Serial Interface Link Setup Using In-Band Media Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing systems face challenges in efficiently communicating media configuration information due to voltage mismatches between low-speed I/O interfaces and future product standards, leading to complex package designs and optimization issues.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing high-speed serial interfaces for in-band communication of media configuration information, eliminating the need for low-speed interfaces like I2C and associated voltage translators, and employing Auto-Negotiation Next Pages to facilitate seamless link setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If low-speed interfaces (I2C, MDIO) are used to communicate media configuration information, then voltage mismatches can be managed with voltage translators, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the media configuration information communication function from the low-speed interface domain and relocates it to the high-speed serial interface domain. By using in-band communication over the existing high-speed serial interface, the patent eliminates the need for separate low-speed interfaces (I2C, MDIO) and voltage translators, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining voltage compatibility through the existing high-speed interface's inherent capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the high-speed serial interface multi-functional by enabling it to carry both mission data and media configuration information simultaneously through in-band communication. This universal approach allows a single interface to perform multiple functions that previously required separate dedicated interfaces, simplifying the overall device architecture
2Reliability
If low-speed interfaces are used for media configuration communication, then voltage translators can be employed, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the voltage translator component from the architecture by moving all configuration communication to the high-speed serial interface. This extraction of the configuration function from the low-speed domain eliminates the need for additional voltage translation hardware, directly reducing manufacturing cost while preserving voltage compatibility through the existing high-speed interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the need for separate low-speed interface hardware and voltage translators by recovering the media configuration communication function into the existing high-speed serial interface. This consolidation eliminates redundant components and reduces overall manufacturing cost while maintaining the necessary voltage compatibility
3Reliability
If multiple interfaces (low-speed for config, high-speed for data) are used, then voltage mismatches are manageable, but link bring-up procedures become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the media configuration information communication and mission data communication into a single high-speed serial interface. By combining these functions into one interface, the patent simplifies the link bring-up procedure to a single unified process rather than requiring separate initialization and configuration steps, while voltage compatibility is maintained through the inherent capabilities of the high-speed interface
Data Source
AI summary
A host device comprising first circuitry to receive one or more packets sent by a communication device over a serial communication interface between the communication device and the host device, wherein the one or more packets comprise media configuration information stored in a memory of the communication device and an indication of a mapping of the memory of the communication device; and second circuitry to transmit data packets over the serial communication interface after the host device has been configured based on the media configuration information.