SOC Core Connect-Disconnect Handshake for Reliable Data Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile computing devices face non-recoverable data loss and increased power consumption due to unreliable communication protocols between active and standby components of the system on a chip (SOC), which hinders device performance and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a connect/disconnect interface with a six-wire handshake protocol between processing cores of an SOC to manage power states and ensure data transmission only occurs between active cores, using a connect/disconnect interface to prevent data loss and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If components of the SOC are frequently powered down to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but data transmission reliability deteriorates due to non-recoverable data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The connect/disconnect interface performs preliminary actions by establishing connection state verification before data transmission begins. The interface checks whether the receiving core is in connected or disconnected state prior to initiating traffic, preventing data loss before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface implements feedback mechanisms through handshake protocols where cores exchange connection status information. The receiving core provides feedback about its power state (connected/disconnected) to the transmitting core, enabling reliable data transmission decisions.
2Reliability
If a connect/disconnect interface is implemented between processing cores, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into distinct functional components: connection state indicators, handshake signal lines, and control logic separate from the data transmission path. This segmentation allows the reliability mechanism to be added without fully integrating it into the core data path, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connect/disconnect interface acts as an intermediary layer between processing cores. Rather than modifying the core data transmission logic, it introduces a separate mediation mechanism that verifies connection states before allowing data flow, isolating the complexity from the main data path.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for managing an interface between a pair of processing cores of a device that are configured to exchange data. The device is configured to enable or disable one or more of the pair of processing cores. One of the methods includes configuring a connect/disconnect interface implemented as logic circuitry between the pair of processing cores to assume a connected state in which the pair of processing cores and exchange data, and configuring the connect/disconnect interface between the pair of processing cores to assume a disconnected state in which one or more of the processing cores is unable to receive data.