Static VGPIO Mapping for Deterministic Channel Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face inefficiencies in transmitting large data packets due to limited channel allocation and arbitration schemes, which result in fragmented packet transmission and increased latency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a static mapping of virtual general-purpose input-outputs (VGPIOs) between source and target devices to establish deterministic communication links, allowing for efficient channel allocation and use, reducing the need for dynamic mechanisms that can cause race conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If arbitration scheme is used to establish channel ownership, then channel access control is achieved, but transmission of large packets is fragmented across several time slots causing increased latency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel access controlVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing channel ownership through static mapping of VGPIOs to channels before communication occurs. This eliminates the need for arbitration during data transmission, allowing large packets to be transmitted continuously without being fragmented across time slots, thereby reducing latency while maintaining reliable channel access control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic channel allocation mechanism is used, then flexibility in channel assignment is improved, but race conditions may occur reducing system reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel assignment flexibilityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional dynamic allocation approach by using static mapping where VGPIOs are permanently assigned to specific channels. This eliminates race conditions and synchronization issues inherent in dynamic mechanisms while maintaining system flexibility through the deterministic nature of static assignments. The source device can reliably determine channel ownership without complex arbitration logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If limited number of logical channels are provided, then device complexity is reduced, but communication efficiency between multiple devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of logical channelsVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by allowing each VGPIO to be mapped to any channel dynamically through static configuration, enabling a limited number of physical channels to serve multiple device pairs efficiently. The static mapping table provides a deterministic method for any source device to determine which channels it can use with any target device, maximizing communication efficiency without increasing the number of physical channels or device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7373111B2Communication access apparatus, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2008.05.13 MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

An apparatus and a system, as well as a method and article, may operate to reserve access for a source device included in a plurality N of source devices to N−1 logical channels accessible by a set of target devices included in the plurality of source devices by creating a static map, wherein N is a positive integer.