Push-Pull Dataflow Gaskets for Circuit Block Interconnects

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic systems face challenges in efficiently handling dataflow between circuit blocks due to standard bussing stalling during high traffic periods and point-to-point bussing incurring unnecessary area and power overhead.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of push-pull mechanisms using dataflow gaskets, which switch between push and pull modes based on data availability and memory space, to facilitate efficient data transfer between circuit blocks without direct communication or understanding of each other's memory addressing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If standard bussing is used for interconnecting circuit blocks, then overall throughput is improved, but the system stalls during high traffic periods when slower systems absorb data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall throughputVSAvoiddata transfer continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between push and pull modes based on real-time buffer status. When the destination buffer has sufficient space, push mode is used for high-speed data transfer. When the buffer is full or nearly full, the system transitions to pull mode to prevent stalling, allowing the source to continue producing data while the destination consumes at its own pace.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms through buffer status signals (data low trigger, space high qualifier) that monitor the destination buffer levels. This feedback enables automatic mode switching between push and pull operations, ensuring continuous data flow without stalling while adapting to the varying absorption rates of slower systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If point-to-point bussing is used to connect each compute block to every other compute block, then arbitrary data traffic is supported, but area and power overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearbitrary data traffic supportVSAvoidinterconnect area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Dataflow gaskets serve as intermediary components between circuit blocks, providing standardized interfaces with push-pull mechanisms. Instead of requiring direct point-to-point connections between all blocks, the gaskets mediate data transfer through a shared network, reducing the number of direct interconnects needed while maintaining arbitrary data traffic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dataflow gasket is a universal interface that can handle various types of data traffic patterns between different circuit blocks. A single gasket design can support multiple communication patterns (push, pull, bidirectional) and connect to different types of circuit blocks, eliminating the need for specialized point-to-point connections for each block pair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If point-to-point bussing is used to connect each compute block to every other compute block, then arbitrary data traffic is supported, but power overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearbitrary data traffic supportVSAvoidinterconnect power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Dataflow gaskets serve as intermediary components between circuit blocks, providing standardized interfaces with push-pull mechanisms. Instead of requiring direct point-to-point connections between all blocks, the gaskets mediate data transfer through a shared network, reducing the number of direct interconnects needed while maintaining arbitrary data traffic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between push and pull modes based on real-time buffer status. When the destination buffer has sufficient space, push mode is used for high-speed data transfer. When the buffer is full or nearly full, the system transitions to pull mode to prevent stalling, allowing the source to continue producing data while the destination consumes at its own pace.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250181530A1Push-pull mechanisms for handling dataflow between circuit blocks

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 ANALOG DEVICES INC

AI summary

Push-pull mechanisms for handling dataflow between circuit blocks are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a network of dataflow gaskets includes a source gasket coupled to a first circuit block and a destination gasket coupled to a second circuit block. The source gasket and the destination gasket are connected by a push mechanism that uses write channels to write data from the source gasket to the destination gasket, and a pull mechanism that uses read channels to read data from the source gasket to the destination gasket. The source gasket and the destination gasket can switch between a push mode and a pull mode to ease traffic based on data available to transfer at the source gasket and/or a space available to receive data in the destination gasket. For example, a transfer size register can be used to set a threshold to aid between the mode transitions.