Adaptive Data Encoding Circuit Using Transition Timing on Subset Wires
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data transmission techniques in microprocessors suffer from high power consumption due to interconnect driving power, significant bandwidth loss in Pulse Position Modulation (PPM), and the need for clock signal distribution, which does not scale well with technology advancements and increases di/dt noise.
Innovation Solution
A method of transmitting data using a waveform with signal transitions on a subset of wires, where the receiver measures the duration between transitions using a locally generated clock signal, independent of the transmitter's clock, to reduce power consumption and eliminate clock signal propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional parallel transmission techniques are used, then data transmission speed is improved, but power consumption increases due to multiple voltage toggles on multiple wires
Solution Approach 1:
The data transmission is segmented into multiple frames, with each frame containing a subset of the total data bits. This allows the system to transmit data in organized chunks over time, reducing the need for simultaneous voltage toggles across all wires while maintaining overall transmission speed through pipelining and parallel frame processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic clocking only during the initial synchronization phase to establish frame boundaries and wire mappings. After synchronization, data transmission proceeds without continuous clocking, using the established frame structure to guide periodic data placement on wires, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining transmission speed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) is used, then power consumption becomes deterministic, but bandwidth is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Data is divided into frames with each frame containing multiple bits that can be transmitted in parallel across multiple wires. This segmentation allows the system to achieve deterministic power consumption by controlling the number of active wires per frame while maintaining high bandwidth through parallel transmission of multiple bits simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits more data bits per frame than the minimum required, using available wire capacity efficiently. By allowing some wires to remain inactive in certain frames while others carry data, the system achieves deterministic power consumption without sacrificing overall bandwidth, as the inactive wires simply consume no power during those periods.
3Reliability
If clock signal distribution is implemented, then synchronization between transmitter and receiver is improved, but device complexity and di/dt noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
Synchronization is established in advance during an initial training phase before data transmission begins. The transmitter and receiver exchange synchronization information and establish wire mappings during this preliminary phase, eliminating the need for continuous clock signal distribution during actual data transmission, thereby reducing device complexity and di/dt noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous clock signal distribution infrastructure is extracted and replaced with a one-time synchronization establishment mechanism. After the initial synchronization phase, data transmission proceeds without requiring ongoing clock signals, removing the complexity and noise associated with continuous clock distribution while maintaining synchronization through the established frame structure.
4Productivity
If all wires are used for data transmission, then bandwidth is maximized, but power consumption increases due to more wires requiring voltage transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The set of available wires is segmented into multiple subsets, with each frame utilizing only a specific subset of wires for data transmission. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high bandwidth by having multiple subsets available while reducing power consumption by activating only one subset at a time, thereby limiting the number of wires requiring voltage transitions during any given transmission period.
Data Source
AI summary
Various energy efficient data encoding schemes and computing devices are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of transmitting data from a transmitter to a receiver connected by plural wires is provided. The method includes sending from the transmitter on at least one but not all of the wires a first wave form that has first and second signal transitions. The receiver receives the first waveform and measures a first duration between the first and second signal transitions using a locally generated clock signal not received from the transmitter. The first duration is indicative of a first particular data value.