Scalable Serial Bus Interface for Embedded Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of embedded systems has led to space and cost constraints on circuit boards, making it difficult to enhance client performance without widening buses, which is limited by the physical constraints of conventional multi-drop bus interfaces and increasing pin counts, thereby limiting data transfer rates.
Innovation Solution
A scalable serial bus interface system that includes a host module with a CPU and system bridge, using low voltage differential signaling, allowing multiple clients to communicate through a time-shared bus, enabling scalable data transfer rates, channel scaling, and adjustable bus width, thereby increasing bandwidth and reducing pin counts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional multi-drop bus interfaces are used to enhance client performance, then data transfer capability can be improved, but bus width must be increased which increases pin counts and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional parallel multi-drop bus interfaces with a serial bus interface. This substitution transforms the mechanical/electrical connection approach from wide parallel buses requiring multiple pins to a narrow serial bus requiring fewer pins, while maintaining or enhancing data transfer capability through serial communication protocols and timing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the bus interface by transitioning from parallel communication (multiple simultaneous data lines) to serial communication (single or few data lines with time-multiplexed data transmission). This parameter change allows high data transfer rates to be achieved through increased clock frequencies and efficient serialization rather than through increased physical bus width.
2Speed
If bus width is increased to enhance client performance, then data transfer rate can be improved, but pin counts of host CPU and clients increase thereby increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes wide parallel bus interfaces with narrow serial bus interfaces, replacing the need for numerous physical pins with a streamlined serial connection. This substitution achieves high data transfer rates through serial communication efficiency rather than through increased pin counts, directly addressing the contradiction between speed and quantity of pins.
3Productivity
If operation frequencies of conventional multi-drop bus interfaces are increased to enhance performance, then data transfer rates can be improved, but physical limits are rapidly approached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic scaling capabilities for the serial bus interface, allowing the system to adaptively adjust data transfer rates and operational parameters based on performance requirements and physical constraints. This dynamic approach enables the system to operate efficiently within physical limits while maintaining high productivity through optimized serial communication protocols and timing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances client performance by increasing data transfer rates and reducing pin counts, providing cost savings and design flexibility while maintaining or reducing bus width, allowing for higher bandwidth communication without the need for wider buses.
Implementation Method 1
The integrated interface and the system bridge include a physical layer configured to receive and transmit electronic signals using, for example, low voltage differential signaling
Data Source
AI summary
According to one exemplary embodiment, a host/client system includes a host module, which includes a CPU coupled to a system bridge. The host/client system further includes at least one client having an integrated interface, where the integrated interface is coupled to the system bridge through a scalable serial bus. The system bridge and the integrated interface enable high bandwidth communication between the CPU and the at least one client through the scalable serial bus, thereby allowing control of bus width between the host module and the client.