PCIe Switch Synchronization for Isochronous Component Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic resonance apparatuses face challenges in achieving isochronous communication and synchronization among components due to the limitations of existing communication standards like PCI Express, which struggle with predictable and exact communication timing, leading to increased complexity and hardware costs.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a periodic communication clock signal is provided to all components, creating communication time windows for isochronous communication, and synchronization is achieved through a switch using synchronization messages, eliminating the need for proprietary networks by leveraging modern PCI Express switches with peer-to-peer functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If PCI Express standard is used for data exchange, then bandwidth and data transfer capability are improved, but communication timing predictability and isochronicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The communication time is segmented into periodic communication time windows defined by a communication clock signal. Data exchange is restricted to occur only within these predefined time windows, ensuring that communication happens at predictable, periodic intervals while maintaining the high bandwidth capabilities of PCI Express for data transfer within each window.
Solution Approach 2:
A periodic communication clock signal is introduced to create regular communication time windows. This periodic structure ensures that communication events occur at predictable intervals, providing timing predictability while allowing high-speed data exchange to occur within each periodic window using PCI Express infrastructure.
2Loss of time
If proprietary isochronous networks are implemented, then communication timing precision is improved, but device complexity and hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PCI Express switch is made multi-functional by enabling it to handle both high-speed data transfer and isochronous communication with timing synchronization. Instead of requiring separate proprietary hardware for isochronous communication, the existing PCI Express switch performs both functions, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining timing precision through the periodic communication clock signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing PCI Express switch and communication infrastructure are made to serve the additional function of isochronous communication with timing precision. Rather than adding separate dedicated hardware, the system uses its existing components (switch, communication clock, time windows) to provide both data transfer and timing-synchronized communication functions.
3Reliability
If multiple separate networks are used for data exchange and synchronization, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate communication functions (data exchange, synchronization, and isochronous communication) are merged into a single unified PCI Express network infrastructure. The switch handles all these functions through a single network backbone, using the periodic communication clock signal to provide timing information, thereby reducing network complexity while maintaining communication reliability through the structured time-window approach.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for isochronous communication of components of a multi-component apparatus, which communicate via peer-to-peer communication connections created by a switch, a periodic communication clock signal is provided by a control computer to all the components, with a communication window between two communication clock cycles of the communication clock signal, in which a communication information item of the isochronous communication is transferrable from a transferring component to at least one addressed component. A synchronization, in relation to the communication clock signal, between at least two of the components is produced by at least one synchronization message sent via the switch by one of the components to be synchronized to all the other components to be synchronized in a communication time window.