Software-Defined Silicon Feature Unlocking for SKU Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor device manufacturers face challenges in activating dormant hardware and firmware features after shipment, requiring new device versions and complex SKU management, limiting flexibility and revenue opportunities.
Innovation Solution
Software Defined Silicon (SDSi) enables post-manufacturing activation, deactivation, and management of silicon product features, allowing on-demand feature activation and subscription models, reducing the need for multiple device versions and improving SKU management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dormant hardware and firmware features are included in shipped semiconductor devices, then customer flexibility and potential revenue are improved, but device complexity and SKU management become worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the feature activation control from the hardware/firmware itself and places it in a separate software licensing system. Dormant features are taken out of the fixed factory configuration and made independently controllable through software licenses, allowing customers to activate only needed features without managing complex hardware configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal feature activation system that can control multiple different features across various semiconductor devices through a single licensing mechanism. Instead of having separate activation methods for each feature or device type, a unified software license system manages all dormant features, reducing SKU complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new versions of semiconductor devices are shipped to activate dormant features, then feature functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity and inventory management become worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring all possible features in the dormant state during manufacturing, then enabling selective activation through software licenses after shipment. This eliminates the need to create and manage multiple pre-configured device versions, as all features are prepared in advance but only activated when licensed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static feature configuration into a dynamic system where features can be activated or deactivated based on software licenses. Instead of manufacturing different static versions of devices with features permanently enabled or disabled, the system allows dynamic reconfiguration through licensing, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining feature flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stock keeping units are predefined and managed to track feature combinations, then customer customization is improved, but inventory management and manufacturing become worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the feature configuration space through software licensing rather than maintaining physical copies of different device versions. Instead of stocking multiple SKUs representing different feature combinations, the system uses software licenses to represent different configurations, eliminating the need for complex inventory management while preserving customization options.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to provide device enhancements for software defined silicon implementations are disclosed. Example non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions cause one or more processors to at least cause transmission of a message to a semiconductor device, the message to cause the semiconductor device to unlock a first feature of the semiconductor device and associate a soft stock keeping unit with the semiconductor device having at least the first feature unlocked.