Priority Bus Data Protection for RFFE Latency Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing radio frequency front-end control interface (RFFE) bus systems experience significant latency issues due to unpredictable latency caused by ownership transfer, particularly in multi-master configurations, which can interfere with the performance requirements of wireless protocols and lead to compromised operation in time-critical scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an electronic device communicatively coupled to multiple communication buses, where one bus is configured as a priority bus to enable time-critical communications with under 1 microsecond latency without preempting ongoing communications on other buses, achieved by detecting signals on both buses and protecting data from being overwritten.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple masters share an RFFE bus with ownership transfer protocol, then system versatility is improved, but latency becomes unpredictable and increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-master configuration supportVSAvoidcommunication latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the communication bus into multiple independent buses (first communication bus and second communication bus), each handling specific communication tasks. This segmentation eliminates the need for ownership transfer between masters on a shared bus, as each bus can operate independently with dedicated masters, thereby reducing unpredictable latency while maintaining multi-master versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the electronic device monitors signals from multiple buses simultaneously and uses protection logic to prevent data overwrite. This intermediary control layer allows multiple masters to communicate through different buses without direct conflict, resolving the latency issue caused by traditional ownership transfer protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If priority communication bus is implemented for time-critical communications, then response speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by designating specific buses as priority communication buses for time-critical communications while other buses handle non-time-critical traffic. This localized prioritization allows fast response for critical operations without requiring complete system redesign, balancing speed improvement with acceptable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic device performs preliminary action by detecting communication signals on multiple buses before data transfer occurs and proactively protecting data storage blocks from overwrite. This advance preparation ensures that when time-critical communications occur on the priority bus, the data is already protected and ready, achieving fast response without complex real-time arbitration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If data protection mechanism is implemented to prevent overwrite, then data reliability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary protection by configuring data storage blocks as protected before data transfer occurs. The control circuit identifies which storage blocks will receive data from the second communication bus and pre-establishes protection barriers. This advance preparation ensures data reliability without adding processing delays during actual communication, as the protection mechanism is already in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic device implements self-service by autonomously monitoring incoming communication signals and automatically protecting relevant data storage blocks without external intervention. The control circuit independently determines when protection is needed and executes the protection logic, eliminating the need for additional coordination overhead that would increase processing time while maintaining high data reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3378200B1Priority-based data communication over multiple communication buses
Publication Date: 2019.03.20 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3378200B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3378200B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3378200B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Priority-based data communication over multiple communication buses is disclosed. In this regard, an electronic device is communicatively coupled to a first communication bus and a second communication bus. The electronic device is configured to detect communication signals communicated over the first communication bus and the second communication bus. If the communication signals are detected on both the first communication bus and the second communication bus, the electronic device is further configured to protect data received over the second communication bus from being overwritten by data received over the first communication bus. By configuring the electronic device to support multiple communication buses, it is possible to configure one of the multiple communication buses as a priority communication bus, thus allowing time-critical communications to be carried out over the priority communication bus in a timely manner without preempting ongoing communications on other communication buses.