Segment-to-Segment Network Interface for Local Credit Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network systems face challenges in managing packet flow across multiple integrated circuits, leading to significant resource consumption in terms of circuit area and power, particularly due to the need to track destinations across the entire network.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of segment-to-segment (S2S) network interface circuits and network segmentation reduces resource usage by limiting credit tracking to individual network segments, allowing packets to be transmitted between segments through S2S interfaces, which act as bridges, thereby optimizing resource allocation and reducing the need for extensive buffering and arbitration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If network segmentation is implemented with S2S interfaces, then resource consumption and power requirements are minimized, but network complexity increases due to the need for segmentation management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower requirementsVSAvoidnetwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network is divided into multiple segments with S2S interfaces that act as bridges between segments. Each segment manages its own packet flow independently, reducing the overall resource consumption and power requirements while maintaining network functionality through modular segmentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If credit tracking is limited to individual network segments, then resource usage is reduced, but packet transmission efficiency may be impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource usageVSAvoidpacket transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Credit tracking is segmented to individual network segments rather than tracking across the entire network. This limits the scope of credit management to smaller, more manageable units, reducing resource usage while maintaining efficient packet transmission within each segment through localized arbitration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

S2S interfaces act as intermediaries between network segments, managing packet flow and credit tracking at the segment boundary. These interface circuits facilitate efficient packet transmission between segments while maintaining localized credit control, balancing resource efficiency with transmission effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If extensive buffering and arbitration are implemented, then packet flow management is improved, but circuit area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket flow managementVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The packet flow management function is segmented across multiple S2S interfaces rather than implementing extensive buffering and arbitration in a single location. This distributes the management workload across segment boundaries, reducing the circuit area required at any single point while maintaining reliable packet flow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12463920B2Segment to segment network interface

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of integrated circuits have subsets of a plurality of agents. The plurality of integrated circuits may have network segments implemented wholly (e.g., entirely) within the respective integrated circuits and may have segment to segment (S2S) network interface circuits to couple to other network segments of a plurality of network segment forming a network among the plurality of agents.