SOC Image Update Without DMA Using Mailbox Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for updating a System on Chip (SOC) image often rely on direct memory access (DMA), which increases design complexity and may not be efficient in certain communication scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a mailbox mechanism between a host computer and a target SOC to copy and update the SOC image without using DMA, employing a buffer and mailboxes to manage data packets and status messages, allowing for reliable communication and image updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If DMA is used for updating SOC image, then data transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the DMA controller from the SOC architecture, extracting the direct memory access functionality entirely. The host computer performs all data transfer operations through standard I/O operations, eliminating the need for dedicated DMA hardware and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining update capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mailbox mechanism as an intermediary between the host computer and SOC. This mailbox serves as a communication interface that allows the host to send update commands and receive status information without requiring complex DMA controllers, simplifying the data transfer architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If DMA is eliminated for updating SOC image, then device complexity is reduced, but data transfer reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign complexityVSAvoiddata transfer reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the SOC writes status information back to a mailbox on the host computer after receiving update data. This feedback loop allows the host to verify successful data reception and transfer, ensuring data integrity and transfer reliability without requiring complex error correction hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a predefined mailbox communication protocol that establishes reliable data transfer rules before the actual update process begins. The mailbox mechanism pre-defines communication patterns and data formats, ensuring reliable interaction between host and SOC without requiring complex runtime negotiation or error handling hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9934120B2Method and apparatus for updating a system on chip (SOC) image from a host computer system without using DMA

Publication Date: 2018.04.03 WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for updating a System on Chip (SOC) image without using direct memory access (DMA) programming. A target SOC monitors a target mailbox to determine reception of a data packet of an SOC image received from a host computer, wherein the SOC image includes a plurality of data packets. The target SOC reads the data packet from a buffer of the target SOC and writes a status message to a host mailbox of the target SOC, wherein the status message is indicative of a reception status of the data packet.