Protocol Discovery Engine for Single-Wire Multi-Protocol Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-wire communication systems in information handling systems are inflexible, as they statically assign communication paths to specific protocol engines, prohibiting the coupling of devices with alternate protocols and leading to resource inefficiencies and logic capacity stress in central managers.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system with a host processor, management controller, and logic device that includes purpose-built engines for single-wire communication, a purpose-built engine group switch for dynamic route establishment, and a protocol discovery and assignment engine to monitor and manage communication paths and protocols, allowing for flexible protocol assignment and optimized resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a SDIO central manager statically assigns a group of single-wire communication paths to a specific protocol engine, then the system structure is simple and easy to manage, but the system flexibility is reduced and alternative protocol coupling is prohibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic assignment of single-wire communication paths to protocol engines through a protocol discovery and assignment engine. Instead of static configuration, the system dynamically discovers which protocols are needed and assigns communication paths accordingly, allowing the system to adapt to different protocol requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through automated discovery processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal SDIO central manager that can handle multiple protocols through a single management interface. The protocol discovery and assignment engine provides multi-functional capability by supporting various protocol types (such as I2C, SPI, 1-Wire) through the same management infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate static management for each protocol type
2Device complexity
If a unified SDIO protocol engine supports all protocols, then system complexity is reduced, but resource optimization is compromised and logic capacity of the SDIO central manager is stressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol handling functionality into separate purpose-built protocol engines (such as I2C engine, SPI engine, 1-Wire engine) rather than using a single unified engine. Each engine is optimized for its specific protocol, improving resource utilization and reducing the logic capacity burden on any single engine while maintaining manageable system architecture through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protocol discovery and assignment engine as an intermediary between the SDIO central manager and multiple purpose-built protocol engines. This intermediary discovers which protocols are needed and dynamically assigns communication paths to the appropriate specialized engines, reducing the burden on the central manager while maintaining system coherence and optimized resource usage
3Stability of the object's composition
If static assignment of communication paths is used, then system stability is maintained, but resource utilization is suboptimal and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic protocol discovery and dynamic path assignment. The protocol discovery and assignment engine automatically detects which protocols are needed by subsystems and dynamically assigns communication paths without requiring manual reconfiguration, maintaining system stability through automated consistent assignment while optimizing resource utilization by assigning paths based on actual protocol needs
Data Source
AI summary
A method may be provided for a system having a logic device interfaced between a management controller and a plurality of subsystems, wherein the logic device includes a plurality of purpose-built engines, each purpose-built engine configured to perform single-wire communication with one or more subsystems in accordance with a particular protocol associated with such purpose-built engine and a purpose-built engine group switch interfaced between the plurality of purpose-built engines and a plurality of connectors for communicatively coupling the plurality of subsystems to the logic device. The method may include establishing, with a purpose-built engine group switch, a plurality of communication routes based on one or more switch control signals, wherein each route of the plurality of communication routes is established between a respective purpose-built engine and a respective connector. The method may also include monitoring all possible one-wire communication paths between the purpose-built engines and the subsystems for announcements of protocol types. The method may further include in response to such monitoring, communicating the switch control signals to the purpose-built engine group switch in accordance with supported communications protocols of individual purpose-built engines of the plurality of purpose-built engines.