Semiconductor Device Transaction ID Validation for Event Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices struggle to accurately correct event occurrence values in channels between master and slave devices within a System-on-Chip (SoC), particularly when transaction IDs change, leading to invalid MO count values and event count values.
Innovation Solution
The semiconductor device employs an operating method that includes monitoring request and response packets, detecting target packets based on ID information, counting events using an event counter, tracking outstanding request packets with an MO counter, and resetting counters if the MO count value is invalid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the event counter continuously counts transactions without validation, then the counting function is simple and fast, but the event occurrence value becomes invalid when transaction ID changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the monitoring device continuously checks whether the transaction ID in incoming packets matches the current target transaction ID. When a mismatch is detected, the device generates feedback signals to reset the event counter and MO counter, ensuring that event occurrence values remain accurate only for the currently monitored transaction ID rather than accumulating invalid counts from previous transactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by validating the transaction ID match before incrementing the event counter. The monitoring device checks whether the incoming packet's transaction ID matches the current target transaction ID in advance, and only allows counting when the match is confirmed. This prevents invalid events from being counted in the first place, rather than correcting them afterward.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the monitoring device tracks multiple transaction IDs simultaneously, then the adaptability to different transactions is improved, but the MO count value becomes invalid leading to incorrect event counting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transaction monitoring function by maintaining a single active target transaction ID at any given time, rather than attempting to track multiple transaction IDs simultaneously. When a new transaction ID needs to be monitored, the system first validates and resets the current counters, then switches to the new target transaction ID. This segmentation approach ensures that the MO count value remains valid and reliable for the currently active transaction ID.
3Reliability
If the event counter is reset frequently to maintain accuracy, then the event occurrence value reliability is improved, but the loss of counted events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of continuous uninterrupted counting with a validation-based control system. Instead of simply resetting the counter whenever any packet is received, the system substitutes a transaction ID matching mechanism that allows counting to continue uninterrupted as long as the transaction ID remains valid. The counter is reset only when a transaction ID change is detected, minimizing interruptions while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device and an operating method thereof are provided. An operating method of a semiconductor device, includes monitoring a plurality of request packets and a plurality of response packets that are being transmitted between a master device and a slave device; detecting a target request packet that matches desired identification (ID) information from among the plurality of request packets; counting the number of events of a transaction including the target request packet by using an event counter; counting the number of request packets whose corresponding response packets are yet to be detected, from among the plurality of request packets by using a Multiple Outstanding (MO) counter; determining whether an MO count value of the MO counter is valid; and if the MO count value is invalid, resetting the event counter.