Register-Based Mutex Hardware for Multi-Host Shared Resources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for mutual exclusion (mutex) in shared resource access rely on strong algorithms and are costly, lacking universality.
Innovation Solution
A mutex device utilizing a register group with a mutex set register, mutex status register, and mutex clear register to identify and manage host requests and statuses for mutex, allowing simple and effective access to shared resources without relying on complex algorithms and at low costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pure software method is used for mutex implementation, then algorithm strength is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mutex device as an intermediary component between multiple hosts and shared resources. This device includes a mutex set register, mutex status register, and mutex clear register that mediate access requests, replacing complex software algorithms with simple hardware-based register operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the software-based mutex mechanism with a hardware-based register system. By using physical registers (mutex set register 101, mutex status register 102, mutex clear register 103) instead of software algorithms, the system achieves mutex functionality through hardware operations, reducing computational complexity.
2Reliability
If combination of software and hardware or pure hardware method is used for mutex implementation, then mutex functionality is improved, but cost increases and universality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal mutex device that can serve multiple different hosts (CPU, DSP, etc.) accessing various shared resources. The register-based architecture provides a standardized interface that works across different host types and resource types, achieving broad universality and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses register value changes (setting bits to specific values like 1 or 0) to represent different mutex states (requested, granted, released). By changing the state parameters in the registers rather than using complex hardware structures, the system achieves versatility with simple, adaptable mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a mutual exclusion (mutex) device, a mutually exclusive access method and system for a shared resource, and a host. The method is performed by a target host, where the target host is any host among multiple hosts, and the multiple hosts are connected to the mutex device and the shared resource through a bus. The mutex device includes a mutex status register and a mutex set register; the mutex set register includes multiple first fields, the multiple first fields are in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple hosts, and each first field is used for identifying a request status of the multiple hosts for a mutex. The mutex status register includes multiple second fields, the multiple second fields are in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple hosts and each second field is used for identifying a hold status of the multiple hosts for the mutex. The method includes: setting a first field corresponding to the target host in the mutex set register to a first value in case of a determination that the target host has transmitted a mutex request; and setting a second field corresponding to the target host in the mutex status register to a second value and accessing the shared resource in case of a determination that the target host has successfully requested the mutex. In the method, by means of the register group in the mutex device, multiple hosts are identified by the mutex set register and the mutex status register respectively and the shared resource may be simply and effectively accessed without relying on strong algorithms and at low costs, which has strong universality