Programmable Interconnect Circuit for Flexible Transaction Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems on chip lack flexibility in routing transactions between source devices and multiport memory access ports, as they fail to ensure consistent transaction content delivery across different access ports, which limits their applicability to various applications.
Innovation Solution
A system on chip with an interconnect circuit and programmable control circuit that routes transactions based on a control word, ensuring that the transaction content remains identical across access ports by separating the control word from the transaction data and using a combination of input and output interfaces to manage access port selection dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed routing method is used to route transactions to access ports, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different applications is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing by introducing programmable control circuits that can be configured through software or hardware programming. The control word associated with each transaction dynamically determines the routing path to the appropriate access port, allowing the system to adapt to different application requirements without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the routing parameter from a fixed physical connection to a programmable control word. By modifying the control word value, the system can redirect transactions to different access ports, enabling the same hardware to serve multiple applications with varying access port configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transaction content is modified based on access port selection, then routing flexibility is improved, but transaction integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transaction data path from the control path. The control word is transmitted alongside the transaction but through a separate routing mechanism. This segmentation allows independent control of routing decisions without affecting the integrity of the transaction content, ensuring that the same transaction data reaches different access ports unchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control word that mediates between the transaction source and the target access port. The control word carries routing information without altering the transaction content, acting as a mediator that enables flexible routing while preserving transaction integrity. The interconnect circuit uses this intermediary to make routing decisions without modifying the actual transaction data.
Data Source
AI summary
An interconnect circuit includes a plurality of input interfaces and a plurality of output interfaces. A plurality of source devices are respectively coupled to the input interfaces. A target device has a plurality of access ports respectively coupled to the output interfaces. Each source device is configured to deliver transactions to the target device. Programmable control circuit is configured to deliver, to the interconnect circuit, a control word designating an access port assigned to this source device. The interconnect circuit is configured to route the transaction from the corresponding input interface to the output interface that is coupled to this access port and to deliver the transaction to the access port, the content of each transaction delivered to an access port being identical to the content of the corresponding transaction delivered by the source equipment whatever the selected access port.