Platform Independent Memory Logic via Silicon Integrated Code
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing BIOS software development process exposes hardware intellectual property and increases complexity and support costs for silicon manufacturers due to the need for OEMs to modify and integrate processor-specific code, especially as the universe of silicon controllers expands.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of silicon integrated code (SIC) that is platform-independent, allowing the silicon manufacturer to control early initialization and provide binary code for OEMs, ensuring IP protection and reducing support costs by encapsulating memory initialization and interconnect link settings within a tightly coupled, secure framework.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If source code is provided to OEMs for BIOS development, then customization and integration flexibility is improved, but hardware intellectual property exposure and support complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the processor-specific memory initialization code from the OEM BIOS development process and places it in a separate pre-boot code module provided by the silicon manufacturer. This extraction allows OEMs to focus on platform-specific BIOS code while the critical processor-dependent initialization is handled by proprietary pre-boot code, reducing IP exposure and support complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The boot process is segmented into distinct phases: pre-boot code execution (processor-specific memory initialization) followed by OEM BIOS execution (platform-specific initialization). This segmentation separates hardware-critical code from platform-critical code, allowing each to be optimized and supported independently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If source code is provided to multiple OEMs and IBVs, then platform independence and code reusability is improved, but intellectual property protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts processor-specific initialization code into a separate pre-boot code component that is provided in binary form rather than source code. This extraction protects the silicon manufacturer's intellectual property while still enabling the code to be used across multiple platforms through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses binary copying of the pre-boot code module to multiple OEM systems rather than distributing source code. This allows the same protected code to be replicated across numerous platforms without exposing the underlying intellectual property, maintaining both platform independence and IP protection.
3Manufacturing precision
If OEMs modify and integrate processor code, then platform-specific optimization is improved, but hardware intellectual property exposure and support costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts processor-specific code modifications from the OEM integration process by providing a complete, pre-optimized pre-boot code module. This eliminates the need for OEMs to modify critical processor code, reducing support costs while maintaining platform-specific optimization through the silicon manufacturer's expertly tuned code.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the present invention includes semiconductor integrated code (SIC) corresponding to platform independent code of a processor manufacturer. This code may include embedded memory code (EMC) to initialize a memory via initialization of a memory controller, and a mapping of memory signals using an on-die termination (ODT) data structure accessible via the EMC, where the ODT data structure is provided by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and corresponds to a parameterized rule set for a platform dependent memory configuration of the memory. Other embodiments are described and claimed.