SCPS Control Module for I2C Bus Synchronization and Scalability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for managing I2C bus addresses in multi-sensor scenarios lack flexibility, configurability, and scalability, particularly in safety-critical applications like medical and automotive systems, and fail to enable intra- and inter-module synchronization and management.

Innovation Solution

The SCPS module extends I2C/I3C bus capabilities with a Setup, Capture, Process, and Scan framework, incorporating an interpreter, register bank, and switching/control section to provide granular addressability, synchronization, and resource management, enabling synchronized access and control of multiple slave modules through a common instruction set.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a centralized expander module is used to manage I2C bus addresses, then device accessibility is improved, but system scalability and synchronization capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice accessibilityVSAvoidsystem scalability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the I2C bus management into multiple independent expander modules, each capable of autonomously managing a subset of devices. This segmentation eliminates the centralized bottleneck, allowing each module to operate independently while maintaining overall system coordination through the SCPS framework, thereby improving both accessibility and scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new hierarchical dimension to I2C bus management by combining physical layer expansion (multiple expander modules) with logical layer coordination (SCPS protocol for group addressing and synchronization). This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to scale horizontally while maintaining unified control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional I2C addressing is used, then compatibility is maintained, but granular addressability and synchronization capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddressing flexibilityVSAvoiddata reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The SCPS module implements a universal addressing framework that encompasses both traditional individual device addressing and new group addressing capabilities. The system can selectively apply appropriate addressing modes based on operational requirements, maintaining backward compatibility while enabling enhanced synchronization and resource management functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The SCPS protocol acts as an intermediary layer between the physical I2C bus and the application layer, providing enhanced addressing and synchronization capabilities without disrupting existing I2C communication. This intermediary framework translates high-level group addressing commands into low-level individual device operations, ensuring reliable data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent modules are used, then scalability is improved, but intra- and inter-module synchronization becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem scalabilityVSAvoidsynchronization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges synchronization control across multiple independent expander modules through the unified SCPS protocol framework. By combining group addressing capabilities with centralized coordination logic, the system achieves synchronized operation of distributed modules without requiring complex peer-to-peer synchronization mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If granular addressability is implemented, then resource management flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource management flexibilityVSAvoidmodule complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements granular addressability selectively through group addressing, applying enhanced control only where needed rather than requiring full granular control across all devices. This partial action approach provides resource management flexibility for specific device groups while avoiding the complexity overhead of universal granular addressing, thereby optimizing the complexity-flexibility trade-off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10185563B2Control module for multiple mixed-signal resources management

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 PALO ALTO NETWORKS INC

AI summary

The present solution targets independent or inter-dependent resource management scenarios such as multi-sensor and other scenarios of possible process/component sharing, intended for individual or group synchronized core task management as part of a flexible long-term solution for monitoring, self-calibration, built-in self-testing, measurements and/or group synchronization dependant strategies. An extension to I2C/I3C compatible instruments is described. Disclosed is a module comprising an interpreter sub-module, for receiving and responding to I2C/I3C sequences and a register bank module comprising a plurality of registers for storing values. The disclosed module and method of operation can be used for initialization, measurement, and resource management through mixed-signal analog bus scheduling, synchronization and group addressing for built-in calibration strategies for example.