Sideband Error Notification for PCIe Link Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems face challenges in effectively reporting errors to a host device via a PCIe link, which can lead to catastrophic failures such as system boot failures or operating system crashes due to undetected errors in the PCIe link negotiation and signal integrity.
Innovation Solution
A data storage device with a controller configured to determine the quality of a PCIe link and transmit an error notification to the host device via a sideband communication channel when the link quality falls below a threshold, providing additional information about the events causing the error.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If error notifications are transmitted only via the PCIe link, then the communication protocol remains simple, but the system reliability deteriorates when PCIe link quality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sideband communication channel as an intermediary path for error notifications. When the primary PCIe link experiences quality issues, the sideband serves as a backup communication path, allowing error notifications to reach the host device through an alternative route, thus maintaining system reliability without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a dimensional aspect to error notification by implementing multiple communication dimensions (primary PCIe link and alternative sideband channel). This multi-dimensional approach ensures that error information can be transmitted through different paths, preventing single-point failure and improving overall system reliability
2Ease of operation
If the host device retries transactions after failed responses, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time increases due to repeated retries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the data storage device proactively sends error notifications through the sideband channel about PCIe link quality issues. This feedback allows the host device to understand the cause of transaction failures before retrying, enabling informed decision-making about whether to retry transactions or take alternative actions, thereby reducing unnecessary retry time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the data storage device detect and report PCIe link quality issues before they cause complete transaction failure. By proactively notifying the host device of potential problems, the system can prepare appropriate responses in advance, reducing the time lost to repeated unsuccessful retries
Data Source
AI summary
A data storage device includes a controller. The controller is coupled to a host device. The controller is configured to determine a quality of a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) link, wherein the quality of the PCIe link is either greater than or less than a threshold quality, and transmit an error notification to the host device via a sideband when the quality of the PCIe link is less than the threshold quality. The sideband is a different communication channel than the PCIe link. The error notification includes additional information regarding events occurring in the data storage device resulting in the quality of the PCIe link.