SoC Loopback Buffer for Real-Time MIPI-CSI Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing system-on-chip (SoC) technologies face challenges in transferring data between high-speed serial interfaces without using system memory, leading to latency and processing delays due to the need for memory storage and format conversion.

Innovation Solution

A system-on-chip with a camera serial interface (CSI) receiver, a loopback buffer, and a CSI transmitter that generates and transmits data packets with a payload, using a loopback buffer to store and read data without system memory, allowing real-time data transfer between two high-speed serial interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is tapped at system memory for loopback, then data can be stored and processed, but system memory space is consumed and latencies are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata loopback capabilityVSAvoidprocessing latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data path by introducing a dedicated loopback buffer between the CSI receiver and CSI transmitter, separating the loopback function from the main data processing path through system memory. This allows independent handling of loopback data without affecting primary data flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary loopback buffer component that mediates between the CSI receiver and CSI transmitter. This intermediary structure enables direct data transfer for loopback operations without requiring data to traverse through system memory, thereby reducing latency while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If DSI output data is converted to CSI format for comparison, then data can be compared between interfaces, but additional processing delay is caused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata format conversion capabilityVSAvoidprocessing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of converting DSI format data to CSI format for comparison, the patent inverts the approach by using the CSI transmitter to directly transmit the original CSI received data through the loopback buffer. This eliminates the need for format conversion while still enabling data comparison between interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential loopback function from the data conversion process. By separating the loopback transmission from format conversion operations, the system achieves interface adaptability without the time penalty of conversion, taking out only the necessary data transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3671720B1Real-time on-chip data transfer system

Publication Date: 2023.08.16 NXP USA INC

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AI summary

A system and method for real-time data transfer on a system-on-chip (SoC) allows MIPI-CSI (camera serial interface) data received on a first interface to be output on another MIPI-CSI interface without using system memory or delaying the loopback path. The system includes a CSI receiver (108), a loopback buffer (110), and a CSI transmitter (112). The loopback buffer is used for the data transfer between the CSI receiver and the CSI transmitter. The CSI transmitter receives a payload included in a data packet from the CSI receiver by way of the loopback buffer. The CSI receiver communicates a packet header of the data packet to the CSI transmitter. The CSI transmitter reads the payload from the loopback buffer based on the packet header and at least one of a buffer threshold capacity and payload size.