between the PCI Express bus and PCI bus. This module includes a PCI Express protocol conversion module that converts PCI Express protocol signals to PCI protocol signals, and a PCI protocol conversion module that converts PCI protocol signals to PCI Express protocol signals. The intermediary conversion modules enable efficient and compatible communication between the two different bus protocols by translating their respective signal formats and timing characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is implemented, then compatibility between PCI Express and PCI buses is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple conversion functions into integrated protocol conversion modules. The PCI Express protocol conversion module integrates state machines, signal generators, and conversion logic into a single unit. Similarly, the PCI protocol conversion module merges protocol translation, signal conditioning, and bus arbitration functions. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate components for each conversion function.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol conversion modules are designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle various protocol conversion scenarios. The PCI Express protocol conversion module can convert different types of PCI Express transactions (memory reads, memory writes, I/O operations) to corresponding PCI protocols. The PCI protocol conversion module similarly handles multiple PCI transaction types and converts them to PCI Express protocols. This universality reduces the need for multiple specialized conversion components.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments of the present invention, a PCI bus to PCE Express protocol conversion module includes a process implemented by control logic to convert streaming PCI information to PCI Express packets. In one embodiment, an agent may transfer PCI data and associated byte enables to a first queue, which may temporarily store the PCI data and associated byte enables in a quad word format. A decoder may determine whether the PCI byte enables are combinable, contiguous, and/or active, and, using state machines, transfer a quantity of the PCI data and associated byte enables from the first queue to a second larger queue. The state machines may break the PCI stream to arrive at the quantity of PCI data being transferred. The second queue may have at least one location to temporarily store the quantity of data and byte enables in at least one packet having a PCI express format.