SoC Manageability Controller SRAM Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
SoC-based manageability controllers are limited by the cost, die size, and power consumption of static random-access memory (SRAM), restricting the implementation of additional manageability features due to the inability to use host DRAM for reliability reasons.
Innovation Solution
A computing device with a dedicated manageability controller network allows SoCs to share SRAM resources, enabling expanded manageability functionality by accessing and storing firmware and data across multiple SoCs within a cluster, thereby overcoming memory limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SRAM is embedded in the SoC for manageability controller operation, then reliability is improved, but die size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple SoCs are merged into a cluster where they share common SRAM resources. The manageability controllers on different SoCs can access the same SRAM banks through the inter-SoC interconnect, effectively combining the memory resources of multiple devices while keeping individual die sizes small.
Solution Approach 2:
The SRAM resources become universal resources that serve multiple manageability controllers across different SoCs. A single SRAM bank can be accessed by manageability controllers on multiple SoCs, allowing the same memory to perform multiple functions for different controllers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If SRAM size is increased to support more manageability features, then manageability functionality is improved, but cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the SRAM resources of multiple SoCs into a shared pool. Instead of each SoC having large dedicated SRAM, multiple smaller SRAM resources are merged to provide the total capacity needed for advanced manageability features, reducing per-SoC cost and power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to memory access by allowing cross-SoC access to SRAM resources. Manageability controllers can access SRAM on other SoCs through the inter-SoC interconnect, effectively expanding the addressable memory space without increasing physical SRAM per die.
3Quantity of substance
If host DRAM is used for manageability controller memory, then cost is reduced, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reliability characteristics of embedded SRAM with the capacity characteristics of external memory. By allowing manageability controllers to access SRAM on other SoCs in the cluster, it provides SRAM-level reliability while effectively providing larger total memory capacity than a single SoC could provide.
4Quantity of substance
If a memory controller is added to enable external DRAM access for manageability, then memory capacity is improved, but chip complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each SoC uses its own embedded SRAM controller to manage memory operations. The manageability controllers access SRAM resources on other SoCs through existing inter-SoC interconnects, eliminating the need for additional memory controllers or complex memory management hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for facilitating inter-system-on-a-chip (SoC) communication include a first SoC, a second SoC, and a dedicated manageability controller network. The first SoC includes a first main processor, a first manageability controller, and a memory dedicated to the first manageability controller and having manageability controller firmware stored thereon. The first manageability controller is different from the first main processor and to control functions of the first SoC. The second SoC is different from the first SoC and includes a second main processor and a second manageability control, which is different from the second main processor and to control functions of the second SoC. The second SoC is to access the manageability controller firmware of the memory of the first SoC over the dedicated manageability network.