Multiplexer Protocol for Serial Channel Logical Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Constrained electronic systems face challenges in transmitting multiple data streams over a single serial physical channel, requiring efficient multiplexing methods to manage prioritization and protocol overhead while ensuring uninterrupted data transfer.
Innovation Solution
The technology implements a lightweight multiplexer protocol that establishes multiple logical channels over a single serial physical channel by using escaper and arbiter components for encoding and unescaper and router components for decoding, allowing for variable-length data frames and minimal protocol overhead, with channel-specific indicators for controlling data flow and prioritization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple logical channels are multiplexed over a single serial physical channel, then the quantity of data transmission channels is improved, but the protocol overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single serial physical channel into multiple logical channels by introducing channel identifiers and control frames. Each logical channel is treated as an independent data stream with its own producer-consumer pairs, allowing simultaneous multiplexed transmission while maintaining individual channel management through structured frame segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including a multiplexer at the transmitting end and a demultiplexer at the receiving end. These intermediaries manage the complex protocol operations by arbitrating channel access, inserting channel identifiers, and routing data frames to appropriate consumers, thereby isolating the complexity from the actual data producers and consumers.
2Productivity
If variable-length data frames are used, then the data transmission efficiency is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring data boundaries increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses distinctive frame delimiters acting as visual markers to indicate data frame boundaries. Each data frame is encapsulated with unique start and end markers that are easily detectable, allowing the receiving end to identify boundaries regardless of variable frame lengths. This marker-based approach simplifies boundary detection while maintaining transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates length fields and delimiter markers in advance within each data frame structure. By pre-marking the boundaries and including length information before the actual data payload, the receiving end can efficiently parse variable-length frames without complex analysis, as the boundary information is prepared beforehand in the frame structure.
3Reliability
If channel prioritization and QoS policies are implemented, then the quality of service is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements prioritization by pre-assigning priority levels to different logical channels during system configuration. The multiplexer is pre-programmed with priority schemes and arbitration rules for each channel, allowing it to automatically make scheduling decisions without complex real-time analysis. This preliminary configuration simplifies the control mechanism while ensuring reliable QoS delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables each logical channel to self-identify through embedded channel identifiers in the data frames. The demultiplexer uses these identifiers to automatically route data to the correct consumer without requiring complex external control mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces device complexity while maintaining reliable channel-specific QoS through automated routing decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for multiplex operation of an electronic transmitting apparatus, comprising establishing logical channels between logical data producers and respective logical data consumers, the logical channels operable to pass data over a serial physical channel, constructing by a producer a payload, identifying a respective consumer, arbitrating use of the serial physical channel between logical channels to control sending of payloads, injecting a channel-specific logical protocol stop indicator into a data flow over the serial physical channel to instruct a receiving router to stop receipt of a previously started data flow and route the payload to a consumer, and sending at least a first uninterruptible data unit of the payload over the serial physical channel. Corresponding methods and apparatus are provided to enable a receiver to route payloads to consumers according to received logical protocol stop indicators.