Processor Event Manager Dynamic Channel Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern computing systems face challenges with static event handling configurations that lead to event loss when events occur in rapid succession, as they do not allow for flexibility in configuration and cannot handle multiple events effectively across different clock domains.
Innovation Solution
A configurable event manager that dynamically assigns event channels between publishing and subscribing circuits, implementing a four-way handshake protocol using request and acknowledge signals to ensure event handling without loss, even across clock domains, and supports dynamic configuration of channels for various event types including CPU interrupts and DMA triggers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static event connections are used for event handling, then the system configuration is simple and fixed, but the system cannot handle rapid succession events effectively and events can be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic event channel assignment where the event manager can dynamically connect publishing circuits to subscriber circuits at runtime. The event channels are not fixed but can be reconfigured based on system needs, allowing the system to adapt to different event handling requirements while maintaining reliable event delivery through the dynamic connection establishment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If static event connections are used, then hardware configuration is simplified, but the system requires hardware or firmware revisions for configuration changes
Solution Approach 1:
The event manager serves as an intermediary component between publishing circuits and subscriber circuits. It manages the event channels and handles the dynamic connection assignment, absorbing the complexity of runtime configuration management. This allows configuration changes to be made through software/firmware control of the event manager rather than requiring hardware revisions, while the event manager itself handles the complexity of channel management.
3Reliability
If traditional event handling is used without handshake protocol, then the processing speed is faster, but events can be lost when occurring in rapid succession
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a handshake protocol where the subscriber circuit sends an acknowledge signal back to the publishing circuit after receiving an event. This feedback mechanism ensures that events are properly received and processed. The publishing circuit can detect when an event has been successfully acknowledged, providing reliable event delivery even when events occur in rapid succession, while the acknowledge signal confirms proper handling without significant time penalty.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to an event manager for handling event notification and acknowledgement between circuits in a computing device. The event manager may be configured with static channels, direct memory access (DMA) channels, and dynamically configured channels. Each of the channels has conductors that allow a publishing circuit to assert a request signal on a conductor to notify the subscribing circuit of an event and the subscribing circuit to assert an acknowledge signal on a second conductor to notify the publishing circuit of receipt of the request signal. Using the request and acknowledge signals, the publishing circuit and subscribing circuit can engage in a 4-way handshake that ensures no events are lost and the events can be communicated reliably across clock domains.