SoC OS Integrating User Protocol Data Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing system-on-chip (SoC) update mechanisms require users to develop custom installation software due to manufacturer-defined communication protocols, leading to additional memory costs and system configuration changes, which can disrupt user programs and require restarts.
Innovation Solution
A system-on-chip design that includes an operating system capable of receiving data using a user-defined communication protocol, allowing the installation software to operate without configuration changes by encapsulating data in frames with headers and postambles to indicate intended recipients, enabling secure and efficient updates without user-developed software.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If user-developed installation software is provided to work with user-defined communication protocols, then the system can update programs without modifying SoC configuration, but additional memory space is required to store the user-developed installation software
Solution Approach 1:
The operating system is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the general system controller and as a data receiver for the installation software. The OS includes a data reception module that can receive program data according to user-defined communication protocols, eliminating the need for separate user-developed installation software and the associated memory overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the data reception capability with the existing operating system rather than implementing it as a separate user-developed installation software component. The OS integrates both the data reception module and the data making module, combining multiple functions into a single system component that operates within the existing SoC configuration.
2Ease of manufacture
If manufacturer-provided installation software is used, then the system can update programs using the integrated installation software, but the SoC configuration must be changed which blocks user programs and requires reboot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the installation process into distinct functional modules within the operating system: a data reception module that receives data according to user-defined protocols, and a data making module that prepares data for the installation software. This segmentation allows the system to maintain user program execution while handling update operations in the background without requiring configuration changes or reboots.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating system acts as an intermediary between the data transmission layer and the installation software. The OS receives data according to user-defined protocols, processes it through the data making module, and makes it available to the installation software without requiring the system to switch configurations. This intermediary role enables seamless updates while maintaining program execution continuity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the operating system receives data according to user-defined communication protocols and makes it available to installation software, then updates can proceed without configuration changes, but the OS must implement additional data reception and making capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The operating system implements dynamic adaptability through modular components that can handle different communication protocols. The data reception module is designed to flexibly receive data according to user-defined protocols, and the data making module dynamically prepares data in the appropriate format for the installation software. This dynamic approach allows the OS to support multiple protocols without requiring separate rigid implementations for each.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
According to one aspect, a system-on-a-chip is proposed comprising: - a non-volatile memory (NVM), - a processor (PROC) configured to execute: o an operating system (OS) configured to receive data according to a first communication protocol, o a program installation software (SFT) configured to communicate with the non-volatile memory (NVM) according to a second communication protocol, in which the operating system is also configured to: - determine if data received according to said first communication protocol is program data, - make the program data available to the installation software (SFT), - inform the installation software that program data has been received, and in which the installation software (SFT) is configured to store the program data in said non-volatile memory (NVM).