Software Defined Silicon Guardianship for Dynamic Feature Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor device manufacturers face challenges in activating dormant hardware and firmware features after the devices leave the factory, requiring new versions to be shipped, leading to inefficient inventory management and revenue loss due to fixed feature configurations.
Innovation Solution
Software Defined Silicon (SDSi) enables dynamic activation, deactivation, and management of silicon product features post-manufacturing through a cloud-based system, allowing customers to configure features on demand and enabling manufacturers to capture additional revenue streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dormant hardware and firmware features are included in shipped semiconductor devices, then future functionality can be activated, but the devices cannot be activated after leaving the factory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic feature activation by transitioning from static factory-fixed configurations to runtime-configurable features. A feature activation mechanism allows dormant hardware and firmware features to be dynamically enabled or disabled after the semiconductor device leaves the factory, providing adaptability while maintaining operational simplicity through automated activation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a feature activation intermediary system that mediates between the manufacturer's feature definitions and the device's actual feature activation. This intermediary layer manages the activation state of dormant features without requiring direct physical reconfiguration of the device, resolving the contradiction between post-factory activation capability and operational ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new versions of semiconductor devices are shipped to activate dormant features, then desired features can be activated, but inventory management becomes inefficient and revenue is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic feature activation on existing device versions, eliminating the need to ship new device versions for feature updates. This dynamic activation capability allows manufacturers to maintain efficient inventory levels while still providing customers with desired features, directly resolving the productivity loss associated with shipping new versions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers the value of dormant features in existing inventory by enabling their activation after shipment. Instead of discarding or re-manufacturing devices to activate features, the system recovers functionality by activating dormant features in-place, improving inventory efficiency and preventing revenue loss from unsold stock.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers predefine and manage numerous SKUs for different feature combinations, then all feature combinations can be tracked, but some combinations are never realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal feature activation system that manages all feature combinations through a single platform rather than requiring separate SKUs for each combination. This multi-functional system handles diverse feature configurations dynamically, reducing SKU management complexity while maintaining the ability to track and activate any feature combination on demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces static SKU-based feature management with dynamic feature activation. Instead of predefining fixed feature combinations in numerous SKUs, the system dynamically configures features based on customer needs, eliminating unused SKU combinations and simplifying inventory management while maintaining full adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) for software defined silicon guardianship are disclosed. An example method for semiconductor feature guardianship includes identifying, with a co-processor of a first semiconductor device, a feature based on a license received via a network from a remote enterprise system, the feature activated on a first semiconductor device based on the license, generating, with the co-processor of the first semiconductor device, a mesh network, the mesh network including a plurality of nodes associated with respective semiconductor devices including the first semiconductor device, the plurality of nodes including a primary node in communication with one or more secondary nodes, and migrating, with the co-processor of the first semiconductor device, the feature from a first secondary node to a second secondary node in response to a feature failure even on the first secondary node, the migration to maintain a feature entitlement associated with the license.