Shared I/O Unit Consolidates Redundant Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern computer systems face inefficiencies in input/output (I/O) operations due to each I/O device performing common functions independently, leading to redundant functionality and inefficient data movement.
Innovation Solution
A system with a shared I/O unit that consolidates common functions, allowing I/O devices and processors to interact through this unit, thereby removing redundant functions from individual devices and optimizing data processing and movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If each I/O device includes the same set of functions independently, then each device can operate autonomously, but the system experiences redundant functionality and inefficient data movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges common I/O functions from multiple individual I/O devices into a single shared I/O unit. This consolidation eliminates functional redundancy while maintaining the ability of each I/O device to operate autonomously for device-specific functions. The shared I/O unit handles common operations such as interrupt processing, DMA control, and configuration management for all I/O devices, thereby improving overall I/O operation efficiency without sacrificing device independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared I/O unit is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple I/O devices simultaneously. It implements a unified set of control registers and processing logic that can be accessed by any connected I/O device, allowing a single unit to perform the roles previously distributed across multiple devices. This multi-functional approach reduces the total number of components while maintaining comprehensive I/O capabilities.
2Productivity
If multiple copies of shared functions are distributed across I/O devices, then each device has full functionality, but processing overhead increases and performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple copies of shared I/O functions into a single shared I/O unit that serves all I/O devices. This consolidation eliminates the need for each device to independently process common I/O operations, thereby reducing processing overhead and improving data movement efficiency. The shared unit processes I/O operations centrally, avoiding redundant processing that would occur with distributed function copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared I/O unit acts as an intermediary between the processor and multiple I/O devices. It centralizes the processing of common I/O functions and manages data movement between the processor and various I/O devices, reducing the time required for these operations compared to having each device handle functions independently.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (100) includes a bus (102), a processor (106) operably coupled to the bus (102), a memory (104) operably coupled to the bus (102), a plurality of input/output (I/O) devices (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) operably coupled to the bus (102), where each of the I/O devices (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) has a set of control registers (111, 113, 115, 117, 119), and a shared I/O unit (108) operably coupled to the bus (102). The shared I/O unit (108) has a plurality of shared functions and is configured to perform the shared functions, where the shared I/O functions are not included as functions on the I/O devices (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) and the I/O devices (110, 112, 114, 116, 118) and the processor (106) interact with the shared I/O unit (108) to use one or more of the shared functions performed by the shared I/O unit (108).