PCIe VDM Bidirectional Messaging for System Event Reporting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing PCIe systems lack a two-way communication mechanism for non-data system communications between sub-systems, such as networking processing SoC and WAN technology front end SoC, leading to inadequate reporting of critical system events like resets, power loss, and unstable WAN speeds, as standard PCIe messaging is unidirectional and limited in scope.

Innovation Solution

Implementing enhanced Vendor Defined Message (VDM) messaging within the PCIe system to enable two-way communication by defining a message format that allows for bidirectional messaging between the Root Complex (RC) and Endpoint (EP), enabling timely communication of system events like resets, power loss, and link instability, thereby improving system robustness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If standard PCIe messaging is used, then device communication is established, but two-way communication capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetwo-way communication capabilityVSAvoidsystem event reporting

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional unidirectional PCIe messaging model by enabling bidirectional communication where both Root Complex and Endpoint can initiate and send messages. This allows the Endpoint to report system events (resets, power loss, link instability) back to the Root Complex, creating a two-way communication mechanism that was previously impossible with standard PCIe messaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of information

If unidirectional messaging is used, then system complexity is reduced, but system event information transportation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem event informationVSAvoidmessaging mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the PCIe messaging mechanism universal by enabling both Root Complex and Endpoint to perform messaging functions. The same PCIe VDM message structure and transmission mechanism are used bidirectionally, allowing a single messaging infrastructure to handle both traditional RC-to-EP commands and new EP-to-RC system event reports, rather than requiring separate unidirectional channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sideband signaling is used, then system event communication is achieved, but cost and application limitations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem event communicationVSAvoidsignaling infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges system event communication functionality into the existing PCIe data communication channel by using PCIe VDM messages. Instead of maintaining separate sideband signaling infrastructure, the solution combines event reporting and data communication into a single unified PCIe messaging mechanism, eliminating the need for additional physical signaling channels and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20240202158A1SYSTEM COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE OVER PCIe (PERIPHERAL COMPONENT INTERCONNECT EXPRESS) LINK

Publication Date: 2024.06.20 MAXLINEAR INC

AI summary

Examples relate to apparatuses, devices, methods and computer programs for a Root Complex (RC) and/or for an Endpoint (EP) of a PCie (Peripheral Component Interconnect express) system, to a PCie system and to a gateway device comprising a PCie system. An apparatus configured for a RC of a PCie system comprises a memory and one or more processors, which are configured to generate a PCie VDM (Vendor Defined Message) message for an EP of the PCie system.