Serial Buffer Resource Access via Priority Packets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional serial buffers implementing Lite-weight protocols require dedicated pins and circuitry for accessing on-chip resources, complicating design and operation, and lack efficient status and error reporting mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A method and structure that utilize priority packets to access on-chip resources of a serial buffer, allowing parallel processing of priority and normal data packets, with start of packet and end of packet indicators, 4-bit packet identifiers, and doorbell commands for status and error reporting, enabling efficient access to registers and queues without blocking normal data traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dedicated pins and circuitry are used to access on-chip resources of a serial buffer implementing a Lite-weight protocol, then resource access capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing data packet interface protocol serve dual purposes: it continues to handle normal data transmission while also enabling access to on-chip resources through specially formatted priority packets. This eliminates the need for dedicated access circuitry by making the existing interface universal enough to handle both data and control operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the resource access function with the normal data packet transmission path by introducing priority packets that use the same physical interface and protocol structure. Instead of separate dedicated pins and circuitry, resource access commands are merged into the existing packet stream with higher priority handling.
2Productivity
If priority packets are processed separately from normal data packets, then resource access efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet processing into two logical paths within the existing interface: a normal data packet path and a priority packet path for resource access. The segmentation is implemented through packet type identification and routing logic that directs packets to appropriate processing queues without requiring completely separate physical interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a priority dimension to the existing packet processing by introducing priority indicators and separate processing queues. This dimensional addition allows resource access operations to be interleaved with data transmission in time, achieving parallel processing efficiency while using the same physical interface resources.
3Productivity
If maximum bandwidth is maintained for normal data packets, then data transfer performance is improved, but resource access capability may be blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic packet scheduling where the processing path is determined by packet priority type. Normal data packets flow through the high-bandwidth path while priority packets for resource access are routed through a separate path. The system dynamically switches between handling data and control operations based on packet classification, ensuring both functions can proceed simultaneously without blocking.
Data Source
AI summary
On-chip resources of a serial buffer are accessed using priority packets of a Lite-weight protocol. A priority packet path is provided on the serial buffer to support priority packets. Normal data packets are processed on a normal data packet path, which operates in parallel with the priority packet path. The system resources of the serial buffer can be accessed in response to the priority packets, without blocking the flow of normal data packets. Thus, normal data packets may flow through the serial buffer with the maximum bandwidth supported by the serial interface. The Lite-weight protocol also supports read accesses to queues of the serial buffer (which reside on the normal data packet path). The Lite-weight protocol also supports doorbell commands for status/error reporting.