Serial Port Time Division Multiplexing via Switching Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems, multiple serial ports within a chip often experience conflicts due to the limited number of signal interfaces, leading to inefficient data transmission and potential communication bottlenecks.
Innovation Solution
A time division multiplexing method is implemented using a switching circuit and signal interface, allowing multiple serial ports to share a single signal interface by selectively receiving and transmitting data, ensuring that each serial port can communicate with its corresponding device without conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only one signal interface is designed during chip design to reduce costs and power consumption, then device complexity and power consumption are reduced, but multiple serial ports inside the chip experience communication conflicts when communicating with multiple serial port devices outside the chip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements time-division multiplexing where the single signal interface alternates between serving different serial ports in periodic time slots. The switching circuit dynamically connects the signal interface to different serial ports based on communication priorities and data readiness, allowing multiple serial ports to share the interface without conflicts while maintaining periodic communication cycles for each port
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic switching mechanism that continuously adjusts the connection between the signal interface and various serial ports based on real-time communication needs, data buffer status, and priority levels. This dynamic allocation allows the system to adapt to changing communication requirements without requiring multiple static signal interfaces
2Device complexity
If multiple serial ports share a single signal interface through time division multiplexing, then communication conflicts are eliminated and device complexity is reduced, but data transmission efficiency may be reduced due to sequential access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous data transmission by implementing overlap mechanisms where data preparation for one serial port can proceed during the transmission phase of another serial port. The switching circuit is designed to minimize transition delays, and priority-based scheduling ensures that high-speed communication requirements are met by maintaining continuous useful action across different time slots
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary data preparation and buffering mechanisms where data for upcoming time slots is prepared in advance while previous data is being transmitted. This preliminary action reduces idle time during switching transitions and maintains higher overall transmission efficiency by ensuring data readiness before the actual transmission window begins
3Reliability
If a switching circuit is introduced to enable time division multiplexing of multiple serial ports on a single signal interface, then communication conflicts are resolved, but device complexity increases due to the additional switching component
Solution Approach 1:
The switching circuit acts as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple serial ports and the single signal interface. Rather than requiring complex coordination between all serial ports, the switching circuit provides a centralized control mechanism that simplifies the overall system architecture while resolving communication conflicts through its switching logic
4Quantity of substance
If time division multiplexing is implemented to allow multiple serial ports to share a signal interface, then the quantity of signal interfaces is reduced lowering costs, but loss of time occurs due to sequential data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements optimized periodic time slots for each serial port based on their communication requirements, ensuring that high-priority or time-sensitive serial ports receive more frequent or longer transmission windows. This periodic scheduling minimizes total communication time while still allowing all serial ports to share the single signal interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reduces communication time loss by preparing data in advance during idle periods and using interrupt mechanisms to trigger transmissions when data is ready, rather than waiting for fixed time slots. This preliminary action allows the system to utilize otherwise wasted time for data preparation, reducing the effective communication time required
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for using a serial port device in a time division multiplexing manner, and the apparatus for using a serial port device in a time division multiplexing manner includes a first serial port, a second serial port, a switching circuit, and a signal interface, where the switching circuit is configured to select to receive data sent by one serial port from multiple serial ports; the first serial port sends first data to a first serial port device by using the switching circuit and the signal interface; the second serial port receives, by using the signal interface, second data sent by a second serial port device, and when it is determined that the second data received by the second serial port indicates that the second serial port device needs to receive third data sent by the second serial port, instructs the switching circuit to select to receive the third data sent by the second serial port; and the second serial port sends the third data to the second serial port device by using the switching circuit and the signal interface. Therefore, the first serial port and the second serial port can use corresponding serial port devices in a time division multiplexing manner, thereby ensuring that there is no communication conflict in an entire communication process.