Self-Booting Ethernet Controller Chip with On-Chip ROM
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of network equipment are exacerbated by the need for external memory to store boot code for network adapter chips, which increases expenses and PCB real estate requirements.
Innovation Solution
A self-booting Ethernet controller system that allows the network adapter chip to boot from on-chip ROM loader and self-boot code, eliminating the need for external boot code and reducing reliance on external memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If external memory is used to store boot code for the network adapter chip, then the boot code can be stored, but the manufacturing cost and PCB real estate requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the boot code storage function into the network adapter chip itself by integrating a ROM (Read-Only Memory) directly into the chip architecture. This eliminates the need for separate external memory components, thereby reducing PCB real estate requirements and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining boot code storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The network adapter chip is designed to perform multiple functions: it can execute boot code from its internal ROM, perform network data processing, and support high-speed protocols like Gigabit Ethernet. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated external memory solely for boot code, reducing overall system complexity and manufacturing cost.
2Quantity of substance
If external memory is used to store boot code, then boot code is available, but PCB real estate and signal trace layout complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The boot code storage is merged into the network adapter chip by integrating a ROM directly into the chip architecture. This eliminates the need for separate external memory components, thereby reducing PCB real estate requirements and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining boot code storage capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the network adapter chip can boot independently from on-chip ROM, then manufacturing cost and PCB complexity are reduced, but the chip design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The network adapter chip is designed to be self-sufficient by incorporating a ROM that contains boot code executable by the chip's processor. This self-service capability allows the chip to boot independently without external memory, reducing manufacturing cost and PCB complexity while the increased chip design complexity is accepted as a trade-off for system-level simplification.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments for a self-booting Ethernet controller chip (NAC) may comprise a processor within the NAC that determines whether legacy boot code is present in memory external to the NAC. If legacy boot code is present in the external memory, the NAC may boot from the legacy boot code. If the legacy boot code is not present in the external memory, the processor may boot the NAC from the self-boot code in the ROM within the NAC. The processor may also read network configuration data from the external memory. The network configuration data may be stored, for example, in a NVRAM. The processor may copy the network configuration data from the NVRAM to a RAM within the NAC while booting.