Programmable Hardware Scheduler for Wireless Baseband Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital processing systems face inefficiencies in job scheduling for complex algorithms, particularly in baseband processing for wireless communications, due to high power consumption, resource usage, and slow response times in software-based solutions, which fail to adapt flexibly to evolving standards and protocols.

Innovation Solution

A programmable hardware scheduler module that manages job scheduling through a hardware entity programmed by control software, utilizing a system of command queues and arbitrators to dynamically allocate tasks among digital signal processors and hardware accelerators, optimizing timing and resource utilization without requiring continuous software intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software-based scheduling is used on a dedicated DSP or CPU, then flexibility to adapt to evolving standards and protocols is improved, but power consumption increases and response time to external events slows down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to adapt to evolving standardsVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The scheduling system is segmented into multiple independent hardware schedulers, each dedicated to specific job types or protocols. This allows parallel processing of different scheduling tasks in hardware while maintaining flexibility through programmable control logic, thereby reducing power consumption compared to a single software-based scheduler while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the software-based scheduling mechanism with hardware-based scheduling logic implemented in programmable hardware devices. This substitution provides faster response times and lower power consumption while maintaining flexibility through programmable control, directly addressing the contradiction between software adaptability and hardware efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If software-based scheduling is used on a dedicated DSP or CPU, then flexibility to adapt to evolving standards and protocols is improved, but response time to external events slows down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to adapt to evolving standardsVSAvoidresponse time to external events

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based scheduling with hardware-based scheduling logic that can respond to external events in real-time. The programmable hardware schedulers implement scheduling algorithms in hardware, providing nanosecond-level response times while maintaining adaptability through programmable control logic that can be reconfigured for different standards and protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The hardware schedulers are pre-configured with scheduling logic and algorithms that enable immediate response to external events. The programmable nature allows these preliminary configurations to be adapted to different standards and protocols without requiring software interpretation, thus maintaining both speed and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple hardware schedulers are implemented, then job scheduling efficiency and resource utilization are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejob scheduling efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of hardware schedulers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple hardware schedulers into a unified programmable hardware device that can dynamically allocate and manage multiple scheduling contexts. This consolidation maintains the productivity benefits of multiple schedulers while reducing device complexity through shared hardware resources and unified control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The programmable hardware schedulers are designed with universal functionality to handle multiple job types and protocols simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows a single hardware scheduler to perform the work of multiple dedicated schedulers, thereby improving scheduling efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11061724B2Programmable hardware scheduler for digital processing systems

Publication Date: 2021.07.13 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

Method and system embodying the method for programmable scheduling encompassing: enqueueing at least one command into one of a plurality of queues having a plurality of entries; determining a category of the command at the head entry of each of the plurality of queues; processing each determined non-job category command by a non-job command arbitrator; and processing each determined job category command by a job arbitrator and assignor, is disclosed.