Protocol Emulation Layer for Unified eMMC and UFS Programming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing device programming systems for electronic circuit board assembly lack integration of programming, testing, and calibration processes, requiring separate equipment and areas, which hampers efficiency and throughput when dealing with devices using different protocols like eMMC and UFS.

Innovation Solution

A device programming system with a protocol emulation layer that translates data transfer commands between eMMC and UFS protocols, enabling programming of programmable devices like memory chips and circuit boards using a unified system, thereby allowing for faster programming and higher system throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate programming equipment and areas are used for different protocols (eMMC and UFS), then device compatibility is improved, but system complexity and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The programming system is designed with a universal architecture that can handle multiple protocols (eMMC and UFS) through a single integrated platform. The system uses protocol-specific interface adapters that connect to a common programming core, allowing one system to perform multiple programming functions for different device types without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each protocol

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Protocol-specific interface adapters serve as intermediaries between the programming system and devices using different protocols. These adapters translate and adapt the universal programming commands into protocol-specific signals, enabling seamless communication between the unified programming system and diverse devices without direct protocol-specific system requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If separate programming equipment is used for different protocols, then protocol-specific optimization is improved, but productivity and throughput deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol-specific optimizationVSAvoidprogramming throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple protocol-specific programming capabilities into a single integrated programming station. By combining eMMC and UFS programming functions in one system with shared resources (processing unit, memory interfaces, control logic), the system achieves high throughput by eliminating the need to transfer devices between separate equipment and by enabling parallel processing of multiple devices with different protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The programming system employs dynamic protocol switching capability where the interface adapters can adaptively change between eMMC and UFS protocols based on the inserted device type. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain optimized protocol-specific performance while processing a mixed stream of different device types continuously, maximizing overall productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If integrated programming system is used for multiple protocols, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogramming throughputVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated programming system is segmented into modular components: a universal programming core and separate protocol-specific interface adapters. Each adapter is an independent module that handles protocol-specific tasks, while the core handles universal programming operations. This segmentation allows the system to scale and adapt to different protocols without redesigning the entire system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3710946B1Device programming system with protocol emulation
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 DATA I O CORP
  • EP3710946B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3710946B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3710946B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method of operation of a device programming system includes a protocol emulation layer for translating data storage commands from an initial protocol to the protocol of the programmable devices. The protocol emulation layer simplifies the data access and control of the programmable devices by allowing the reuse of existing code bases for legacy devices.