Single Controller for Multiple Bus Interfaces

Solution Overview

Problem

Integrated circuit chips require multiple master serial controllers to manage various external device interfaces, leading to increased costs and resource consumption due to the need for separate controllers for each interface.

Innovation Solution

A single configurable controller and selection mechanism that can designate and select among multiple external device interfaces, deactivating non-selected interfaces to conserve resources and reduce hardware requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple master serial controllers are used to manage various external device interfaces, then each interface can be controlled independently and reliably, but the cost increases and chip space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface control reliabilityVSAvoidcontroller quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single master serial controller that can be dynamically configured to support multiple communication protocols (I2C, SPI, Microwire, SSI) through programmable state machines and configurable register sets. This universal controller replaces multiple dedicated controllers, allowing one controller to perform the functions of several protocol-specific controllers by loading appropriate protocol-specific code and configuration parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller employs dynamic protocol switching capability where the communication protocol can be changed during operation through configuration registers and state machine reprogramming. The controller can transition between different protocols (I2C, SPI, Microwire, SSI) by loading different protocol-specific control logic and parameters, enabling adaptive interface management without requiring separate static controllers for each protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple master serial controllers are used to manage various external device interfaces, then each interface can be controlled independently, but valuable chip space is needlessly used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface control capabilityVSAvoidchip space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single master serial controller that can be dynamically configured to support multiple communication protocols (I2C, SPI, Micrawire, SSI) through programmable state machines and configurable register sets. This universal controller replaces multiple dedicated controllers, allowing one controller to perform the functions of several protocol-specific controllers by loading appropriate protocol-specific code and configuration parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple protocol-specific controller functions into a single integrated controller unit. The controller merges I2C, SPI, Micrawire, and SSI protocol handling capabilities into one unified structure that shares common resources including data buffers, control logic, and configuration registers, thereby consolidating what would traditionally require separate physical controllers into a single space-efficient implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple master serial controllers are used to manage various external device interfaces, then each interface can be controlled independently, but valuable chip resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface control capabilityVSAvoidchip resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple protocol-specific controller functions into a single integrated controller unit. The controller merges I2C, SPI, Micrawire, and SSI protocol handling capabilities into one unified structure that shares common resources including data buffers, control logic, and configuration registers, thereby consolidating what would traditionally require separate physical controllers into a single space-efficient implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a single master serial controller that can be dynamically configured to support multiple communication protocols (I2C, SPI, Micrawire, SSI) through programmable state machines and configurable register sets. This universal controller replaces multiple dedicated controllers, allowing one controller to perform the functions of several protocol-specific controllers by loading appropriate protocol-specific code and configuration parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7657680B2Multiple bus interface control using a single controller

Publication Date: 2010.02.02 II VI DELAWARE INC

AI summary

Mechanisms for configuring an integrated circuit to select one of multiple external device interfaces at a time to use during communication with external devices. The integrated circuit includes a control mechanism, a selection mechanism, and a plurality of external device interfaces. The plurality of device interfaces allow the integrated circuit to communicate with various external devices that support different communication protocols. The control mechanism is configured to designate the selection of one of the plurality of device interfaces for use in communicating with an external device. The control mechanism makes use of the selection mechanism to select the designated device interface to communicate with using the communication protocol supported by the selected interface. The communication may be receiving data from the interface or providing data to the interface. Non-selected interfaces are put in an inactive state.