Programmable Fabric Control Circuits for Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing a communication fabric for digital systems is complex due to varying components with different communication requirements, often resulting in over- or under-design, which can impact performance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating programmable fabric control circuits within the communication fabric to manage aspects like transaction limiting, bandwidth allocation, and quality of service (QoS), allowing for dynamic tuning to meet performance and functionality goals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If predesigned fabric circuits are used to realize the communication fabric, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to meet performance and functionality goals deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces programmable fabric control circuits that can be dynamically configured through software or firmware to adapt to different performance requirements. These circuits include configurable parameters such as transaction limits, bandwidth allocation, and QoS settings that can be modified at runtime without changing the physical hardware structure, thereby resolving the contradiction between design simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables changing operational parameters of the communication fabric through programmable control circuits. By modifying parameters like transaction limits, bandwidth distribution, and priority levels through software configuration, the system can adapt to different performance goals while maintaining the same physical fabric structure, thus achieving both low complexity and high adaptability.
2Reliability
If the communication fabric is overdesigned to meet worst-case performance requirements, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and resource utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic fabric control circuits that can adjust transaction limits, bandwidth allocation, and QoS parameters based on actual system conditions rather than fixed worst-case scenarios. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability when needed while reducing resource allocation during normal operation, thereby decreasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms where fabric control circuits monitor actual traffic patterns and system performance, then adjust parameters accordingly. This feedback loop enables the system to optimize resource allocation in real-time, preventing both over-design and under-design scenarios, and achieving reliable performance with optimized resource usage.
3Productivity
If bandwidth is allocated to all components without control, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance (bandwidth waste) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fabric control circuits that can apply different bandwidth allocation policies to different components or traffic types. By implementing local quality control, the system can allocate more bandwidth to high-priority components while limiting bandwidth for low-priority traffic, thereby preventing bandwidth waste while maintaining overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables dynamic adjustment of bandwidth parameters for different components through programmable control circuits. By changing bandwidth allocation parameters based on QoS requirements, traffic patterns, and system priorities, the system can optimize the balance between productivity and bandwidth utilization efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, one or more fabric control circuits may be inserted in a communication fabric to control various aspects of the communications by components in the system. The fabric control circuits may be included on the interface of the components to the communication fabric, in some embodiments. In other embodiments that include a hierarchical communication fabric, fabric control circuits may alternatively or additionally be included. The fabric control circuits may be programmable, and thus may provide the ability to tune the communication fabric to meet performance and/or functionality goals.