Single Wire Bus Slave Addressing via Register Map

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern wireless communications devices face limitations in addressing a large number of slave devices due to the finite number of unique slave identifiers (USIDs) available in existing single wire communication bus systems, leading to increased pin and wire requirements, which complicates routing and increases pin density.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a single wire communication bus system that assigns a common slave identifier to a group of slave devices, using a register map address to selectively respond to messages, allowing each unique identifier to address multiple slaves, thereby reducing the need for multiple USIDs and alleviating the finite address space issue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a unique slave identifier (USID) is assigned to each slave device, then each slave device can be uniquely addressed, but the number of required USIDs increases with the number of slave devices, leading to increased pin and wire requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslave device addressingVSAvoidpin and wire requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The addressing mechanism is segmented into two parts: a common USID shared by multiple slave devices and a device-specific register map address. This segmentation allows the system to address multiple slaves using a single USID while differentiating between devices through their register map addresses, thereby reducing the need for unique USIDs for each slave device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension for device identification by using register map addresses as a secondary addressing layer. Instead of relying solely on USIDs, the system adds the register map address dimension, allowing master controllers to uniquely identify slave devices through the combination of USID and register map address, thus reducing the burden on USID space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple unique slave identifiers are used to address a large number of slave devices, then all slave devices can be uniquely identified, but the finite number of available USIDs becomes a limiting factor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of addressable slave devicesVSAvoidavailable USID space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested addressing structure where the register map address is nested within the existing USID framework. Multiple slave devices share a common USID (outer layer), and individual devices are identified through their unique register map addresses (inner layer). This nesting allows the system to address more than 15 slave devices by combining the USID with the register map address, effectively expanding the addressable device space beyond the traditional 4-bit USID limitation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The register map address, originally designed for internal device communication, is repurposed to serve as an additional addressing dimension for master controller identification of slave devices. This multi-functional use of the register map address allows the same communication bus to address a larger number of slave devices without requiring additional USID bits, thereby increasing system versatility while maintaining compatibility with existing protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple single wire communication busses are provided to expand the number of devices, then more slave devices can be controlled, but the routing complexity and pin density increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of controlled slave devicesVSAvoidrouting and pin density

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple slave devices with common functional characteristics under a single USID, allowing them to share the same communication bus. By combining devices that perform similar functions or are controlled by the same master controller into a single USID group, the system reduces the number of communication busses required, thereby simplifying routing and reducing pin density while still maintaining the ability to address and control individual devices through their register map addresses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10437772B2Addressing of slave devices on a single wire communications bus through register map address selection

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 QORVO US INC

AI summary

A communications system includes a single wire communications bus and a plurality of slave devices, each of the slave devices associated with a common slave identifier. The single wire communications bus is configured to receive a message comprising data, a slave identifier, and a register map address. A respective one of the plurality of slave devices selectively responds to the message if the slave identifier in the message is the same as the common slave identifier associated with the respective one of the plurality of slave devices and the register map address in the message is the same as the register map address associated with the respective one of the plurality of slave devices.